I absolutely love this Apple Crumble Recipe because it’s the perfect cozy dessert that’s both simple and incredibly comforting. Whenever I’m craving something homey and sweet but not overly complicated, this crumble is my go-to. The combination of tender, slightly tart apples with a crunchy, buttery topping just hits the spot every time.
You’ll find that this Apple Crumble Recipe works beautifully as a warm treat on chilly evenings or anytime you want a little homemade indulgence without spending hours in the kitchen. What makes it truly special is how forgiving it is—you can easily swap apples for pears or berries, yet the end result is always amazing. Plus, pairing it with vanilla ice cream makes it absolutely irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples that you probably already have on hand.
- Versatile: Easily customize with different fruits depending on the season or what you love.
- Perfect Texture: Buttery crumble topping that’s both crunchy and tender over soft, juicy apples.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A dessert that your family and guests will actually ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Crumble Recipe brings together a classic mix of tart apples and a spiced, buttery crumble topping. Picking the right apples and sugar balance will make all the difference in your final dish.
- Granny Smith Apples: I prefer these for their tartness which balances the sweetness well, but you can pick any firm, baking apple.
- All-purpose Flour: It helps thicken the apple filling and gives structure to the crumble topping.
- White Sugar: Your go-to sweetener in the filling for that perfect jammy consistency; you can substitute brown sugar too.
- Lemon Juice: Keeps the apples from browning and adds a nice subtle zing.
- Ground Cinnamon: A warm spice that makes this crumble smell like fall, bringing everything together beautifully.
- Rolled Oats: Adds a lovely texture to the crumble topping—quick oats are fine if that’s what you have.
- Brown Sugar: For the topping, it adds moisture and that deep, caramel flavor I adore.
- Baking Powder: Helps the crumble topping stay light and crumbly instead of dense.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is key—it binds the topping and gives it that rich, golden crust.
- Pinch of Salt: Just enough to enhance the sweetness and round out the flavors.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Perfect for serving alongside—melts over the warm crumble for an indulgent finish.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Apple Crumble Recipe to suit whatever mood I’m in or what’s in season. Feel free to experiment and make it yours!
- Fruit Swap: I’ve made this with pears or mixed berries and honestly, it’s just as delicious—just tweak the sugar a bit if your fruit is sweeter.
- Gluten-Free Version: Using gluten-free oats and flour works perfectly if you need to avoid gluten; it still comes out crumbly and delicious.
- Less Sweet: Reducing the sugar in the topping (but keeping it in the filling) has worked well for me when I wanted a less sugary dessert.
- Adding Nuts: Toasted walnuts or pecans sprinkled into the crumble topping give such a lovely crunch and depth of flavor.
How to Make Apple Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Apples
First things first, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Peel your Granny Smith apples and cut them into about 1.5cm (1/2 inch) cubes—this size helps them cook evenly without turning mushy. Toss the apple cubes with flour, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice so they’re nicely coated. This mix ensures your filling thickens up and gets that lovely jammy texture once baked. Spread these apples evenly in a 1.5 liter (1.5 quart) baking dish so the heat reaches them all consistently.
Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping
In a separate bowl, combine your rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir everything together until clumps form that look a bit like wet sand. This crumbly texture is exactly what you want—it will bake into that crispy, golden topping everyone loves. Spread this crumble evenly over the apple mixture, breaking up any large clumps with your fingers.
Step 3: Bake and Let It Rest
Pop your assembled crumble into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is a beautiful golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling nicely around the edges. I learned to cover it loosely with foil after baking to keep it warm—letting it rest for about 10 minutes thickens up the apple syrup and makes serving easier without it running everywhere. That rest period really brings everything together.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Crumble Recipe
- Choose Tart Apples: I always pick Granny Smiths because their tartness balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: It prevents browning and brightens the flavor in the filling.
- Crumble Texture is Key: Mix your topping until it looks like wet sand—that’s the trick for a perfect crumbly topping.
- Give It That Rest: Letting the crumble sit after baking helps thicken the apple juices so it’s not too runny.
How to Serve Apple Crumble Recipe
Garnishes
I almost always top my warm apple crumble with a generous scoop of rich vanilla ice cream—it starts melting right away and creates this dreamy mix of hot and cold. Sometimes I sprinkle a little cinnamon or chopped nuts on top for an extra touch. If I’m feeling fancy, a dollop of whipped cream with a sprinkle of nutmeg works wonderfully too.
Side Dishes
While apple crumble shines as a dessert on its own, I’ve found it pairs beautifully with a strong black coffee or a warm chai tea, especially on cooler days. For a more decadent spread, a simple cheese plate with sharp cheddar can offer a surprising and delicious contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like baking individual crumbles in ramekins—everyone gets their own personal portion, and it looks charming on the table. You can also add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of edible flowers for a festive look. Serving it in a rustic cast iron skillet adds a cozy, homey vibe that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover apple crumble stores well in the refrigerator—just cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. I usually eat the leftovers within 2 to 3 days, and it still tastes great, especially reheated with a little ice cream or whipped cream. Just keep an eye on the topping so it doesn’t get soggy.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen both unbaked and baked apple crumble. When freezing unbaked, I prepare everything but hold off on putting on the crumble topping, which I add fresh after thawing. For baked, let it cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftover apple crumble in a warm oven at 160°C (320°F) for 15-20 minutes to get the topping crispy again without drying the apples out. I avoid microwaving because it tends to make the topping soggy. If you want, pop a little ice cream on top right after reheating—it’s the perfect revival!
FAQs
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Can I use other types of apples in this Apple Crumble Recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are great for their tartness and firmness, you can use Fuji, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or even a mix. Just adjust the sugar slightly depending on how sweet your apples are, but keep the lemon juice for balance and to prevent browning.
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How can I make this Apple Crumble Recipe gluten-free?
You can swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and make sure to use gluten-free oats. The texture might be slightly different but it still turns out deliciously crumbly and flavorful.
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Is it better to peel the apples for this recipe?
Yes, peeling helps create a smoother texture and more uniform filling. Apple skins can sometimes become tough or chewy after baking, which might contrast with the soft filling and crunchy topping.
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Can I prepare the crumble in advance?
Definitely! You can prepare everything up to spreading the crumble topping, cover it, and keep it refrigerated for a day. Add the crumble topping just before baking to keep it fresh and crunchy.
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What’s the best way to serve apple crumble?
Serving it warm with vanilla ice cream is classic and delicious. You can also try whipped cream, custard, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.
Final Thoughts
To be honest, this Apple Crumble Recipe has become a staple in my home because it’s that satisfying comfort dessert that’s easy yet impressive. Whether you’re baking it for a family dinner, a casual get-together, or just because, it never disappoints. Give it a try — I promise you’ll love how those sweet, tart apples pair with the crunchy topping, and it’s so cozy to enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Happy baking!
Print
Apple Crumble Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
This classic Apple Crumble recipe features tender, tart Granny Smith apples coated in a sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling, topped with a buttery, crumbly oat and brown sugar mixture. Baked until golden and served warm with vanilla ice cream, it’s the perfect comforting dessert for any season.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 2 lb / 1 kg Granny Smith apples (green apples), weight before peeling
- 1 tbsp plain/all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white sugar (can substitute brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (or water)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Topping
- 1 cup rolled oats / oatmeal (quick cooking is okay)
- 1 cup plain/all-purpose flour
- 1 cup loosely packed brown sugar (can substitute white sugar)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 125 g / 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
To Serve
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F (both fan and standard settings work).
- Prepare Apples: Peel the Granny Smith apples and cut them into 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) cubes for an even bite and texture.
- Make Apple Filling: In a mixing bowl, toss the apple cubes with plain flour, white sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. The flour helps thicken the filling, sugar adds sweetness, cinnamon adds warmth, and lemon juice balances the flavors and prevents browning. Spread this mixture evenly into a 1.5 litre (1.5 quart) baking dish.
- Make Crumble Topping: In another bowl, combine rolled oats, plain flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon powder, and a pinch of salt. Pour in the melted unsalted butter and mix thoroughly until the mixture forms clumps resembling wet sand. Use your fingers to crumble this topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown and crisp, and the apple filling is bubbling.
- Rest: Remove the apple crumble from the oven and loosely cover it with foil. Let it stand for 10 minutes to allow the apple syrup to thicken slightly for a perfect consistency.
- Serve: Serve the crumble warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Weight is BEFORE peeling and coring. Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness, but you can use any apples, pears, or even berries. Reduce sugar slightly if using sweeter fruits like peaches.
- This recipe is forgiving with cup measures and works with US or Imperial cups but not with smaller Japanese cups; use the provided weight measures for accuracy.
- To make ahead: prepare up to before adding the crumble topping. Cover the topping with cling wrap and refrigerate if warm; crumble over apples just before baking.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar in the topping to as low as 1/2 cup but keep the sugar in the filling unchanged to maintain the syrup’s consistency. Green apples help reduce overall sweetness.
- Nutrition values are per serving assuming 8 servings and exclude the ice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe without ice cream
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
