This easy apple crumble pairs soft, cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy, buttery oat topping that bakes up golden and crisp. Best of all, it needs no pastry skills, no rolling pin, and only about 15 minutes of hands-on work. Apples are also one of America’s favorite fruits: USDA data show Americans eat roughly 10 pounds of fresh apples per person each year, second only to bananas among fresh fruits (USDA ERS). An apple crumble is one of the coziest ways to use them.
Key Takeaways
- Mixing tart and sweet apples gives the filling the best flavor and texture.
- Cold butter rubbed into the topping creates crisp, clumpy crumbs.
- It bakes in about 40 minutes and serves 8.
What Is Apple Crumble?
An apple crumble is a baked dessert of spiced fruit under a rubbly topping of flour, butter, and sugar. It is a British classic, and in the U.S. a very similar dessert is called apple crisp, which usually adds oats to the topping. This version, in fact, includes oats for extra crunch.
Unlike pie, there is no crust to roll out. Consequently, it is one of the most forgiving desserts you can bake.
Apple Crumble Ingredients
- Apples: Ideally, use a mix, such as Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp or Gala for sweetness.
- Lemon juice: In addition, it keeps the apples bright and balances the sugar.
- Brown sugar and spices: For example, cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg make it taste like autumn.
- Cornstarch: Also, just a little thickens the juices.
- Topping: Flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cold butter, and a pinch of salt.
How to Make Apple Crumble
You will find the exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post. Here is the method in four steps.
1. Prep the apples. First, heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel, core, and slice the apples, then toss them with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch.
2. Make the topping. Next, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Then rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until large clumps form.
3. Assemble. After that, spread the apples in a baking dish and scatter the topping evenly over them.
4. Bake. Finally, bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden and the juices bubble at the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Apple Crumble
- Slice evenly. That is because even slices cook at the same rate, so none stay crunchy.
- Keep the butter cold. Cold butter makes crisp clumps, whereas melted butter makes a greasy topping.
- Chill the topping. For extra-chunky crumbs, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before baking.
- Bake on a sheet pan. Moreover, it catches any bubbling juices, which keeps your oven clean.
Serving Ideas
Ideally, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard. Similarly, a drizzle of salted caramel turns it into an extra-special dessert. Leftovers are even great cold for breakfast with Greek yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp?
They are very similar. Traditionally, a crumble topping is made without oats, while a crisp includes them. However, the names are often used interchangeably today.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble it up to 1 day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Then bake it straight from the fridge, adding 5 to 10 minutes.
Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Freeze the unbaked crumble for up to 3 months. Afterward, bake it from frozen at 350°F for about 1 hour.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this easy apple crumble is comfort in a dish. Not only is it simple and budget-friendly, but it is also perfect for cool evenings.
Pair it with our cozy fig vanilla milk tea, or try our pear walnut baked oatmeal cups for breakfast.
AuthorEmma food bloggerDifficultyBeginnerCinnamon-spiced apples baked under a crisp, buttery oat crumble topping. Serves 8.
Apple Filling
Crumble Topping
Preheat. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9-inch square or 2-quart baking dish.
Make the filling. Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread in the dish.
Make the topping. Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until large clumps form.
Top. Scatter the topping evenly over the apples.
Bake. Set the dish on a sheet pan and bake 40–45 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.
Rest and serve. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.
8 servings
1/8 of dish
- Amount per serving
- Calories325
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g16%
- Saturated Fat 7g35%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 31mg11%
- Sodium 75mg4%
- Total Carbohydrate 54g20%
- Dietary Fiber 4g15%
- Total Sugars 35g
- Protein 3g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Apple Filling
Crumble Topping
Sources
- USDA Economic Research Service, Apples and oranges remain the top U.S. fruit choices (2019 loss-adjusted data)
