Introduction

Oh, apple crumble! Just saying the words brings back a flood of cozy memories, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s the smell of cinnamon wafting from the oven, or the delightful contrast of warm, tender apples with that perfectly crisp, buttery topping. Whatever it is, apple crumble is pure comfort in a dish. And the best part? This recipe is ridiculously easy to whip up, making it perfect for those weeknight cravings or when you need a last-minute dessert that will wow everyone.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, you can have this in the oven in under 20 minutes!
Easy: No fancy techniques here. Just a bit of mixing and assembling.
Giftable: Bake it in a cute dish and present it as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love a warm slice of apple crumble? It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Gather ’round, bakers! Here’s what you’ll need for this magical apple crumble. Don’t worry, it’s all stuff you probably have in your pantry already.

For the Crumble Topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour: The foundation of our crunchy topping.
3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark): Gives that irresistible caramel-like sweetness and helps with crisping. Light brown sugar for a softer flavor, dark for a deeper one.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Our little secret for a lighter, more tender crumble.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop!
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Because what is apple crumble without cinnamon? It’s the heart and soul!
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: This is what brings it all together and makes it gloriously golden and crisp.

For the Apple Filling:

2 ½ pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced or diced into bite-sized pieces (about 6 to 7 cups): Granny Smiths are my go-to for their tartness that holds up beautifully when baked. About 6-7 medium apples.
½ cup granulated sugar or brown sugar: You can use either! Granulated sugar keeps the apple flavor bright, while brown sugar adds a lovely depth.
1 tablespoon lemon juice: A little squeeze brightens up the apples and keeps them from browning too much.
2 tablespoons cornstarch or all-purpose flour: This is what will thicken up those lovely apple juices as they bake.
½ teaspoon salt: Again, just a pinch to enhance those sweet apple flavors.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: We can’t skimp on the cinnamon here!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this deliciousness in the oven! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3… well, 7 steps, but they’re all super simple.

Preheat your oven: First things first, get that oven warming up to 375°F (190°C). A hot oven is key to a perfectly baked crumble.
Whip up the crumble topping: Grab a medium bowl. Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. It’s like a little spice party! Now, pour in that melted butter and stir it all up with a fork or your fingers until it looks like yummy, coarse crumbs. Set this delightful mix aside.
Prep the apple filling: In a big bowl (you’ll want space to toss!), combine your prepared apples. Add the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch (or flour), salt, and the rest of that wonderful cinnamon. Gently toss everything together until those apple pieces are beautifully coated. I like to give them a good, loving toss to make sure every slice gets a taste of that cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Dish it up: Pour that glorious apple filling into an 8×8 inch baking dish. If you don’t have an 8×8, any similar-sized oven-safe dish will work perfectly. Just make sure it’s not too deep, so the topping gets nice and crisp.
Top it off: Now for the best part! Evenly scatter that crumbly topping you made all over the apples. Don’t be shy – get it right to the edges!
Bake ’til golden: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 35-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is a lovely golden brown and you can see the apple filling bubbling happily around the edges. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely divine!
Cool and serve: Let your beautiful apple crumble cool for just a few minutes before digging in. It’s piping hot right out of the oven, and a little patience will be rewarded!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is pretty perfect as is, but you know me, I love a good creative twist! Here are a few ideas:

Nutty Crunch: Add about 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping mixture for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
Oats for the Win: For an even more rustic crumble, swap out 1/2 cup of the flour for 1/2 cup of rolled oats in the topping.
Spice it Up: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to the apple filling for a warmer spice profile.
Berry Goodness: Toss in a cup of fresh or frozen berries (like blueberries or raspberries) with your apples for a delightful fruity combination.
Citrus Zest: Add the zest of half a lemon or orange to the apple filling for an extra burst of brightness.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets from my kitchen to yours to ensure your apple crumble is a showstopper every time:

Apple Choice Matters: While Granny Smith are fantastic, a mix of apples (like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala) can add more complex flavor and texture. Just make sure they’re firm enough to hold their shape.
Don’t Overmix the Topping: You want coarse crumbs, not a paste. A few quick stirs are all you need once the butter is added.
Even Apple Slices: Try to get your apple slices or dice relatively uniform in size so they cook evenly.
Prep Ahead Power: You can prepare the crumble topping and store it in the fridge for a day or two, or even freeze it. You can also peel and slice your apples ahead of time and keep them in water with a little lemon juice in the fridge.
Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Make sure your baking dish isn’t too deep for the amount of filling. This allows the topping to get nice and crisp.

How to Store It

Leftover apple crumble? Lucky you! You can store it airtight at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. It’s almost as good the second day, especially with a scoop of ice cream!

FAQs

Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can easily make this gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour in the crumble topping with a good gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. For the filling, ensure you use cornstarch, which is naturally gluten-free, instead of flour.

What’s the best way to serve apple crumble?

Oh, the possibilities! It’s divine served warm on its own, but it’s truly heavenly with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A little custard on the side is also never a bad idea!

Can I use different kinds of apples?

Yes! While Granny Smith are excellent for their tartness and ability to hold their shape, feel free to use a mix of apples. Consider adding sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for a more complex flavor. Just avoid overly soft apples that might turn to mush.

How do I know when the apples are cooked?

You’ll know the apples are perfectly cooked when they are tender when pierced with a fork and the filling is bubbling around the edges of the dish. The topping should be a beautiful golden brown.

Apple Crumble

The easiest, most comforting apple crumble recipe you'll ever make! This is a fast, easy, and crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for weeknight cravings or last-minute guests.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Servings 8 slices

Equipment

Medium bowl
Big bowl for tossing apples
8x8 inch baking dish or similar sized oven-safe dish

Ingredients

Crumble Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour The foundation of our crunchy topping.
0.75 cup brown sugar light or dark, gives that irresistible caramel-like sweetness and helps with crisping.
1 teaspoon baking powder Our little secret for a lighter, more tender crumble.
0.5 teaspoon salt Balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop!
0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon The heart and soul!
8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, this is what brings it all together and makes it gloriously golden and crisp.

Apple Filling

2.5 pounds Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and sliced or diced into bite-sized pieces (about 6 to 7 cups). About 6-7 medium apples.
0.5 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar granulated sugar keeps the apple flavor bright, while brown sugar adds a lovely depth.
1 tablespoon lemon juice A little squeeze brightens up the apples and keeps them from browning too much.
2 tablespoons cornstarch or all-purpose flour This is what will thicken up those lovely apple juices as they bake.
0.5 teaspoon salt enhance those sweet apple flavors.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon We can't skimp on the cinnamon here!

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon for the topping. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork or fingers until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
1 cup all-purpose flour
In a big bowl, combine the prepared apples with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch (or flour), salt, and cinnamon for the filling. Gently toss until the apple pieces are coated.
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pour the apple filling into an 8x8 inch baking dish.
1 cup all-purpose flour
Evenly scatter the crumble topping over the apples.
1 cup all-purpose flour
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

This recipe is pretty perfect as is, but you know me, I love a good creative twist! Here are a few ideas: Add about 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for an extra layer of texture and flavor. Swap out 1/2 cup of the flour for 1/2 cup of rolled oats in the topping for an even more rustic crumble. Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to the apple filling for a warmer spice profile. Toss in a cup of fresh or frozen berries (like blueberries or raspberries) with your apples for a delightful fruity combination. Add the zest of half a lemon or orange to the apple filling for an extra burst of brightness.