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This apple crumble came straight from reader requests. So many of you made my apple crisp and caramel apple crisp and asked for the streusel version instead of the oat one, so I built this one to answer that. It holds a perfect 5 star rating from 8 reviews so far. The one thing I fixed that most crumble recipes get wrong is not skimping on the topping, you want that streusel piled on generously, not a thin dusting over the apples.
This literally tastes like fall! I’m obsessed — and now my house smells AMAZING!
-Melissa
This is the Best Apple Crumble Recipe
This recipe exists because readers asked for it. So many of you made my apple crisp and caramel apple crisp, then asked for the crumble version, the one made with a real streusel topping instead of an oat based one. This did not start as my idea, it started as a request I kept hearing.
The difference between a crumble and a crisp comes down to the topping. A crumble uses a streusel made from flour, sugar, and butter, while my apple crisp topping uses oats along with the flour, sugar, and butter. That is not a minor detail, it changes the whole texture, streusel bakes up more like a crumbly shortbread while an oat topping stays chewier and more rustic.
Here is my actual complaint with most apple crumble recipes out there, not enough topping. So many recipes treat the streusel like an afterthought, a thin layer barely covering the apples. I built this one so the topping is generous enough that you get real crumble in every bite, not just apples with a sprinkle on top.
This recipe holds a perfect 5 star rating from 8 reviews, and readers have already told me they doubled the topping on their own before I ever put out this version, which only confirmed I was solving the right problem.
Apple Crumble vs Apple Crisp
The main difference between an apple crumble and an apple crisp is the topping. A crumble’s topping is more like a streusel, made with flour, sugar, and butter. An apple crisp topping uses oats, flour, sugar, and butter.
Apple Crumble Recipe Ingredients
This is the perfect dessert to make during apple season, and the perfect way to use up extra apples! Keep reading below for all my best tips and get the full ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Apple Filling
- Apples: I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady Cut the apples into 1-inch by 1/2 inch pieces.
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
Crumble Topping
- All purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
Have an abundance of apples? Add apple empanadas to your baking list!
How to Make Apple Crumble
Tender apples spiced to perfection with a crumbly topping makes this easy recipe addictive – don’t say I didn’t warn you! The whole thing takes just about an hour and is done in just 5 simple steps. Get the full recipe with measurements and ingredients in the recipe card below.
Apple Filling
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. No need to spray the pan. In your baking dish (you can use a 8×8 inch pan, 8 inch round pan, 9×9 inch pan, 9 inch round pan, 7×11 inch pan, basically you can use any dish that is 2 to 2.5 quarts) combine the apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss with a spoon or spatula to combine.
Apple Crumble Topping
- In a mixing bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Use a spatula to mix the crumb. The mixture will be thick and you must stir well (elbow grease!) to combine all the dry ingredients. Continue to combine until the mixture looks wet. It’s okay if the mixture is “sandy” in texture. Use your hands to squeeze clumps together, forcing the mixture together.
- Use your fingers to break the topping into clumps, evenly distributing over the apples.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes. Check to see if the crisp is bubbling and if the topping is golden. If those two things have not occurred, bake for 10-20 additional minutes. The bake time will depend on what size of pan you used. I baked my crisp for 60 minutes in an oval 7×11 inch pan. Allow the crumble to cool for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to thicken, then serve.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream.
Variations of This Apple Crumble Recipe
This recipe is easy to build on once you’ve got the base down. A few ways to switch it up:
Add nuts to the topping. Stir ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping before you sprinkle it over the apples. It adds crunch and a little extra flavor that pairs really well with the cinnamon.
Make it caramel apple crumble. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before you add the crumble topping, or serve it warm with caramel sauce over the top right before eating.
Go gluten free. Swap the flour in the crumble topping for a 1:1 gluten free blend, I recommend King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour. I’ve made this both ways with great results.
Double it for a 9×13 pan. This recipe fits a 2 to 2.5 quart dish as written, but you can double the whole recipe for a 9×13 pan if you’re feeding a crowd. Just expect a longer bake time since you’ll have more filling to cook through.
How to Serve This Easy Apple Crumble
This cozy dessert is my absolute favorite to serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of my easy whipped cream recipe. You can also top each individual serving with a drizzle of caramel sauce or chopped nuts.
How to Store This Apple Crumble Dessert
To store leftovers, either cover them in the baking dish or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. I recommend reheating it in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, although the microwave will work in a pinch—the topping just won’t be as crispy.
To freeze, place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat it according to the instructions above.
Easy Apple Crumble FAQs
The main difference between an apple pie and an apple crumble is the crust vs topping. A pie is traditionally enclosed inside a buttery crust, while a crumble has no crust on the bottom or sides, but has a crumbly topping.
The balance between flour and butter is critical to making a crunchy crumble recipe. If your crumble is too dry, try adding a little more butter. Avoid pressing it firmly or processing it too finely. It should be crumbly with lumps of butter before baking. If it seems too soggy, try adding a little more flour.
In the perfect apple crumble, ideally, your apples should be soft and cooked. The contrast of the soft apples to the crunch of the crumb topping is what makes an apple crisp so good.
To thicken an apple crumble recipe, we use cornstarch in the apple filling.
Yes, and there are a couple ways to do it depending on how far ahead you’re planning. You can assemble the whole thing, apples and crumble topping together, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just know the apples will release a little more liquid the longer they sit, so the bake time might run slightly longer than the recipe states.
You can also freeze it unbaked. Assemble everything in a freezer safe dish, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, no need to thaw first, you’ll just need to add extra time in the oven until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling.
More Apple Recipes
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Apple Crumble Dessert
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 7 cups peeled & chopped apples, 6-7 large or 8-10 small apples, I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady Cut the apples into 1 inch by 1/2 inch pieces
- ½ cup (99g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (56g) cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Crumble Topping
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (142g) brown sugar, packed
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
Video
Instructions
Apple Filling
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. No need to spray the pan. In your baking dish (you can use a 8×8 inch pan, 8 inch round pan, 9×9 inch pan, 9 inch round pan, 7×11 inch pan, basically you can use any dish that is 2 to 2.5 quarts) combine the apples, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss with a spoon or spatula to combine.7 cups peeled & chopped apples, ½ cup (99g) granulated sugar, ¼ cup (56g) cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp salt
Crumble Topping
- In a mixing bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Use a spatula to mix the crumb. The mixture will be thick and you must stir well (elbow grease!) to combine all the dry ingredients. Continue to combine until the mixture looks wet. It’s okay if the mixture is “sandy” in texture. Use your hands to squeeze clumps together, forcing the mixture together.1 ½ cups (180g) all purpose flour, ⅔ cup (142g) brown sugar, 1½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
- Use your fingers to break the topping into clumps, evenly distributing over the apples.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes. Check to see if the crisp is bubbling and if the topping is golden. If those two things have not occurred, bake for 10-20 additional minutes. The bake time will depend on what size of pan you used. I baked my crisp for 60 minutes in an oval 7×11 inch pan. Allow the crumble to cool for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to thicken, then serve.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream.
I used to make apple pies just like these for my ex-husband and he loved them! You can put these in the freezer unbaked also! 😋 These Adds drive me crazy though!!
Thank you, Beth!!
Karen Camp
Just made this recipe. It was easy to make and delicious.
The best I have ever made..love your recipes..they never fail to impress me thank uou
This literally tastes like fall! I’m obsessed — and now my house smells AMAZING!
I thought the “Easy Apple Crumble” was very good AND easy. Would like to see measurements/directions for a 9×13 pan. I was concerned the topping portion was too much for size of dish, but it turn out Great! Not too much sugar also I liked that too!! I was a little surprised about how much of the cornstarch, but the whole dish was Yummy!
Thanks Beth!
Can you use coconut or almond flour? If so how much? Thanks
Beth, would it be possible for you to include nutritional information with your recipes? Thank you.
Hi Mary! Somehow we missed adding the nutritional information for this recipe, just fixed that! Most recipes have nutritional estimates by servings.
This was such a hit with the family, everyone liked it from adults to children. We are making it again today. Looking forward to more recipes from you 😊