This easy Apple Crumble recipe is awesomely delicious! Bursting with warm cinnamon apples, plus a sprinkle of sweet and crunchy topping, it’s simply the best apple crumble recipe. Serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, and dig in!

 

Easy Apple Crumble

Apple Crumble is the lazy BFF of Apple Pie. You get all the delicious Fall flavors and satisfaction of an Apple Pie but in about half the time and half the work. It’s just fresh, crisp apples topped with sweet, buttery, and crunchy oats. Seriously, what can be better than a marriage of brown sugar, butter, oats, apples, and cinnamon?! The softened baked apples pair perfectly with the sweet crunch of the oat crumble topping. 

I’ll put it to you this way – the ONLY thing I like more than a hot Summer day by the pool is a Fall crisp day with a warm bowl of Apple Crumble in one hand and a Pumpkin Spice Latte in the other. HEAVEN! Apple Crumble, or Apple Crisp, is a beautiful dessert that can be made quickly and prepared ahead of time. Top that warm crunchy crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate cozy experience.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: Apple Crumble is the laid-back cousin of Apple Pie, offering all the deliciousness with half the effort.
• Rich in Fall Flavors: It summarizes the nature of Fall with warm cinnamon apples and a delightful mix of brown sugar, butter, oats, and cinnamon.
• Perfect Texture Combination: The softness of baked apples contrasts beautifully with the crunchy oat crumble topping.
• Make-Ahead Dessert: Not only is it quick to whip up, but you can also prepare it ahead of time, making it perfect for gatherings or a spontaneous treat.

Ingredients For Apple Crumble

This Apple Crumble recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create a heartwarming, delicious dessert perfect for the season.

• Granny Smith Apples & Honeycrisp Apples: They add a sweet and tart flavor to balance the dish.
• Lemon: Brings out the freshness of the apples and prevents browning.
• All-purpose Flour: Helps thicken the apple filling so it’s not too watery.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dessert.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy flavor to the apple filling.
• All-purpose Flour: Provides structure to the crumble topping.
• Rolled Oats: Adds a chewy texture to the crumble.
• Light Brown Sugar: Gives the topping a molasses-rich sweetness and moisture.
• Baking Powder
• Ground Nutmeg: Adds a subtle spice.
• Salt
• Butter: Binds the dry ingredients and provides a rich, buttery flavor.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: For sweetness and aroma.

How To Make Apple Crumble

1. We start with dicing 1 pound of Granny Smith apples and 1 pound of Honeycrisp apples.
2. Layer the apples on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish and squeeze lemon juice all over the apples; toss to combine. Sprinkle with flour, sugar, and cinnamon and mix until thoroughly incorporated. 
3. Next, work on the simple crumble by combining oats, flour, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking powder. Melt a stick of butter and mix in pure vanilla extract; pour the melted butter over the oat mixture and mix until combined.
4. Top apples with the prepared crumble; spray the topping with cooking oil and bake for 40 to 45 minutes in a 350˚F preheated oven. If the top starts to brown sooner than the apples are done cooking, tent a sheet of aluminum foil over the crumble and continue to bake until done.

What Are The Best Apples For Baking?

The best apples for baking maintain their structure and don’t turn mushy when exposed to heat. Additionally, a mix of tart and sweet flavors often produces the most well-rounded taste in baked goods. Here are some of the best apples for baking:

• Granny Smiths are best for pies, crisps, and any dessert where a pronounced tart apple flavor is desired.
• Honeycrisps are best for crumbles, crisps, and pies.
• Golden Delicious should be used in baked apple dishes where you don’t want overpowering tartness.
• Fuji Apples are great when mixed with a tarter apple in pies, crumbles, or crisps to provide natural sweetness.

What Is The Difference Between a Cobbler, Crumble, and Crisp?

• Cobbler:
  • Topping: Typically has a biscuit-like or cake-like topping. The fruit mixture is placed at the bottom of the baking dish, and dollops of the dough are placed on top, resembling cobblestones (which is thought to be the origin of its name). Some regional variations may use a more batter-like topping that gets more cakey as it bakes.
  • Texture: The end result often has a slightly thickened fruit layer on the bottom with a soft, fluffy, or cakey layer on top.
• Crumble:
  • Topping: Made primarily of flour, sugar, oats, and butter. It might not always contain oats, though variations can sometimes blur the line between crumble and crisp.
  • Texture: The topping is somewhat like streusel, and it’s more “crumbly” in nature. It’s sandy with some larger chunks, providing a contrast to the soft fruit beneath.
• Crisp:
  • Topping: Similar to a crumble but always with the addition of oats, which gives it a more textured, “crisp” finish. The oats create a heartier topping and a crunchier texture.
  • Texture: The end result often has the baked fruit on the bottom with a crispy, textured topping, thanks to the oats.

How To Make Apple Crumble Ahead Of Time

• If you want to prepare the crumble in the baking dish ahead of time, assemble the filling and the topping in the dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge and let it sit out for about 30 minutes, then bake as per the recipe.
• You can also freeze the entire assembled crumble (unbaked) for longer storage. When you’re ready to eat, bake directly from the freezer, adding additional time as needed.
• If you’re using a glass baking dish and baking directly from the refrigerator or freezer, be cautious, as placing a cold glass dish in a hot oven can cause it to shatter. Allow the dish to come closer to room temperature before baking.

Storage

• Cover the completely cooled crumble with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 
• To Freeze: Cover baked or unbaked Apple Crumble with plastic wrap and a sheet of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

More Crumble Recipes

• Strawberry Crumble
• Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble
• Strawberry Blueberry Crumble

Apple Recipes To Try

• Apple and Zucchini Bread
• Apple Oatmeal Cookies
• Lighter Caramel-Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples
• Microwave Baked Apples
• Healthy Apple Cobbler

ENJOY!