This easy recipe for apple crumble is the best way to bring fresh crisp apples to the table!
Tender and sweet cinnamon-kissed apples are baked under a buttery brown sugar crumble topping.
With just a few simple steps (and ingredients you likely have on hand), this delicious dessert is ready to put into the oven.
We love apple recipes in the fall from cozy Apple Pie Bread to easy apple hand pies.
The Best Apples for Crumble
Granny Smith Apples are my personal favorite for most dessert recipes. I love their tart flavor and they hold their shape well.
Other options include Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
Other Ingredients for Apple Crumble
In addition to the apples mentioned above, you’ll need just a handful of pantry ingredients for this apple crumble recipe.
Apple Filling: A bit of all purpose flour thickens the juices while cinnamon and sugar sweeten and flavor it.
Crumble Topping: The crumble topping is made with flour, cold butter, sugar, and spices. Feel free to add some finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
How to Make Apple Crumble
Sometimes simple is best when it comes time to make dessert. I love this dessert because it reminds my of the desserts my mom used to make when I was younger.
- Prepare topping: Place toppings in a bowl and cut with a pastry cutter until it begins to stick together as you mix it. Refrigerate while preparing apples.
- Prepare apples: Toss apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a greased casserole dish.
- Bake: Sprinkle topping and bake until golden brown according to the recipe below.
Tips for A Great Crumble Topping
- Use cold butter in this recipe and mix the topping until it starts to stick together and form larger pieces.
- If the topping seems powdery, it needs to be mixed longer until it forms larger crumbs.
- Refrigerate the topping while peeling the apples, this helps keep it from melting and keeps it crumbly and crisp.
- Use firm apples so they don’t lose their shape and become mushy while baking. Overbaking can cause mushy apples.
- Check the apple crumble early so the apples don’t overcook or they will turn into applesauce!
A crumble is fruit mixed with sweetened seasonings like cinnamon, allspice, cloves, sugar, and a bit of flour or cornstarch for thickening. It’s baked with a streusel-type topping.
Apple crumble (as in this recipe) is made with a simple streusel topping made of butter, flour, sugars, and spices.
Apple crisp contains oats and nuts.
Apple Cobbler is more of a cake-like or biscuit-like topping depending on the recipe.
This easy apple crumble recipe can be stored either in the fridge for 24 hours before baking. If making ahead, toss the apples with a spoonful of lemon juice so they don’t brown too much.
Once baked, it can be kept or on the counter for up to 2 days. If you plan to store it longer, I would suggest keeping it in the refrigerator.
Yes, apple crumble can be frozen either before or after baking. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed. If the crumble is still really cold, it might need a few minutes of extra baking time.
More Apple Recipes
Did your family love this Apple Crumble? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Homemade Apple Crumble
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups apples peeled and chopped, 1" pieces
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup flour
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place all topping ingredients (except butter) in a medium bowl. Use a pastry cutter to cut in butter until the mixture starts to stick together, about 3 minutes. Place in the fridge while preparing the apples.
- Place apples in a 2qt baking dish and toss with sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle crumble topping over top of apple mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden and apples are soft.
- Serve warm with ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
How about using Gluten Free flour blend to make this a gluten free dessert?
Definitely! An all-purpose gluten free flour would work great in this recipe, Marian.