Apple crumble is a comforting dessert with fresh apples, cinnamon, and a golden, buttery, crisp topping.

It’s an easy recipe with simple and affordable ingredients. The flavor-texture combination is unbeatable.

Apple Crumble is perfect for any occasion, from everyday meals to elaborate holiday dinners.

Apple crumble with a silver spoon and a cup of coffee

Why you will love this apple crumble

Apple crumble in pie dish and a cup of coffee

Apple crumble will become one of your favorite apple recipes because it combines the universally loved apple-cinnamon flavor with a buttery-crisp topping.

While we love to use apples to make more elaborate desserts, like our apple pie, apple tart, and apple cinnamon rolls, apple crumble is our go-to recipe when we are short on time or tired after work but still want to put a delicious dessert on the table.

Like for apple crisp and apple bread, you can use leftover apples and a few simple pantry staples like butter, flour, and sugar.

A scooped put portion of apple crumble on a white plate

Feel free to add your favorite crumble add-ons, such as nuts and oats, or serve it with a spoonful of whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

But no matter what you do, let it have enough time in the oven so that the top becomes golden brown and crisps to perfection.

Ingredients for apple crumble

Ingredients for apple crumble

Quantities are in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Apples: You can use any apple variety, from fuji and golden delicious to pink ladies and granny smith. Substitute rhubarb, pears, or mixed berries for apples.

All-purpose flour: You can substitute 1-to-1 gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour.

Sugar: You can use brown or white sugar.

Butter: You can substitute vegan butter for regular butter if you are vegan.

Cinnamon: You can also add other spices, such as a pinch of nutmeg, clove, vanilla extract, allspice, and ginger. We like to add a grating of lemon zest to add freshness, but that’s optional.

Salt: Remember to add a pinch of salt to the crumble. That sweet-salty combination will make your tongue dance.

Apple crumble with a portion on a white plate and a cup of coffee

How to make apple crumble

Preheat the oven to 375°F or 190°C. Prepare your baking dish. We like to use a pie dish, but a casserole dish works, too. Lightly butter the bottom.

Cut the apples into thin slices. We like to keep the peel on, as it adds color and flavor and saves a good 10 minutes in the kitchen. But you can peel them if you prefer.

Add the sliced apples to a large mixing bowl. Toss them with sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Arrange them tightly into your baking dish.

Tip: A tablespoon of lemon juice prevents the apples from browning. This is useful if you are making the crumble ahead of time or if you are freezing it.

marinating apples for apple crumble

Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and diced cold butter in a separate bowl.

You can crumble the ingredients with your hands, pinching the butter and flour until they are incorporated.

You can also use a pastry cutter or give them a quick mix in a food processor.

Tip: You want the flour to be crumbly but not dusty. Don’t overwork the mixture; you don’t want to make a dough.

streusel for apple crumble in a glass bowl

Crumble the mixture on top of the apples, clean the rim of the dish, and bake for 35 – 40 minutes.

The apples should be tender, and the top should be golden brown.

before and after baking apple crumble

Let the crumble cool down for at least 15 minutes before serving it. As it cools, the top crisps up.

It’s delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, but it’s also excellent as is.

Apple crumble with a silver spoon

Tips

Adjust the sugar: If you use sweet apples (fuji, golden delicious), 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar for the filling is more than enough. If you use sour apples (green, granny smith), you might want to add an extra tablespoon, but that’s entirely up to you.

Let the crumble brown: Let the crumble color, as color equals flavor. The top should be dark amber or golden brown.

Add-ons: You can enrich the crumble with your favorite add-ons, such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, and oats.

Lemon juice: Adding a tablespoon or two of lemon juice to the apples prevents them from browning. This is helpful if you are making the recipe ahead of time or freezing it.

Storage

Make ahead: Apple crumble is an excellent recipe to make a few hours ahead and have it ready for your dinner. You can bake it as your guests are almost done with their mains.

Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Make the crumble in a freezer-friendly dish. Wrap it in plastic or a freezer bag and freeze it before baking. It lasts 3 months. Cook from frozen for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Reheat: Warm leftovers in a hot oven at 375°F or 190°C for 10 to 15 minutes.

Similar recipes

apple crumble with a silver spoon

Apple Crumble

5 from 4 votes
Apple crumble is a comforting winter dessert with fresh apples, cinnamon, and a golden, buttery, crisp topping.
It’s an easy recipe with simple and affordable ingredients. The flavor-texture combination is unbeatable—the best bang for your buck!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Equipment

  • 1 pie dish 9-inch or 23 cm

Ingredients 

CRUMBLE

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cold diced butter or vegan butter (about 5 ounces)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoons cinnamon

FILLING

  • 2 pounds apples cored and cut into thin wedges or slices.
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice + zest from half lemon, optional
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F or 190°C. Lightly butter the bottom of your baking dish.
    Core and cut 2 pounds apples into thin slices. You can keep the peel on.
    Add sliced apples to a large mixing bowl. Toss them with 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoons lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
    Arrange them tightly into your baking dish.
    marinating apples for apple crumble
  • Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup cold diced butter, ½ cup sugar, ½ teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt in a separate bowl.
    Crumble the ingredients with your hands, pinching the butter and flour until they are incorporated.
    Alternatively, use a pastry cutter or give them a quick blend in a food processor.
    streusel for apple crumble in a glass bowl
  • Crumble the mixture on top of the apples, clean the rim of the dish, and bake for 35 – 40 minutes.
    The apples should be tender, and the top golden brown.
    before and after baking apple crumble
  • Let the crumble cool down for 10-15 minutes before serving it. As it cools, the top crisps up.
    It’s delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, but it’s also excellent as is.
    Apple crumble in pie dish and a cup of coffee

Notes

TIPS
Adjust the sugar: If you use sweet apples (fuji, golden delicious), 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar for the filling is more than enough. If you use sour apples (green, granny smith), you might want to add an extra tablespoon, but that’s entirely up to you.
Let the crumble brown: Let the crumble color, as color equals flavor. The top should be dark amber or golden brown.
Add-ons: You can enrich the crumble with your favorite add-ons, such as walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, and oats.
Lemon juice: Adding a tablespoon or two of lemon juice to the apples prevents them from browning. This is helpful if you are making the recipe ahead of time or freezing it.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Apples: You can use any apple variety, from fuji and golden delicious to pink ladies and granny smith. Substitute rhubarb, pears, or mixed berries for apples.
All-purpose flour: You can substitute 1-to-1 gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour.
Sugar: You can use brown or white sugar.
Butter: You can substitute vegan butter for regular butter if you are vegan.
Cinnamon: You can also add other spices, such as a pinch of nutmeg, clove, vanilla extract, allspice, and ginger. We like to add a grating of lemon zest to add freshness, but that’s optional.
STORAGE
Make ahead: Apple crumble is an excellent recipe to make a few hours ahead and have it ready for your dinner. You can bake it as your guests are almost done with their mains.
Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Make the crumble in a freezer-friendly dish. Wrap it in plastic or a freezer bag and freeze it before baking. It lasts 3 months. Cook from frozen for about 40 to 45 minutes.
Reheat: Warm leftovers in a hot oven at 375°F or 190°C for 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of apple crisp out of 6, using non-dairy butter.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 311mg, Potassium: 156mg, Dietary Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 33g, Vitamin A: 63IU, Vitamin B6: 0.1mg, Vitamin C: 6mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 16µg, Calcium: 17mg, Folate: 50µg, Iron: 1mg, Manganese: 0.3mg, Magnesium: 12mg, Zinc: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or mention @nicoandlouise on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

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Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with vegetarian and vegan recipes.

5 from 4 votes

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8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love apple crumble! Thanks for this easy recipe. Do you think this recipe will work well with quince instead? I have some quinces lying around and I was thinking of something different to do with them ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

    1. Hi Shiva,

      We have not tested the crumble with quinces, but I would assume that it would work. The baking time should be the same as with apples.

      If you give it a try, do let us know how it turns out ๐Ÿ™‚ Happy baking!

    1. Hi Lucille,

      We haven’t tried, but we discussed, and believe that is can work in the air fryer. Here is what we recommend:

      1. Cook the apple mix (without the crumble) in your fryer at 180ยฐC (360F) for 15-20 minutes until tender
      2. Meanwhile make the crumble
      3. Add the crumble on top of the apples and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, check to avoid burning.

      You don’t mention the size of your air fryer, but the portion sizes stated in our recipes might be too much. Just FYI ๐Ÿ™‚

      Let me know how it goes, I’m very curious ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. 5 stars
    Loved this recipe!
    I used four honey crisp apples and added nutmeg and allspice and walnuts.
    I used half c uncooked oats and half flour
    Easy and fabulous .
    Thx

  3. 5 stars
    Hi Nico and Louise. We loved your crumble recipe. It was so simple and all the tips were really usefully. I also loved the additional lemon zest. It gave a wonderful citrus aroma. It was so good we didnโ€™t even add icecream on top. Thanks for your recipes!