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This Easy Apple Crumble is the dessert you make when you want something warm and comforting without pulling out a rolling pin or pretending you enjoy making pastry from scratch. Tender cinnamon apples bubble away underneath a buttery oat topping that turns golden and crisp in the oven, and if you love cosy cinnamon sweets, don’t forget to check out this easy cinnamon roll treat too. It is simple, cozy, and quietly impressive.
If you have been looking for an apple crumble recipe that delivers real flavor with minimal effort, this one checks all the boxes. It is easy enough for weeknights, special enough for guests, and always better served warm with a scoop of ice cream melting into the top.
Why This Easy Apple Crumble Works
The secret to this easy apple crumble is balance. The apples soften just enough to become tender and juicy while still holding their shape. A small amount of flour thickens the filling as it bakes, so you get a spoonable, syrupy texture instead of a watery mess at the bottom of the dish.
The oat topping does the rest of the work. Butter, sugar, and oats bake into a golden, crunchy layer that contrasts perfectly with the soft apples underneath. It is not overly sweet, not dry, and not crumbly in that sad, dusty way. This is why many readers call it their best apple crumble recipe.
What Goes Into This Recipe?
The magic of this Easy Apple Crumble starts with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together for rich flavor and perfect texture.
- Apples: The star of the show. A mix of sweet and tart apples works best, giving the filling depth and balance. If you only have one type on hand, do not stress. This recipe is forgiving.
- Cinnamon and Sugar: Cinnamon adds warmth without overpowering the apples, while the combination of white and brown sugar gives sweetness and helps create that classic baked-dessert flavor.
- Oats and Flour: These form the structure of the crumble topping. The oats add texture and bite, while the flour keeps everything together as it bakes.
- Butter: Melted butter binds the topping and helps it bake into a crisp, golden layer that tastes rich without being heavy.
Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Apple Crumble
- Prep the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples, then place them in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the sugars, flour, cinnamon, and water, then toss to coat evenly.
- Make the Crumble: In a separate bowl, mix the oats, flour, both sugars, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Pour in the butter and stir until the mixture crumbly.
- Assemble and Bake: Sprinkle the oat crumble evenly over the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool slightly, then scoop into bowls while still warm. Top with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream for the ultimate easy apple crumble experience.
This Easy Apple Crumble makes the perfect ending to any meal. Serve it after a savory main like our BBQ Baked Pork Chops, Mama’s Best Lasagna, or even a weekend brunch favorite like Best French Toast. Its warm, comforting flavors work with just about anything.
If you enjoyed this, you might also love our fruity twists like Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (Crumble) or Easy Mango Blueberry Crumble (Crisp)—both just as simple and satisfying.
Optional Add-Ins and Easy Substitutions
This easy apple crumble with oats is flexible, which is part of why it works so well.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch
- Swap some of the apples for pears for a slightly softer filling
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for extra warmth
- Use gluten-free flour and oats if needed
It is hard to mess this one up.
Tips To Making Apple Crumble
- Slice the apples evenly so they bake at the same rate and soften nicely without turning mushy.
- Keep the crumble loose. Do not press it down, as a lighter topping bakes up crisp and golden instead of dense.
- Watch the browning. If the top is getting dark too quickly, loosely cover with foil and continue baking until the apples are tender.
- Let it rest briefly after baking so the filling thickens and is easier to serve.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes! You can freeze apple crumble either before or after baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then store it for up to 3 months. If unbaked, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
I usually go for red apples like Fuji, Gala, or Red Delicious for their natural sweetness and softnes. If you prefer a tart crumble, Granny Smith or Golden Delicious work beautifully. Canned apples can work in a pinch, but fresh gives you more control over flavor and texture.
Apple crumble keeps well covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven until the topping is crisp again, or microwave individual portions for a quick treat.
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Apple Crumble (Apple Crisp)
Ingredients
APPLE FILLING:
- 8 apples medium, or 10 small apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup water
CRUMB:
- 1 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats or rolled oats for a chewier crumb
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the sliced apples into a 9×13-inch baking dish.Add the sugars, flour and cinnamon over the apple slices. Pour in the water and mix everything through until apples are evenly coated.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugars, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and melted butter. Mix well using a metal spoon or your fingertips, until the butter has soaked through the dry ingredients (about one minute of mixing or less). Sprinkle evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40 – 45 minutes, or until the crumb is golden and crisp and the apples are cooked to your liking.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was just amazing. The crumble was perfect, the apples just right. Not too sweet. Huge hit!!!! Thank you!!!
Wonderful apple crumble and so easy to make, cannot wait to make again. I used my own apples from my own backyard. Son love it too.
I used quick steel cut oats and it still came out delicious. I also used a mandolin for thin cut apples.
5 stars! Incredibly delicious just like every single one of the other recipes that I’ve tried from this website. Thank you!
This is the best apple crisp I have ever had!!!
Hubby said this was the BEST apple crisp he has ever had and that’s a HUGE compliment coming from a boy who grew up in an orchard! (shhhh… don’t tell his mama!) 😉 But seriously… I can’t wait to wow some future dinner guests with this! I did make 1.5x the crumble, cuz you can never have too much crumble in my mind! IT WAS AMAZZZZZZZING!!!!!!
I made this today for Thanksgiving & it was great!! I’m really glad I doubled the recipe!!? It was a lot of apple peeling & slicing, but totes worth it! I used Granny Smith apples, which were delicious and their tartness was a good balance with the sweet oatmeal cookie topping. I also used apple pie spice. I’m going to try it with honey crisp apples next time. And there will most definitely be a next time! ?
You should invest in an Apple peeler corer slicer. I bought mine at Williams Sonoma years ago and it changed my life. I do notice that farberware makes one that looks like mine or you can get it on Amazon.. A life changer for sure. You will never crange when it comes to Apple peeling or Apple desserts again!
Hi Karina, This looks so good and I cannot wait to try it. I do have a question. You said this could be frozen? Would you freeze before or after cooking it? Thanks for any help you can give me. Have a wonderful and blessed day. 🙂
Loved the topping, I baked it for 55mins for an extra crispy top. I didn’t know red delicious could be so yummy! Can’t wait to ad lib this recipe with other fruits!
I’m making you crispy wings in my NuWave dome oven and may find some of my home canned pie filling to make this also. Oh boy, going to need elastic waist pants! Lol