Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble
This is one of those recipes that requires very little effort but always delivers. Apples and cinnamon create that classic cozy flavor combination, while walnuts add even more texture and character to the crumble. Here’s why this recipe is worth saving:
- very easy to make and beginner-friendly
- the apples stay juicy and tender without turning mushy
- the crumble is buttery, golden, and crisp
- walnuts add a lovely nutty flavor and texture
- delicious warm or at room temperature
- perfect on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- a great way to use up plenty of apples
Top 5 Tips for the Best Apple Crumble
1. Choose firm apples. The best apples are those that keep some texture while baking. Very soft or mealy apples can quickly turn the filling too mushy.
2. Slice the apples evenly. If some wedges are very thick and others very thin, they will bake unevenly. Cut them into evenly sized thin wedges so they soften at the same rate.
3. Keep the butter cold. Use cold butter straight from the fridge when making the crumble. If the butter is too soft or melted, the topping can become too dense. Cold butter helps create a lighter, crisper texture.
4. Don’t press down the crumble. Scatter the crumble loosely and evenly over the apples. There’s no need to press it into the fruit. Those uneven little clumps are exactly what create that wonderfully crisp topping we love.
5. Let it rest for a few minutes. As tempting as it is to dig in right away, we recommend letting the apple crumble rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving.
How to serve this Apple Crumble
Apple crumble is best served warm, just a few minutes after taking it out of the oven.
Our favorite way to serve it is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream slowly melts over the warm crumble, creating the perfect combination of creamy, fruity, and crisp. It’s also delicious with:
- whipped cream
- Greek yogurt
- vanilla custard
- crème fraîche
- caramel or salted caramel sauce
If you’re serving it as a cozy fall dessert after lunch or dinner, you can also add a few chopped toasted walnuts or a pinch of cinnamon.
For us, though, the simplest combination still wins: warm apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.
Storing
Apple crumble is best enjoyed fresh, ideally on the same day, while the topping is still beautifully crisp. If you have leftovers, let them cool completely, then cover the dish or transfer the crumble to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Before serving, we recommend reheating it in the oven at around 170°C / 340°F for 10–15 minutes. This helps dry out the topping slightly and brings back some of its crispness.
How to make Apple Crumble at home (video)
Check out this short video to make preparing the dish at home even easier.
Next, try these apple desserts
- Apple Slab Pie
- Dutch Apple Pie
- Spiced Apple Tarte Tatin
- Fried Apple Pies
- Apple Custard Slices
- Slovenian Apple Dumplings
- Viennese Apple Strudel
- Apple Fritter Donut
- Christmas Strudel
METHOD
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preparation
Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 190°C / 375°F.
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bake the apples
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into thin wedges. Add them to a baking dish 20 cm x 20 cm / 8 × 8 inches and toss with the ground cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes at 190°C / 375°F, until slightly softened but still holding their shape.
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crumble
Add the cold butter, sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, ground walnuts, and a pinch of salt to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, you can make the crumble by hand, rubbing the ingredients together between your fingers until you get a sandy, crumbly texture.
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bake the crumble
Spread the crumble evenly over the baked apples and return to the oven. Bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
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serve
Once baked, remove the dessert from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Divide between plates and, if desired, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
