This Cinnamon Apple Crumble is everything you want in a cozy homemade dessert: tender apples coated in warm cinnamon beneath a buttery, golden oat crumble topping.
It’s simple enough for an everyday dessert but delicious enough to serve to family and friends. You don’t need complicated ingredients or pastry dough—just prepare the apples, add the crumble topping, and let the oven do the rest.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Crumble
- Easy to make: No pastry dough or complicated baking techniques required.
- Warm and comforting: Apples and cinnamon create a classic cozy flavor.
- Delicious texture: Soft baked apples contrast beautifully with the crisp oat topping.
- Simple ingredients: Made with familiar pantry staples.
- Perfect for serving warm: Especially delicious with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the apple filling:
- Apples
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
For the crumble topping:
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Crumble
1. Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples. Try to keep the slices relatively even so they bake at a similar rate.
2. Make the Apple Filling
Add the sliced apples to a large bowl. Toss with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla, and flour until evenly coated.
3. Prepare the Crumble Topping
In another bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms moist, crumbly clusters.
4. Assemble
Spread the apple mixture evenly in a baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the apples, covering the surface without pressing it down too firmly.
5. Bake
Bake until the apple filling is tender and bubbling around the edges and the crumble topping is golden brown.
6. Cool Slightly and Serve
Allow the crumble to rest for about 10–15 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What Apples Are Best for Apple Crumble?
Firm apples that hold their shape during baking work especially well. Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast to the sweet topping, while Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples add more natural sweetness.
You can also combine two varieties for a more complex apple flavor.
Tips for the Best Apple Crumble
- Slice the apples evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t make the apple slices extremely thin or they may become too soft.
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats for a hearty crumble texture.
- Don’t pack the topping down tightly; loose clusters become crispier while baking.
- Allow the dessert to rest briefly after baking so the filling can settle.
Easy Variations
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for extra crunch. You can also add a small pinch of nutmeg to the apple filling for additional warm spice.
Pears can replace part of the apples for a delicious apple-pear crumble variation.
How to Store Apple Crumble
Once cooled, cover the crumble or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. For the best quality, enjoy within 3–4 days.
How to Reheat Apple Crumble
Individual portions can be reheated until thoroughly warm. Reheating in the oven can help restore some of the crisp texture of the crumble topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling gives the filling a softer, more uniform texture, although you can leave the skins on if you prefer.
Why is my apple crumble watery?
Apples naturally release moisture as they bake. A small amount of flour in the filling helps thicken those juices as the crumble cooks and cools.
Can I make apple crumble ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the components ahead of time and keep them refrigerated, then assemble and bake when needed.
What should I serve with apple crumble?
It’s delicious by itself, but vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a small spoonful of Greek yogurt can also pair nicely with the warm apples.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Apple Crumble combines warm cinnamon apples with a crisp, buttery oat topping in a simple homemade dessert. Serve it warm and let the contrast between the tender fruit and golden crumble do the rest.
Cinnamon Apple Crumble
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish.
- Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla, and flour. Toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until crumbly clusters form.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, until the apples are tender and bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.
