Quick and easy apple crumble recipe (2024)

What apples are best in to use in an apple crumble recipe?

It’s all a matter of preference when it comes to your apple filling. This apple crumble recipe uses Granny Smiths, but you could use golden delicious or Braeburn. You want an apple that’s going to hold its shape rather than turn to mush when baked. If you’re not fond of a tart apple you could use a red-skinned variety or even a combination of both. You could also play around with using pears instead of apple in an apple crumble recipe.

Why is there lemon juice in this apple crumble recipe?

When chopped, the flesh of apples turns brown quite quickly. This is known as oxidation and occurs when the cells within the fruit are exposed to air. Lemon juice helps with this, acting to coat the flesh and protecting it. It also adds extra flavour to your apple crumble recipe and offsets the sweetness of the sugar. However, if you don’t have a lemon it’s not the end of the world. The apples in your apple filling are going to brown as they cook, anyway, and some cooks believe you get a better colour if you don’t use the lemon juice at all.

Why is my apple crumble not crunchy?

Some recipes require patience and technique. Crumble toppings - like scones - are best if you’re a bit ham-fisted. Don’t rub the butter into the flour too thoroughly. Rather than looking like fine breadcrumbs you want the top of the apple crumble recipe to look a bit lumpy. Also, make sure your butter is cold. If you feel the butter may have warmed up a bit too much, pop the crumble mixture into the fridge for a while. If it hits the oven already warm, your apple crumble is less likely to become crisp and achieve that golden brown hue.

What else can I do with “crumble”?

This classic apple crumble recipe topping is quite versatile and works well scattered over a cake, muffins or fruit tart before baking. You can also bake it separately on a tray and sprinkle it over ice cream with caramel sauce or serve it with fruit and yoghurt for breakfast.

Can I make an apple crumble recipe without oats?

Oats can be replaced with other dry ingredients such as almond meal, desiccated coconut, nuts and flour to make the crumble topping. And you can easily make a few simple swaps to create a gluten-free apple crumble. Check out our ready-to-bake gluten-free apple crumble recipe and oat free crumble recipes. You can also use coconut oil instead of butter, if you like.

We use caster sugar instead of brown sugar to top our apple crumble, but you could use brown sugar if you prefer (it's not unusual to see brown sugar in an apple crumble.)

In some countries, apple crumble is known as simply as apple crisp. Whether you call it an apple crisp or an apple crumble recipe, one thing is certain: it's always delicious, and is always made even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (and even a sprinkling of ground cinnamon, if you fancy it). An easy and delicious dessert filled with soft apple and a crumbly topping? Count us in.

What is an apple crumble topping made of?

Apple crumble recipe topping is typically made of butter, sugar and flour which gets topped on the cooked fruit filling. To add an extra element of texture and flavour, oats, coconut, nuts and cinnamon can be added to the crumble mix.

Can I use self raising flour instead of plain flour for an apple crumble recipe?

Plain flour can be switched out for wholemeal flour, gluten-free or even self-raising flour. It doesn’t make too much of a difference if flour alternatives are used in this versatile apple crumble recipe.

How can I make apple crumble healthier?

Make a healthier apple crumble topping by using wholewheat flour, oats, quinoa flakes, nuts and coconut. To fill your baking dish, swap out butter and sugar for healthier fats and sweeteners such as rice malt syrup and coconut oil. Don't be shy with cinnamon as it adds a mild sweetness. The leftover juices from the stewed apples can also be used as a natural sweetener. And of course, you can omit a side-serve of vanilla ice cream if you're seeking a healthier dessert (or even a breakfast!).

More apple crumble recipes:

• Apple crumble and custard croissants
• Apple crumble slice
• Salted caramel apple crumble

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