Which apples are best for crumble?

A blend works best! Go for firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn for structure, and combine with sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious for balance.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Absolutely. Swap all-purpose flour for a trusted gluten-free blend. The crumb will be just as delicious—nobody will notice a difference!

My crumble seems too runny—what went wrong?

This can happen if the apples are especially juicy or didn’t mix thoroughly with cornstarch. Next time, try adding a touch more cornstarch or let the crumble cool a bit before serving; the juices thicken as they cool.

Can I prepare apple crumble ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble ahead and refrigerate, unbaked, for up to one day. When ready, bake straight from the fridge—you may need an extra 5–10 minutes.

Apple Crumble Recipe - LazyDayRecipes

Description

This easy apple crumble recipe features a sweet and tart apple filling covered in a buttery, cinnamon-infused crumble topping. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a perfect cozy dessert that’s simple to make and pairs wonderfully with ice cream or whipped cream.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Apple Filling

2 1/2 pounds apples (about 6 cups), peeled and diced
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumble Topping

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup salted butter, cold and cubed

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Instructions

Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Make the Apple Filling: Peel and dice the apples into small pieces. In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated, then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, including all juices.
Prepare the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl or food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter, and use a pastry cutter or pulse in the processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small clumps of butter remaining.
Assemble the Crumble: Evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples in the baking dish, covering them completely for uniform baking and texture.
Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Green apples like Granny Smith provide a nice tart flavor and are excellent for baking.
Other apple varieties suitable for baking include Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Braeburn, Jonathan, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
For extra crunch, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping.
You can prepare the apple filling a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 374 kcal
Sugar: 41 g
Sodium: 99 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 66 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 31 mg