Apple Cinnamon Crumble

Warm and Cozy Apple Cinnamon Crumble: A Fall Dessert

Bake this warm, cozy Apple Cinnamon Crumble for a simple fall dessert. Sweet apples, cinnamon, and a crunchy topping make it perfect. This Apple Cinnamon Crumble is simple and comforting. Juicy apples meet a crunchy oat topping, and warm spices fill your kitchen with fall aromas.

It’s easy to make, even if you’re new to baking. Serve it right from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Why you’ll love this recipe

— Uses pantry staples and fresh apples
— Warm spices bring cozy fall flavors
— Quick prep with simple steps
— Perfect for weeknight dessert or guests
— Great contrast of soft fruit and crunchy topping

Ingredients
*Makes 6–8 servings*

Fruit layer
— 6 medium apples (about 1.8 lb / 800 g), peeled and sliced
— 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
— ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
— 1 tsp ground cinnamon
— ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
— 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch

Crumble topping
— 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
— ½ cup (100 g) rolled oats
— ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
— 1 tsp ground cinnamon
— ¼ tsp salt
— 6 tbsp (85 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed

How to make it

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice.
3. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Stir until apples are coated.
4. Transfer the apple mix to a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking dish. Spread evenly.
5. In another bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
6. Cut cold butter into the dry mix using a fork or pastry cutter. Make coarse crumbs.
7. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and apples are bubbling.
9. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Tips and common mistakes

— Use firm, tart apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) for the best texture.
— Keep butter cold for a crisp topping.
— Don’t slice apples too thin or they may turn mushy.
— If topping browns too fast, cover loosely with foil.

Substitutions

— Gluten-free: use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
— Vegan: swap butter for coconut oil or vegan margarine.
— Sugar-free: replace brown sugar with coconut sugar or erythritol.
— Fruit mix: add pears or berries for variety.

Storage instructions

— Room temp: cover and keep up to 2 days.
— Refrigerator: store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
— Freezer: wrap dish tightly or freeze portions up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat.

FAQ

1. Can I use frozen apples?
Yes. Thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing with sugar and spices.

2. What size baking dish do I need?
A 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) or similar-sized dish works best.

3. Can I make this crumble ahead of time?
You can assemble it a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.

4. How do I reheat leftovers?
Warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual portions.

5. Can I omit oats?
Yes, but the topping will be less crunchy. You can add extra flour instead.

Finding snacks that both kids and adults love can be a challenge. We recommend keeping a batch of chocolate chip cookies or these light raisin sponge muffins on hand for busy weekdays. For a more filling treat, a bowl of our creamy rice pudding is a nostalgic favorite. And for a special weekend reward, let the kids help customize their own ice cream or assemble these cute individual cheesecake cups!