When it comes to nostalgic fall desserts, nothing beats a classic, easy apple crumble. Warm and comforting, it’s the ultimate pairing of sweet spiced apples with a buttery, crumbly topping. Add a scoop of ice cream on top and—chef’s kiss—perfection.
Having tossed together quite a few crumbles in my day, I thought it was about time to share my ultimate apple crumble recipe. While an ode to the classic, I take a few steps to maximize flavor and make this the most delicious apple crumble ever. Trust me, you’ll be making this recipe all season long.
Easy Apple Crumble Ingredients
- Apples. Granny Smiths are my go-to—their tart bite balances the crumble’s sweetness beautifully.
- Lemon. Just a squeeze brightens everything up.
- Spices. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, a splash of vanilla… use what you have, but don’t skip them—they bring all the warmth.
- Maple syrup. Adds richness and a deeper sweetness that pairs perfectly with the apples.
- Brown sugar. A little for the filling, a little more for the crumble.
- White sugar. Like in a classic chocolate chip cookie, the mix of brown and white sugar gives the crumble the perfect texture.
- Oats. Rolled oats add that rustic, hearty crunch I love.
- Pecans. Totally optional, but I can’t resist the extra crunch.
- Salt. A pinch makes every flavor pop.
- Butter. Brown it if you can—it takes the flavor to another level.
Easy Apple Crumble, Step by Step
First things first: brown the butter. You’ll know it’s ready when it goes from popping and bubbling to quiet and golden—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Let it cool completely, then pop it in the fridge (or freezer) to solidify before adding it to the crumble topping. Trust me, the flavor is unmatched.
Next up: the apples. I tested this recipe a few ways—chopped, thin slices, and thicker wedges. The winner? Thick wedges. They keep their shape, bake up soft, and give the best texture. That said, slice them however you like—this crumble will be delicious either way.
And now, the star of the show: the crumble topping. It’s basically your favorite oatmeal cookie in disguise—soft and chewy underneath, crisp and crunchy on top. Not overly sweet, it perfectly balances the tangy-sweet apples and the melty scoop of ice cream you’ll definitely want on top.
Read on for the recipe—and tell us if this crumble makes it into your fall rotation.
Description
A simple, cozy apple crumble that celebrates all the best flavors of fall.
For the crumble:
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
- 1 cup rolled oats (90g)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecan (28g)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (50g)
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar (50g)
- Big pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon of cold water
For the apples:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Big pinch of grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 4–5 Granny Smith apples
- Prepare the brown butter. Add the stick of butter to a stovetop pot and melt over medium heat. The butter will pop and sizzle at first, and then stop. Once it quiets, keep an eye out for brown bits at the bottom of the pot and remove from heat. Add butter to a heatproof bowl and let it cool before placing it in the fridge to solidify.
- Prepare the apples. In an oven-safe serving dish, add the ingredients except for the apples and stir to combine. Peel the apples and slice them into pieces, then add them to the dish and toss to coat.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Prepare the crumble. Add all of the crumble ingredients except for the water to the bowl of a stand mixer, and combine with the paddle attachment. When the butter has combined with the dry ingredients and is about the size of small peas, add the tablespoon of water. Continue to combine until the crumble holds together pressed in your palm.
- Crumble the topping over the apples in big chunks, then place in the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with ice cream. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
This post was last updated on September 16, 2025, to include new insights.
