Easy Apple Crumble

3.83 from 17 votes

Filled with tender, caramelized apples and topped with a sweet oat topping, this rustic, easy Irish Apple Crumble is always a crowd-pleaser. Even better topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Prep Time20

Cook Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Dessert

Keyword: apple dessert, easy apple recipe, fall recipe

Servings: servings

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $4.00

Equipment

8x8 Baking Dish (or similar size)
Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

Crumble Topping:

½ cup All-Purpose Flour
½ cup Brown Sugar (light or dark)
½ cup Rolled / Old-Fashioned Oats
½ tsp Cinnamon
½ tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Salt (1/2 cup butter = 1 stick / 8 Tbsp)
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, chilled and cubed

Apple Layer:

2 lbs Apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (any firm, crisp variety)
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Brown Sugar (light or dark)
Pinch Salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Grease an 8x8 baking dish (or any similarly-sized casserole dish) with nonstick cooking spray.
In one bowl, make the topping by combining 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
Use your hands to rub butter into dry ingredients until the mixture resembles dry sand. Store in the refrigerator.
In another bowl, stir together apples and lemon juice. Add 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir to fully coat the apples.
Transfer apple layer to prepared baking dish.
Use your hands to crumble the topping over the apples.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the apples are soft and bubbly and the top is golden brown. (Note: If using a dish that is smaller than 8x8 you will have a deeper layer of apples; add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.)
Let cool for 5 minutes before spooning into bowls.
Serve crumble on its own or top with vanilla ice cream and / or whipped cream.

Notes

Use rolled / old-fashioned oats. Quick-cook or instant oats will work, but won’t give the topping the same texture as rolled oats.

The olive oil in the topping is optional but I find that a little added oil helps the entire crust to get an even golden brown color while baking.

Use firm, crisp apples with a balance of tart and sweet like Honey crisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady. Golden Delicious are also great - their extra tart flavor also works well in combination with other apples. Avoid the common lunchbox favorite Red Delicious which will can turn spongy / mealy when baked.

Nutrition