Easy Baked Apple Crumble

I love the idea of homemade apple pie, but the reality? The chilling, the rolling, the crimping, the fear of a soggy bottom... it is just too much work for a Tuesday. This Easy Baked Apple Crumble is my delicious rebellion against the pie crust. We keep the warm, cinnamon-spiced fruit filling but swap the fussy pastry for a buttery, brown sugar oat crumble topping that you literally just sprinkle on top. It is the ultimate no-crust apple pie that delivers 100% of the flavor with about 10% of the effort.

This easy baked apple crumble recipe is made with sweet-tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, a cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a crumbly brown sugar streusel topping made with rolled oats and butter. Whether you're looking for an old fashioned baked apple crumble, an easy apple crumble with oats, or even a baked apple crumble without oats, this recipe gives you all the options. It's the perfect combination of a jammy, syrupy baked apple texture underneath and a golden, buttery crumble on top. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, and you've got yourself the best apple crisp recipe for cozy nights, holiday gatherings, or any time you want a comforting homemade dessert.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Baked Apple Crumble
• Ingredients for Baked Apple Crumble
• How to Make Baked Apple Crumble
• My Top Tips for Perfect Baked Apple Crumble
• Little Moments in the Kitchen
• Substitutions for Baked Apple Crumble
• Variations on Baked Apple Crumble
• Equipment for Making Baked Apple Crumble
• Storage Tips for Baked Apple Crumble
• Adam's Tip for Baked Apple Crumble
• FAQ About Baked Apple Crumble
• Conclusion
• Related
• Pairing
• recipe

Why You'll Love This Baked Apple Crumble

• Simple ingredients you already have. No trips to specialty stores needed. Just apples, butter, oats, flour, sugar, and a few spices make this dessert come together beautifully.
• Prep in under 30 minutes. This is one of those recipes where most of the work is done by the oven. You'll have everything mixed and in the pan in less than half an hour.
• Perfectly customizable. Add more oats for extra crunch, swap in different apples, or skip the oats entirely for a more traditional crumble topping. It's flexible and forgiving.

Ingredients for Baked Apple Crumble

This recipe makes one 9x13-inch pan, serving about 8 to 10 people. The ingredient list is straightforward, and the results are absolutely delicious.

What You'll Need

For the Apple Filling:

• 6 to 7 medium baking apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady work best), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Why These Ingredients Matter

Sweet-tart baking apples hold their shape. Granny Smith apples are classic for a reason. They don't turn mushy when baked and their tartness balances the sweetness of the topping. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples add a little extra sweetness and great texture.

Lemon juice brightens the apple filling. A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness that prevents the filling from tasting too heavy or one-note.

Rolled oats add texture to the topping. The oats give the crumble that signature crunch and rustic look. If you want a smoother topping without oats, you can skip them and increase the flour slightly.

How to Make Baked Apple Crumble

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter or spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Prepare the apple filling. In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Make sure the apples are evenly coated.
3. Transfer apples to the baking dish. Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. The apples should fill the dish in a mostly even layer.
4. Make the crumble topping. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until the mixture looks crumbly and all the dry ingredients are moistened.
5. Top the apples with the crumble. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering as much of the surface as possible. Don't pack it down, just let it sit loosely on top.
6. Bake uncovered. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
7. Cool slightly before serving. Let the apple crumble cool for about 10 minutes. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and makes it easier to scoop.
8. Serve warm. Scoop into bowls and top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Quick Tip: If the topping starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking.

Little Moments in the Kitchen

The first time I made this, Adam stood on a stool next to me, helping peel apples with his kid-safe peeler. Halfway through, he looked up and asked, "Why do we put lemon juice on apples? They're already sour." I explained that the lemon keeps them from turning brown and makes the whole dessert taste brighter. He nodded like he understood, then immediately took a bite of apple and made a face. "Yep. Still sour."

When the crumble came out of the oven all golden and bubbling, he grabbed a spoon and tried to sneak a bite right away. I had to stop him because it was still lava-hot. After it cooled, I scooped him a bowl with vanilla ice cream melting into the warm apples. He took one bite and said, "This tastes like the apple pie Grandma makes, but easier!" Grandma Viola laughed and said, "That's because crumbles are the lazy baker's pie. No rolling dough, no crimping edges. Just dump and bake."

If you love easy fruit desserts like this, you'll also want to try our Fudgy Chewy Brookies. They're another family favorite.

Substitutions for Baked Apple Crumble

• Apples: Use any firm baking apples you have on hand. Fuji, Braeburn, or even a mix of varieties works beautifully.
• Rolled oats: Skip the oats for a more traditional crumble topping, or use quick oats if that's what you have (though old-fashioned oats give better texture).
• Brown sugar: Use granulated sugar in the topping if you don't have brown sugar. The flavor will be slightly less rich but still delicious.
• Butter: Use coconut oil for a dairy-free version, though the flavor will be different.

Variations on Baked Apple Crumble

• Baked Apple Crumble Without Oats: Skip the oats entirely and increase the flour to 1 ½ cups for a smoother, more traditional crumble topping that's closer to Mary Berry's apple crumble style.
• Easy Apple Crumble with Oats: This is the version in the recipe above. The oats give it that rustic, hearty texture and extra crunch.
• Apple Cobbler Crumble: Add a layer of biscuit dough on top instead of the crumble for a cobbler-style dessert.
• Apple Crumble Pie: Press the crumble topping into a pie crust, fill with the spiced apples, and bake for a hybrid pie-crumble dessert.
• Canned Apple Version: Use two cans of apple pie filling for an even easier version. Just skip the fresh apples and top the canned filling with the crumble topping.

If you love simple desserts with crumbly toppings, try our Churro Stuffed Cheesecake Bites. They're another crowd-pleaser.

Equipment for Making Baked Apple Crumble

• 9x13-inch baking dish: The standard size for this recipe. Glass or ceramic works best for even baking.
• Apple peeler and corer: Makes prepping the apples much faster. If you don't have one, a sharp knife and vegetable peeler work fine.
• Large mixing bowls: One for the apples, one for the crumble topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate measurements, especially with the butter and sugar.
• Fork or pastry cutter: For mixing the crumble topping and creating that crumbly texture.

Storage Tips for Baked Apple Crumble

• Room temperature: Cover loosely with foil and leave at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that, refrigerate.
• Refrigerator: Store covered in the baking dish or transfer to an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds.
• Freezer: Freeze the baked and cooled crumble in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes.
• Pro Tip: For the best texture, reheat in the oven instead of the microwave. It keeps the topping crispy.

For more easy dessert ideas, check out our Classic Magic Bars. They're another simple favorite.

FAQ About Baked Apple Crumble

Conclusion

So, put the rolling pin away and grab a spoon! I hope this stress-free dessert satisfies your deepest pie cravings without any of the pastry panic. It is proof that sometimes, the lazy way is actually the tastiest way.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out! And if you have a favorite apple variety you like to use, I want to hear about it. For more cozy desserts, check out our Oreo Dump Cake. Tag me on social media or leave a comment below. Happy baking, and enjoy every warm, cinnamon-spiced bite!

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Baked Apple Crumble:

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