A simple, from-scratch apple crumble with a golden oat topping — sweet, warming, and beginner-friendly. Made with just 8 ingredients you probably already have.
Apple crumble is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug. Whether you call it apple crumble or apple crisp, this version from Creating Dishes is incredibly versatile — it works beautifully as a classic after-dinner dessert and just as well as a wholesome breakfast. Best of all, it only needs 8 simple ingredients.
The apple base is gently spiced with cinnamon and brightened with a squeeze of lemon juice, while the crumble topping uses rolled oats and plain flour for that irresistible golden crunch. If your apples are naturally sweet, you can skip the sugar entirely — a great option for a more wholesome start to the day.
💡 Tracy's Tip
The sugar in the topping is listed as optional because naturally sweet apples — like Fuji or Pink Lady — often provide plenty of sweetness on their own. Taste your apple filling before you add it!
🍎 Best Apple Varieties
Granny Smith apples hold their shape beautifully and provide a lovely tartness that balances the sweet crumble. Fuji and Pink Lady are sweeter options — ideal if you want to skip the sugar entirely.
Ok, so let's start:
Prepare your apples. Peel, core, and slice your apples into even pieces — roughly 1 cm thick. Toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning and help them cook evenly.
Cook the apple base. Place the sliced apples in a saucepan with the water and cinnamon over medium heat. Cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly but still hold their shape. Transfer to a baking dish.
Make the crumble topping. In a bowl, combine the rolled oats, plain flour, and sugar (if using). Add the butter or margarine (softened or cubed) and use your fingertips to rub it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Assemble and top. Spoon the crumble topping evenly over the apple base in the baking dish. Finish with a light sprinkle of nutmeg over the top for a warm, fragrant depth of flavour.
Bake to golden perfection. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (160°C fan-forced / 350°F) for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Serve and enjoy! Serve warm as a dessert with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, custard, or cream — or enjoy it at room temperature as a satisfying breakfast.
Enjoy!
✅Tracy's Quick Tips: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
A simple, from-scratch apple crumble with a golden oat topping — sweet, warming, and beginner-friendly.
Prepare your apples. Peel, core, and slice your apples into even pieces — roughly 1 cm thick. Toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning and help them cook evenly.
Cook the apple base. Place the sliced apples in a saucepan with the water and cinnamon over medium heat. Cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly but still hold their shape. Transfer to a baking dish.
Make the crumble topping. In a bowl, combine the rolled oats, plain flour, and sugar (if using). Add the butter or margarine (softened or cubed) and use your fingertips to rub it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Assemble and top. Spoon the crumble topping evenly over the apple base in the baking dish. Finish with a light sprinkle of nutmeg over the top for a warm, fragrant depth of flavour.
Bake to golden perfection. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (160°C fan-forced / 350°F) for 15–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
Serve and enjoy! Serve warm as a dessert with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, custard, or cream — or enjoy it at room temperature as a satisfying breakfast.
Servings 4
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
🔑 Key Tips
Don't over-mix the topping. You want clumps — they bake into crunchy golden clusters. If the mixture looks too uniform and sandy, that's fine, but a few larger bits are what people love.
Pre-cook your apples. This ensures the base is perfectly tender by the time the topping turns golden, so you don't end up with a crunchy crumble and hard apple underneath.
Use cold butter. Cold butter rubbed into the flour and oats creates a flakier, crunchier topping than softened butter would.
