Apple Crumble Recipe with Oats: The Ultimate Comfort Dessert

Is there anything more comforting than a warm, fragrant apple crumble on a chilly evening? This isn’t just any apple crumble; it’s an apple crumble with oats. The addition of oats to the crumble topping adds a wonderful nutty flavor and a delightful textural contrast to the soft, spiced apples beneath. This recipe is easy to follow, uses simple ingredients, and delivers a truly satisfying dessert that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or simply treating yourself. Get ready to experience apple crumble bliss!

Why This Recipe Works

This apple crumble recipe with oats is a winner for several reasons:

• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of sweet apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and the nutty oat crumble creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Textural Delight: The soft, tender apples contrast beautifully with the crisp, buttery oat topping, providing a delightful textural experience in every bite.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment or complicated techniques. It’s perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding different spices, fruits, or nuts. See our “Tips for Success” section for ideas!
• Oats Add Nutritious Value: Oats are a good source of fiber and add a healthy element to this classic dessert.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious apple crumble:

For the Apple Filling:

• 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

For the Oat Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to bake your own apple crumble with oats:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
3. Add Butter to Filling: Dot the apple mixture with the small pieces of butter. This will add richness and flavor to the filling.
4. Make the Oat Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be evenly distributed and the mixture should hold together slightly when squeezed.
6. Assemble the Crumble: Pour the apple filling into a 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the oat crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the apple crumble cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents burning your mouth. Serve warm, plain, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to ensure your apple crumble turns out perfectly every time:

• Use a Variety of Apples: Combining different types of apples, like tart Granny Smiths with sweet Honeycrisps, adds complexity to the flavor.
• Don’t Overmix the Filling: Gently toss the apple filling ingredients to avoid bruising the apples and releasing too much moisture.
• Keep the Butter Cold: Using cold butter in the crumble topping is crucial for creating a crisp and crumbly texture. If the butter is too soft, the topping will be greasy and dense.
• Adjust the Sweetness: Taste the apple filling before adding the crumble topping and adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.
• Add Nuts to the Topping: For extra flavor and crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the oat crumble topping.
• Spice it Up: Experiment with different spices like ginger, cardamom, or allspice to add a unique twist to your apple crumble.
• Fruit Variations: While this is an apple crumble, you can experiment with other fruits or fruit combinations! Try adding berries, pears, or peaches.
• Prevent Burning: If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Storage Instructions

Here’s how to store your leftover apple crumble:

• Room Temperature: Store cooled apple crumble at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered loosely.
• Refrigerator: Store cooled apple crumble in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covered tightly.
• Reheating: Reheat apple crumble in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for 30-60 seconds.
• Freezing: While freezing is possible, the texture of the crumble topping may change slightly. To freeze, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about apple crumble:

• Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats? While rolled oats are preferred for their texture, you can use quick oats in a pinch. However, the topping may be slightly less crunchy.
• Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for binding.
• Can I use a different type of sweetener? Yes, you can substitute the granulated sugar and brown sugar with other sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. Adjust the amounts to your liking.
• My apple filling is too watery. What can I do? Make sure you’re using enough flour in the filling to absorb the juices. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch for extra thickening power.
• Can I make this in individual ramekins? Absolutely! Divide the apple filling and crumble topping evenly among individual ramekins and bake for a slightly shorter time, about 25-35 minutes.

Conclusion

This apple crumble recipe with oats is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet, spiced apples and a crisp, nutty oat topping is simply irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a comforting dessert for a family gathering or a sweet treat for yourself, this recipe is sure to satisfy. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the ultimate comfort dessert!