Baked Cinnamon Apple Oat Crumble (Printable Version)
Warm apples with cinnamon and a golden oat crumble topping, ideal for cozy autumn dessert.
# Ingredient List:
→ Apples
01 - 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Oat Crumble
06 - 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
07 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
12 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - Core and slice the apples into 1/2-inch wedges.
03 - In a large bowl, toss apple slices with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well coated.
04 - Place the coated apples evenly in a lightly greased 8-inch baking dish.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and work into the dry ingredients with fingertips or a pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form. Stir in nuts if using.
06 - Sprinkle the oat crumble mixture evenly over the arranged apples.
07 - Bake for 35 minutes until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
08 - Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in just 50 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for weeknight cravings or last-minute gatherings.
- The contrast between soft, spiced apples and that crunchy, buttery oat topping is honestly addictive.
- It feels fancy enough to serve guests but easy enough that you won't stress about the process.
02 -
- Don't skip the cooling time—I learned this the hard way when I eagerly dug in too early and burned my mouth. Five minutes is the magic number between 'too hot to enjoy' and 'already starting to cool.'
- Cold butter is absolutely non-negotiable for that crumbly texture. If your butter is room temperature, your topping becomes more like dense cake. Cube it and keep it in the fridge until the last moment.
- The lemon juice isn't just flavor—it's insurance. It prevents the apples from browning and adds a subtle note that keeps the dessert from being one-dimensional sweet.
03 -
- Score your apples lightly on the rounded side before baking—they won't burst, and it helps them cook more evenly. I wish someone had told me this years ago.
- Make the crumble topping ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. When you're ready to bake, just sprinkle it on the apples. This saves precious time on busy evenings.