James Martin Apple Crumble Recipe

James Martin Apple Crumble is a comforting British dessert made with tender baked apples topped with a golden, buttery crumble. The filling is soft, lightly spiced, and naturally sweet, while the topping is crisp and crumbly for a perfect contrast in texture. It is a simple and reliable recipe that even beginner bakers can make with confidence. From preparation to baking, the whole dish takes about 50 minutes and fills the kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma.

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

• 750g cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 75g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crumble Topping

• 200g plain flour
• 100g unsalted butter, chilled and diced
• 100g light brown sugar
• 40g rolled oats
• Pinch of salt
• Butter, for greasing the baking dish

How to Make James Martin Apple Crumble

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Place a shelf in the middle of the oven so the crumble bakes evenly and the topping turns golden.
• Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them into a lightly greased baking dish and toss with caster sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice so they are evenly coated.
• Make the crumble topping: Place the flour and chilled butter into a mixing bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• Add sweetness and texture: Stir the light brown sugar, rolled oats, and a pinch of salt into the crumble mixture.
• Assemble the crumble: Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the apples without pressing it down.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
• Cool slightly: Allow the crumble to rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the filling settles slightly.

Tips for the Best Apple Crumble

How do I keep the crumble topping crisp?

Use cold butter and rub it lightly into the flour. Avoid overmixing so the topping stays crumbly and bakes into crisp clusters.

Which apples work best for crumble?

Cooking apples such as Bramley provide the best balance of tartness and softness when baked.

Why is my crumble topping soggy?

This usually happens if the topping is pressed down or if the apples release too much juice. Keep the topping loose and bake until golden.

Can I add extra flavour to the crumble?

Yes, chopped almonds, walnuts, or a little grated nutmeg can be mixed into the topping for extra flavour and texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with classic vanilla custard.
• Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Pair with lightly whipped cream.
• Sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon before serving.

Storage

Room Temperature

Apple crumble can sit at room temperature for up to 6 hours once cooled and covered.

Refrigerator

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to restore the crisp topping.

Freezing

Freeze baked crumble in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 340 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 120mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

James Martin Apple Crumble

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: DessertCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

35

minutes

Total time

50

minutes

Calories

340

kcal

50

minutes

A classic British apple crumble with tender baked apples and a crisp buttery topping. This easy James Martin dessert is comforting and perfect for serving warm with custard or cream.

Ingredients

• 750g cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced

• 75g caster sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 200g plain flour

• 100g unsalted butter, chilled and diced

• 100g light brown sugar

• 40g rolled oats

• Pinch of salt

• Butter, for greasing the dish

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
• Place the sliced apples into the dish and toss with caster sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice.
• Rub the flour and butter together in a bowl until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• Stir in the brown sugar, oats and a pinch of salt.
• Scatter the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Use tart cooking apples such as Bramley for the best flavour.
• A handful of chopped nuts can be added to the topping for extra crunch.
• Serve warm with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream.