Name: Mini Apple Crumble Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 (165g) apple; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp lemon juice; ¼ tsp cinnamon powder; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 2 ½ tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp (40g) unsalted butter, cold and diced; ½ tsp cinnamon powder; 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped; 2 tbsp rolled oats; 2 scoops vanilla ice cream; Caramel sauce

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, you absolutely must try this Mini Apple Crumble. It captures the perfect balance between tender, cinnamon-kissed apple chunks and a buttery, crisp topping that melts in your mouth. The combination of walnuts and rolled oats adds a delightful crunch, while the hint of lemon juice keeps the sweetness fresh and bright. Best of all, this charming treat is portioned perfectly for cozy nights in or an impressive yet simple dessert for guests. Trust me, once you make this Mini Apple Crumble, it’s going to become one of your all-time favorites.

Mini Apple Crumble Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Mini Apple Crumble is made with simple, everyday ingredients that combine beautifully to create a comforting and flavorful dessert. Each component is essential; from the tartness of the lemon juice that brightens the filling, to the crunchy walnuts adding texture, these ingredients really shine together.

Apple (165g): Choose a firm, slightly tart apple to hold its shape and offer a fresh bite.
Brown sugar (3 tbsp total): Adds rich caramel notes that perfectly complement the apple’s natural sweetness.
Lemon juice (1 tbsp): Balances the sweetness and keeps the apple pieces vibrant.
Cinnamon powder (½ tsp total): Infuses warm spice for that signature apple crumble flavor.
All-purpose flour (¼ cup): The base for the crumble topping, helping create that golden, sandy texture.
Unsalted butter (2 tbsp, cold and diced): Key for that melt-in-your-mouth crumble; cold butter ensures the perfect texture.
Walnuts (2 tbsp, chopped): Adds crunch and a toasty nutty depth.
Rolled oats (2 tbsp): Offers heartiness and texture to the topping.
Vanilla ice cream (2 scoops): For serving; the creamy cold contrast is a dream alongside the warm crumble.
Caramel sauce: Drizzled on top for an indulgent, luscious finish.

How to Make Mini Apple Crumble

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Apple

First, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it’s ready to bake your crumble into golden perfection. While it heats up, peel and cut the apple into bite-sized, 1.5 cm cubes. This size helps the apple soften perfectly without turning to mush.

Step 2: Mix the Apple Filling

In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. The sugar and cinnamon complement the apple’s natural sweetness, while the lemon juice keeps everything bright and fresh as it bakes.

Step 3: Fill the Ramekins

Divide the apple mixture evenly into two small ramekins. It’s important to gently press down or bang the ramekins on the counter to flatten the apples and remove any big gaps. This keeps the crumble topping from sinking during baking and ensures every bite is perfectly layered.

Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping

In another bowl, combine ¼ cup of all-purpose flour, 2 ½ tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of cold diced butter, and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Using your fingers, crumble the butter into the flour mixture until it looks like wet sand—avoid smoothing it into a paste. This key step gives you that melt-away texture on top.

Step 5: Add Nuts and Oats

Next, stir in 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts and 2 tablespoons rolled oats. Crumble these into the mixture further so everything combines well, offering a crunchy contrast to the soft apple filling.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Divide the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the ramekins, gently breaking up any larger clumps to maintain a crumbly texture. Place the ramekins on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the apple juices bubble up around the edges and the topping turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once baked, give your Mini Apple Crumble 5 minutes to cool and set slightly. This resting time ensures the filling isn’t too hot and the topping retains its wonderful texture before serving.

How to Serve Mini Apple Crumble

Garnishes

The best way to serve Mini Apple Crumble is warm, topped with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melts into the warm apple, creating a luscious contrast. A drizzle of rich caramel sauce on top adds that extra touch of decadent sweetness that everyone will love.

Side Dishes

While this dessert is perfectly satisfying on its own, pairing it with a cup of strong black coffee or a fragrant cup of chai tea enhances the experience. The bitterness of coffee or the spice of chai complements the sweet and cinnamon flavors of the crumble beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming twist, try serving your Mini Apple Crumble in cute, clear glass jars so everyone can admire the layers. You could also sprinkle some extra chopped walnuts and a pinch of cinnamon on top for a rustic finish. And if you want to impress guests, offering a mini tartlet crust beneath the apple filling turns this humble crumble into a bakery-style treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. Your Mini Apple Crumble will stay fresh for up to 3 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy those cozy flavors again.

Freezing

This dessert freezes beautifully. Place cooled ramekins tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or transfer the crumble to freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven. It’s a wonderful way to have a comforting dessert ready when you need it.

Reheating

To reheat your Mini Apple Crumble, place it in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and the topping re-crisps. Avoid the microwave if you want the crumble to maintain its delightful texture.

FAQs

Can I use other fruits instead of apple?

Absolutely! Pears, berries, or even stone fruits like peaches can work wonderfully in a crumble. Just adjust the baking time slightly depending on the fruit’s juiciness and firmness.

Is it possible to make this Mini Apple Crumble vegan?

Yes, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use a vegan-friendly ice cream or whipped coconut cream for serving. The crumble topping will still turn out satisfyingly crisp and flavorful.

Can I prepare this dessert for a larger group?

Definitely! Simply multiply the ingredients and bake the crumble in larger baking dishes or multiple ramekins. Mini Apple Crumble is great for portion control but can scale up easily.

How can I make the crumble topping extra crunchy?

Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, as well as rolled oats, is the key. Also, don’t overwork the butter and flour mixture; keeping it crumbly helps achieve that perfect crunch after baking.

What is the secret to perfectly cooked apple filling?

Cutting the apples into uniform pieces and tossing them with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon ensures they soften evenly without losing their shape. Also, avoid large gaps in the filling so the topping bakes up nicely on top.

Final Thoughts

Making this Mini Apple Crumble is like creating a little escape to cozy comforts and delicious warmth. It’s easy to prepare yet incredibly satisfying, offering a beautiful mix of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. So next time you want to dive into something sweet, tender, and a little bit nostalgic, I can’t recommend this Mini Apple Crumble enough. Give it a try and enjoy every bite!

Mini Apple Crumble Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

Author: Matteo
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Enjoy a warm and comforting Mini Apple Crumble featuring tender apple cubes tossed in cinnamon and brown sugar, topped with a crunchy oat and walnut crumble. Baked to golden perfection and served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, this dessert is perfect for a cozy night in.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the apple crumble.
Prepare Apples: Peel and cut the apple into 1.5 cm (1 inch) cubes to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Mix Apple Filling: In a small bowl, combine the diced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon powder. Toss the mixture well to coat the apples evenly.
Divide Filling: Split the apple filling evenly between two ramekins. Gently flatten the apples with a fork to remove large air pockets, which helps prevent the crumble topping from sinking during baking.
Make Crumble Topping: In another shallow bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cold diced butter, and cinnamon powder. Use your fingers to crumble the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs; avoid forming a smooth dough.
Add Nuts and Oats: Incorporate the chopped walnuts and rolled oats into the crumble mixture, crumbling again to ensure they are well distributed and the texture resembles wet sand.
Top the Apples: Divide the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the ramekins. If needed, crumble the topping between your fingers to maintain the crumbly texture on top.
Bake: Place the ramekins on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the apple juices are bubbling and the crumble topping turns golden brown.
Rest: Remove the ramekins from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes to let the filling set slightly.
Serve: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent finish. Enjoy your mini apple crumble!

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Make sure your butter is cold when making the crumble to achieve a crumbly texture.
For a nut-free version, omit walnuts and add extra oats instead.
You can prepare the apple filling in advance and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before assembling the crumble.
Serve immediately after baking for the best texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: British