Easy apple pear crumble

The easy, delicious apple pear crumble boats tender, sweet, cinnamon-spiced fruit and a crisp, biscuity topping, rich with butter, brown sugar and rolled oats.

It's a beautifully simple recipe, but the results are stunning. You'll start by peeling apples and pears and cutting into wedges. You'll then pile them into your baking tin and stir in light brown sugar and cinnamon. That's your filling done!

For the topping, you'll rub cold butter into plain flour. Once you have a crumb, you'll stir in brown sugar rolled oats, then sprinkle the mixture over your fruit to produce a lovely airy crumble that will set in delicious clusters.

Once your crumble is assembled, all that's left to do is bake it to crisp, fruity perfection. It's incredible served on its own but even better served with cool double cream or hot vanilla custard.

Here's the full recipe for my delicious apple pear crumble.

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan).

Prepare the apple and pear filling

Pile the fruit into a medium roasting tray.

Add the sugar.

Sprinkle the cinnamon on top.

Mix well, level off and set aside. The sugar will start to soften the fruit by drawing out its moisture (this is called maceration).

Prepare the crumble topping

Put the flour and butter into a large mixing bowl.

Rub together until you have a crumb.

Add the oats and soft brown sugar.

Mix through.

Sprinkle the oaty crumble on top of the fruit. Don't press it down, let it sit loosely.

Bake until golden brown. 30-40 minutes.

The lower end will give a pale golden crumb that is crisp on top and softer underneath while 40+ minutes will give a crisp, biscuit-like crumble as pictured.

Serve to bowls while still piping hot. It's incredible with cream or custard.

Enjoy!

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect apple pear crumble

Is apple pear crumble easy to make?

This apple pear crumble is so easy to make - it's perfect to get the kids involved. When we make it, I usually do the knife work getting get the apples and pears ready, while the kids do the rest.

It's great for them to get stuck in and turn the butter and flour into crumbs before adding the sugar and oats. It's one of our favourite desserts and I think that's partly because they love to make it nearly as much as eating it!

Will I need any special equipment for this apple pear crumble recipe?

With a few simple bits of kitchen equipment you'll have this crumble in the oven in no time.

You'll need a vegetable peeler, sharp knife and chopping board to prep the apples and pears, weighing scales and measuring spoons to get the right amounts of everything, and a large bowl to make the crumble topping in. Finally, you'll need a medium roasting tray to cook your crumble in.

There is a full list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below.

Where can I buy conference pears?

I've used conference pears for this recipe as they are usually the easiest to get hold of in the UK. Their natural sweetness and lovely soft texture works perfectly in this crumble.

You should be able to get conference pears in most supermarkets, they are best in season in the autumn through to January.

If you can't find conference pears then use something like a bosc pear which is very similar or Williams/Bartlett pears will work well too.

Is this apple pear crumble suitable for vegetarians?

This apple and pear crumble is totally vegetarian as it contains no meat, poultry or fish ingredients.

It's always a good idea to double-check your ingredients labels to make sure that they are suitable for vegetarians. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve with your crumble.

Is this apple pear crumble suitable for vegans?

This apple and pear crumble is not vegan because the crumble topping is made using dairy butter.

However, it's very easy to make a vegan version of this recipe by simply using vegan butter instead of dairy butter. Find one with a high-fat content of around 80% as this most similar to dairy butter. Why not serve with my yummy vegan custard too?

When turning this recipe vegan, be sure to double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are suitable. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve the apple and pear crumble with.

Is this easy apple pear crumble gluten-free?

If this recipe is followed to the letter then it would not be gluten-free because the topping is made with wheat flour and sometimes oats are cross contaminated with gluten products.

The good news is that making a gluten free version of this apple pear crumble should be simple. Just use gluten-free plain flour and gluten free oats! Coeliac UK explains why you should buy gluten free oats.

Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are gluten-free as some rather unexpected ingredients can contain traces of gluten. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve the crumble with.

Is this apple pear crumble keto-friendly?

As with most sweet treats and desserts, this apple pear crumble is not keto-friendly. Each portion contains an estimated 99g of carbohydrates.

Is this apple pear crumble healthy?

Though this crumble is packed with fruit it also has rather a lot of fat and sugar added. You can certainly enjoy indulgent desserts as part of a healthy, balanced diet, but this one is more of an occasional treat than everyday meal.

If you wanted to make this a little healthier then you could use half the amount of sugar mixed with the apple and pears, and half the sugar in the topping too.

This recipe serves a generous six portions so you could stretch it to serve seven or even eight if you want to keep the calories down a little. Be mindful of anything extra you serve with your crumble too.

Is this pear and apple crumble safe to eat while pregnant?

There's nothing in this recipe that would usually pose a risk if enjoyed during pregnancy.

Make sure all of the ingredients are in good condition and prepare the crumble safely and hygienically. Be sure to wash your fruit well before peeling and chopping.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

What goes well with this apple and pear crumble?

With sweet, tender apples and pears and an oaty, biscuity topping, this crumble is delicious all on its own. That said, the classic companions to a crumble do go well, so why not serve with some warm custard, cool vanilla ice cream, or fresh, thick pouring cream drizzled on top.

Can I make this recipe without oats?

You can leave out the oats if you don't have any but the texture won't be quite as yummy and crunchy. Depending on the size of your dish, the topping coverage might also be a little thin without the extra oats.

I haven’t got light brown sugar can I use white granulated sugar?

Using light brown sugar brings a subtle natural caramel flavour to this crumble, which goes beautifully with the apples and pears. By using white granulated sugar you would miss out on this extra dimension to the dish, so it won't taste quite as good.

Brown sugars have some of the molasses remaining, which is what gives them a toffee-treacle flavour. The darker the sugar, the more molasses it contains. White sugar has all the molasses removed, leaving just sweetness.

If you don't have any light soft brown sugar, you can use white granulated sugar or white caster sugar in a pinch. Alternatively, you could opt for dark brown sugar for more of a treacle toffee taste to your apple and pear crumble.

Can I add extra fruit to this recipe?

There is a good amount of fresh fruit already in this recipe with the apples and pears, but if you wanted to increase the ratio of fruit to topping, you could increase the volume of the filling ingredients by half for a deeper crumble - just make sure it will all fit in the tin!

Another great way to introduce a little extra fruit would be to add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries or chopped dates. They plump up during baking and add bursts of extra flavour.

About 50g (1.75 oz) of your chosen dried fruit should be enough, chop any larger fruits down to the size of raisins.

How should I store this apple pear crumble?

If you have any leftover crumble, it will need to be kept in the fridge to keep it fresh and reduce the risk of bacteria spreading on the food. Leave it in the tray and cover well, then chill as soon as possible once completely cooled.

If you want to save space, you can transfer your leftover crumble into a smaller, lidded container. When transferring, try and keep the layers of apple and pear at the bottom with the crumble intact at the top.

How long does this apple pear crumble keep?

When stored correctly, this apple pear crumble will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, or 2 months when frozen on the day of making.

Remember the crumble topping will soften a bit over time as it absorbs some of the moisture from the fruits.

Can I leave this apple pear crumble out on the counter?

No, other than for serving or if the crumble is cooling before being stored in the fridge, it can not be left out on the counter for more than an hour in total.

Food like this spoils very quickly when left out so make sure to put it into the fridge or freezer in good time.

Can I make this apple pear crumble ahead?

For me, crumbles are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when they have perfectly cooked apples and pears topped with a crunchy crumbly topping.

You can prepare the filling and crumble elements a few hours ahead and keep them separate until its time to cook, if you like.

For the filling, prepare the apples and pears, peeling and chopping ready. Keep them submerged in cold water in the fridge and drain when it's time to put the crumble together.

The topping can also be made a few hours ahead and kept in a sealed container somewhere cool and dark until it's ready to pile onto the fruits.

Can I keep apple pear crumble in the refrigerator?

Yes, any leftovers need to be cooled and kept in the fridge to keep them fresh. Allow the crumble to cool on the side for no more than an hour before putting it into the fridge.

Can I freeze apple pear crumble?

Yes, this crumble freezes pretty well and will keep for up to 2 months. The crumble topping will absorb some of the juices from the fruit and go a bit soft underneath but you should be able to revive it in the oven and bring back a little crunch to the top.

Make sure to freeze any leftovers on the day of making. Pop your crumble into a suitable sealed container, and try to keep the layers intact. Label with the date and what's inside so you know when to use it up by and can find it again.

I find it easiest to thaw this crumble out in the fridge overnight before reheating. Once thawed, consume within 24 hours and don't refreeze.

What is the best way to reheat pear and apple crumble?

If you want to bring the crunchy topping back to life, you'll need to reheat in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 180C (60C fan) and transfer the crumble into an oven-safe dish if it's not still in the roasting tray. Once the oven has come up to temperature, put the crumble in for about 15 minutes or until piping hot right the way through. If the topping wasn't too browned first time around, you can push the baking time a bit further as long as it doesn't burn.

Some people like a crumble that has gone a bit soft and cakey on the top. If that's you then go ahead and reheat in the microwave. Put the crumble into a microwave-safe bowl and heat on full for 2-3 minutes. Make sure it's hot all the way through before serving.

This crumble is also pretty nice cold, either on its own or with vanilla ice cream, so if you're after a quick hit of deliciousness, that could be the way to go.

Remember once the crumble has been reheated once any leftovers will need to be discarded.

Can I make this apple pear crumble in a different quantity?

If you want to make more or less of this recipe then go right ahead.

Keep in mind the size of the tray you use to bake your crumble in. If it's too big, the crumble will be spread very thin and likely burn. Too small and the crumble will be very thick and might take a longer to cook - you may even find the ingredients don't fit in the tin.

To change the quantities look for the recipe card below. You'll see the servings near the top left. Change this to the number you want to make by clicking on it and a little slider will pop up. You can move the slider up or down to get the amount you want to make.

All the ingredient quantities will update automatically for you so that everything is in the right ratios.

Can I make this apple pear crumble in individual portions?

A crumble is the kind of thing that is easiest to make when piled into one tray. However, if you wanted to make neat individual portions for a special dinner then you could use separate ramekins.

Depending on the size of your ramekins, this recipe will make 6-8 servings. You might need to cut the fruit into slightly smaller pieces to fit nicely and make sure you get an even distribution of apple and pear in each one.

Put your ramekins onto a baking sheet so it's easier to get them in and out of the oven in one go. As they are smaller than a full-sized crumble, they will cook a little quicker so check on them after 20 minutes to see if they are done.

Be careful when serving and let people know the ramekins will be hot.

Can I make this apple pear crumble in a different tin/tray?

Any medium size oven dish will do. I've used a metal roasting tray but you could use a ceramic or glass dish as long as it's safe to go in the oven.

My tray is rectangular but yours might be oval or round. Any shape will work as long as it's big enough to hold all the ingredients.

Try not to use a dish with very high sides like a dutch oven or casserole as this might make the top cook unevenly and steam rather than crisp up nicely.

Can I make apple and pear crumble in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

No need to get the stand mixer out for this one as the flour and butter are simply rubbed together to create a crumb for the topping.

Can I make apple and pear crumble with a food processor?

If you find it easier, you can use a food processor to mix the flour and butter together to create the crumbly topping. Make sure to use the pulse mode in short bursts so you don't over mix the flour and butter and end up with pastry by mistake.

I recommend you stir the oats in by hand as using the food processor would chop them up.

How can I make sure this apple and pear crumble is perfectly cooked?

The first step to a perfect crumble is to preheat the oven, so turn it on before you do any other prep. That way, your crumble will go in at the perfect temperature, giving it the best chance of a nice, crisp top.

Next, I like to make sure I've read the whole recipe through and then weigh out all the ingredients. This means I know I've got everything to hand and there's much less likelihood of mistakes.

When you're ready to start cooking, begin by peeling and chopping the apples and pears. If you find that the fruit is starting to oxidise and go brown as you go, put the pieces into a bowl of cold water to keep them protected from the air. Drain with a colander when you're ready to put them into the roasting tin.

Making the filling first is important so that the sugar has time to work a little maceration magic on the apple and pears whilst you make the topping. The sugar draws out some of the juices from the fruit and it will start to soften. This saves time instead of pre-cooking the filling, which some recipes call for.

For a perfectly crumbly topping, use cold, cubed butter. Avoid really soft butter as it may melt against the heat of your fingers whilst rubbing it into the flour. Pick up small amounts of flour and butter on your fingers and rub your thumbs across them from little finger to index finger, letting the crumbs fall through your fingers. This slowly mixes the butter into the flour until it's the consistency of bread crumbs and slightly aerated.

Stir the sugar and rolled oats into the flour-butter crumb and your topping gently - you want to distribute everything evenly but you don't want to squash the crumbs together.

Now sprinkle the topping over the apples and pears. Aim to distribute the topping evenly over the fruits and don't be tempted to press it down as this will ruin the crunchy top.

Once your crumble is in your preheated oven, cooking time will depend on how you like your crumble topping. If you like a mix of soft and crunch cook your crumble for about 30 minutes. If you prefer more biscuity, crisp crunch to the topping then leave it an extra 10 minutes.

Why did my apple pear crumble turn out dry and burnt?

The main causes of a dry or burned crumble are mis-measured ingredients or overcooking.

Measured everything out carefully before you start so that you're unlikely to make mistakes.

Aim for a medium roasting tray. If the tray you used was too large, it could be that the crumble was spread too thinly and dried out.

Be sure to preheat your oven, but be aware that if, say, you're cooking this crumble right after a roast, the oven will have been on a long time and might actually be hotter than the dial suggests.

Aim to bake this crumble (and the vast majority of your cakes and bakes) on the middle shelf as this tends to be where the heat circulates most evenly.

Keep an eye on the crumble through the glass in the door, or even open it up to check as you don't need to worry about a cake sinking. If you find your oven temperature a bit unpredictable, an oven thermometer is a worthwhile investment.

It's always a good idea to put a timer on as soon as your crumble goes into the oven so that you know when it's done, especially if you're leaving it to cook whilst you get on with other things - half an hour can fly by!

Why did my crumble turn out soggy and dense?

If the directions have been followed, this crumble shouldn't turn out soggy.

Make sure to preheat the oven so its hot enough to crisp up the top and cook the filling properly.

If the crumble is left out on the side for a long time before going in the oven the topping will start to absorb moisture from the apples and pears, going soggy underneath. When it's finally baked the topping will probably be a bit cakey or pastry-like rather than crunchy, but should still be very tasty.

Using an oven dish with very high sides like a casserole or dutch oven will also affect how well this crumble cooks as it might steam in the dish rather than bake nicely on top.

Finally, it could be that your apples and/or pears were particularly unusually juicy, so your fruit filling is a little wetter.

How can I add/change the flavours in this dish?

This recipe is really easy to play around with to suit different tastes and make it your own.

You could try using a different spice in place of the cinnamon such as a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of vanilla extract.

Why not add dried fruits like raisins, figs, or apricot? Use about 50g (1.75 oz) of your chosen fruit and chop any larger pieces down to about the size of a raisin before stirring in to the fresh fruit with the sugar and cinnamon.

You might like to play around with the fresh fruit element by using berries or peaches. Aim to use whatever is seasonal - gooseberries or plums could be amazing for a bit of tartness.

Extras like flaked almonds can also be sprinkled on top to give even more crunch to the topping.

What is the origin of apple crumble?

Apple desserts similar to crumbles have been around since the 1800s, if not before.

Crumbles grew in popularity around the time of World War II, since ingredients were rationed and crumbles require less flour and butter than making a full pie with a pastry base and lid. It's also quicker to make so the convenience made it popular.

Crumbles are a perfectly simple, delicious way to use up seasonal fruit. Apples and pears are in abundance in the autumn, so do try this comforting and warming dessert.

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