If you are looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that makes a perfectly comforting treat, you must try this Apple and Blueberry Crumble! Only 6 simple ingredients transform into a lovely fruity dessert that is delicious served both warm and cold. Made with frozen blueberries, this easy dessert proves that fruity desserts can be enjoyed any time of the year, even when fresh fruit and berries are out of season! Alongside Apple Crumble Cheesecake, this is our top dessert for the apple season!
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Ingredients and Substitutes
- plain flour: also known as all-purpose flour.
- oats: use rolled oats, which also go by the name of porridge oats.
- light brown sugar.
- butter: we used unsalted butter, but if you are using very sweet apples, lightly salted butter may help cut through the sweetness.
- apples: peeled and cored. We recommend using tart apples in this recipe. Read more about the best kind of apples to use in the section below.
- frozen blueberries: can be replaced with fresh blueberries.
Find the ingredient quantities, detailed instructions and nutritional information on the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Note on Blueberries
We tend to use frozen blueberries in baking (and enjoy fresh blueberries as a healthy snack or in fruit salads), but you may choose to use fresh juicy blueberries in this dessert instead. The only difference between the two is how much moisture will be released into the fruit filling.
Since crumble, made with frozen blueberries tends to be wetter, we add a tablespoon of flour to thicken the fruit juices. If you are using fresh blueberries, however, just a teaspoon of flour should suffice.
Got leftover frozen blueberries? Make a Creamy Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake or Blueberry Mousse!
Additional Extras
- If you choose to use a sweeter variety of apples, we recommend adding 2 tablespoon of lemon juice to your fruit filling to balance the flavours.
- If you want your crumble topping to have a bit more crunch, substitute half of the brown sugar with caster sugar (it is dryer and absorbs more moisture creating a more crunchy topping).
- Make your crumble topping more flavoursome with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or the zest of 1 lemon.
- Add a teaspoon of baking powder to your crumble topping mixture if you like your crumble topping softer and more cake-like.
- Read below on how to change things up with recipes for crumble topping without oats, with almond flour and an easier version made with melted butter.
Best Apples For Crumble
Tart apples, like Granny Smiths, work best in this blueberry apple crumble as their acidity balances the sweetness of the blueberries.
For a sweeter crumble, try Gala apples (mild, firm) or Honeycrisp apples (juicy, crisp), but consider reducing the sugar. Pink Lady offers a tangy-sweet balance with a crisp texture, while Jazz apples add a sweet-tart flavour with a hint of spice for complexity.
If using sweet apples, adjust sugar or add lemon juice to prevent the crumble from becoming too sweet.
All of these tips apply to other sweet apple bakes, like Apple Crumble Tart, Apple Frangipane Tart and Apple Tray Bake!
Step-By-Step Method
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan.
2. Make your oat crumble topping by placing the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the cubed butter and using your fingers, rub the mixture into coarse crumbs.
3. Add the sugar and oats and mix to combine. Squeeze the mixture with your hands, to create some bigger clusters and set the crumble topping aside.
4. Peel, core and slice the apples (about 0.5cm thick slices). Add them to an ovenproof baking dish and gently mix in the blueberries, sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour (the flour will thicken the juices released from the fruit).
5. Spoon the buttery crumble topping over the apple mixture. Place the dish in the centre of the oven for 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the fruit mixture should be bubbling around the edges.
6. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, custard or cream!
Crumble Topping Variations
Crumble Topping Without Oats
To make a buttery crumble topping without oats, you will need:
- 150g plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 85g light brown sugar
- 100g unsalted butter
First, rub the flour and butter together with your fingertips, until the mixture resembles wet sand. Mix in the sugar. Then clump a few small handfuls of the mixture in your hands and use it to top the fruit.
Crumble Topping With Almond Flour
The addition of ground almonds to your crumble topping will make it softer, moister and more cake-like. It will also add a lovely nutty flavour. You will need:
- 130g plain flour
- 100g butter
- 85g light brown sugar
- 30g ground almonds
Start by rubbing the butter into the flour until no large lumps of butter remain. Mix in the sugar and almonds and clump a few handfuls of the mixture together to create larger bits of the crumble.
If you enjoy the combination of apples and almonds, try our Almond Frangipane Tart next!
Crumble Topping With Melted Butter
To make your blueberry apple crumble in less time, use a melted butter trick. Instead of rubbing the flour and butter with your fingers, here's what you can do:
- Add all the crumble topping ingredients to a large bowl.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan (or microwave) and let it cool down slightly.
- Pour the butter over the dry ingredients and mix well.
We use this method in our Apple and Cherry Crumble recipe.
What To Serve With Apple & Blueberry Crumble?
Apple and blueberry crumble is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It's a delicious and comforting dish that can be enjoyed on its own or with some accompaniments. Here are some ideas on what to serve with your crumble:
- A scoop of Vanilla ice cream: The cold and creamy texture of vanilla ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm and fruity crumble. It's a classic combination that is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Whipped cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream is a simple and elegant accompaniment to your crumble. It's light and airy, which balances out the richness of the crumble.
- Custard: A warm and creamy custard is another classic pairing with apple and blueberry crumble. Its thick and smooth texture adds a luxurious element to the dish.
Recipe FAQs
There are a few reasons why this may happen.
1. Not enough butter: The butter in the crumble topping helps it to brown and crisp up in the oven. If you don't use enough butter, the topping may be too dry and won't brown well. Try increasing the amount of butter in the recipe.
2. Oven temperature: If your oven temperature is too low, it can prevent the crumble from browning on top. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and set to the correct temperature.
3. Too much moisture: If there's too much moisture in the filling, it can create steam in the oven and prevent the topping from browning. This can happen if you use too much fruit, or if you don't drain excess liquid from the fruit before baking. To fix this, try reducing the amount of fruit in the filling or using a slotted spoon to remove any excess liquid before baking.
Plain flour works best to create the traditional crispy crumble topping texture. Self-raising flour will make a cake-like topping.
Absolutely! Place the fruit in individual ramekins and top with crumble topping. Note that small individual portions of this Apple Blueberry Crumble will cook more quickly.
Storage
Storing apple and blueberry crumble properly is important to ensure that it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible. The crumble topping is particularly susceptible to becoming soggy, so it's important to take extra care when storing it.
To store apple and blueberry crumble, you should first allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This will help to prevent condensation from forming and making the crumble topping go soggy. Once cooled, you can cover the crumble with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
Reader Review
"This flavor combo was amazing. And very easy to make!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Can You Freeze Apple Crumble?
Yes, this delicious crumble can be frozen for later consumption. Freezing apple crumble is a great way to preserve it if you have leftovers or if you want to make a batch ahead of time for later use. Here are some steps to follow for freezing apple crumble:
- Allow the crumble to cool completely to room temperature.
- Cover the crumble with plastic wrap.
- Wrap the crumble in aluminium foil, making sure it is tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn.
- Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat Apple Blueberry Crumble?
From Chilled:
- Preheat your oven to 160°C Fan.
- Take the chilled apple and blueberry crumble out of the fridge.
- Cover the crumble with aluminium foil to prevent the topping from over-browning.
- Place the crumble in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp.
From Frozen:
- Preheat your oven to 160°C Fan.
- Remove the frozen apple and blueberry crumble from the freezer.
- Remove the plastic wrap and foil from the crumble.
- Cover the crumble with fresh foil to prevent the topping from over-browning.
- Place the crumble in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp.
Note that the exact baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the crumble, as well as the temperature of your oven.
Delicious Classic British Dessert Recipes
If you enjoyed this delicious apple blueberry crumble, you may want to try some other classic British desserts. Here are some delicious recipes to get you inspired:
Apple and Blueberry Crumble
Equipment
- Ovenproof dish about 2 litre capacity
Ingredients
For The Crumble Topping:
- 100 g (¾ cups + 2 tbsp) plain flour
- 100 g (3.5 oz) butter unsalted
- 60 g (¾ cups) oats
- 100 g (½ cups) light brown sugar
For The Apple & Blueberry Filling:
- 500 g (1.1 lb) apples peeled and cored
- 200 g (0.44 lb) frozen blueberries
- 50 g (¼ cups) light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan.
- Make your oat crumble topping by placing the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the cubed butter and using your fingers, rub the mixture into coarse crumbs.
- Add the sugar and oats and mix to combine. Squeeze the mixture with your hands, to create some bigger clusters and set the crumble topping aside.
- Peel, core and slice the apples (about 0.5cm thick slices). Add them to an ovenproof dish and gently mix in the blueberries, sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour (the flour will thicken the juices released from the fruit).
- Spoon the buttery crumble topping over the fruit and berries. Place the dish in the centre of the oven for 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the fruit mixture should be bubbling around the edges.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, custard or cream!
Nutrition
Dina and Bruce says
This flavor combo was amazing. And very easy to make!