This Stove Top Apple Crumble you really can make and enjoy without the use of an oven. Delicious soft and lightly caramelized apples served with a crisp crumble topping.
Originally published on July 20th, 2015. Updated on March 5th, 2022 to include video, new photos, step-by-step-photos, answered frequently asked questions, more detailed information and recipe update.
Some years back I was searching for a recipe to make on stove top apple crumble to make on a camping stove. As much as I love my oven baked Apple Crumble, we were camping and I really wanted to figure out how to make a crumble without an oven. Every recipe I came across started out on the stove top, BUT was finished in the oven. So, I started experimenting and came up with this fantastic recipe that’s 100% cooked on the stove top! Easy stove top dessert recipes and this one is no exception. It ticks all the boxes of a great dessert.
Why You’ll Want To Make This Recipe
- Uses minimal ingredients – one of the many great things about fruit crumbles, is that they use very few ingredients. The crumble base is made with just 4 ingredients and the topping just two. Easy!
- No oven required – This is cooked 100% on a stove top and you will not need an oven to finish it off.
- Taste – Of course it’s a tasty dessert as well. The soft and slightly caramelized apples topped with a sweet buttery topping. A perfect easy dessert.
Ingredients
- 6 apples peeled, cored & cut into small wedges
- 3/4 Cup flour
- 1/4 Cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon
- Pinch salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 Cup water
REMEMBER, The full recipe and instructions can be found at the end of the post in the recipe card.
Instructions
- Prepare the apples – peel, core and slice the apples into about 1/2 inch slices.
- Cook apples – In a non stick skillet set over medium heat, add the apples and sprinkle over the tablespoon of sugar. Cook the apples for a few minutes and then add a bit of your water. Continue cooking until all the water has absorbed and then add more water if needed (if the apples are sticking to the pan) Continue cooking until apples are soft and golden in colour. About 15 minutes.
- Make the crumble topping – In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Mix to combine. Then cut in the butter and use your fingers to incorporate it into the flour mixture until you have a crumble mixture. Set aside.
- Cook the crumble topping – pour the crumble topping into a skillet set over medium heat. Leave it for about 2 minute and then start to gently stir it around. You should notice that the bottom of the crumbs starting to slightly brown. Continue to stir every few minutes until the crumble is slightly browned and cooked. This will take about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve – To serve, put apple slices in a bowl and top with the crumble mixture. We served it with Greek yogurt as it was what we had on hand. Worked really well as a camping dessert!
Recipe Tips for this Skillet Apple Crumble
- Cut the apples evenly – pay attention to when slicing the apples. They will cook more evenly if they are cut to relatively the same size. For this recipe, I cut mine into about 1/2 inch slices.
- Pay close attention to the topping – It’s easy to burn the crumble topping, so don’t leave it on the stove top and walk away. Pay close attention and stir regularly until the topping is cooked through.
- Time saving – Cook the apples on one burner and the crumble topping on another burner to save cooking time.
- Best apples to use for this crumble – You can use many varieties, I used Honey crisp. Other apples that will work are Gala, Fuji, Red Delicious or even Granny Smith. Keep in mind apples cook at different times. So depending on which apples you chose for your recipe, the cooking time may vary a little.
Can I add Any Additional Flavours or Make Any Substitutions
- Make it a crisp – by adding 1/2 oats and 1/2 flour to the topping you are essentially making it a crisp not a crumble.
- Add nuts – you can choose to add pecans, almonds or walnuts the topping for extra flavour and texture.
- Spices – You can add a little nutmeg or allspice to the apples for a richer flavour.
- Make it gluten free – By using only oats for the topping and omitting the four all together you would make this a gluten free dessert.
How To Serve This Stove Top Dessert
This apple crumble is great served with fresh whipped ream, vanilla ice cream or even Greek yogurt. And if you want to really fancy it up a bit, add my Homemade Caramel Sauce for a show stopping stove top dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
An apple crumble has a crumbly topping consisting of just flour, sugar an butter. Whereas a crisp has a topping of flour, oats, sugar and butter. As well, sometimes people add nuts into a crisp topping.
Yes, this dessert can be reheated on the stove top. Just place the apples back in the skillet over a low heat for just a few minutes until warmed through. I would leave the topping at room temperature so you don’t risk burning it by placing it back over heat.
Stove Top Apple Crumble
Ingredients
- 6 apples peeled, cored & cut into small wedges
- 3/4 Cup flour
- 1/4 Cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon
- Pinch salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 Cup water
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Mix to combine. Then cut in the butter and use your fingers to incorporate it into the flour mixture until you have a crumble mixture. Set aside.
- Pour the crumble topping into a skillet set over medium heat. Leave it for about 2 minute and then start to gently stir it around. You should notice that the bottom of the crumbs starting to slightly brown. Continue to stir every few minutes until the crumble is slightly browned and cooked. This will take about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a non stick skillet set over medium heat, add the apples and sprinkle over the tablespoon of sugar. Cook the apples for a few minutes and then add a bit of your water. Continue cooking until all the water has absorbed and then add more water if needed (if the apples are sticking). Continue cooking until apples are soft and golden in colour, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
- To serve, put apple slices in a bowl and top with the crumble mixture. Serve with cream or ice cream.
*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Notes
Thanks For Stopping By & Hope To See You Soon!
just made this on my log burning stove , added a few more ingredients , like lemon , mixed spice , served with creamy custard ,,,,,,delitious , thank you x
Hi Annette, I love that you cooked this on your wood stove, wow! The additions sound great, thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!