Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Apple and Blackberry Crumble is a simple, flavorful dessert that can be made any night of the week! Ready in less than an hour, this sweet treat is ideal for any occasion. Top it off with ice cream and enjoy it warm.

about this apple blackberry crumble

Who doesn’t love a tasty fruit crumble? To me the sweet and tart filling topped with a crunchy topping is the best combination of flavors and textures.

There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of fruity crumble topped off with a heaping scoop of ice cream, am I right?

I could eat crumbles all year-round, and that’s why I like to use blackberries in my crumble recipes. Specifically Oregon blackberries. Oregon blackberries are the best type to use in this recipe because they taste so darn delicious. Why, you ask?

Well, they are picked at the peak of ripeness and this ensures a better tasting berry. The flavor is locked in because they are flash frozen within 24 hours of being picked (which also locks in the nutrition of the berries too!).

This means you can make this crumble anytime of year! All you have to do is thaw the berries and drain any excess juices. Of course, you can always use fresh ones once blackberries come into season, but I love Oregon blackberries because I can enjoy them all year long.

What about the apples?

Well, I am so glad you asked! Apples come in and out of season for most of the year, but the kinds of crisp apples I recommend using are available year-round in most areas. I like to use Granny Smith, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious.

For optimal flavor, these apples are at their peak from August to December, but they are generally available at the large supermarkets anytime of year!

ingredients

blackberries – you can use frozen or fresh blackberries for this recipe, as I mentioned above! Note that if you are using frozen blackberries, they will need to be thawed and drained before you use them in the recipe.

apples – I like to use Granny Smith apples for this recipe because the tartness is a wonderful pairing for the sweetness of the crumble on top. You can also use your favorite baking apple, including braeburn, golden delicious, or honeycrisp. Peel the apples, or opt not to if you prefer!

lemon – fresh lemon juice is always best in my opinion! If you need to use store-bought, you can.

sugar – you will only need light brown sugar for this recipe.

flour – I used all-purpose flour in the filling and the crumble. You can also use a gluten-free 1:1 ratio flour if you prefer.

spices – you will need ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt for this recipe. All three are used in both the filling and the crumble topping.

oats – be sure to use old-fashioned oats and not instant oats for this recipe! If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, make sure your oats are labeled “gluten-free”.

butter – unsalted butter is all you need! You can use salted butter, but if you do, be sure to omit salt elsewhere in the recipe when it calls for it. In addition, you can use vegan butter to make this recipe vegan.

this recipe’s must haves

This recipe is so simple to make, so you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make it.

You will need the largest and a medium bowl from a set of mixing bowls. To stir together the filling, I like to use a wooden spoon. To stir together the dry ingredients for the topping, I use a whisk.

Once you add the butter to the topping mixture, I use my hands to incorporate the butter!

Finally you will need a 10-inch casserole dish or a cast iron skillet to bake the crumble in.

here’s how to make apple blackberry crumble

make filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine blackberries, apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for the filling.

Stir together until evenly combined. Set aside to rest for about 5 minutes. This will allow the juices to release before baking.

make topping

Stir together oats, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel topping in a medium bowl.

Add the butter and incorporate it into the dry ingredients by pinching the butter between your fingertips. Continue to mix until the mixture is crumbly and feels similar to wet sand. Set the crumbly mixture aside.

assemble

Add fruit filling to a 10-inch casserole dish or cast iron skillet. You could also use a 2 quart baking dish if you prefer. Sprinkle the crumble topping mixture evenly over the top in an even layer.

bake

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 375˚F. The crumble is done once the fruit is bubbly and the topping is a golden brown.

Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or on its own! It’s also fantastic when served at room temperature.

Pro Tip: You can use fresh OR frozen berries for this recipe! If you are using frozen, be sure to thaw them and drain them before using in the recipe. Look for Oregon blackberries because they have the best fresh quality, are available year round, and are consistently high-quality for a fantastic price. You get more value for your money when you buy them frozen!

tips for success

be sure to pick apples that are in season. Blackberries you can by fresh if they are in season, or frozen all year-round! However, apples do not freeze well like blackberries, so I always recommend buying them fresh. Earlier in this post I outlined which apples are in season during winter, spring, summer, and fall. Be sure to check that out the make sure you get the best apple at the peak of ripeness!

thaw frozen berries. If your berries are frozen, you need to thaw them and drain them well before using in this recipe. Not doing so will result in a soggy crumble.

have fun with toppings! Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or custard sauce are all delicious options to add to this crumble. However, it’s just as tasty without any toppings at all!

More tasty blackberry recipes to dive into:Blackberry Mojito | Grilled Blackberry Steak Tacos | Blackberry Lemon Icebox Cake | Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks

can you freeze apple and blackberry crumble?

The blackberry apple crumble can be frozen, either unbaked or baked. It’s a fantastic dessert recipe to make ahead for a gathering, or just to make sure you have something sweet to indulge in when you feel like it.

To freeze it before you bake it, assemble up to the point of baking. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. This will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

To freeze after baking, be sure to cool the crumble completely. Wrap it with plastic wrap, then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

For both, all you need to do is thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking as instructed or reheating.

can you make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can easily make this blackberry apple crumble ahead of time! I recommend making the crumble up to the step before baking. Once the crumble is assembled, cover with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake as instructed (you may need to add about 5 minutes to the cooking time if it’s coming straight out of the fridge).

You can also freeze the unbaked crumble if you prefer. If you do, wrap it well in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. It will keep for up to three months. Thaw before baking and enjoy!

can I double the recipe to feed a large crowd?

Of course! You can still use the 10-inch casserole dish or cast iron skillet to make the crumble. Be sure to add 10 minutes more to the cook time.

Need more inspiration for dessert? Check out my desserts recipe page!

what to eat with this blackberry apple crumble recipe

I love to eat my crumbles with ice cream on top! For me, vanilla bean is the best pairing, but you can choose whatever ice cream (or frozen custard) you prefer. You can all top this crumble with whipped cream or serve it with a custard sauce to pour on top of each individual serving, as desired.

If you are looking for a fantastic entree to start the meal out with, this pulled pork burger (aka pulled pork sandwich, depending on what you prefer to call it!) is an easy recipe made in the Instant Pot. For those of you who would rather fire up the grill, a savory French onion burger has all the flavors of your favorite soup, but made for summer.

Pack the blackberry flavor in by pairing it with a refreshing blackberry gin fizz!

how to store and reheat

Store. This recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Note that the longer it sits, the soggier the crumble topping will get. Be sure to reheat in the oven to get that topping crispy again.

Freeze. To freeze unbaked, assemble and then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. This will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

To freeze after baking, be sure to cool the crumble completely. Wrap it with plastic wrap, then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheat. To reheat from the refrigerator, you can place in the microwave to reheat (30-second increments) until warmed through. You won’t get the optimal crispness on top this way though. The best way to reheat is in an oven-safe dish at 350˚F until warmed through.

From the freezer, thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator. Then bake as instructed if unbaked, or warm through in the oven if already baked.

Finally, if you make this apple blackberry crumble recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!