If warm fall spices and juicy baked apples sound like your thing, you’re gonna love this.
This Chai-Spiced Apple Crumble is one of those cozy desserts that feels like a hug in a bowl.
The apples get tender and sweet, and the oat topping is crisp and golden with the perfect crunch.
The chai spices take this classic dessert to a whole new level.
It’s super easy to throw together, and it makes the kitchen smell amazing while it bakes.
What You’ll Need
For the Apple Filling:
- 5 medium apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tsp cornstarch
For the Crumble Topping:
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something special about a fruit crumble. It’s rustic, unfussy, and feels like home. I grew up eating apple desserts year-round, and once I added chai spices to the mix—it was a total game changer.
- The chai blend gives it a warm, cozy twist
- The oat topping is crisp, buttery, and golden
- It’s super simple—no fancy tools or steps
- Smells incredible while it bakes
- You can enjoy it warm or cold, solo or with ice cream
Servings & Time
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Macros (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 27g
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
The acid in the lemon juice balances the sweetness of the apples and helps prevent browning. The cornstarch thickens the fruit juices while it bakes, giving you that perfect saucy filling. The cold butter in the crumble melts in the oven, creating little pockets of steam that crisp up the oats and flour.
Common Mistakes
- Using warm butter: This makes the topping soggy instead of crumbly.
- Skipping the cornstarch: You’ll end up with a watery filling.
- Overbaking: It can dry out the apples and burn the topping.
- Not peeling the apples: The skins can make the filling chewy instead of tender.
What to Serve With
- A big scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon
- A drizzle of caramel sauce
- Hot chai or a cup of black tea
Tools Required
- Mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
- Vegetable peeler
- Pastry cutter or fork
- 8×8 baking dish
- Oven mitts
- Spoon or spatula
Substitutions and Variations
- Apples: Use pears or peaches instead
- Butter: Use coconut oil for a dairy-free version
- Oats: Swap with chopped nuts or use gluten-free oats
- Sugar: Try maple syrup or coconut sugar
- Spices: Use pumpkin pie spice if you’re out of chai spices
Make-Ahead Tips
- You can prep the filling and topping a day in advance—store them separately in the fridge and assemble right before baking.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Apples
In a large mixing bowl, combine 5 peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples with 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cardamom, ⅛ tsp ground cloves, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, and 2 tsp cornstarch. Toss until apples are evenly coated.
Step 2: Add Apples to Baking Dish
Pour the spiced apple mixture into an 8×8 baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping
In another bowl, mix ¾ cup rolled oats, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup brown sugar, ¼ tsp salt, and ½ tsp cinnamon. Add 6 tbsp cold butter (cut into cubes). Use a pastry cutter or fork to mix until the texture is crumbly and butter is in small chunks.
Step 4: Top the Apples
Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples in the baking dish, covering all the fruit.
Step 5: Bake
Place the dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
Step 6: Cool Slightly and Serve
Let the crumble cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. It thickens as it rests and tastes amazing warm.
Pro Tips
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples (like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith) for best flavor
- Slice apples evenly so they bake at the same rate
- Chill your butter before making the crumble
- Don’t skip letting it cool—it thickens and gets easier to serve
- Double the recipe if you’re serving a crowd—it disappears fast!
Leftovers & Storage
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Reheat in the oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes or microwave briefly
- It also tastes great cold with a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream
FAQ
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the topping will be a little softer.
Can I freeze it?
Yes! Freeze before baking or after baking and cooling. Thaw in fridge, then reheat.
Can I make this vegan?
Absolutely—just use a plant-based butter or solid coconut oil.
Can I use apple pie spice instead?
Yes, use 1 ½ tsp of apple pie spice in place of all the individual chai spices.
Conclusion
This chai-spiced apple crumble is the kind of dessert you’ll come back to again and again. It’s easy, smells amazing, and tastes like fall in a bowl. Make it once, and I promise—it’ll be part of your cozy dessert rotation. If you try it, drop a comment below! I’d love to hear how it went or help if you have questions.
