Irresistible Apple Crumble Tart: Your Go-To Fall Dessert Recipe

Step into the heartwarming world of fall baking with this exquisite Apple Crumble Tart. Featuring a buttery, tender sweet tart crust, generously filled with perfectly spiced apples, and crowned with a golden, brown sugar oat crumble, this dessert is a true masterpiece of comfort. Crafted primarily from pantry staples, it offers a sophisticated yet effortlessly achievable alternative to a traditional Dutch apple pie, making it the quintessential fall and Thanksgiving dessert for any gathering.

A beautifully baked apple crumble tart on parchment paper, with one slice served and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, showcasing its golden crumble and tender apple filling. — Enjoying a slice of homemade Apple Crumble Tart, perfectly paired with a scoop of ice cream.

The harmonious blend of warm cinnamon apples and a streusel topping creates a caramelized symphony of flavors that is truly a match made in heaven. If the allure of this apple crisp tart captures your heart, we invite you to explore other delightful apple creations from our kitchen:

Apple Crumble Bars: Portable and perfect for sharing.
Cinnamon Apple Crumble Muffins with Oats: A delightful breakfast or snack.
Apple Blueberry Crisp: A fruity twist on a classic.
Apple Crumble Cheesecake: A rich and creamy indulgence.
Apple Streusel Coffee Cake: Ideal for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Each recipe promises to bring the cozy essence of fall directly to your table.

Why This Apple Crumble Tart is Your Next Favorite Dessert

There’s something uniquely special about an apple tart, especially one with a golden, crunchy crumble. This particular recipe stands out for several compelling reasons:

Embrace the Essence of Fall: This tart is a celebration of autumn. Infused with aromatic cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and rich brown sugar, alongside crisp, sweet-tart apples, every bite is a taste of the season. The incredible aroma that fills your kitchen while baking is just the beginning of the sensory delight this dessert offers, culminating in a flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds.
The Ultimate Holiday Treat: Beyond Thanksgiving, this apple crumble tart is a versatile dessert perfect for Christmas, family gatherings, or any fall and winter celebration. Its robust structure ensures it transports beautifully and stores exceptionally well, making it an ideal candidate to bring to potlucks or as a thoughtful host gift. Prepare it in advance and enjoy the ease it adds to your holiday preparations.
Remarkably Easier Than Pie: Forget the intimidation of traditional apple pie! This apple crumble tart simplifies the process significantly. The pâté sucrée (sweet tart dough) is far more forgiving and less prone to cracking than a flaky pie crust, ensuring a stress-free baking experience. With a shorter bake time and a streamlined ingredient list, you’ll achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
A Symphony of Textures: From the tender, melt-in-your-mouth crust to the soft, warmly spiced apple filling and the irresistible crunch of the oat crumble topping, this tart delivers a delightful textural contrast in every mouthful. It’s a dessert that satisfies on multiple levels, making it incredibly enjoyable and memorable.
Made with Simple Pantry Staples: You likely have most of the ingredients for this delicious tart already in your kitchen. Utilizing basic components means less specialized shopping and more time enjoying the baking process and the delicious outcome.

Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Crumble Tart

A collection of fresh ingredients laid out on a table, including apples, oats, brown sugar, butter, flour, and spices, ready for making an apple crumble tart. — Gather your fresh ingredients for a truly satisfying homemade tart.

Crafting the perfect apple crumble tart begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

Sweet Tart Dough (Pâté Sucrée): This foundational element creates the tender, sweet base for your tart. Made with a simple combination of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, this dough requires at least 1 hour of chilling time before it can be rolled out and assembled. The chilling process is vital for hydration, ensuring a flaky yet sturdy crust that holds its shape beautifully and melts in your mouth.
Apples: The heart of this tart! For optimal flavor and texture, choose tart baking apples that hold their shape well when cooked. Excellent options include Granny Smith (for a classic tartness), Braeburn (sweet-tart with a crisp texture), Gala (mildly sweet and widely available), or Fuji (crisp and sweet). A mix of two varieties can also add depth to your filling.
Brown Sugar: Essential for both the apple filling and the crumble topping. Brown sugar not only adds sweetness but also a delightful molasses-rich flavor and moisture, contributing to the caramelized notes and tender texture of the crumble.
Rolled Oats: These are key to achieving the signature chewy yet crispy texture of the crumble topping. Old-fashioned rolled oats provide a wonderful heartiness that quick-cooking oats can’t quite replicate, though quick oats can be used in a pinch for a slightly different texture.
Spices (Cinnamon & Nutmeg): These warm, fragrant spices are tossed with the sliced apples, infusing the filling with the quintessential flavors of fall. Cinnamon offers a sweet, woody warmth, while nutmeg adds a subtle, earthy undertone, creating a comforting and aromatic experience.
Unsalted Butter: A critical ingredient used in both the sweet tart crust and the crumble topping. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dessert. For the crust, it contributes to richness and flakiness, while in the crumble, it binds the ingredients together, creating that irresistible golden-brown crunch.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the tart crust and helps thicken the apple filling slightly, preventing it from becoming too watery. It’s also a crucial component of the crumble topping, giving it body and creating distinct clumps.

For precise measurements, refer to the detailed recipe card below.

Creative Substitutions and Delicious Variations

This apple crumble tart recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for easy adaptations to suit your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Oat Variations: If you’re not a fan of oats, you can simply omit them from the crumble topping for a more traditional streusel. Alternatively, for a softer crumble, use quick-cooking oats instead of rolled oats.
Add Berries for a Burst of Flavor: Elevate your tart by incorporating fresh or frozen berries into the apple filling. Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries all pair wonderfully with apples, adding a vibrant tang and beautiful color. Adjust sugar slightly if using very tart berries.
Seasonal Stone Fruit Delight: In the warmer summer months, transform this tart into a seasonal stone fruit masterpiece. Use firm peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, or cherries. The baking time might vary slightly depending on the juiciness of the fruit, so keep an eye on it.
Drizzle with Caramel: For an extra layer of decadence, drizzle a generous amount of homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the baked and cooled tart just before serving. A sprinkle of sea salt can further enhance the caramel notes.
Individual Mini Tarts: For charming individual servings, prepare this recipe using mini tart pans or even a muffin tin. Adjust the baking time accordingly, as smaller tarts will cook faster. This is perfect for parties or portion control.
Nutty Crumble: Add finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds to your crumble topping for an extra layer of crunch and rich, earthy flavor.
Spice it Up: Experiment with additional spices in your apple filling. A pinch of cardamom, allspice, or ginger can add a unique twist and further enhance the fall flavor profile.
Vanilla Bean Infusion: For a gourmet touch, scrape the seeds from half a vanilla bean into your apple filling or add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Crafting Your Perfect Apple Crumble Tart: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delightful apple crumble tart is a rewarding process that yields spectacular results. Follow these detailed steps to ensure your tart turns out perfectly every time. Remember to prepare your sweet tart dough at least two hours in advance, allowing it sufficient time to chill and hydrate in the refrigerator before you begin rolling and assembling the tart.

A wooden rolling pin carefully rolls out sweet tart dough on a lightly floured surface, demonstrating the initial step of crust preparation. — **Step 1: Roll out the dough.** Begin by lightly flouring your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out your chilled sweet tart dough evenly until it is approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch thick and at least two inches wider than your tart pan. This extra width ensures enough dough to line the sides of the pan.

A hand gently presses sweet tart dough into the fluted edges and bottom of a tart pan, ensuring a snug fit for the crust. — **Step 2: Line the tart pan.** Carefully transfer the rolled dough into your tart pan. Gently press the dough into the bottom and up the fluted sides of the pan, ensuring it fits snugly into all the corners. Don’t worry if it tears a little; sweet tart dough is forgiving, and any rips can be easily patched with excess pastry.

A rolling pin is used to roll over the top edge of a tart pan, neatly trimming away excess pastry dough for a clean finish. — **Step 3: Trim and chill.** Use a rolling pin to roll firmly over the top edge of the tart pan, effectively trimming off any excess pastry dough for a clean, even edge. Collect any trimmed scraps; they can be used to patch weak spots. Place the lined tart shell into the freezer for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the filling and crumble topping. This step helps prevent shrinkage during baking.

A fork is mixing together ingredients for a crumble topping in a ceramic bowl, forming small to medium-sized buttery crumbles. — **Step 4: Prepare the crumble topping.** In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, rolled oats, and a pinch of kosher salt. Use a fork or your fingertips to mix these ingredients until small to medium-sized crumbles begin to form. Avoid overmixing; some larger clumps are desirable for a varied texture.

A generous layer of crumble topping is sprinkled over the bottom of a tart dough shell, forming the first layer of the apple crumble tart. — **Step 5: Add a base layer of crumble.** Remove the chilled tart shell from the freezer. Sprinkle about one-third of the prepared streusel topping evenly over the bottom of the tart dough. This layer helps absorb any juices from the apples, preventing a soggy bottom crust, and adds an extra layer of flavor and texture.

A hand holds a fanned arrangement of thinly sliced apples, ready to be placed into the tart crust. — **Step 6: Prepare the apples.** Peel, core, and slice your chosen tart apples to an even ¼-inch thickness. Uniform slices ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation. Aim for slices that are thin enough to be pliable but still have some body.

A spatula gently mixes apple slices with flour and spices in a large mixing bowl, ensuring each slice is thoroughly coated. — **Step 7: Season the apples.** In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the apple slices with all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. The flour helps to thicken the apple juices as they cook, preventing the filling from becoming too runny. Ensure all apple slices are thoroughly coated for consistent flavor distribution.

A hand gently presses down on beautifully arranged apple slices in a concentric spiral pattern within a tart pan, maximizing the apple filling. — **Step 8: Arrange the apple filling.** Begin arranging the spiced apple slices in a concentric spiral pattern within the tart pan, starting from the outside edge and working your way inwards to the center. Overlap the slices slightly for a beautiful visual effect. Once all apples are arranged, gently press down across the entire surface with your hands to compact them. This helps create a full filling and prevents large gaps.

Hot tip! Don’t be shy about filling the tart. You’ll be surprised how many apple slices you can fit in by tucking them into any small gaps and gently pressing them down. A full tart yields a more satisfying dessert!

The remaining crumble topping generously covers an entire layer of perfectly arranged apples in a tart pan, ready for baking. — **Step 9: Add final crumble and bake.** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Evenly sprinkle the remaining crumble topping over the arranged apples, ensuring a consistent layer across the entire tart. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the tart crust edges are golden brown, the apple filling is tender when poked with a knife (and may be bubbling), and the crumble topping is beautifully golden and crisp. If the topping browns too quickly, you can lightly tent the tart with foil.

A stunning sliced apple crumble tart, with two slices topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream, presented on a white serving dish. — **Step 10: Cool, slice, and serve.** Once baked, remove the tart from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack to warm or room temperature before attempting to slice it. This cooling period allows the filling to set properly, preventing it from collapsing when cut. Serve slices as is, or enhance with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Apple Crumble Tart

Achieving bakery-quality results with your apple crumble tart is easier than you think with these insider tips:

Patching the Dough: If your sweet tart dough cracks or tears while you’re lining the pan, don’t fret! Simply use small pieces of excess dough from the trimmed edges to patch any weak spots. Gently press the scraps into place, and they will seamlessly blend during baking. This dough is incredibly forgiving.
Freeze the Crust: Freezing the tart crust in the pan for 15-20 minutes before filling and baking is a crucial step. This helps firm up the butter in the dough, which prevents the crust from shrinking significantly in the oven and helps maintain its crispness. It also gives you time to perfectly slice and prepare your apples.
Maximize the Apple Filling: Don’t be shy about filling your tart. Pack those apple slices in tightly! Arrange them in a beautiful concentric pattern, and then gently press down all over the surface. Fill any small gaps with extra apple pieces. A generously filled tart will not only look more impressive but also provide a more satisfying fruit-to-crust ratio.
Prevent a Soggy Bottom: The base layer of streusel isn’t just for flavor; it also acts as a barrier to absorb excess moisture from the apples. Additionally, if you notice your crust isn’t browning as much as you’d like, move the tart to the bottom third of your oven for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This direct heat helps crisp up the bottom.
Don’t Overmix the Crumble: When making the crumble topping, mix just until crumbles form. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a less tender and more uniform topping. You want distinct buttery clumps for that classic crumble texture.
Room Temperature Butter for Crust: Ensure your butter for the sweet tart crust is at proper room temperature. This allows it to cream smoothly with the sugar, creating a tender, uniform dough without overworking it.
Rest the Dough: The chilling time for the tart dough is non-negotiable. It allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to roll and less prone to shrinking during baking.

Apple Crumble Tart: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your apple crumble tart experience is a resounding success:

Is crumble supposed to be crunchy?

A perfect crumble topping should offer a delightful mix of textures. The outer, more exposed portions will be wonderfully crispy and caramelized, while the insides of any larger chunks should remain satisfyingly chewy. This contrast is what makes a great crumble so irresistible.

What kind of tart pan should I use?

For the easiest removal and presentation, a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom is highly recommended. The removable base allows you to effortlessly slide the tart onto a serving platter without damaging its delicate crust. If you don’t have a specialized tart pan, any round baking dish—metal, glass, or ceramic—with slightly fluted or straight edges will work. Just be sure to grease it well and line it with parchment paper for easier removal.

What type of apples are best for apple tart?

For a tart that holds its shape and offers a balanced flavor, choose firm, tart baking apples. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice for their bright acidity that cuts through the sweetness. Other excellent options include Pink Lady, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. A combination of sweet and tart varieties can add complexity to your filling.

Why is the bottom of my tart soggy?

A soggy bottom is a common issue, often due to excess moisture from the apples or insufficient baking. To prevent this, ensure your crust is adequately chilled before filling. The layer of streusel at the bottom also helps absorb moisture. If your tart looks done on top but the bottom is still pale, move it to the bottom third of your oven for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This provides direct heat to the crust, helping it crisp up. Also, make sure to cool the tart completely before slicing, as it continues to set during this time.

Do you have to peel the apples?

Peeling apples for an apple tart is largely a matter of personal preference. While many recipes suggest peeling, it’s not strictly necessary for this tart. The relatively long bake time ensures that the apple peels become very tender and soft, almost melting into the filling. Leaving the skins on can also add a subtle depth of flavor and extra fiber. If you prefer a completely smooth texture, go ahead and peel them.

Can I make this tart ahead of time?

Absolutely! This apple crumble tart is a fantastic make-ahead dessert. You can assemble the entire tart (crust, filling, and crumble) and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Simply take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then bake as directed. You can also bake the tart completely, let it cool, and then store it as instructed in the storage section.

How do I know when the tart is fully baked?

Look for several indicators: the crust edges should be a deep golden brown, the apple filling should be visibly bubbling around the edges, and when you gently insert a knife into the apple filling, it should feel tender with minimal resistance. The crumble topping should also be golden brown and crisp.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Proper storage ensures your delicious apple crumble tart remains fresh and enjoyable for longer:

Room Temperature Storage: After cooling completely, store the apple tart lightly covered with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keeping it at room temperature helps maintain the crispness of the crumble topping better than refrigeration.

Refrigeration: If you live in a warm climate or prefer to extend its shelf life slightly, you can refrigerate the tart. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container for up to a week. The crumble may soften slightly when refrigerated.

Freezing for Future Enjoyment: This tart freezes beautifully! To freeze, ensure the apple tart (either whole or sliced) is completely cooled. Wrap it tightly first in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets, then wrap it again in aluminum foil. Place the well-wrapped tart in a large freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. It can be frozen for up to three months without compromising quality.

Thawing and Reheating: To thaw a frozen tart, unwrap it completely and let it sit at room temperature for several hours until fully thawed. If you desire to re-crisp the crust and topping, or warm the tart for serving, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and the crumble is crisp again. This step is highly recommended for the best texture!

A large, perfectly baked apple crumble tart, with several slices already removed, sitting on a wooden board. Two of the remaining slices are topped with ice cream, ready to be served. — A delicious Apple Crumble Tart ready to be stored or served.

More Irresistible Tart Recipes from Our Kitchen

If you enjoyed baking and savoring this apple crumble tart, you’re in for a treat! Our collection features a variety of other delectable tart recipes that are sure to impress. Explore these delightful options for every season and occasion:

Cinnamon Panna Cotta Tart
Chocolate Almond Fig Tart
Cranberry White Chocolate Tart
Salted Chocolate Caramel Tart

Did you make this recipe? Share your creations with us! Tag @thecozyplum on Instagram & Facebook. We love to see what you’re baking!

📖 Recipe Card: Classic Apple Crumble Tart

Apple Crumble Tart

Callan Wenner

This irresistible apple crumble tart features a tender sweet crust, a generous filling of perfectly spiced apples, and a golden-brown sugar oat crumble topping. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s a delightful and easier alternative to traditional Dutch apple pie, making it the perfect fall dessert for Thanksgiving and beyond.

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Chill Time
1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time
2 hours 45 minutes

Course
Dessert, Snack

Cuisine
American, French

Servings
12

Calories
242 kcal

Equipment

Stand mixer with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer
Rolling Pin
9″ tart pan with removable bottom
Vegetable peeler

U.S. Cups vs MetricUse the metric toggle to convert the measurements

Ingredients

Sweet Tart Crust

6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg room temperature
1 ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Filling

3 tart apples peeled, cored, and sliced ⅛” thick
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Crumble Topping

6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
¾ cup light brown sugar packed
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer), cream together the butter, sugar and salt until smooth. Add in the egg and mix until incorporated, then scrape down the sides. Add the flour and mix on low until just incorporated.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it into a 1-inch thick disc. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
Peel, core and slice the apples to ⅛” thick. Add to a large mixing bowl and toss with cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Set aside.
In another mixing bowl, melt the butter, then add the brown sugar, flour, rolled oats and kosher salt and mix together with a fork until crumbles form.
Remove the dough from the fridge and plastic wrap and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Flour your work surface and rolling pin and roll out the dough until it’s ⅛-¼” thick. This dough is very forgiving, so if it cracks, you can patch it later. Roll the dough so it’s about 2 inches wider than the tart pan.
Transfer the dough to the pan and press it into the bottom, corners, and sides of the tart pan. Roll the rolling pin over the top of the pan to remove the excess dough, then use any of the scraps to patch holes or weak spots.
Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes, and preheat the oven to 350℉.
Scatter ⅓ cup of streusel to the bottom of the frozen tart shell.
Layer the apples, overlapping slightly, in a spiral pattern starting from the outside and moving inwards, then fill any gaps with leftover apple slices. Gently press the apples down with your hands.
Sprinkle the remaining streusel over top of the apples, then bake in the center rack for 40-50 minutes until the edge of the crust is golden brown, apple filling is soft when poked with a knife (the edges may bubble), and crumble topping is golden brown.
Note: check the tart around 30 minutes. If it is browning too quickly, lightly tent the entire tart with foil.
Remove to a wire rack to cool completely, then remove from the tart pan, slice, and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Video

Watch our step-by-step video guide to see how easily this delicious Apple Crumble Tart comes together:

Notes

Store the tart lightly covered with foil at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Press the apples into the tart shell, fitting in all of the slices from the recipe.

If the apple tart begins to brown too deeply during baking, lightly tent the top with a piece of aluminum foil.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 242kcal
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 46mg
Sodium: 85mg
Potassium: 101mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 20g
Vitamin A: 398IU
Vitamin C: 2mg
Calcium: 26mg
Iron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

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