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There’s something deeply comforting about a warm apple crumble, fresh out of the oven, with golden crispy topping and soft, spiced apples underneath. But what if you could enjoy all of that in an individual portion, served in its own little dish? That’s where apple crumble mini pots come in. Perfectly portioned, endlessly adaptable, and absolutely delicious, they’re ideal for everything from weeknight treats to festive dinners.

In this post, we’ll explore how to make them, how long to bake apple crumble, what makes a crumble topping crispy, and how to experiment with different variations – including oats, nuts, and baking dish options.

How Long to Bake Apple Crumble

Baking time is one of the most common questions when making any kind of crumble. For mini portions, the answer is straightforward: bake your apple crumble mini pots at 180°C (350°F) for around 25–30 minutes.

The key is to look for a bubbling apple filling and a golden-brown topping. Since every oven behaves slightly differently, start checking around the 25-minute mark. If your crumble topping isn’t crispy yet, you can bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.

How to Make Apple Crumble Crispy

The magic of a good crumble lies in the contrast between textures: soft, juicy apples underneath and a perfectly crisp top. So, how do you get that satisfying crunch?

Here are a few simple tricks:

Bake uncovered: This allows moisture to evaporate and encourages browning.

Use cold butter: Rub cold butter into your flour, sugar, and optional oats or nuts until it forms pea-sized clumps. This helps create that rustic, crumbly texture.

Don’t overmix: A crumble topping should be uneven – you want a variety of textures to help it crisp up.

Chill before baking: If you have time, chill the assembled crumble pots in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before baking. This helps the topping stay firm and crispy.

Apple Crumble Variations with Oats, Nuts & More

One of the best things about apple crumble is how customizable it is. You can stick with the classic buttery flour topping, or you can get creative by adding new ingredients that bring texture, flavor, and nutrition.

Here are a few ideas to try:

• Oats: Rolled oats bring a rustic chew and help absorb some of the fruit juices. They’re perfect for a hearty, golden topping.
• Nuts: Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds add crunch and a nutty depth that pairs beautifully with sweet apples.
• Coconut flakes: For a tropical twist, add shredded coconut to your topping.
• Spices: Go beyond cinnamon and experiment with cardamom, nutmeg, or even a pinch of clove for a warming aroma.

These additions not only enhance the flavor but also create a more dynamic, textured topping.

Can You Bake Apple Crumble in a Cake Pan?

Yes – while mini pots are charming and practical, you can absolutely bake apple crumble in a regular cake pan or baking dish. If you’re cooking for a crowd, a ceramic baking dish or even a cast iron skillet works beautifully.

Just be sure to adjust the baking time slightly. A larger dish may need closer to 35–45 minutes to ensure the apples are fully softened and the topping is evenly crisp.

For personal servings or small dinner parties, individual ramekins or oven-safe jars give a lovely rustic presentation and make portion control easy.

Why Mini Pots Are Worth Making

If you’ve never tried baking individual apple crumbles, you’re in for a treat. Here’s why these mini pots are so special:

• No sharing required: Everyone gets their own perfectly baked crumble.
• Ideal for meal prep: You can make them in advance, refrigerate, and reheat.
• Flexible portion sizes: Use small ramekins for a light dessert or larger ones for a more indulgent treat.
• Perfect presentation: They look beautiful and feel just a little bit more special.

You can even freeze them – just assemble, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When you’re ready to serve, bake straight from frozen, adding 5–10 minutes to the baking time.

Whether you’re making apple crumble in a baking dish or in mini pots, the joy of this dessert lies in its simplicity. With just a few pantry staples and some seasonal apples, you can create a warm, satisfying treat that never goes out of style.

And with all the variation options – from oats and nuts to different spices and toppings – you’ll never get bored. So grab those ramekins, preheat your oven, and fill your kitchen with the comforting scent of cinnamon, butter, and baked apples.

Apple Crumble Recipe

Apple Crumble Mini Pots

These apple crumble mini pots are the perfect cozy treat to use up leftover apples or pears – warm, buttery, and crunchy.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dessert

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Fruit Base:

• 5 apples or fruit of your choice, peeled and chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp sugar or more to taste
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

For the Crumble Topping:

• 100 g cold butter cubed
• 100 g flour
• 80 g sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 pinch of cinnamon (optional

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
2. In a bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Divide the mixture into 4 small oven-safe ramekins.
3. For the crumble topping: Add flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon to a bowl. Add the cold butter and rub everything together with your fingers until you get a crumbly texture.
4. Generously top the fruit with the crumble mixture.
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
6. Let cool for a few minutes and serve warm – optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

• Add chopped nuts or raisins for extra texture.
• Crumbles can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.