Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).

Place your sliced apples into a large bowl. Add sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Toss everything gently until the apples are evenly coated. The lemon juice helps balance sweetness and keeps the apples fresh and bright.

Transfer the apple mixture into your baking dish and spread it evenly.

In another bowl, add flour and cold butter. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

This step is key—don’t rush it. You want small lumps of butter throughout the mixture, as they help create that crisp texture when baked.

Stir in the sugar and a pinch of salt.

Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples. Keep it light and loose—don’t press it down. This allows air to circulate, giving you that perfect golden crunch.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.

Let the crumble rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps the filling settle slightly and makes it easier to scoop.

Serve warm with custard, cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.