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    Home ยป Easy Dinner Recipes

    The Best Homemade Crumble Topping

    Published: Jun 5, 2023 ยท Modified: Nov 16, 2023 by Deborah Rainford ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 10 Comments

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    Oat crumble topping for fruit desseets.

    This crumble topping is a delicious and versatile streusel that can be used on many fruit desserts like pies, cobblers, crisps, and crumbles. It's made with a simple mix of flour, oats, butter, and sugar. Baked until golden brown, this crumble topping is endlessly adaptable and can be made with variations and additions so it's perfect for whatever dessert you're making.

    Rhubarb crumble with ice cream and spoons.

    There are so many crumble, crisp, and cobbler recipes on this website but no stand-alone recipe for crumble topping. But when you have your own favourite fruit or mixed berry filling you just want an incredible recipe for the best crumble topping you've ever had.

    This is that recipe. I've been using this crumble for the last 15 years and know it by heart. It is one of my most treasured and frequently made dessert recipes. You'll find it on this fruit crumble, the raspberry and peach crumble and of course, the rhubarb and ginger crumble. But it would also be an incredible topping to this apple tart or this strawberry puff pastry tart. Or, just bake it up and serve it warm and crunchy over plain vanilla ice cream.

    Jump to:
    • โญ๏ธ Why You'll Love This Crumble Topping
    • ๐Ÿงพ Key ingredients and why
    • ๐Ÿ“– Substitutions & Variations
    • ๐Ÿ’ก Top tip: Pastry chef secrets
    • ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿณ How to make buttery oat crumble topping step-by-step
    • ๐Ÿ’ก Top tip: Pastry chef secrets
    • ๐Ÿ’ก Top tip: Make ahead oat crumble topping
    • ๐Ÿฏ Storage
    • Choose your own crumble
    • โ“FAQ
    • The Best Homemade Crumble Topping

    ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Crumble Topping

    • Easy- this crumble topping is so easy to make, especially if you have a food processor.
    • Delicious- crunchy, buttery, and sweet, crumble topping provides the perfect contrast to the soft and juicy fruit fillings of pies, crumbles, and crisps.
    • Customizable- there are endless ways you can make this crumble topping your own. Add in some chopped almonds for a fruit crumble or add in cinnmon and nutmeg for the perfect apple crisp.
    • Budget-friendly- with only a handful of basic ingredients required this crumble topping is perfect for using with frozen fruit for the perfect affordable family dessert.
    • Versatile- this buttery oat topping is perfect for using instead of a top pie crust, on crisps or crumbles and just sprinkled over some ice cream with roasted peaches for the perfect summer dessert.

    🧾 Key ingredients and why

    Butter and oats for the crumble topping.
    • oats- preferably rolled oats rather than quick cooking for more texture.
    • butter- salted or unsalted work brilliantly in this recipe. *I use salted.
    • sugar- caster or granulated *use golden caster sugar for extra depth
    • flour- plain or all-purpose flour is all you need.
    • *Add-ins- see the substitutions and variations section of all the ways you can customise this simple crumble topping

    See recipe card for quantities.

    📖 Substitutions & Variations

    • Nuts- Add in chopped toasted nuts like almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts
    • Spices- Mix in cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice which will bring extra depth to the fruit flavours.
    • Chocolate- Add in some white, milk or dark chocolate chunks to make an indulgent crumble. Perfect for cosy autumn desserts.

    💡 Top tip: Pastry chef secrets

    This crumble topping also forms the base for these incredible wild berry oat bars, these plum crumble bars, and these strawberry oat bars.

    👩🏻‍🍳 How to make buttery oat crumble topping step-by-step

    • In a food processor
      • Cube the cold butter and measure all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and use the pulse setting to incorporate the butter and blend the topping.
      • This will only take about 2 minutes. The topping should look like coarse breadcrumbs.
      • *Be sure to not over mix the crumble.
    Ingredients for crumble topping in a food processor.
    Crumble topping being mixed in a food processor.
    • In a mixing bowl
      • Weight the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
      • Using a fork or your fingers cut the butter into the dry ingredients until you have a crumbly mixture that looks like coarse breadcrumbs.

    💡 Top tip: Pastry chef secrets

    Use cold butter. This will help to create a crumbly texture that will be irresistible and bake into crunchy morsels.

    Crumble topping being mixed by hand in a mixing bowl.

    Once the butter is incorporated you can add in any chopped nuts, dried fruit, or spices. Either use the crumble right away or store it in the fridge or freezer for later use.

    💡 Top tip: Make ahead oat crumble topping

    For stress-free baking crumble topping can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Double the recipe for making a crumble now and storing half in the freezer for the next time you make a fruit crumble dessert.

    🍯 Storage

    • Storage: In an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days and the freezer for 2 months.
    • Thawing and Reheating from Frozen: There's no need to thaw the crumble topping before using. Simply place the frozen crumble topping over your dessert and bake as usual.

    Choose your own crumble

    • nuts- add 100g chopped nuts into the mixture- almond or pistachio with peaches and walnuts or hazelnuts with mixed berries or apples
    • dried fruit- add in some dried currants, raisins or apricots for extra sweetness and texture.
    • chocolate- white, milk or dark go well with almost any variation of crumble. Elevating your dessert from comforting and cosy to indlugent and elegant.
    • coconut- stir in some dessicted coconut when using peaches or apricots for the perfect tropical twist.
    • gingersnap- brings a warming flavour to any crumble. Perfect for winter desserts. shortbread- adding in some crushed shortbread will make your cumble topping even more buttery and melt in your mouth.
    • graham cracker or digestive biscuits- adds a sweet crunchy twist to a crumble topping. Perfect for when you add chocolate to your crumble.

    ❓FAQ

    How do you keep crumble topping crunchy?

    Use cold butter. This will help to create a crumbly texture that will not stick together when baking.
    Use a mix of flour and oats. The oats will add a bit of crunch and texture to the topping.
    Don't overmix the ingredients. The crumble topping should be made with a "coarse" crumb.

    Can I use self-raising flour instead of plain flour for crumble?

    Absolutely. It won't make much difference in your final result. I have had to use self-raising several times when in a pinch and those crumbles turned out amazing too!

    If you tried this  Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Also, please leave a star rating whilst you're there!

    You can also follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram and join our private Facebook Group Facebook group to share more recipe ideas and all your photos!

    Need help with meal planning? You can find our (Aldi ingredients only) weekly meal plans here! Sign up to receive them free every week or take our quick meal planning course and use all these recipes to create your own meal plans. 

    Rhubarb crumble with ice cream and spoons.

    The Best Homemade Crumble Topping

    Crumble topping is the perfect way to add a crunchy, sweet topping to your favourite fruit desserts. Keep some in the freezer for making the perfect make-ahead dessert.
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 15 servings
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    Author: Deborah Rainford

    Ingredients

    • 225 g (1 ⅔ cups) plain flour
    • 225 g (1 cup) butter, cold, cubed
    • 125 g (1 ½ cups) rolled oats, *see notes
    • 200 g (1 cup) caster sugar, *see notes

    Instructions

    • Weigh the cold butter and cut into medium size cubes.
    • Place the dry ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or a medium mixing bowl.

    Food processor method

    • Use the pulse setting to combine the butter with the dry ingredients. The mixture should resemble course breadcrumbs.

    By hand

    • Add the cold, cubed butter to the mixing bowl and use a fork or pastry cutter to cut the ingredients together until you have a very course mixture.

    Assembling the crumble

    • Once you have a course buttery crumble topping, scatter the topping generously over the fruit filling and bake at 180ºC until the crumble is golden and the fruit filling is bubbling.
    • Divide between bowls and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or custard.

    Notes

    1. Use rolled oats instead of quick cooking for better texture. 
    2. You can use caster, granulated, or demerara sugar in this recipe for great results. Just stay away from regular brown sugar. It won't give the right texture.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag Me @savvybites or tag #savvybites!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynn

      December 29, 2024 at 9:09 pm

      Not sure what happened but underneath a crisp crust it was soggy & not crumbly & too sweet.
      Made crumble mixture earlier in the day, kept in fridge & added to already cooked fruit which was cool just before cooking. Disappointing ๐Ÿ˜ž

      Reply
      • Deborah Rainford

        May 01, 2025 at 12:16 pm

        The issue likely stems from how the crumble was assembled. If the fruit was already cooked, it would have released juices that the crumble topping began to absorb. It also sounds like the crumble topping went into the oven straight from the fridge, which can cause uneven baking โ€” the top crisps up while the bottom remains cool and soaks up moisture. This creates a soggy base that wonโ€™t crisp, while the top becomes overbaked.
        Next time, try using either fresh or frozen fruit rather than pre-cooked. If you need to chill the crumble topping beforehand, take it out of the fridge about an hour before baking to let it come to room temperature. That way, it bakes evenly and stays crisp. Hope this helps! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. Sue Birley

      August 31, 2024 at 10:40 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is delicious and easy. Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Pilzy

      January 28, 2024 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      This on summer fruit crumble, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and plums. HEAVEN!!!

      Reply
    4. Jem Golden

      December 05, 2023 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      This is wonderful recipe for topping. I definitely recommend as suggested toasting walnuts and then ideally crushing by hand in mortar/pestle and adding to the mix for processing. Freshly ground cinnamon from a cinnamon stick up to two teaspoons is likewise transformative! Jem

      Reply
      • Deborah Rainford

        December 12, 2023 at 12:10 pm

        Thanks so much, Jem! I always have some of this crumble topping in my freezer! It's such a great go-to recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. It's so appreciated. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    5. Brian

      October 17, 2023 at 12:35 pm

      Can you use instant porridge instead of rolled oats?

      Reply
      • Deborah Rainford

        October 17, 2023 at 12:59 pm

        Hi Brian! You can if you're in a pinch, but rolled oats will give you a better texture. Instant porridge is a little bit "dusty" in texture because it's been milled very fine to make it very quick cooking. So, you absolutely can use them, just be aware that you'll have a different texture to the topping. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    6. Sam

      July 20, 2023 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely fab recipe. I always save half in the freezer for another one and it keeps great, too.

      Reply
      • Deborah Rainford

        July 20, 2023 at 7:47 pm

        Thanks so much, Sam! So happy that you love this recipe.

        Reply
    5 from 12 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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    Oat crumble topping for fruit desseets.

    Hi, I'm Deborah! A Cordon Bleu graduate with more than 10 years of restaurant cooking experience. I now focus on helping you create easy, delicious and healthy(ish) budget recipes from scratch using only Aldi ingredients. Welcome to my virtual kitchen!

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