Learn how to make the BEST Oat Crumble Topping for your favorite desserts! This dessert topper is buttery, crisp, and oh so delicious. Best of all it's ready in just a few minutes, and so simple and easy to make!
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It's fresh fruit season, and I can't get enough peaches, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries ... I could go on! Of course, I love eating these tasty fruits fresh, but they're even better when baked into a mouthwatering dessert.
I especially love fruit crisps at this time of year, and no matter the fruit, this crumble topping with oats has become a go-to recipe! This versatile topper works on everything from apple crisps to peach crisps, and much any other fruit you can think of!
You are going to love this easy crisp topping! It's truly is simple to make, and the recipe uses a unique (but super easy) technique for the crispiest results. And the warm, buttery, brown sugar flavor is truly a delight.
Another thing to love about this recipe? The topping is naturally vegetarian, and it's easy to customize for vegan, dairy free, nut free, and gluten free diets, too ... so everyone at your table can enjoy it!
Ready to try this delicious oat topping for yourself? Then keep reading for all the details!
Ingredients
This recipe uses basic ingredients that you probably have in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:
- Oats - The oats are what makes a crisp a crisp (and not a crumble)! You want to used old fashioned rolled oats (the kind you use for oatmeal) for this recipe, not quick-cooking or steel cut oats.
- Flour - Along with the oats, all-purpose flour (I like King Arthur) forms the recipe's base. Almond flour can be substituted for flour 1-to-1 in this recipe, making it a great gluten free alternative.
- Nuts - While you can leave them out, nut add a great flavor to crisps! I usually use walnuts or pecans, but you can experiment with other varieties, too.
- Sugar - Every dessert topping needs a sweetener, and this one uses brown sugar, which adds flavor and sweetness. I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will also work.
- Butter - You need butter for flavor and to help the topping crisp up. I used unsalted butter (it's best for most recipes), but salted butter also works fine here.
This oat crisp topping recipe is naturally vegetarian, and you can easily make it gluten free, vegan, dairy free, and / or nut free with a few simple swaps, if needed. Check out the Variations section below for details.
You'll Also Need
To prepare the recipe, you'll need measuring cups and spoons, a small bowl to melt the butter, a medium bowl to prepare the topping in, and a whisk to combine the dry ingredients.
How to Make a Oat Crumble Topping
This crispy topping couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Mix topping together. You'll start by stirring (or whisking) together the oats, flour, sugar, nuts, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Sprinkle over fruit filling. Make your fruit filling and add it to your baking dish. Then evenly sprinkle on the topping. Tip: For a prettier dessert, I like to leave about an inch of fruit showing around the edges.
- Drizzle with butter. This recipe is a little unorthodox, because you don't mix the butter with the other ingredients. Instead, you'll use a small spoon to evenly drizzle the butter over the crisp topping. Try to cover as much of the oat topping with the butter as possible, but don't worry if a few flour spots poke through.
- Bake. As the fruit bakes the topping will magically crisp up. You'll know it's done when the topping is browned and the fruit is bubbling.
And that's all there is to it ... now you know how to make the best oat crumble topping for all your favorite desserts! Wasn't that easy?
Variations
This basic topping for crisps is super easy to customize! Here are some easy ideas to try:
- Spices - Add extra flavor by mixing in warm spices, like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, etc., or a combination of spices.
- Vegan / Dairy Free - To make this recipe vegan + dairy free, simply use plant based butter.
- Gluten Free - For a gluten free topping, replace the all-purpose flour (one-to-one) with almond flour.
- Nut Free - Not a nut lover or allergic? Feel free to leave out the nuts.
- No Oats - If you're looking for a recipe without oats, check out my basic Crumble Topping recipe!
How to Use Crisp Topping
This crispy oat topping is super versatile! Here are some delicious ideas to try:
- Crisps / Crumbles - Of course, this is the classic way to use it! Try it on my Peach Crisp, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, Mixed Berry Crumble, or this Rhubarb Crumble. You can also easily make your own crisp with any fruit. Simply combine five to seven cups of fresh fruit (such as peaches, apples, berries, etc.) with ½ to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet your fruit is), a tablespoon of lemon juice, and a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch. Transfer this mixture to a buttered 8 x 8-inch baking dish, then crumble the topping over it. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 to 50 minutes.
- Pies - Skip the pastry crust and sprinkle this crisp mix over your homemade pies for an unexpected twist.
- Bars - Use the oat mixture as a topping for your favorite fruit bars.
- Muffins - Add this topping to your favorite muffin recipe to make them even tastier. Try it on my easy Coffee Cake Muffins!
- Breads - You can also use the mixture as a topper for quick breads. Try it on my Rhubarb Quick Bread, Banana Blueberry Bread, or Strawberry Banana Bread.
Baked Goods Tip: When using the topping for muffins, breads, and other baked goods, I'd recommend mixing the butter with the other crisp ingredients, then let it sit about 10 minutes before crumbling it over your treats. That way, the butter stays in the topping.
Related Recipes
Looking for a similar recipe without oats? Then you'll want to try my easy Crumble Topping! And make sure to check out these other easy dessert recipes, too:
- Chocolate Covered Raspberries
- Pannetone Bread Pudding
- Strawberry Compote
- Chocolate Fondue
- Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
- Cherry Tarts
- Caramel Apple Parfait
Frequently Asked Questions
A crisp topping is typically made of oats, flour, sugar, spices (like cinnamon), and butter. Other ingredients, like nuts, may also be used.
This popular baked fruit dessert is called a crisp, because the topping crisps up at it bakes.
There are a few secrets to a good crisp. First, make sure to use the freshest in-season fruit you can find. Then mix the fruit with a little sugar and lemon to sweeten it and brighten the crisp's flavor. Finally, bake the crisp until the topping has browned and the fruit filling is bubbling.
If your crisp topping is not crispy, you may need to bake your dessert a little longer. And keep in mind that your crisp will be crispiest, when eaten the day that you make it. This is because the fruit layer has a lot of liquid, and the topping will soften up after a couple days.
Crisps and crumbles are two similar baked fruit desserts. The difference between them is simple: a crisp has oats in it's topping, while a crumble topping is made without oats.
Oat Crumble Topping
Ingredients
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Equipment
- Medium Bowl
Instructions
- Whisk together oats, flour sugar, and nuts in a medium bowl.
- Sprinkle oat mixture over fruit filling (for crisp), then drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake until browned and crisp, following your recipe's instructions for baking times and temps (see notes below). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
