Learn how to make quick and easy homemade crumble topping recipe with oats and other simple ingredients. Also known as streusel topping or crisp topping. Perfect for pies, tarts, muffins, cakes and even cookies.
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When I think of streusel I just think of all the old homemade recipes my mom would make when I was little. If she added a bit of this on top of just about anything we would be more inclined to eat it, whether it was zucchini bread or Easy Applesauce Muffins (With Cinnamon). She also taught me some helpful tips like How to Make Brown Butter and How to Make Egg Wash, which are both important to know in the baking world!
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Key ingredients for crisp streusel topping
- Oats- Both quick and old fashioned oats are required to create the best texture.
- Brown sugar- Adds a nice sweetness and color. Check out How to Soften Brown Sugar if yours is rock solid in the pantry.
- Flour- Forms a nice foundation for the overall mixture.
- Walnuts- I like to add this for a nice nutty crunch.
- Vanilla- Brings in a nice warmth to the overall mix.
- Butter- Use unsalted butter for best results.
Variations
- Play around with the ratios of ingredients- To meet your preference.
- For a sweet and salty flavor profile- Use salted butter.
- Try other nuts- Such as almonds, pecans, peanuts, or even pistachios.
- Add some cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice- For a new flavor profile that really brings in those Fall flavors.
- Add a pinch of salt- This balances out the sweetness and gives a nice flavor mix.
- Brighten it up- With a bit of orange or lemon zest.
- For a chocolate variety- Replace nuts with mini chocolate chips. Or do half and half.
- Try adding some coconut flakes- For extra flavor and texture.
- Try other extracts- Such as almond or maple.
How to make easy crumble topping recipe with oats?
1. Add ingredients in a bowl- This includes quick oats, old fashioned oats, flour, brown sugar, vanilla extract, walnuts, and butter.
2. Mix together- With a fork.
3. Continue mixing- Until everything comes together to form a thick mixture.
4. Spread over- Your desired baked good and enjoy.
How to use this?
It's typically used as a topping on desserts, prior to baking. You can also layer it in the middle of the batter. This results in a crispy, crunchy, chewy texture. Enjoy it in the following:
- I like to use this in many of my cakes, such as my Easy Crumb Cake (With Cake Mix), Apple Dump Cake, or this Louisiana Crunch Cake (With Cake Mix).
- Try this on top of various pies and tarts, including Easy Apple Crumble Pie and this No Bake Chocolate Tart (Tartlet).
- Brownies and bars- Chocolate Oatmeal Bars (Crumb Bars) and will work great on top of my Pumpkin Brownies (With Brownie Mix).
- My kids will eat just about any muffin if I make sure there is something extra on top. Try it on these Banana Muffins (Soft & Moist) or Easy Pumpkin Muffins (With Cake Mix). Just sprinkle on top before baking.
- Try it on top of these cookies: Butter Pecan Cookies, Easy Maple Cookies (Soft and Chewy), or some of my Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Soft & Chewy).
- A classic choice includes sweet breads including my Sweet Potato Bread or even this Pumpkin Banana Bread (With Cake Mix).
- Now, we can't forget one of the most common pairings: crumbles and crisps. I recommend some of my personal favorites of Strawberry Crumble (Strawberry Crisp), Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (Crumble), Easy Banana Crumble (Crisp), and Apple Cranberry Crisp (Cranberry Crumble).
Tips and techniques
- Chill if necessary- If your kitchen is hot, your mixture will also become soft. Pop the bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes and then use it on top of your dessert.
- Use cold butter- For larger, more distinct crumbs.
- Use melted butter- For a more cohesive, crunchy topping.
- Don't over-mix- Because then you will get a dense mixture.
- Don't pack the mixture- Onto the dough or other dessert. It should loosely sit on top for the best texture.
- Squeeze some of the mixture between your fingers- Before breaking it apart. This gives you those desirable big bakery-style chunks.
Recipe FAQs
bake longer, don't add a lot of butter, use cold butter that's cut into small cubes, add more nuts, top with sanding sugar.
Too much butter, other liquids like milk and water were added, not enough oats were added to absorb the moisture. Please note that it's the crispiest as soon as it comes out of the oven, freshly baked and will slightly soften with time which is normal.
Yes, but it will have a lighter color and different overall flavor. I feel like the brown sugar yields a chewier, more rich topping that I prefer.
Storage
- Refrigerate- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Leave it out at room temperature to soften a little. Then, sprinkle on top of your desserts, just prior to baking. In my experience, the topping won't be as crisp as it would have been, when it's freshly made.
- Freeze-I don't recommend this since it becomes soggy upon thawing.
- Room temperature- Can easily stay out for 3-5 hours.
- Make ahead- This can easily be made 1 day in advance.
More baking tips
- How to Make Homemade Cake Flour (Substitute)
- How to Blind Bake Pie crust
- How to Stop Chocolate Chips From Sinking
- How to Make Homemade Sugar Cubes
- How to Color Fondant (Gel Food Coloring)
Recipe
Easy Oatmeal Crumble Topping (Crisp Streusel)
Video
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Quick oats
- ½ cup Old fashioned oats
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- ¼ cup Walnuts Finely chopped, Can be replaced with pecans if you like those better
- ½ cup Butter Unsalted, Melted, Can be replaced with melted coconut oil
- ½ cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, add quick oats, old fashioned oats, flour, walnuts, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract.
- Mix with a fork until rough and crumbly. Do not add milk or water to thin it out.
- Spread evenly on top of your desserts, prior to baking and bake until this topping is golden brown. Enjoy.
Notes
- You can omit nuts but I like the additional crunch and flavor they add to this recipe.
- You must use both types of oats to create the best texture.
- Try other extracts instead of vanilla such as maple or almond.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Leave it out at room temperature to soften a little. Then, sprinkle on top of your desserts, just prior to baking
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
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