If you’re looking for the most delicious way to create a fabulous dessert, don’t skip this Crumble Topping with Oats.

This crumble topping is such an easy, but special way to top almost any desserts. Add it to muffins, quick breads, cobblers and more!

A strawberry crumble, topping with a crumble topping with oats.
Want to save this?
Enter your email below and I’ll send it directly to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Do you know the difference between a cobbler, a crisp, and a crumble? Or, are you just in love with all three, like we are?

A crumble generally does not have nuts or oats in the streusel topping, while a crisp usually includes one or the other. A crisp might also have a touch more crunch, while a crumble is a softer, less textural topping.

A cobbler, on the other hand, features more of a biscuit or cake-like topping. Doesn’t this discussion make you crave a fabulous dessert?

Thankfully, there’s a lot of overlap between these desserts, and sometimes, you just want a crumble topping with oats – even if it breaks the rules!

I’m here for you in this dessert dilemma – in fact, I’m here for you with every dessert dilemma. Please, always invite me for dessert!

A small bowl full of a crumble topping with oats, prior to being baked on top of a dessert.

Why You’ll Love this Crumble Topping with Oats

  • Easy to Make
  • Crunchy Oats Provide Great Texture
  • Simple, Wholesome Ingredients
  • Serves a Crowd
A strawberry crumble, topping with a crumble topping with oats.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Rolled Oats – Use rolled oats (also called old-fashioned). Quick cooking (instant) oats won’t work as well for this recipe, as they tend to be cut smaller and won’t be quite as crispy.
  • Butter – You’ll use salted or unsalted butter (your preference), cut into cubes. Leave it cold instead of room temperature!
  • Flour – All-purpose flour works well here. If you need to make this crumble gluten free, simply sub with a 1:1 gluten free flour!
  • White Granulated Sugar – To sweeten the topping.
  • Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar works great here and that’s what we tend to have on hand. However, the additional molasses in dark brown sugar helps add a caramelized depth if you’d prefer.
  • Salt – To balance all the sweet.
  • Cinnamon – Adds a subtle warmth and fragrance to this crumble topping.
Ingredients for a crumble topping with oats, laid out on a marble countertop.

Variations

  • Add 1/4 cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans for even more crunch.
  • A touch of nutmeg or even an apple pie spice will take this dessert to a new level for fall!

How to Make this Crumble Topping with Oats

  1. In a small bowl, add oats, cubed butter, flour, sugars, salt and cinnamon.
  2. Use a pastry cutter, fork or hands to combine.A small bowl full of a crumble topping with oats, prior to being baked on top of a dessert.
  3. Add to your favorite cobblers, muffins, and breads, and bake as directed. A crumble topping with oats on a strawberry crumble dessert, prior to baking.

Tips

  • Need help with substitutions? Check out this printable Baking Substitutions Guide.
  • This crumble topping requires cold butter. Be sure to cut in that cold butter, as directed.
  • Mix your ingredients well – you don’t want dry lumps of flour!
A small bowl full of a crumble topping with oats, prior to being baked on top of a dessert.

Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!

Serving Suggestions

Use this crumble topping with oats on any of your favorite baked goods!

A strawberry crumble, topping with a crumble topping with oats.

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – Don’t leave this crumble topping with oats out at room temperature for more than a few hours.
  • Refrigerator – Refrigerate this dessert topping for up to three days in an airtight container.
  • Freezer – You can freeze your crumble topping! Simply package in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.

Nutritional Considerations

  • Nut Free
  • To Make it Gluten Free – Use gluten free flour.
  • Vegetarian
A strawberry crumble, topping with a crumble topping with oats.

More Dessert Inspiration

A strawberry crumble, topping with a crumble topping with oats, gold spoon to the side
5 from 2 votes

Crumble Topping with Oats

Take your muffins, quick breads, cobblers and more over the top with this amazing crumble topping!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup butter we used salted, but you can use unsalted if you’d like – cold, cut into cubes
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, combine oats, cubed butter, flour, sugars, salt and cinnamon.
  • Use a pastry cutter, fork or hands to combine.
  • Add to your favorite cobblers, muffins, and breads, and bake as directed.

Julie’s Tips

  • This crumble topping requires cold butter. Be sure to cut in that cold butter, as directed.
  • Mix your ingredients well – you don’t want dry lumps of flour!
Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

Explore More

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe




1 Comment