Delicious Homemade Strawberry Crumble with Golden Oat Topping: The Ultimate Comfort Dessert
Are you searching for a warm, comforting dessert that’s not only incredibly easy to make but also absolutely delicious? Look no further! This delightful strawberry crumble with a crunchy oat topping is exactly what you need. Featuring a sweet and tangy strawberry filling perfectly complemented by a crisp, buttery oat topping, this dessert is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings and become a new family favorite.
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Whether you’re preparing for a joyful family gathering, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying a quiet, cozy night in, this simple strawberry crumble is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its inviting aroma and delightful taste ensure it will quickly become a cherished dessert in your recipe collection.
As summer approaches, so does the peak of strawberry season. Is there truly anything better than biting into a freshly picked, perfectly juicy, sweet strawberry? We wholeheartedly believe the answer is a resounding “no!” There’s an unmatched joy in snacking directly from a large bowl of these delightful berries.
While we love to savor as many fresh strawberries as possible, sometimes we find ourselves with an abundance that needs to be used quickly. When this happens, some berries are carefully frozen to enjoy later (you can learn how to freeze strawberries effectively), while others are transformed into delicious baked goods, such as this traditional and hearty strawberry crumble. It’s a wonderful way to preserve their vibrant flavor and enjoy them in a new, comforting form.
Many might refer to this delightful creation as a strawberry crisp recipe, but we prefer to embrace its wonderfully crumbly texture and proudly call it a strawberry crumble. It’s absolutely packed with wholesome, crumbly goodness! Beyond crumbles, we love exploring various ways to incorporate strawberries into our cooking, like in our family-favorite sourdough strawberry rolls, or this incredibly quick and easy strawberry-chia jam, perfect for spreading on toast or stirring into yogurt.
Our easy strawberry crumble recipe, brimming with authentic strawberry flavor, perfectly hits the spot when your taste buds are craving a truly satisfying dessert. With a remarkably simple yet delicious topping crafted from hearty oats, rich melted butter, and a hint of warming cinnamon, this perfect summertime dessert is destined to become one of your most requested and frequently prepared recipes. Its blend of fruity sweetness and a crunchy top creates an irresistible harmony.
Serve a generous slice with a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, and voilà! You’ve instantly created a winning dessert that’s ideal for your next summer potluck, a celebratory gathering, or just a sweet treat after a long week. It’s a versatile dish that brings smiles every time.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Crumble
- Effortlessly Easy to Make: This strawberry crumble recipe is a beginner-friendly dream. Requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, it comes together quickly, making it perfect for last-minute dessert emergencies or busy weeknights. It’s also an excellent and delicious method to use up any surplus fresh berries before they lose their peak freshness.
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart: The star of this dessert, fresh strawberries, provides a wonderfully sweet yet slightly tart filling that creates an exquisite contrast. This bright fruity base is flawlessly complemented by the rich, buttery, and satisfyingly crunchy oat topping, resulting in a harmonious flavor profile that’s never too sweet.
- Incredibly Versatile: While strawberries shine in this recipe, the beauty of a fruit crumble lies in its adaptability. Feel free to substitute strawberries with any of your favorite seasonal fruits. Experiment with succulent raspberries, juicy blueberries, ripe peaches, crisp apples, or even a mix of berries to invent your unique twist on this comforting classic.
- The Quintessential Comfort Dessert: There’s something inherently soothing about a warm, bubbly fruit dessert straight from the oven. The combination of a warm, tender, fruity filling paired with a crisp, golden-brown topping makes this strawberry crumble the perfect and most satisfying way to conclude any meal. For another comforting treat, you should also try these carrot cake cookies.
Essential Ingredients for Your Strawberry Crumble
This simple yet impactful recipe relies on a few key components to create its magic. Here’s a closer look at the stars of our strawberry crumble:
Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: Strawberries are, without question, the most crucial ingredient in this traditional strawberry crumble. While both fresh and frozen berries will yield fantastic results, if you can get your hands on vibrant, fresh summer strawberries, they are truly exceptional and will elevate the flavor profile even further. Their natural sweetness and slight tartness are irreplaceable.
Unsalted Butter: In the world of baking, butter is often considered life, and in this recipe, it plays a vital role. It contributes significantly to the rich, golden-brown crispness of the oat topping and adds a depth of flavor that cannot be replicated. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish. Do not skimp on this ingredient!
Cinnamon: Just a small dash of cinnamon is enough to infuse this recipe with a wonderfully warm, inviting, and cozy essence. It beautifully complements the sweetness of the strawberries and the richness of the oats, making the entire dessert feel more comforting and homey. A warm and cozy feeling is always a good thing when it comes to dessert!
Cornstarch: A touch of cornstarch is added to the strawberry filling to work its thickening magic. It transforms the natural juices released by the berries during baking into a luscious, flavorful sauce that coats the fruit perfectly, preventing a watery bottom and ensuring every spoonful is decadent.
A comprehensive list of all remaining ingredients, including specific quantities for both the filling and the topping, can be found in the detailed recipe card below.
How to Make the Best Strawberry Crumble with Oat Crumble Topping:
Creating this irresistible strawberry crumble is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps to bake a dessert that will impress everyone:
Step 1: Prepare the Oat Topping. Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 350°F (175°C). In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients for your crumble topping: quick oats (or rolled oats for a chewier texture), all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined. Next, pour in the melted unsalted butter and mix everything together with a fork or your fingertips until crumbly. Set this beautiful, fragrant topping mixture aside for a moment.
Step 2: Prepare the Strawberries. Take your fresh strawberries and rinse them gently under cool water. Pat them thoroughly dry to remove any excess moisture, which can make your crumble watery. Carefully remove the green tops (hulls) from the berries. Depending on their size, you can cut the strawberries in halves or quarters. Smaller strawberries can be left whole if you prefer. Transfer the prepared berries into a separate large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Flavor the Strawberry Filling. Once the strawberries are in their bowl, sprinkle the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract evenly over them. Gently stir the berries until they are well coated with the sugar and cornstarch mixture. This will help create that beautiful, thickened, syrupy filling once baked.
Step 4: Assemble the Crumble. Pour the prepared strawberry filling evenly into your chosen baking dish. Next, generously sprinkle the crumbly oat topping over the entire surface of the strawberry mixture, ensuring an even layer for that perfect golden crust.
Step 5: Bake and Serve. Carefully place your assembled strawberry crumble into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the oat topping achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and the strawberry filling beneath is visibly bubbly and thickened. Once baked, remove the crumble from the oven and allow it to cool and settle for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting period helps the filling set perfectly, making it easier to serve and ensuring the flavors meld beautifully.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Strawberry Crumble:
- Always Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: For the most vibrant and intensely flavorful crumble, prioritize using fresh, perfectly ripe strawberries. Fresh fruit delivers superior taste and texture in any fruit crumble. It’s an absolute bonus if your fresh berries are in-season, as they’ll be at their sweetest and most aromatic. If fresh aren’t available, you can use frozen strawberries, but remember to thaw them completely and thoroughly drain any excess liquid to prevent a watery filling.
- Customize the Sweetness to Your Liking: The natural sweetness of strawberries can vary greatly depending on their ripeness and variety. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in both the strawberry filling and the oat topping to suit your personal preference. If your diet calls for lower sugar intake, you can confidently reduce the sugar by a quarter cup without compromising the deliciousness.
- Easily Make it Gluten-Free: Adapting this crumble for a gluten-free diet is simple. Replace the all-purpose flour in the topping with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Additionally, ensure that the oats you choose are specifically certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination, making this a safe and delicious treat for everyone.
- Dairy-Free Butter Alternatives: If you’re aiming for a dairy-free version of this delightful dessert, you can readily substitute the unsalted butter with a high-quality plant-based butter alternative or solid coconut oil. Both options will still deliver a rich, flavorful, and crispy topping.
- Brighten the Flavor with Citrus: To add an extra layer of bright, fresh flavor to your strawberry filling, consider incorporating a tablespoon or two of freshly squeezed lemon juice along with a pinch of finely grated lemon zest. Add these directly to your cut berries before mixing them with the sugar and cornstarch. The acidity of the lemon enhances the strawberries’ natural sweetness and adds a wonderful zing.
- Prevent a Soggy Bottom: To ensure your crumble has a perfectly crisp bottom and doesn’t get soggy, you can sprinkle a thin layer of flour or fine breadcrumbs (gluten-free if applicable) on the bottom of your baking dish before adding the strawberry filling. This helps absorb any excess moisture from the fruit.
Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Crumble:
- Serve Warm for Ultimate Indulgence: Strawberry crumble is at its absolute best when served warm, ideally straight out of the oven. The warmth melts accompaniments beautifully. It pairs divinely with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a luscious dollop of homemade whipped cream, or a simple drizzle of rich heavy cream.
- A Wholesome Breakfast Option: For those seeking a lighter, breakfast-friendly rendition, consider serving a portion of this delightful crumble alongside a dollop of Greek yogurt. This combination offers a healthier twist, providing protein and tanginess that perfectly complements the sweet fruit and crunchy oats.
- The Perfect Afternoon Treat: This comforting dessert also makes for an exquisite afternoon treat. Enjoy it by itself or consider serving it alongside a steaming hot cup of tea or a fragrant honey latte for a truly relaxing experience.
Storage and Freezing Tips:
To keep your delicious strawberry crumble fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator, where it will remain fresh and tasty for up to 3-4 days.
To Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover crumble, simply warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through. Alternatively, for a crisper topping, place the entire crumble (or individual portions) in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and the topping is delightfully re-crisped.
Freezing for Later: This recipe is excellent for meal prep! You can easily freeze unbaked crumbles for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw. Just add the crumble topping directly to the frozen fruit filling in the baking dish and bake from frozen. You will need to increase the baking time by approximately 10-15 minutes to ensure it bakes through and the topping becomes golden and bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Absolutely! The beauty of crumbles is their versatility. You can easily substitute strawberries with a variety of other fruits like juicy blueberries, tangy raspberries, sweet peaches, or even crisp apples. Just be sure to adjust the amount of sugar and cornstarch as needed, based on the specific fruit’s natural sweetness and juiciness to achieve the perfect balance.
Yes, this strawberry crumble is a great make-ahead dessert! You can prepare the entire crumble, both the filling and the topping, up to a day in advance. Store the unbaked crumble in the refrigerator, covered tightly, and then bake it fresh just before you plan to serve it. If you choose to freeze it (as detailed in the storage section), you can bake it directly from frozen, simply allowing for a slightly longer cooking time.
Indeed! For a dairy-free or vegan version of this delicious crumble, you can effectively substitute the unsalted butter with a good quality plant-based margarine or solid coconut oil. These alternatives will still yield a wonderfully crisp and flavorful topping.
For an even crunchier and more textured topping, consider adding a small handful of finely chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts, to your crumble mixture. This addition not only boosts the crispiness but also introduces an extra layer of nutty flavor that complements the strawberries beautifully.
Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully for individual portions. Simply divide the prepared strawberry filling and the oat crumble topping among individual ramekins or small oven-safe dishes. Bake them for approximately the same amount of time, keeping an eye on them as smaller portions might cook slightly faster. This makes for an elegant and easy dessert presentation.
Yes, absolutely! Coconut sugar is an excellent substitute for brown sugar in this recipe. It offers a similar caramel-like flavor and can be used in the same quantities. Go for it!
Love this recipe? Check out these other strawberry dessert recipes!
- Strawberry Banana Milkshake: A refreshing and healthy treat perfect for any time of day.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats: A delightful and convenient breakfast option that tastes like dessert.
- Or, if you aren’t in the mood for baking but still want to preserve your berries beyond freezing, try our detailed guide on How to Dehydrate Strawberries. It’s a fantastic way to create portable, shelf-stable snacks or additions to granola!
If you try this delightful strawberry crumble recipe and love it as much as we do, we would be incredibly grateful if you could come back to this post, leave a comment, and give it a well-deserved 5 stars! Thank you so much for your support and feedback.
Classic Strawberry Oat Crumble Recipe
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Ingredients
Topping:
- 1 cup quick oats or rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter – melted.
Strawberry filling:
- 2 lbs strawberries
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C).
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To create your topping, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl, then stir thoroughly to combine. Add the melted butter and mix until crumbly. Set aside.
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Rinse your fresh strawberries and pat them dry. Remove the tops and cut the berries in halves or quarters. Small strawberries can be left whole.
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Place the prepared berries in a separate bowl, then sprinkle the sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract over them. Stir well to coat.
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Pour the strawberry filling evenly into a baking dish, and then generously sprinkle the oat crumble topping over the fruit.
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Place your crumble in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and thickened.
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Allow the crumble to sit for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling set beautifully.
Notes
- Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: For the best flavor, always use fresh, in-season strawberries. If using frozen, thaw and drain them well to prevent a watery crumble.
- Adjust Sweetness: Depending on the sweetness of your berries, you may want to adjust the sugar content. A quarter cup reduction works well for a lower-calorie option.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free for a celiac-friendly version.
- Butter Alternatives: For a dairy-free crumble, use plant-based butter or coconut oil instead of traditional butter.
- To Brighten the Flavor: A tablespoon or two of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of lemon zest added to the berries will enhance their natural brightness.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 53g |
Protein: 3g |
Fat: 11g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g |
Trans Fat: 0.4g |
Cholesterol: 26mg |
Sodium: 7mg |
Potassium: 245mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 32g |
Vitamin A: 320IU |
Vitamin C: 67mg |
Calcium: 41mg |
Iron: 2mg