Easy Homemade Strawberry Crumble Recipe: The Best Oat Crisp for Summer!

There’s nothing quite like the vibrant taste of fresh strawberries, especially when they’re transformed into a warm, bubbly, and utterly delicious dessert. This easy strawberry crumble recipe, also known as a strawberry crisp, is a quintessential summer treat. It brings together juicy, sweet strawberries with a hint of bright orange and warming vanilla, all crowned with a perfectly crunchy, buttery oat topping. Homemade with simple, wholesome ingredients, this dessert is designed to be your go-to whenever fresh, ripe strawberries are in season and calling your name.

Imagine a spoonful of tender, warm strawberries bursting with flavor, balanced by the satisfying crunch of a cinnamon-spiced oat topping. The contrast in textures and the harmony of flavors make this strawberry crisp an irresistible delight that will have everyone asking for more. If you’re a fan of fruit-filled desserts with a delightful crumbly topping, you’ll also adore our Easy Banana Crumble {Banana Crisp} and our Easy Apple Crisp {1 hour Only}, which share a similar craveable crunch while showcasing different seasonal fruits. This strawberry version, however, truly shines with its bright, summery appeal.

How to Make Easy Strawberry Crumble (Strawberry Crisp) from Scratch?

Creating this delightful strawberry crumble is surprisingly simple and requires just a few straightforward steps. You’ll be enjoying a warm, fresh-from-the-oven dessert in under an hour. Here’s a quick overview of the process:

1. Prepare the Strawberry Mixture: Combine diced fresh strawberries with orange juice (or lemon juice for a tangier note), vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps to thicken the juices released by the strawberries, creating a luscious, not watery, filling.
2. Spread the Filling: Transfer this vibrant strawberry mixture evenly into a greased baking dish. A standard 11×7 or 9×13 inch dish works perfectly, depending on how thick you like your crumble layer.
3. Craft the Oat Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, both brown and granulated sugar, cinnamon powder, and vanilla extract. This forms the dry base of your irresistible topping.
4. Incorporate the Butter: Cut cold, unsalted butter into small cubes and add it to the dry topping ingredients. Use a fork or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This is key for that signature crunchy texture.
5. Layer the Topping: Generously sprinkle the prepared oat crumble mixture over the strawberry filling in the baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake the crumble in a preheated oven until the topping is beautifully golden brown and the fruit filling underneath is bubbling hot, signifying it’s perfectly cooked and deliciously tender.
7. Serve Warm: The best way to enjoy this strawberry crisp is fresh out of the oven, served warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Each step is designed for ease and maximum flavor, ensuring a foolproof dessert every time. The aroma filling your kitchen as it bakes is an added bonus!

What to Serve with Strawberry Crisp?

A warm, freshly baked strawberry crisp is delightful on its own, but it truly becomes an extraordinary dessert when paired with the right accompaniments. Here are some classic and creative serving suggestions:

• Ice Cream: A scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream melting over the warm crumble is a match made in heaven. The contrasting temperatures and flavors are simply divine. While vanilla is a traditional favorite, don’t hesitate to experiment with other flavors like strawberry, a good quality chocolate, or even a sophisticated pistachio or lemon sorbet for a lighter option.
• Pudding: For an extra layer of richness, serve your strawberry crumble with a side of smooth pudding. Classic Vanilla Pudding, decadent chocolate, or luscious caramel pudding are all excellent choices that complement the fruity notes of the crisp beautifully.
• Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy texture. While store-bought whipped cream or Cool Whip works in a pinch, homemade whipped cream, perhaps lightly sweetened with a touch of vanilla or a hint of orange zest, elevates the dessert to another level.
• Sauces: Drizzling a delicious sauce over your crumble can add an extra layer of flavor and indulgence. Think warm Caramel Sauce, rich Dulce De Leche, a dark chocolate sauce, or even a delicate white chocolate ganache. A simple berry coulis would also be fantastic, enhancing the strawberry flavor.
• Custard: For a truly comforting, old-fashioned dessert experience, serve the warm strawberry crisp with a pour of homemade vanilla custard. The creamy, warm custard provides a soothing counterpoint to the fruit and crisp topping.
• Yogurt: For a slightly healthier or breakfast-friendly option, a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt can add a tangy creaminess that cuts through the sweetness of the fruit.

No matter your preference, there’s a perfect pairing to elevate your strawberry crumble experience.

The Perfect Strawberry Crunch Topping/Crumble Topping

The magic of a good crumble lies largely in its topping. This oat crunch topping is designed to be both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. The combination of ingredients creates a beautiful textural contrast with the soft, jammy fruit underneath. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so good:

• ⅔ cup Old fashioned oats: These provide the signature chewy texture and heartiness of a crisp. Avoid quick oats, as they can become mushy.
• ⅔ cup All-purpose flour: The foundation of the topping, binding the ingredients and contributing to the crumbly structure.
• ¼ cup Brown sugar: Adds a lovely molasses note and helps create a richer, slightly chewier crumble.
• ¼ cup Granulated sugar: Contributes to the overall sweetness and crispness.
• ¼ tsp Cinnamon powder: A touch of warm spice that perfectly complements strawberries and enhances the comforting aroma.
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract: A flavor enhancer that brings all the ingredients together with its aromatic sweetness.
• ½ cup Butter: Cold, unsalted, and cut into cubes. The cold butter is crucial. When cut into the dry ingredients, it creates pockets of butter that melt slowly during baking, resulting in a flaky, crunchy, and irresistible topping.

To make this topping, simply combine all the dry ingredients first, then add the vanilla extract and finally the cubed, cold butter. Using a fork or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the mixture until it forms distinct, coarse crumbs. It’s important not to overmix, as you want to maintain that crumbly texture rather than forming a dough. This ensures the topping bakes up golden, crisp, and utterly delicious.

Creative Variations for Your Strawberry Crumble

While this classic strawberry crumble is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to get creative and customize it based on your preferences or what ingredients you have on hand. Here are some delicious variations:

• Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble: For a delightful tart-sweet combination, check out our dedicated Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe. Alternatively, you can simply replace some of the diced strawberries in this recipe with an equal amount of chopped rhubarb. The rhubarb adds a beautiful tang that contrasts wonderfully with the sweet strawberries.
• Apple Strawberry Crumble: Introduce a classic fruit pairing by swapping out some of the strawberries for chopped apples. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work well, providing a firm texture and complementary flavor. This creates a more substantial, autumn-like crumble that’s still bursting with berry goodness.
• Add Other Berries: Strawberries play well with almost any other berry! Enhance the berry medley by adding a cup of fresh or frozen (not thawed) cherries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the strawberry mixture. This adds complexity and a beautiful spectrum of colors.
• Homemade Strawberry Crisp Without Oats: If you prefer a more cake-like or traditional crumble texture without the chewiness of oats, simply omit the oats from the topping ingredients. Increase the flour slightly (e.g., to 1 cup total) and keep the other topping ingredients the same. The result will be a richer, more uniform crumble topping.
• Add Nuts: Boost the crunch and flavor of your topping by mixing in a handful of toasted chopped nuts. Cashews, pistachios, almonds, pecans, or walnuts all add a fantastic nutty depth and additional texture. Toast them lightly before adding for maximum flavor.
• Vegan/Healthy Crisp Options: To make this crumble vegan-friendly, simply substitute the butter in the topping with a good quality vegan butter or coconut oil. For a healthier twist, replace brown and granulated sugar with coconut sugar, which offers a slightly lower glycemic index and a caramel-like flavor. You can also reduce the overall sugar content to your taste.
• Add Zests, Spices, and Extracts: Elevate the flavor profile further with additional aromatics. Grate in lemon zest for more brightness, a pinch of ground ginger for warmth, or experiment with different extracts like almond, bourbon, or amaretto for a unique twist. A touch of cardamom can also be lovely with strawberries.
• Make Mini Versions: For individual servings, bake the crumble in ramekins or mini round pans. Adjust the baking time accordingly (likely reduced) until golden and bubbly. These are perfect for entertaining or portion control!
• Turn into Crumble Bars: For a portable dessert, press a simple shortbread-like crust into the bottom of your baking dish before adding the strawberry filling. Then, top with the crumble mixture. Bake, cool completely, and then cut into delicious, hand-held bars.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! The beauty of crumbles and crisps is their forgiving nature and endless possibilities for customization.

Essential Tips and Techniques for the Best Strawberry Crumble

Achieving the perfect strawberry crumble is easy with a few key tips and techniques. Avoid common pitfalls and ensure your dessert is always a success:

• Strawberry Shortcake Crumble vs. Strawberry Crisp: These are two distinct desserts. While both feature strawberries, strawberry shortcake typically involves a biscuit-like base or topping, whereas a crisp (or crumble with oats) features a streusel-like topping with oats, creating a crunchier texture. Don’t confuse the two recipes!
• Fresh Strawberries vs. Frozen Strawberries: Always opt for fresh, ripe strawberries when possible. Frozen strawberries tend to release a significant amount of water as they thaw and bake, which can lead to a soggy fruit filling and a less appealing texture. If you must use frozen, do not thaw them first; mix them directly with the cornstarch and sugar, and be aware that the baking time might need to be slightly extended.
• Why is my crumble topping not crunchy? Why is my oat topping soggy?
  • Too Much Moisture: The most common culprit for a soggy topping is adding too much liquid (like milk or water) to the crumble mixture. The topping should be dry and crumbly, not wet or pasty.
  • Cooling Incorrectly: Covering the crisp while it’s still warm will trap steam, making the topping soft and soggy. Always let it cool uncovered at room temperature.
  • Serving Time: The topping is at its crispiest right after it comes out of the oven. While still delicious later, that initial crunch is unmatched.
• Why is my crisp/crumble dry?
  • Improper Measuring: Accuracy is crucial in baking. Ensure you’re using proper measuring cups and spoons for all ingredients. Too little liquid or butter in the fruit filling can lead to a dry base.
  • Over-baking: Baking the crumble for too long can cause all the moisture from the fruit to evaporate, resulting in a dry, rather than juicy, dessert. Keep an eye on it during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. The fruit juices should be bubbling, and the topping golden brown.
• Make a Thicker Crisp Topping: If you adore a substantial, crunchy topping, simply double the ingredients for the crumble topping. This creates a generous layer that’s extra satisfying.
• Use Unsalted Butter: This allows you to control the total amount of salt in the recipe. If you only have salted butter, reduce any added salt in the recipe (though this recipe doesn’t call for any in the topping, so it’s less of an issue, but good practice).
• Should my topping mix be dry and crumbly? Yes, absolutely! This is fundamental for that desirable crispy, crunchy texture after baking. Resist the urge to add any milk or water to try and bind it more. The butter, when properly cut in, provides just enough moisture.
• Pre-baking the fruit (optional): If you’re using particularly juicy strawberries or want to ensure a very thick fruit layer, you can briefly bake the strawberry mixture for 10-15 minutes before adding the topping and baking completely. This helps some of the excess moisture evaporate.
• Don’t overmix the topping: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tougher, less crumbly topping. Mix just until the butter is incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

While this strawberry crumble is undeniably best enjoyed warm and fresh from the oven, you can certainly store leftovers for a day or two. Proper storage is key to maintaining its quality:

• Refrigerate: Allow the crumble to cool completely to room temperature before covering it. Store any leftover strawberry crisp in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This prevents it from drying out or absorbing unwanted odors from the fridge.
• Freezing: Unfortunately, this particular crisp does not freeze well. The high moisture content of the strawberries combined with the oat topping means that upon thawing, the topping will lose its desirable crunch and become mushy and soft, and the fruit can become overly watery. It’s best to enjoy this dessert fresh or within a couple of days of baking.
• Reheat: To bring leftovers back to life, you have a couple of options.
  • Microwave: For a quick reheat, individual servings can be warmed in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until heated through. Be aware that the topping may not regain its original crispiness.
  • Oven: For the best results in regaining some of the topping’s crunch, reheat the entire dish or individual portions in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. Keep it uncovered during reheating.

More Delicious Strawberry Desserts to Explore

If you love the sweet and versatile strawberry as much as we do, you’re in for a treat! Beyond this amazing crumble, there’s a world of delightful strawberry desserts waiting to be discovered. Here are some of our favorites that highlight the fresh flavor of strawberries:

• Strawberry Shortcake Cake: A stunning layer cake featuring fluffy sponge, sweet strawberries, and rich whipped cream.
• Easy Strawberry Shortcake {With Bisquick Mix}: A quicker, simpler take on the classic, perfect for a spontaneous treat.
• Strawberry Cupcakes {Soft & Moist}: Tender and flavorful cupcakes infused with real strawberry goodness.
• Strawberry Cookies: Chewy, sweet oatmeal cookies studded with bits of strawberry.
• Strawberries And Cream {No Bake}: A light, refreshing, and incredibly easy no-bake dessert.
• Fresas Con Crema (Mexican Strawberries and Cream): A creamy, sweet, and tangy Mexican delight.

No matter what your strawberry craving is, there’s a recipe here to satisfy it!

Recipe