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This easy Oat Crumble Topping is a fabulous gluten-free and vegan alternative to top your desserts with! Using only three ingredients and taking just a couple of minutes, you’ll be ready to enjoy this oaty crumble recipe on your next fruity dessert!

Gluten free oat crumble topping.

Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy

Why this recipe works

When you look for a basic crumble topping, you’ll often find recipes involving flour, sugar, and oats. I wanted a healthier and gluten free crumble topping, so I got to work! Instead of using typical flour, I use some of the oats and blend them into a flour. In place of sugar, I use syrup as a natural sweetener. The result is a delicious crunchy crumble topping perfect for your favorite fruit crumble!

Don’t stop with a berry crumble, though! Try this on a dutch apple pie, apple cobbler, or with some homemade jam on top of ice cream! An apple crisp with this oat crumble topping is not something you want to miss, either!

This was inspired by my Peanut Butter Granola, and pairs well with this amazing Pear Crumble recipe, Apple and Blackberry Crumble and Cashew Cream

Ingredients to make Oat Crumble Topping

Ingredients to make Oat Crumble Topping.
  • Rolled Oats – I used gluten-free oats, but regular oats will work just fine. If you have some spare do try making my Baked Oats.
  • Maple Syrup – is an excellent natural sweetener.
  • Unsalted Butter – I used vegan butter to make a vegan crumble topping, but dairy butter will work as well.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

  • Maple Syrup – Honey and agave syrup are both great substitutions for maple syrup.

Variations

  • Deluxe – If you want to add a little extra flavour to this crumble recipe with oats, try adding cinnamon, chopped nuts, or a holiday spice.
  • Kid friendly – this is already very kid friendly! Serve it up on their favorite ice cream, dessert, or even these Autumn Applesauce Pancakes.

See this 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies recipe on my website for another easy recipe using oats!

How to make Oat Crumble Topping

blending oats into flour in a blender.

Step 1: Put ⅔ of the oats into a blender for about 30 seconds until it blends into a flour.

oats, maple syrup and butter mixed in a bowl.

Step 2: Combine the oat flour along with the rest of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix together with your hands.

oat crumble topping in a baking tray.

Step 3: Top it onto a crumble of your choice and bake.

Hint: Don’t limit yourself to fruit crumbles! Try this on top of oatmeal, a sweet bread, or even on it’s own with some ice cream!

Leftovers

If uncooked, you can store this crumble topping recipe with oats in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or so. If it has been cooked, it will keep for a couple of days in the fridge or in the freezer for up to three months.

Recipe FAQs

Is it possible to make a crumble topping without flour?

Yes – sort of! I take oats and blend them myself to make an oat flour. It gives the consistency needed without having to add a separate flour ingredient. To make the crumble mix oats with the oat flour, butter, and syrup.

What are some good ways to use an oatmeal crumble topping?

A crumble topping with oats is typically used on top of a fruit crisp or crumble, but there are so many other ways to use it! It is great on top of oatmeal, muffins, pies, sweet breads, etc.

Is it better to make a crumble topping with cold or melted butter?

Cold butter is the best for making a crumble topping. It helps the topping to bind together at first and then spread perfectly in the oven.

What is crumble topping made of?

A typical crumble topping is a combination of flour, sugar or brown sugar, and butter. I add in oats and blend some of them into my own oat flour. I also use maple syrup rather than sugar as it is a healthier replacement and just as delicious!

oat crumble topping with vanilla cashew cream.

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Tried this Oat Crumble Topping recipe? Please leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and let me know how you get on. Hearing positive feedback is one of the best parts of creating recipes so please review it below and leave a comment!

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4.50 from 4 votes

Oat Crumble Topping

A simple oat topping perfect for crumbles or apple crisp recipes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 crumble topping
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Ingredients 

  • 240 g rolled oats, 3 cups (I used gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 75 g unsalted butter, (I use vegan)

Instructions 

  • To a blender add 160g (⅔ of the oats) and blend into a flour (takes 30 seconds).
  • Add this oat flour to a separate large mixing bowl along with the leftover 80g of whole oats, butter, maple syrup and mix together with your hands.
  • Top it on your crumble of choice and bake. I recommended baking at 180C/360F for around 25 minutes for the optimal oat crumble topping.

Video

Notes

Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.
Substitutions & Variations: I have included a list of these in the post above.
To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days once cooked. 
To Freeze: This crumble will freeze for about 3 months in an airtight container.
Tip 1: If you are going to use this easy crumble topping on something that isn’t going to be baked, make sure you bake it on its own first.
Tip 2: Don’t overmix this topping. Make sure it stays crumbly rather than becoming like dough.
Tip 3: If you want to level up a box mix, this crumble topping is your answer! Just sprinkle it on top of whatever muffins, cakes, or sweet breads you are making and be ready to impress your friends and family!

Nutrition

Calories: 1555kcal | Carbohydrates: 189g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 76g | Saturated Fat: 41g | Fiber: 24g | Sugar: 26g
Did you make this recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @HealthyLivingJames on Instagram and use #HealthyLivingJames!

About James Wythe

Hey, I'm James! A fully qualified health coach, cookbook author, full time food blogger and new dad with over 1 million followers. I started this journey after a sudden illness left me bed bound for 2 years and housebound for 4 years! I’m here to help you make healthy and delicious food for you and your family in less time!

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. 3 stars
    I haven’t tried making this recipe , because it doesn’t state what temperature to bake at – surely a basic essential to any baking instructions?

    1. Hey Annabel, this is a recipe just for how to make an oat crumble topping but you’re right it should give suggestions for how long to bake it for. You can bake this for 25 minutes at 180C/360F. Amended the recipe now 🙂 enjoy!