This easy easy crumble is so satisfying!! I've made it countless times and always go back to this recipe when I want a quick and delicous fruit dessert.
This recipe doesn't hold back on the good stuff. We're talking about a generous layer of that addictive crumble, ensuring every bite is an amazing mix of fruit and crunch.
Love fruity desserts and crumb topping? Check out my crumb cake and strawberry coconut cake!
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What is a crumble?
A crumble, crisp, and cobbler are all baked fruit desserts, but the toppings are what set them apart. A crumble has a soft, buttery topping. A crisp is similar, but has an extra crunchy texture. A cobbler is totally different, it’s topped with a biscuit or cake like dough that bakes up fluffy and golden over the fruit. So basically: crumble = soft and crumbly, crisp = crunchy, cobbler = fluffy.
Why you'll love this strawberry and apple crumble recipe
- Effortless to Make: Say goodbye to complicated baking! This dump and bake recipe is as easy as layering the ingredients and letting the oven do its thing, perfect for beginners and pros alike.
- Dynamic Duo: Tart apples and sweet strawberries come together in every bite for the ultimate balance of flavors and textures. A hint of lemon brings out the flavors. Check out my lemon cheesecake too!
- Generous Topping: This crumble doesn’t hold back, with a thick layer of buttery oat goodness ensuring every bite is loaded with fruity, crunchy perfection.
Equipment
Using a kitchen scale is a total game-changer for baking this strawberry crumble recipe. It makes measuring ingredients super precise, so your dessert comes out perfect every single time. Plus, fewer measuring cups means less cleanup — and who doesn’t love that? Invest in one, and you’ll wonder how you ever baked without it!
Apple and Strawberry Crumble Ingredients
- Choose your favorite variety of apples for this recipe and peel them. Whether you prefer the tartness of Granny Smith apples or the sweetness of Honeycrisp, the choice is yours. Fuji apples add a wonderful texture and flavor to the crumble, becoming soft and juicy as they bake. McIntosh apples will get too soft.
- Dark brown sugar adds depth and caramel notes to the fruit filling. It helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the apples and strawberries, creating a delicious sauce as they bake.
- Old fashioned rolled oats provide the essential crumbly texture to the topping. Substitute quick cook oats if that's what you have.
- A splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the flavors of the fruit filling. I use it in my blueberry pop tarts as well.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Strawberry and Apple Crumble Variations
- Use quick cook oats if you do not have old fashioned oats.
- Add cardamom to the topping. Cardamom is such a game changer when it comes to spices, it always makes desserts extra special. Check out my lemon cardamom cookies!
- If you don't want to use apples, make it with all strawberries! I would adjust the sugar in the filling if the strawberries are very sweet. Strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake is fabulous as well!
- Dairy free or Vegan: You can substitute with dairy or vegan options, you can also use gluten free flour!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. These are just suggestions.
How to make homemade apple and strawberry crumble with oats!
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 inch baking dish. Hull and slice the strawberries ¼ inch thick.
Step 2: Slice and peel the apples ⅛th inch thick.
Step 3: Combine the sliced apples, strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly. Mix together the cinnamon, cornstarch, and dark brown sugar. Pour over the fruit mixture, mix until coated and combined.
Step 4: Combine the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon, and oats. Add the softened butter over the dry ingredients. Mix until combined and all the dry is absorbed into the butter and creates medium and large crumbs. You can use your hands or a pastry cutter.
Step 5: Pour into the baking dish. Top with the crumble, making sure it's coating the top evenly. Cover with foil, bake for 25 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 20 minutes. The filling should be bubbling around the sides and the crumble should be deep golden brown
Step 6: Serve this easy apple crumble with vanilla ice cream on top while slightly warm!
Hint: Try not to over bake, the big pieces of crumble will melt and ruin the texture.
Pro tips
- Slice the Apples Thinly. When preparing the apples for your crumble, aim to slice them to a thickness of about ⅛ inch. Thinly sliced apples will bake more evenly. Apple pie bars are irresistible!!
- Cover the Crumble with Foil. To prevent the crumble topping from over-browning or burning during baking, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking. This will allow the fruit filling to cook and soften without the risk of the topping becoming too dark. After 20 minutes, remove the foil to allow the crumble to crisp up and achieve that perfect golden-brown finish.
- Add Salt to the Crumble. Don't overlook the importance of salt in the crumble topping! Adding salt helps to balance the sweetness of the sugar.
Strawberry and Apple Crumble FAQs
You'll know when the filling is bubbling and jammy, and the topping is golden brown, the temperature should be around 200°F.
You can freeze the crumble but I think it's best the day it was made. After it has cooled down, store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Yes, you can. I recommend adding an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling.
Storage
Room Temperature
The crumble can be left out on the counter for one day.
Refrigerator
Cool Completely. Allow the crumble to cool completely at room temperature before attempting to store it. This prevents condensation from forming, which can lead to a soggy topping. I like to cover the plate loosely with foil to prevent the topping from getting wet. It will. keep up to 4 days.
Freezer
After it has cooled down, store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Place in the microwave to get warm or place in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
Related
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📖 Recipe
Strawberry Apple Crumble
Equipment
- 10-12 inch baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mxing bowls
- Knife for cutting fruit
- Apple peeler
Ingredients
*You can cut this recipe in half and bake it in a 9 inch pie dish if preferred, just follow the instructions as written
Crumble Topping
- ⅔ cups (148 grams) unsalted butter softened, room temperature
- ¾ cup (155 grams) light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 and ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup (130 grams) all purpose flour
- 1 cup (111 grams) old fashioned oats can also use quick oats
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Fruit Filling
- 4 cups strawberries hulled and cut ¼ inch slices
- 3 cups apples peeled and cut ⅛ inch slices ( I like Honeycrisp)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ lemon juiced
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed add more if fruit is tart
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Topping
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 12 inch baking dish or similar sized dish (9X13 works too)
- Combine the dark brown sugar, flour, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and oats.
- Add the softened butter over the dry ingredients. Mix until combined and all the dry is absorbed into the butter and creates medium and large crumbs. You can use your hands or a pastry cutter. Set aside.
Fruit Filling
- Combine the sliced apples, strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly.
- Mix together the cinnamon, cornstarch, and dark brown sugar. Pour over the fruit mixture, mix until coated and combined.
- Pour into the baking dish. Top with the crumble, making sure it's coating the top evenly.
- Cover with foil, position it on the center rack of the oven to ensure even baking, avoiding placement too close to the top or bottom. Bake for 25 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 30 minutes. The filling should be bubbling around the sides and the crumble should be deep golden brown. Don't over bake or else the big crumbs will melt and lose their texture.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream for the best experience!
- See storage in notes.
Sue says
I made this and we devoured it on one sitting! Amazing!
Amanda says
love hearing that!! thank you for leaving a review 🙂