Classic Strawberry Crumble

This strawberry crumble (aka strawberry crisp) is the only recipe you need! The big berry flavor and oat topping make a recipe you’ll bake up again and again.

Wow. That’s what we hope you’ll say when you taste our perfect strawberry crumble recipe! There’s the strawberry filling, scented with orange zest and vanilla until the berries pop. There’s the crunchy crumble topping, hearty and homey with oats and walnuts. It’s simple, but all together it makes a true symphony of flavor: far greater than the sum of its parts. Even better: you can make it using fresh or frozen berries! This makes it a dessert you can whip up on moments notice. It also works for various diets. Whatever the case: it’s a true stunner.

Keys to the best strawberry crumble, aka strawberry crisp

Did you grow up with a great strawberry crumble recipe? Or strawberry crisp? The humble crumble or crisp is one of our favorite desserts to make. Why? There’s no precision required and it’s so satisfying. We’d choose it over pie or cake any day. I created this recipe in honor of Alex’s birthday in early spring. I was craving berries but with none in sight, I opted for frozen instead! Here are the keys to this strawberry crisp:

Use fresh or frozen berries! This means you can store berries in your freezer and whip up a crumble anytime…no need to wait for strawberry season.
Orange zest and vanilla add complexity to the filling. These make the berry flavor pop and add nuance! Take one bite and you’ll be amazed.
Butter, nuts and cinnamon make for the best crumble. The crisp topping has the perfect crunch: butter is the crispiest (but see the dietary notes below). A handful of nuts makes it even crunchier, but that’s optional.

Bake until golden brown: timing may vary!

Throw these layers together and bake in a 350 degree oven: easy as pie! (Or crumble. Ha!) There are a few notes to consider around bake time:

Bake until the top is golden brown: the timing varies based on your oven, baking dish, and berries! The bake time will be different every time depending on those variables. Our recipe testers had bake times between 30 minutes and 1 hour, though for most it was around 50 minutes.
If it’s not golden, keep going! You’re looking for that golden hue. If the oats look pale, keep going.

What people are saying

This strawberry crumble recipe was tested by a few recipe testers (thanks to our Instagram community!). Here’s what we heared:

“Wow! This strawberry crumble is absolutely delicious! I love the touch of orange and the vanilla extract in the filling. Delicious!” -Sarah
“This is SOOOO GOOOD!!! Perfectly crispy on top and the strawberries were set. Love it!” -Katy

Let us know what you think in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear.

Strawberry crisp variations: vegan, gluten free, etc!

What about dietary variations: can you make a gluten free strawberry crisp, or a vegan strawberry crumble? Yes and yes. Here’s what to do:

Use almond flour for gluten free. Almond flour works perfectly as a substitute for flour in a crisp or crumble recipe. In fact, it becomes even crispier than with all purpose!
Use vegan butter or coconut oil for vegan. Vegan butter is a bit closer to a traditional crisp texture. Or you can use coconut oil: it’s also delicious, just a little softer.
Use coconut sugar or another solid sugar substitute. Use your favorite solid sugar. Using maple syrup makes for a softer crisp topping, so we typically steer away from it: but you can use it if desired! It does work well in the filling.
Use more orange zest. For a strawberry orange crumble, double the zest!

What’s the difference between a crisp and crumble, anyway?

Not much! There was originally a difference between a strawberry crisp and a strawberry crumble, but that distinction has faded over time. Today, most people use these terms interchangeably! The original difference between the two was that a crisp had oats, whereas a crumble would not (per The Kitchn). Hence, the crisp was crispier because of the oats! You can use either term for this dessert now: so just pick your favorite!

Toppings for this strawberry crumble

Last up: how to top this strawberry crumble recipe? Let us count the ways. It’s actually extremely delicious without a topping. But you can also add one of the following tasty options to take this strawberry crisp over the top:

Whipped cream: Try our Homemade Whipped Cream or Vegan Whipped Cream (made with coconut milk)
Ice cream: Try store-bought vanilla ice cream, or…
Vegan ice cream: This Homemade Cinnamon Vegan Ice Cream is a great choice, or look for your favorite vegan ice cream brand

This strawberry crisp / crumble recipe is…

Vegetarian. For gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, see the notes in the recipe below.