From a traditional sweet cinnamon apple crumble to savoury dishes with crumble toppings, knowing how to make crumble topping at home is a terrific skill to have. This guide covers the basics for both sweet and savoury crumbles, with simple tips and recipe ideas to help you get it right.
What is crumble and the history behind it?
Many how to cook guides explain how to make crumble topping, but not where the dish came from. Crumble became popular in Britain during the Second World War, when rationing meant ingredients such as flour and butter had to go further. Compared with a fruit pie, crumble used less of both. It has stayed a firm favourite ever since, thanks to its crisp topping and soft filling. Today, it is often served warm with cream or custard as a classic British pudding.
Crumble topping ingredients
If you're making crumble as part of your family meal plan or just fancy a one-off dessert, you'll only need a few basic ingredients:
- Plain flour
- Butter (or a plant-based alternative if you're making a crumble to go with other vegetarian recipes)
- Sugar – caster, demerara and brown sugar can all work well
You can also mix in extras such as granola, porridge oats or chopped nuts, or add cinnamon and mixed spice for a little more flavour.
How to make crumble topping
This delicious summer fruits crumble recipe shows you how to make a granola-based topping. For a traditional crumble topping, though, all you need is flour, butter (or margarine) and sugar. Add everything to a bowl and rub the ingredients together with your fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
Try not to overwork it, as you still want the topping to stay light and crumbly. You can also use a food processor if you prefer, but only pulse it briefly so the mixture doesn't become too fine.
Preparing the fruit base and assembling the crumble
Check out this cinnamon pear, apple and hazelnut crumble for an easy example of how to prepare the fruit base. The main thing is to avoid making the filling too wet before it goes into the oven. Apples and pears can usually just be peeled, cored and chopped, while berries can often go in whole. There's generally no need to grease the baking dish either. Once the fruit is ready, spread the crumble topping over it in an even layer. Chilling the topping first can also make it a little easier to scatter evenly.
Tips for the perfect crumble topping
A few simple tricks can make all the difference when you're aiming for a crisp, golden crumble topping:
- Avoid pressing the topping down, as a loose layer helps it crisp up in the oven.
- Once the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, try not to work it too much or the topping can become too dense.
- Let the crumble rest for a few minutes after baking so the fruit filling has time to thicken slightly.
- Bake until the topping is a rich golden colour rather than taking it out as soon as it starts to brown.
Follow these tips and you'll have a light, crunchy topping that works with all kinds of fruit crumbles.
Fruit crumble variations
If you're looking for a lighter crumble, you'll find plenty of inspiration among these calorie smart recipes. Using a little less sugar and butter can help keep things lighter while letting the natural sweetness of the fruit shine through. You can also add rolled oats to the topping for extra texture and a more filling dessert.
Apple crumble is a classic across the UK, especially from late summer onwards when apples come into season. Berries such as raspberries and strawberries are great choices in summer, while rhubarb is a favourite in spring. As the weather turns cooler, pears, plums and blackberries all work beautifully in autumnal crumbles too. Cherries are another tasty option when they're in season, giving you plenty of ways to switch things up throughout the year.
How to make crumble topping FAQs
What is crumble topping made of?
Traditionally, a crumble topping recipe contains plain flour, butter and granulated sugar. Some crumble mixes also include rolled oats or extra flavourings, such as salt and cinnamon. Chopped nuts can also be added if you want a little more crunch and texture.
Can you make crumble topping in advance?
Yes, you can make crumble mix ahead of time and store it until you're ready to bake. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or, if preferred, freeze it for up to about three months. If freezing it, portion the crumble mix first so you can take out only as much as you need.
Should crumble topping be chilled before baking?
Chilling crumble topping before baking can help it stay firm and develop a crispier texture in the oven. However, it isn't essential, and plenty of homemade crumbles go straight into the oven without chilling. If you have time, around 20 to 30 minutes in the fridge should be enough.
Why is my crumble topping not crunchy?
If your crumble topping is soft rather than crunchy, there may be too much butter in the mix or the oven temperature may be too low. A very wet fruit base can also soften the topping as it cooks. Make sure the topping is spread loosely rather than pressed down, and bake until it's a rich golden colour.
What is the base of apple crumble?
An apple crumble base is made from peeled and cored apples, often mixed with sugar, cinnamon and a little lemon juice. As the apples bake, they soften and release their juices, creating a warm fruit filling beneath the crunchy topping. Firmer cooking apples are especially good because they hold some of their shape as they bake.