If you’re looking a way to make any baked good more interesting… I’ve got just the thing. This Oatmeal Streusel Topping is the ultimate buttery, crunchy, crumbly addition. Made with simple ingredients, it’s a great way to add a golden brown, crunchy topping to everything from Vegan Coffee Cakes to Apple Pie Bars. Easy to whip up and with 4 flavor variations to compliment any baked good, you can’t go wrong with this recipe.
To test out these streusel toppings, try these delicious recipes:
What You’ll Need for the Perfect Oatmeal Streusel Topping
Basic Oatmeal Streusel Topping
- Rolled oats: Old-fashioned oats work best for that chewy, hearty texture, but quick oats can also be used if that’s your personal preference.
- All-purpose flour: Regular flour works great here, but you can substitute whole wheat flour, gluten-free flour, or even almond flour for different results.
- Granulated sugar*: Cane sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness. Make sure to select a vegan variety (see notes).
- Avocado oil: Any neutral-flavored oil (vegetable oil, canola oil) will work. Swap for melted vegan butter for a buttery streusel.
This recipe is as simple as it gets. To make this classic oatmeal crumble topping, just add the dry ingredients into a bowl then add the wet ingredients and stir until a crumbly texture has formed. That’s it!
This classic flavor pairs wonderfully with things like fruit crisps or muffins. The combination of dry ingredients creates a crisp topping that bakes up beautifully golden brown.
The quantity made in this recipe will be enough to cover baked goods in:
- One medium baking dish
- Two 9 x 5″ bread pans, or
- 12 standard muffins
If you are making more than these sizes or want the crumble topping to be thicker, consider doubling the recipe.
Delicious Variations to Try
Maple Cinnamon
For a variation without refined sugar, try this combination:
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Cinnamon: Adds the perfect warm spice.
- Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that enhances the oat mixture.
- Avocado oil
The maple syrup adds moisture, so you might end up with a softer crumble—adjust the amount to your personal preference.
Apple Pie Spice
For a blend of cozy spices, this apple pie-inspired oat crumble topping is irresistible:
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose Flour
- Cinnamon
- Spices: cardamom, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg: A medley of warm spices that’s reminiscent of apple pie.
- Cane sugar: Or swap for light brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Avocado oil
This variation is the best thing to top a classic apple pie or Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. It’s also a great way to add warm spices to your favorite recipes.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon
For a buttery streusel with a hint of caramel-like sweetness:
- Rolled oats
- All-purpose flour
- Cinnamon: Enhances the warm spice profile.
- Brown sugar: Dark brown sugar works too if you prefer a richer taste.
- Melted vegan butter
This crunchy topping is ideal for coffee cake or the top of muffins. Serve it warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream for a dessert everyone will love.
More Options for Add-ins:
- Seeds: Hemp seeds, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds would pair perfectly with this crunchy topping
- Chopped Nuts: Chopped walnuts or slivered almonds would add a hearty flavor to these toppings
- Fruit: Add 1 tbsp of your favorite jam or jelly to this mixture for a fruity twist.
Tips for the Perfect Streusel Topping
- Mixing Method: Use a large bowl to combine the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and mix until the oat mixture forms a crumbly texture. If the mixture feels too dry, add a splash of lemon juice or a touch more oil.
- Storage: Store any unused streusel in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Baking Tip: Spread the streusel evenly over your favorite muffins, quick breads, or fresh fruit before baking. Bake until golden brown for the perfect crunchy topping.
- Not Vegan? Use melted butter instead of oil or vegan butter in these recipes.
- Gluten-free? Make sure to select a gluten-free variety of oats and gluten-free baking flour.
FAQ
This recipe could be considered both a crumb topping and a streusel topping. Crumb toppings tend to have more sugar and may be more coarse than streusel. Streusel toppings may include ingredients like nuts and are sometimes finer texture.
Add a pinch more flour to recipes that have a lot of fruit or other liquids so the topping absorbs less and gets crispier in the baking process.
Yes! You may notice a slight difference in texture, but quick oats are a fine replacement in this recipe.
Oatmeal Streusel Topping (4 Flavor Varieties!)
Equipment
Ingredients
Oatmeal streusel topping
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
Maple Cinnamon
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp avocado oil
Apple Pie Spice
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp cardamom
- ⅛ tsp cloves
- ⅛ tsp allspice
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp cane sugar
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
Brown Sugar Cinnamon
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
Instructions
- To make this classic oatmeal crumble topping, just add the dry ingredients into a bowl then add the wet ingredients, and stir until a crumbly texture has formed. That's it!
- This classic flavor pairs wonderfully with things like fruit crisps or muffins. The combination of dry ingredients creates a crisp topping that bakes up beautifully golden brown.
Notes
- Storage: Store any unused streusel in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Not Vegan? Use melted butter instead of oil or vegan butter in these recipes.
- Gluten-free? Make sure to select a gluten-free variety of oats and gluten-free baking flour.
Nutrition
Please note, while all ingredients used in this recipe have been verified to be vegan and free of applicable allergens at the time of recipe creation, different brands may differ in their ingredients or processing procedures and may change their ingredients at any time. For some recipes, I do include ingredients that are processed in a facility that processes other allergens. Please make sure to check the ingredients and processing procedures for your specific purchases to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Last Updated on February 14, 2025
I love using these recipes to add a twist to my baked goods! The classic is my favorite.