Easy Blueberry Crumble Recipe - Classic Blueberry Crumbles
There is nothing more delicious in summer than crumbles with seasonal fresh berries. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for a blueberry crumble takes five minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to bake. And you can serve this warm or cold on its own or with whipped cream. Also, try it with a scoop of ice cream for that indulgent treat.
Are you enjoying all the summer fruits in season this year? Or shall I say are you taking full advantage of all the fresh fruits and veggies in season?
Blueberries have got to be one of my favorite fruits. Not just because they are so healthy but also they are tart and sweet all at the same time. During the year I often use frozen blueberries but fresh... now that's something else ! Isn't it?
Unfortunately, whether I get them fresh or frozen they are so darn expensive here. We still buy when possible but not as much as when we were in the US. I remember I'd add a few blueberries every morning with my cereal.
About this blueberry crumble
One of the reasons I love berry crumbles is this. Look at that thick tart yet sweet chewy fruit syrup. Next, look at the crisp buttery bits of crumble on the top. Now imagine a spoonful of that syrupy fruit with the crispy crumble that just bursts in the mouth. There's a mouthful you cannot resist. Explosion!
A fruit crumble is really the easiest dessert you can make in summer with any fruit. Berries and stone fruit such as peaches, apricots, and apples are always a big hit.
How to make the perfect crumble topping?
The perfect crumble topping is in the ratio of flour, sugar, and butter - Two parts flour, one part butter, and one part sugar works every single time.
Ingredients and Substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Blueberries – This crumbles work with fresh or frozen. If using frozen you can keep the amount of sugar unless they are sweetened. Some brands use sugar as a preservative, so read the label, please.
- Sugar – I like using a mix of white and brown sugar. The white adds sweetness and keeps a beautiful white color while the light or brown sugar brings with it the flavor of molasses, which when combined with the cinnamon or nutmeg is an absolute luxury.
- Unsalted Butter – I always use unsalted because I like to control the amount of salt I use. If you use salted butter that’s fine. Just omit salt in the recipe. Margarine or veg shortening works as well, and yet they both will affect the texture of the crumble. Since margarine has a bit more liquid so you may need to use a tad less. While vegetable shorting will make the crumble topping crisper. If you use the additional oats you will need a little more butter as well so make sure you have extra on hand.
- Cornstarch - Blueberries are juicy and the cornstarch helps thicken the juices giving you that thick syrup-like consistency rather than a pool of liquid.
- Vanilla - Always use good quality vanilla in your recipes. It makes a huge difference in flavor. I like to make a homemade vanilla extract or homemade vanilla bean paste. In desserts like this, I will often also use my homemade vanilla sugar.
- Spice mix – There are so many flavors you can add. Like pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I admit that when it comes to crumble, I often prefer the fruit to shine. So I usually add just a pinch of cinnamon and a grating of nutmeg.
Useful Tips and Tools
- You can bake this as one crumble in a single baking dish or into four individual servings baked in individual ramekins
- The pastry blender is also a great tool to have if you plan to make crumble often by hand.
- I love using my food processor. It takes minutes and the butter is evenly distributed giving you a nice uniform bread crumb consistency.
- A mixing bowl to mix the fruit and ingredients together.
How to Make An Easy Blueberry Crumble (Save/Pin)
Use 8 x 8-inch baking pan or individual ramekins
Prepare Blueberries
- Wash blueberries if using fresh - drain and pat dry so you don't have excess water.
- Add sugar, lemon juice and set aside.
Prepare Crumble
- Chop butter into cubes.
- In a food processor bowl – add flour, nuts/oats, sugar, salt, vanilla, spice, and butter.
- Pulse a few times – until crumbly but not too much.
- Keep the bowl in the fridge to stay cold if necessary.
Assemble
- Preheat the oven to 170 C / 340 F.
- Add blueberries sugar and cornstarch - stir to combine.
- Grease the bottom of a 8 x 8- or 9 x 9-baking dish or ramekin with butter.
- Pour fruit mixture into the baking dish.
- Top with the crumble topping generously.
- Bake in a preheated oven for about 30 to 35 minutes.
- The top will be golden and be bubbling.
Easy Blueberry Crumble Recipe aka Classic Blueberry Crumbles
Print Pin RateDescription
Ingredients
Fruit Base
Crumble
- 128 grams (1.00 cups) All-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp (0.25 cups) Light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp (0.25 cups) White sugar
- 56 grams (0.25 cups) Unsalted butter (3 tbsp more if you use oats)
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 tsp Spice mix cinnamon / gingerbread
- 100 grams (1.25 cups) Almond or rolled oats Optional
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
Instructions
Prepare Blueberries
- Wash blueberries if using fresh - drain and pat dry so you don't have excess water.
- Add sugar, lemon juice and set aside.
Prepare Crumble
- Chop butter into cubes.
- In a food processor bowl – add flour, nuts/oats, sugar, salt, vanilla, spice, and butter.
- Pulse a few times – until crumbly but not too much.
- Keep the bowl in the fridge to stay cold if necessary.
Assemble
- Preheat the oven to 170 C / 340 F.
- Add blueberries sugar and cornstarch - stir to combine.
- Grease the bottom of a baking dish or ramekin with butter.
- Pour fruit mixture into the baking dish.
- Top with the crumble topping generously.
- Bake in a preheated oven for about 30 to 35 minutes.
- The top will be golden and be bubbling.
Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Frequently asked questions
I love baking the crumble fresh, so the topping stays wonderfully crisp. And yet, you can make this crumble in advance. Cool it completely before you wrap it well and place it in the fridge.
Just a few minutes in the microwave will bring it back to it syrupy goodness. Then a few minutes in the oven will help crisp the streusel topping as well.
Yes, you can store any extra crumble mix well wrapped in a freezer bag (to prevent ice crystal) for up to 3 months.
It is very tempting to add more butter in the crumble topping, but too much butter will blend the mixture of flour and sugar. Creating the perfect crumb with flour and sugar requires that you do not add too much butter. Ideally, a ratio of 1:1:2 works best - One part butter: one part sugar: two parts flour
What is the difference between cobbler and Crumble?
Both are baked fruit desserts. A cobbler uses dollops of biscuit dough or pie dough topping, which often when baked looks very similar to a cobblestone. A crumble uses a streusel-like topping made of flour, sugar, and butter with the addition of nuts.
What is the difference between a crumble and crisp?
Again a crumble and a crisp are also both baked fruit desserts and both use a streusel topping made with butter, sugar, and flour. And yet, a crumble uses the addition of nuts while crips use rolled oats. These oats become crisp and flaky when cooked while the crumble topping is cakey and dense.
SAVE THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST FOR LATER. TRIED MY RECIPE? SHARE IT WITH ME, PLEASE.
Share a picture of your work with me by uploading an image here below my image on this board. You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
You may also like
- Blackberry Filling for Cakes, Pies, and Desserts
- Easy Blackberry Nectarine Crumb Cake
- Apricot Crumble Bars
- Easy-Blueberry-Crumble-recipe
- Cherry Pie Crumble Bars
- Easy Raspberry Crumble
- Raspberry Peach Crumble
- Blackberry Panna Cotta Tart
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars
Deanna
If I’m using frozen fruit do I need to thaw it out first? And also if I’m not using 4 ramekins what size baking dish should I use? Thanks!
Veena Azmanov
Hey Deanna. Sorry for the late reply, just found your comment in the spam, unfortunately. You can use frozen blueberries. No need to thaw. You can use an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Thanks
Annie
Wow not sure if any of those people commenting how great it looks actually tried making a crumble following this recipe. It absolutely needs more butter. I thought 56 g sounded too little but looked that it has good reviews so trusted the raiting. The topping turned out absolutely dry and the recipe has way too much sugar. If you write optional oats in recipe please also add how much butter to add to this. What a waste of great blueberries.
Veena Azmanov
Hey Annie. Sorry, this recipe did not work for you.
I myself have made this recipe more than once and the proportions are right.
You can use less sugar but perhaps you had very sweet blueberries. I have made this with fresh and frozen blueberries so 1/4 cup sugar for 1 heaping cup of blueberries is just right and balances out the tartness.
As for the crumble I did mention in the notes above that if you use oats you will need more butter - but since you mentioned it, now, I have written it in the card below as well.
As for the butter in the crumble, again, the ratio of butter to flour is right. Any more butter and you rick the crumble melting to a flat biscuit.
Sorry, you didn't enjoy this recipe but I have rechecked the recipe and I do think the proportions are correct. I do make fruit crumbles often so this is my goto recipe.
Thanks for stopping by.
Diana
I always make an apple crumble but not a blueberry one. Your version looks amazing, I'll have to try it.
Veena Azmanov
I love apple crumble too. Absolute classic
Erin M
Hello there! We are excited to make this today. I just made the topping and am wondering if I put it all on the two cups of berries? It seems like a lot. This is my first crumble, so I'm not sure what to expect!
Veena Azmanov
Hey Erin. yes, actually we do add a lot of crumble. But this is a very versatile recipe and you can certainly use less crumble or add more blueberries.
The crumble is the best part of this dessert. When the blueberries cook down they get quite soft and syrupy which tastes nice with the crumble.
Thanks
Erin M
Thanks for the feedback and this recipe! It turned out so good!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much, Erin. Happy you enjoyed it
Kelly Anthony
I also love when it is fresh berry season. For the past few summers we have gone blueberry picking with my girls and they just love it. Looking forward to picking some this summer to make this yummy blueberry crumble.
Veena Azmanov
I love the thought of going blueberry picking with my kids. Here were have to buy them in the supermarket and so expensive Kelly.
Cindy Gordon
I don't think I could love this recipe more than I do! So easy and so yummy!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Cindy. Happy to hear that.
Pam Greer
We love blueberries here too! We have three bushes in our backyard and I am saving this recipe for them, it's perfect!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Pam. So lucky you have them growing at home. These are so expensive here.
Cliona
This is making me feel nostalgic for cosy Sunday dinners with family! Definitely a must make next time I'm entertaining!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Cliona.
Heather
Talk about easy and adorable! I love blueberries and this recipe is so easy to make and so perfect.
Veena Azmanov
Me too Heather. Thanks
Mirlene
Crumble desserts are the best! Always great with a scoop of icecream.
Veena Azmanov
Definitely great with a scoop of ice cream.
Ruchi
Blueberry season is on and i was looking for easy delicious recipes for my kids using this berries. Great and for the breakfast and for the dessert!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Ruchi. Kids definitely love this.
Karyn
Forget about Muffins.Those Blueberries I bought today are heading for a crumble.. I love this recipe it brings back childhood memories
Veena Azmanov
Ah so true Kryn. Make a delish cobbler.. forget the muffins. ha...!!
Adriana Lopez Martin
What a lovely way to present a blueberry crumble in an individual serving super easy and using fresh blueberries that are now so abundant in the market. Perfect for summer entertaining.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Adriana. Yes, I love making different berries of small portions at the same time instead of one large big one
Lauren
This is the perfect summer dessert! My fiance's dad is growing blueberries this year and brings them to use all the time - gonna try this next time he stops by!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Lauren. I wish I had blueberries growing closer. We get them so expensive here.
Pavani
That is such an inviting and delicious looking blueberry crumble. It sounds so easy to make too. Great summer time treat.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Pavani. I hope you try it.
Claudia Lamascolo
I love blueberry anything but this looks so easy thats another bonus. I love making a dessert that doesnt take all day to do and look this good!
Veena Azmanov
Me too!! Love blueberry anything.
Marisa [email protected] Our Way
What a great looking dessert. Luckily it's now blueberry season here. I didn't want to use my blueberries just for muffins. This is so much better.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Marisa. I love blueberry Muffins but this has summer all over it.. !My kids love it with a scoop of ice cream
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
Wow...how delicious does this look. My husband LOVES crumble, and I LOVE blueberries. It's a win for both of us. This would be perfect for the BBQ parties this summer too.
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Gloria.. We love crumble easpecially around the BBQ Thanks
Arlene Mobley
I love easy dessert recipes like this. This is a perfect summer time recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Arlene.. I know right?