Name: How to Make Streusel Topping
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: ½ all-purpose flour; ¼ old fashioned oats; ¼ cup brown sugar; ¼ unsalted butter (½ stick); ⅛ teaspoon of salt

Jump to Recipe

Streusel topping is a buttery, crumbly mixture that adds a delicious, crunchy finish to muffins, pies, crisps, cobblers, and other desserts.

Learning how to make streusel topping is easy, and this simple recipe comes together in just minutes with a few basic ingredients.

What is streusel topping made of?

Most streusel toppings start with three basic ingredients: flour, sugar, and butter. You can also add ingredients such as rolled oats for extra texture. Granulated or brown sugar can be used, and spices such as cinnamon add extra flavor.

For this variation of a streusel topping, I’m making a double batch using rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and I’m adding a little salt, too.

Basic streusel topping ratio

A simple ratio to remember is:

¾ cup dry ingredients
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter, cubed
⅛ teaspoon of salt

Note: The ratio isn’t set in stone. Add a little more sugar for a sweeter topping or a bit more butter for a richer, crispier streusel. As long as you stay close to the basic ratio, you can adjust it to suit your dessert.

The recipe can easily be doubled for a large dessert or halved for muffins. You can also make a gluten-free version, using a gluten-free flour blend or ensuring your oats are gluten-free.

How to make streusel topping in a food processor

Be sure the butter is at room temperature, then add it, along with the flour, sugar, and rolled oats, to a food processor.

Pulse for a few seconds, just until the mixture becomes crumbly. That’s it! Your streusel topping is ready to use.

Spread the topping over muffins, bars, fruit crumbles, baked apples, pears, or any dessert that needs a buttery, crunchy topping.

The streusel can be used before baking or added to desserts as a garnish, depending on the recipe.

How to use streusel topping

Spread the streusel topping over your dessert before baking. As it cooks, the butter melts and the topping becomes golden brown, crisp, and buttery.

Recipes using streusel topping

Streusel is especially good on muffins, fruit crumbles, cobblers, coffee cakes, baked apples, and pears. Here are some ways to use it:

Banana Nut Muffins – Topped with crumbly streusel
Paleo Cherry Crumble Recipe – Gluten-free dessert
Apple Pie Parfaits -Easy layered dessert cup with streusel topping
Fig Crumble – Made with fresh figs and rolled oat streusel
Gluten-Free Date Bars – Maple syrup oatmeal streusel date slice
Blueberry Cobbler – Delicious summer dessert with streusel topping

Share this streusel topping recipe on X

If you enjoyed learning how to make streusel topping for baked goods, why not share this post with a friend?

🥧✨ Need a quick way to add buttery, crunchy goodness to your favorite desserts? Learn how to make easy streusel topping with flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and butter! It comes together in minutes and is perfect for muffins, pies,… Share on X

Pin this streusel topping recipe

Would you like a reminder of this recipe for making a streusel topping? Pin this image to one of your recipe boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Admin note: This recipe for streusel topping first appeared on the blog in March 2017. This post has been updated with new photos and a printable recipe card.

Yield: About 1 cup of streusel topping

How to Make Streusel Topping

5.0 Stars (1 Review)

Learn how to make a buttery, crumbly streusel topping with simple ingredients. This easy topping is perfect for muffins, pies, crisps, cobblers, and more.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

½ all-purpose flour
¼ old fashioned oats
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ unsalted butter (½ stick)
⅛ teaspoon of salt

Instructions

Cut ½ stick of butter into tablespoons.
Add it, along with the flour, oats, sugar, and salt, to a food processor.
Pulse for a few seconds until the mixture resembles crumbs.
The streusel topping is ready to add to your favorite muffin, crisp, crumble, or parfait recipes.

How to Make Streusel Topping