A Warm, Rustic Dessert for Every Season
Few desserts capture the balance of sweet and tart, crispy and gooey, warm and refreshing quite like a blueberry crumble. Whether it’s served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the summer or warm from the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar in winter, this treat is a year-round staple. My Easy Blueberry Crumble Recipe brings the rustic charm of countryside baking straight into your kitchen with simple ingredients and a flavor that feels like home.
Growing up in a multi-generational household, we never let fruit go to waste. I remember Sunday mornings when Nonna would reach for the ripest fruit and whip up a simple crumble with whatever was on hand — peaches, apples, plums, or if we were lucky, juicy blueberries. There was no written recipe, just intuition and love. This version is inspired by that tradition, with a few modern tweaks to make it easier and more consistent for today’s home baker.
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🫐 What Is a Easy Blueberry Crumble Recipe?
A crumble is a classic American and British dessert featuring a baked fruit filling topped with a crumbly mixture of flour, sugar, butter, and sometimes oats or nuts. Unlike pies, crumbles don’t require rolling out dough, and unlike cobblers, there’s no biscuit topping. Crumbles are all about simplicity and comfort — a homey way to showcase fruit at its best.
Blueberry crumble specifically highlights the deep, sweet-tart flavor of blueberries, which become syrupy and jam-like as they bake beneath a golden, buttery topping.
❤️ Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
- It’s foolproof. You don’t need to be an expert baker to pull it off.
- One bowl for the filling, one for the topping. That’s it.
- It’s flexible. Works just as well with fresh or frozen berries.
- Your kitchen will smell heavenly. That blueberry-lemon-buttery aroma? Irresistible.
- Only 10 minutes of prep. Then let the oven do the rest.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Blueberry Filling:
- 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Crumble Topping:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
👩🍳 How to Make Easy Blueberry Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish (an 8×8 square or oval baker works well).
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a bowl, gently toss together the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Pour into your prepared dish and spread into an even layer.
Step 3: Create the Topping
In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, both sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and work it in using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture forms moist, pea-sized clumps.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the berries. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the berries are bubbling around the edges.
Step 5: Cool & Serve
Allow to cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. This gives the filling time to set slightly and intensifies the flavor.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- With Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic and unbeatable.
- With Whipped Cream: Light, airy, and just sweet enough.
- With Greek Yogurt: Great for breakfast or a not-too-sweet dessert.
- As a Tart: Bake it in mini tart shells for an elegant twist.
🧊 Storage & Freezing Tips
Leftovers
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully assembled unbaked crumble. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen — add 10 extra minutes to baking time.
🔄 Variations to Try
Fruit Swaps:
- Mixed Berry Crumble: Blueberries + raspberries + blackberries.
- Peach & Blueberry Crumble: Add sliced peaches for a Southern summer twist.
- Apple & Blueberry: A cozy fall combo.
Topping Upgrades:
- Add Nuts: Toasted pecans or almonds bring added crunch.
- Go Spicy: A dash of nutmeg or cardamom elevates the warmth.
- Make it Vegan: Use plant-based butter or coconut oil.
📚 A Brief History of the Crumble
The crumble rose to popularity in Britain during World War II when rationing limited access to pie ingredients like butter and flour. The crumb topping required fewer resources, and thus the humble crumble became a household staple. Its simplicity, affordability, and comfort factor helped it cross the Atlantic — evolving into the beloved dessert we know today in American kitchens.
In the U.S., crumbles often feature oats in the topping and a wide range of fruits depending on the season. Blueberries, with their balance of sweet and tart, became a favorite for their vibrant flavor and natural juiciness.
💡 Expert Baking Tips
- Use cold butter. It creates those irresistible crunchy bits in the topping.
- Taste your berries. If they’re extra sweet or sour, adjust sugar accordingly.
- Avoid soggy topping. Don’t overmix; you want texture, not paste.
- Let it cool. It thickens and becomes even more delicious after resting.
Easy Blueberry Crumble Recipe
