Delicious Apricot Crumble with Crispy Oat Topping: Your Ultimate Summer Dessert

Forget the notion that crumbles are exclusively for chilly winter evenings. This absolutely delicious Apricot Crumble with Oat Topping proves otherwise! It’s a vibrant, sweet, tangy, and wonderfully crispy summer dessert, perfectly suited for enjoying during the peak of stone fruit season. Quick to prepare and incredibly satisfying, this recipe brings a refreshing twist to a classic comfort food, making it an ideal treat for warm weather gatherings or a simple weeknight indulgence.

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Why You’ll Adore This Apricot Crumble Recipe

If you’re searching for a simple, healthy, and incredibly flavorful fresh apricot recipe, look no further! This apricot crumble is a delicious, no-fuss summer dessert that truly everyone will love. Its combination of sweet, juicy apricots and a uniquely crispy oat topping creates a delightful texture and taste experience that stands out.

What makes this particular apricot crumble special is its Oat Crumble Topping. It’s an excellent recipe to try if you’re exploring crumble recipes without traditional wheat flour, or simply want to add a different, wholesome crunch to your dessert. The oats lend a rustic texture and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the bright apricots, making it a potentially gluten-free friendly option (with certified gluten-free oats, of course).

I personally adore this recipe for several reasons: not only is it incredibly easy and quick to assemble, but the resulting flavor and aroma of baked fresh apricots are simply intoxicating. The sweet tang of the fruit beautifully balances the golden-brown crunchiness of the oat topping. It’s a sensory delight that signals the best of summer baking.

Explore more delightful crumble desserts:

• Classic Apple and Pear Crumble
• Sweet Apple and Blueberry Crumble
• Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake (for a different twist)

Crafting the Perfect Apricot Crumble Filling

It’s that wonderful time of year again – my absolute favorite Stone Fruit season! Fresh apricots are currently at their peak: perfectly ripe, deliciously sweet, and bursting with flavor. There’s no better time to transform these golden gems into a magnificent crumble. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of fresh apricots make them an ideal base for a comforting, yet light, summer dessert.

Key Ingredients for the Filling

The beauty of this apricot crumble filling lies in its simplicity. You won’t need any unusual ingredients; just classic staples that bring out the best in the apricots. (For precise quantities, please refer to the recipe card below):

• Fresh Apricots: The star of our show! Opt for ripe, firm apricots. Their natural sweetness and slightly tart notes are essential. While this recipe is designed for fresh fruit, I haven’t personally tested it with canned apricots. If you do use canned, ensure they are well-drained and adjust sugar levels accordingly to prevent an overly sweet result.
• Brown Sugar: This adds a lovely depth and subtle caramel note to the filling, enhancing the apricots’ sweetness. While white granulated sugar can be used as a substitute, brown sugar provides a richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: A crucial ingredient for balance! The fresh lemon juice cuts through the sweetness of both the apricots and the crumble topping, adding a delightful tang that brightens the entire dessert. Don’t skip this for a truly vibrant flavor.
• Cornstarch: This acts as a thickening agent, preventing the crumble from becoming too watery by absorbing the natural juices released by the apricots during baking. You can substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder or a small amount of all-purpose flour if preferred.
• Ground Cinnamon and Ginger (Optional): I love adding a hint of warm spices like cinnamon and ginger to the apricot filling. These spices beautifully complement the fruit without overpowering it. However, feel free to omit them or substitute with your favorite spices, such as a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg, to customize the flavor.

Simple Steps to Make the Apricot Crisp Filling

Creating this delicious apricot filling is incredibly straightforward – you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together! The process is essentially the same as my popular Apple & Pear Crumble, focusing on minimal effort for maximum flavor:

• First, begin by thoroughly washing your fresh Apricots. Then, carefully cut them into thin slices. I typically slice each apricot into 8 pieces, but you can also cube them if you prefer a different texture. Place these prepared apricots into a large mixing bowl.
• Next, add the Brown Sugar, freshly squeezed Lemon Juice, Cornstarch, and your chosen Spices (like ground cinnamon and ginger) to the bowl with the apricots. Gently toss all the ingredients together until the apricots are evenly coated with the sugar, starch, and spices. This ensures every bite is flavorful and the juices will thicken beautifully.
• Finally, transfer this vibrant apricot mixture into your chosen baking dish. For a recipe serving about 6 people, I find that a small Oval Ceramic Dish works perfectly. Make sure to spread the fruit evenly in the dish.

The Irresistible Oat Crumble Topping

One of the highlights of this dessert is its distinctive Oat Crumble Topping. By using rolled oats instead of traditional wheat flour, we achieve a wonderfully different texture – a delightful chewiness and crunch that flour can’t quite replicate. This also makes it an excellent option for those seeking a gluten-free alternative, provided you use certified gluten-free oats. The oats add a wholesome, nutty flavor that complements the sweet and tangy apricots beautifully, creating a more robust and interesting crumble.

Essential Ingredients for the Oat Topping

Crafting this flavorful oat crumble topping requires just a few simple ingredients that come together easily. (As always, specific quantities are available in the full recipe card below):

• Rolled Oats: These are key to the topping’s texture. Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best results, as they hold their shape and provide a satisfying chewiness. If you need this dessert to be strictly gluten-free for dietary or medical reasons, ensure you purchase oats that are specifically certified gluten-free, as conventional oats can sometimes be cross-contaminated with wheat during processing.
• Brown Sugar: Much like in the filling, brown sugar is my preferred choice for the topping. Its molasses content contributes to a richer, more caramelized flavor and a slightly chewier texture compared to white sugar. However, white granulated sugar can be used if brown sugar isn’t available.
• Butter: Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, is essential. Soft butter is much easier to work into the dry ingredients, allowing you to create perfect, evenly distributed crumbs without overworking the mixture.
• Spices: A touch of Ground Cinnamon and Ground Ginger ties the topping’s flavors to the fruit filling, creating a harmonious blend. You can adjust the amounts or use other favorite spices like allspice or nutmeg to suit your personal taste.

Important Note on Gluten-Free Oats: While oats are naturally gluten-free, they are often processed in facilities that also handle wheat, barley, and rye. For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, it is crucial to use oats that are clearly labeled and certified as gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

Creating a Flourless Oat Crumble Topping

This Healthy Oat Crumble Topping is prepared very similarly to a traditional crumble, with the simple but significant substitution of **rolled oats** for flour. I truly love the added crunch and distinct flavor that oats impart to this apricot crumble, elevating it beyond a standard recipe.

To prepare this delightfully crispy topping:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, and your chosen Spices (like ground cinnamon and ginger). Stir these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are well mixed.
• Next, take your soft Butter and cut it into small cubes. Add these butter cubes to the oat mixture. Using your fingertips, gently rub the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue this process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some larger clumps forming. The goal is to evenly distribute the butter, coating the oats and sugar, creating that classic crumble texture. Avoid overworking the mixture to maintain a light, crisp topping.
• Once your crumble topping is ready, generously scatter it over the fresh Apricots in the baking dish. Ensure the fruit is evenly covered for a balanced texture in every serving.
• Finally, bake the crumble in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for approximately 25 to 35 minutes, or until the topping achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and the fruit filling beneath is visibly bubbling. This indicates the apricots are tender and the juices have thickened.

If you’re looking to explore different topping options for this apricot crisp, you might also enjoy this Apricot Cobbler recipe from Greedy Gourmet, which features a biscuit-like topping instead of a crumbly one.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Apricot Crumble

Discover More Summer Fruit Dessert Inspirations

Summer is a season abundant with delicious fruits, and there’s no end to the wonderful desserts you can create. If you loved this apricot crumble, explore some of our other favorite recipes that highlight the best of summer produce:

• Irresistible Peach Oat Crumble
• Effortless Plum Clafoutis
• Rich Morello Cherries Clafoutis
• Simple and Rustic Peach Galette
• Exotic Mango Panna Cotta
• Delicate Raspberry Mousse Cups
• Sweet Strawberry Crumble Cake
• Light and Moist Yogurt Plum Cake

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Recipe Card

Fresh Apricot Crumble with Oat Topping

4.74 from 19 votes

This Fresh Apricot Crumble with Oat Topping is a delicious summer dessert. Sweet, tangy and crispy, it makes a great quick and easy stone fruit dessert.

Servings:

6
people

Author:

Sylvie

Prep Time

20 minutes
mins

Cook Time

30 minutes
mins

Total Time

50 minutes
mins

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Ingredients

Apricots Filling

• 600
  gr (1.3 lbs)
  Fresh Apricots,
  (about 18-20 small apricots)
• 40
  gr (3 tablesp.)
  Brown Sugar
• 1/2
  Lemon, Juiced,
  (about 30ml / 2tbsp)
• 7
  gr (1 tablesp.)
  Cornstarch
• 1/2
  teasp.
  Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2
  teasp.
  Ground Ginger

Oat Topping

• 150
  gr (1 1/2 cup)
  Rolled Oats,
  (certified Gluten-Free if required)
• 50
  gr (1/4 cup)
  Brown Sugar
• 1
  teasp.
  Ground Cinnamon
• 1
  teasp.
  Ground Ginger
• 120
  gr (1/2 cup)
  Unsalted Butter,
  soft

Instructions

Apricots Filling

• Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F.
• Wash and cut the Fresh Apricots into thin slices (I cut each apricot into 8, but you can also cube them).
• Place them in a large mixing bowl with the Brown Sugar, Lemon Juice, Cornstarch, Ground Cinnamon, and Ground Ginger. Toss together until evenly coated.
• Transfer into a baking dish (see note 1) and set aside.

Oat Topping

• Place the Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon, and Ground Ginger in a large mixing bowl.
• Cut the soft Butter into small cubes and add them to the Oats. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the Oats to create chunks of dough (see note 2). Cover the Apricots with the crumble.
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling underneath is bubbling. Leave to cool down for about 10 minutes, and serve warm (see note 3).

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Notes

1. I used a small oval ceramic baking dish, which is perfectly sized for about 6 people. If you’re serving a larger crowd, feel free to double the quantities for a bigger batch.
2. Ensure that the softened butter is thoroughly rubbed into the dry oat ingredients until no large pieces of uncovered butter remain. This creates an even crumb texture that bakes beautifully.
3. For optimal flavor and texture, serve this crumble warm. If you’re not serving it immediately, let it cool completely, then cover and store in the refrigerator. To reheat, place it in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, covered with aluminum foil, until warmed through.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:
353
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
46
g

|

Protein:
5
g

|

Fat:
18
g

|

Saturated Fat:
11
g

|

Cholesterol:
43
mg

|

Sodium:
9
mg

|

Potassium:
382
mg

|

Fiber:
5
g

|

Sugar:
24
g

|

Vitamin A:
2426
IU

|

Vitamin C:
15
mg

|

Calcium:
52
mg

|

Iron:
2
mg