Skip to content

This crunchy, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth buttery streusel topping is as addicting as you’d think! This sweet brown sugar, cinnamon, and oat mixture comes together in minutes and is the perfect way to top off all of your muffins, cakes, and pies!

Streusel topping in a glass bowl with a metal spoon.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

An Easy Streusel Recipe

The streusel topping is that crunchy, buttery, sweet crisp oat topping that sits on top of muffins, banana bread, coffee cake, crisps & cobblers. You know, that delicious sweet crunchy stuff you pick off first because it’s too good to resist!

It’s a delicious finishing touch to all kinds of baked goods and is a simple combination of butter, flour, oats, and brown sugar. Streusel is such an easy way to enhance any dessert and comes together so quickly, you’ll want to find any excuse to use it.

Streusel Topping vs. Crumble Topping

The difference between a crumble topping and a streusel topping is that you make a streusel topping with oats. That’s it!

The two recipes are so similar that they can often be used interchangeably. So much so, that people sometimes call them by the wrong name.

For this oatmeal streusel topping, there are oats in it, but you’re welcome to opt to make it without and it will be just as delicious!

Key Ingredients

Made with just a few simple ingredients that you most likely have stocked at home!

Streusel ingredients on a marble counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Oats: You can use instant oats, but I prefer the texture and chew of old-fashioned oats for this streusel. They give it a really nice bite and add a little bit of nuttiness.
  • Butter: I prefer salted because it saves me an extra step of measuring another ingredient and the salt helps enhance the flavors. The butter coats the oats and gives the topping the necessary moisture to keep everything together.
  • Flour: The all-purpose flour gives the streusel its crumbly structure and helps it hold its shape during baking.
  • Sugar: Brown sugar adds a depth of sweetness to the topping.
  • Cinnamon: I love adding a little cinnamon to give this streusel topping even more warmth.

Boost the flavor: Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice are delicious spices that can be added to both a streusel and a crumble topping to add a little more essence of delicious fall flavors. Though, it can be used for any reason and on any occasion!

Helpful Tips

  • Gluten-free. To make this gluten-free, substitute with a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour.
  • Type of oats. You can use old-fashioned or instant oats for this recipe. I do prefer the taste and texture of the old-fashioned oats.
  • Melt the butter. Melt the butter slightly so it combines easily and crumbles nicely without big chunks of butter.
  • Flavor. Omit the cinnamon for a basic (equally awesome) streusel.

How to Make Streusel Topping

It just takes stirring ingredients together in a bowl to amplify your favorite baked goods with the perfect topping.

Streusel ingredients in a glass bowl.
  • Combine. Stir together butter and flour with a fork or pastry cutter. Mix in oats, brown sugar, cinnamon until crumbly and combined. Add nuts, if desired.
  • Sprinkle. Top your favorite cakes, muffins, or pies with a sprinkling of this irresistible streusel.

Favorite Ways to Use Streusel

You won’t find a shortage of uses for a tasty streusel! The best thing about it is you can switch up the toppings for crumbles and on cobblers and vice versa!

Streusel topping in a glass bowl with a spoon.

Recipe FAQs

What can I do with extra streusel topping?

I hate to waste anything, so I like to bake any leftover topping I have and sprinkle it on yogurt or even ice cream for a treat.

Simply spread out the streusel topping on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake it in 325°F oven for 15 minutes, stirring every 5-minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool completely and keep it in an airtight container.

Can I make this simple streusel topping dairy-free?

Of course! Simply swap out the butter for a non-dairy option, like coconut oil.

How do you keep streusel topping crunchy?

You can reheat the streusel topping or put it under the toaster oven or broiler for a minute to make it more crisp.

What is streusel topping made of?

Butter, flour, brown sugar and oats. You can add in cinnamon or nutmeg as well to spice it up. It’s baked on top of breads, muffins and cakes.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

Streusel topping in a glass bowl with a spoon.

Streusel Topping

5 from 7 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This crunchy, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth buttery streusel topping is as addicting as you'd think! This sweet brown sugar, cinnamon, and oat mixture comes together in minutes and is the perfect way to top off all of your muffins, cakes, and pies!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter , slightly melted
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup old fashioned oats
  • cup light brown sugar , packed
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, stir together the flour and butter with a fork or pastry mixer. Mix in the oatmeal, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined. Add nuts, if desired.
    • Sprinkle the crumble over muffins, cakes, or quick breads before baking.

    Video


    Notes

    Butter: If you use unsalted butter, add in 1/4 teaspoon salt with the cinnamon. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 263IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Let’s connect

    Join our community of over 5 million!

    Featured on

    • Taste of Home
    • Martha Stewart
    • Country Living
    • BuzzFeed
    • Yahoo
    • Food Network
    • Today