Blueberry Crumble Recipe: 3 Variations on the Blueberry Dessert

A blueberry crumble is similar to a blueberry pie but with a streusel crumble, rather than a pastry crust, on top. Blueberry crumble recipes can use fresh or frozen blueberries and cook in a square baking dish or in individual ramekins (to produce single-serving blueberry crumbles). It’s common to serve this summer dessert with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

Crumbles are similar to crisps and cobblers. All three are fruit desserts with a crispy or crumbly topping; however, they feature slightly different toppings. While a blueberry crumble has a classic streusel topping of flour, butter, and brown sugar, a blueberry crisp features rolled oats in the crumb topping, and a blueberry cobbler has a drop biscuit topping.

A blueberry crumble uses relatively few ingredients and involves a straightforward baking process, which allows for customization. Here are three variations on a classic blueberry crumble recipe:

1. 1. Blueberry crumble with a nutty topping: Chop raw nuts or toasted nuts to make a crunchy crumb topping. Pecans and walnuts are good options that will add crunch and a touch of toasted flavor to the dessert.
2. 2. Gluten-free blueberry crumble: Make a gluten-free blueberry crumble by swapping a gluten-free flour (such as tapioca starch) for the all-purpose flour in the crumble topping. It’s advisable to use a recipe specifically for a gluten-free crumble to ensure you use the correct ratios when mixing ingredients.
3. 3. Mixed berry crumble: Add different berries to make a mixed berry crumble. Blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries will work well alongside blueberries in this type of fruit filling. If you have excess berries from your garden or a recent trip to the farmers’ market, a mixed blueberry crumble recipe puts them to good use.