Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: This crunchy oat topping is like a very simple granola. Enjoy for breakfast, or use it as a topping for fruit, yogurt, ice cream, and so much more.
How long it takes: 15 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, rimmed baking pan
Servings: 8 (2 tablespoons each)
Simple Crunchy Topping
This crunchy oat topping reminds me of granola. It’s very easy to make with only oats, butter and brown sugar. The topping is baked on a sheet pan, just like you would with granola, until it’s lightly browned and crispy.
The topping is nut-free, it’s made with only three ingredients, and you can make it in less than 15 minutes. Seems like a win-win-win to me! It’s super versatile, too. You can use it as a topping on lots of different treats.
How To Serve Crunchy Oat Topping
You’ll find yourself putting these crunchy oats on all sorts of things. Add the sweet crunchy oats to a yogurt parfait, or even plain yogurt (serve it at a yogurt parfait bar!). You can make a faux fruit crisp by topping fruit (either fresh or canned) with crunchy oat topping. It’s not quite the same as my apple crisp but it’s a quickie dessert that’s satisfying.
One of my favorite ways to use this crunchy sweet topping is on ice cream. I highly recommend it! I also like to use it as a topping for this delicious yogurt tart! Try it on pudding, too, like this homemade vanilla pudding.
You can enjoy the crunchy oats for breakfast too, like a simple granola. You can throw in a few add-ins, like toasted nuts, coconut, or sunflower seeds.
More Granola Recipes
Crunchy Oat Topping
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (either old-fashioned or quick oats)
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix the three ingredients together until well combined. Spread the mixture out on a rimmed baking pan (not all jammed together but with some space).1 cup rolled oats, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Bake for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time or until dry and lightly browned. Stir lightly to separate and let cool completely before storing.
Notes
- Storage: Cool the topping completely before storing it in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for a week or more. If you want to store it longer, I’d refrigerate it, where it will keep for a couple of weeks.
- Make a bigger batch: This makes a fairly small batch but the recipe can easily be multiplied for bigger batches. If you multiply, make sure you can still spread it in a fairly thin layer on your baking sheet.
- Possible add-ins: You can pretty much add what you want to this mixture. Add a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir in chopped nuts or seeds. After you bake the mixture, you can add dried fruit, like raisins or cranberries.
- Serving ideas: This is like a very simple granola. You can use it to top fruit (fresh or canned), yogurt, ice cream, pudding, oatmeal, or whatever you like. Make easy yogurt parfaits or a faux fruit crisp.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
This was so good and easy to make. The only thing I would change is that the oats were way too sweet(and I’m a “kid” saying this), so I would put less brown sugar.
Thanks for the review!
I loved this topping as is. But I got to thinking how would it taste with 1/6 cupe of sliced almonds and 1/4 cup coconut? Absolutely terrific! I put it on top of my yoghurt! (or eat some by the spoonful).
Yes, that would be delicious!!
How long is storage life & do you refrigerate it?
I’d say you could keep this in an airtight container on your counter for about a week, and it would likely keep for a couple weeks in the fridge.
I’d give it 10 . I misplaced the recipe I found in a large size & googled it with this post coming up. Going to make some tomorrow
I hope you love it!
Excellent! Easy! My new staple for granola.
I would give it more stars if I could.
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
This topping is perfect for adding crunch to my yogurt. In an effort to reduce carbs, though, I use 1/4 C Monk Zero and 1/4 C Coconut Sugar. And I always add the cinnamon :)
Thank you for this recipe. It’s perfect!
So glad you like it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Absolutely perfect! I added Saigon cinnamon to my second batch…thanks a million.
I bet it was amazing with the cinnamon! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Just made this…yummy, deliciousness! Should it be refrigerated?
Guess I should have read all the comments first…lol.
It doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but if you plan to keep it more than two or three days, I would pop it in the refrigerator to extend its life.
How long can you store this for?
It should last in an airtight container for at least a week. You could also stick it in the freezer probably, although I haven’t tried that.
Tried it for peaches and yum, perfect! Why? Cobblers are “well, its complicated” haha…thanks for recipe! Will use for cherries, apples, blueberries, etc. ….
Perfect solution! So glad you liked it!