Banana Crumble Recipe

Few things are as comforting as a bowl of Banana Crumble, warm from the oven with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream on top. This twist on the classic crumble celebrates sweet, caramelized bananas tucked under a blanket of buttery, nutty goodness—delicious, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about Banana Crumble is how each ingredient does double-duty: simple, familiar, yet vital for deep flavor and texture. Every element—ripe bananas, toasted pecans, fragrant cinnamon—plays an important role in making this dessert unforgettable.

• Bananas: Choose sweet, ripe bananas—they caramelize beautifully and soften to perfection while baking.
• Light or Dark Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to both filling and topping.
• Old Fashioned Oats: Give the crumble its classic chew and a rustic feel; avoid instant oats for best texture.
• Flour: All-purpose flour helps bind the crumble topping, making it deliciously crisp.
• Cold Butter (cubed): Essential for a buttery, crumbly texture—using it cold ensures those irresistible, golden-brown clumps.
• Pecans (toasted): Their toasty crunch is the finishing touch, giving the topping a special, nutty twist.
• Orange Juice: A pop of citrus brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness.
• Cinnamon & Salt: Cinnamon warms up the filling, while just a pinch of salt sharpens all the flavors.
• Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Topping: For serving! The cold, creamy contrast takes Banana Crumble to dreamy new heights.

Variations

Banana Crumble is wonderfully adaptable—tweak, swap, or personalize based on what you love or what’s in your kitchen. Here are some playful ways to make this classic dessert truly your own.

• Nut Swap: Try walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts in place of pecans for a different depth of flavor and crunch.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend and make sure your oats are certified GF for a celiac-friendly treat.
• Add Fruit: Toss in a handful of blueberries, chopped apples, or sliced strawberries for a banana-berry twist.
• Spice It Up: A little freshly grated nutmeg or cardamom can add a new aromatic note to the filling.

How to Make Banana Crumble

Step 1: Make the Crumble Topping

Start by combining your oats, flour, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add the cubes of cold butter and, using your fingers, work everything together until the mixture is coarse and crumbly with some buttery clumps. Stir in those toasty pecans last for an unbeatable nutty crunch. Pop the bowl into the fridge—this little chill session helps the topping bake up extra crisp and golden.

Step 2: Caramelize the Bananas

Melt a couple tablespoons of butter in your oven-safe skillet over low heat, then add the brown sugar. Stir patiently as the sugar melts and becomes syrupy. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and salt, pour in the orange juice (don’t be surprised if it sizzles!), and cook just until a fragrant, glossy sauce forms. Gently toss your big chunks of bananas in this golden mixture, coating them all over.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Spread the caramel-coated bananas out evenly in your skillet. Take the crumble topping from the fridge and scatter it generously over the bananas—don’t worry if you can’t cover every last inch. Bake in a preheated oven until the kitchen smells heavenly and the top is deeply golden. Give it at least 10 minutes to cool before serving, so you don’t scorch your tongue (speaking from experience!).

How to Serve Banana Crumble

Garnishes

A cloud of freshly whipped cream or a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream are truly dreamy here—the cold creaminess melts over the warm, gooey crumble. For extra flair, sprinkle with cinnamon, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a scatter of toasted coconut flakes.

Side Dishes

Serve Banana Crumble with fresh fruit salad or even alongside a steaming mug of coffee or spiced chai. For brunch or a special breakfast, pair with Greek yogurt and honey for that irresistible hot-cold, sweet-tangy contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Bake individual Banana Crumbles in small ramekins for dinner parties or serve family-style right from the skillet for a rustic, cozy vibe. Top each portion with a sparkler or fresh mint sprig for a festive touch, or layer crumble and bananas parfait-style in clear glasses for stunning visual appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover Banana Crumble tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The topping may soften as it sits, but a quick re-toast in the oven brings it right back to life.

Freezing

You can freeze Banana Crumble either before or after baking. For best results, assemble but don’t bake, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes as needed.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, cover loosely with foil and bake at 350°F until warmed through—about 10-15 minutes. A quick zap in the microwave works too, but the topping stays crunchier when reheated in the oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something cozy, easy, and utterly irresistible, treat yourself to homemade Banana Crumble. Its warmly spiced, caramel banana filling and buttery oat-pecan topping are guaranteed to win over family and friends—give it a try, and let it become a new favorite at your table!

Banana Crumble Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 74 reviews

• Author: Paula
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

This delightful Banana Crumble recipe combines sweet bananas with a crunchy, nutty topping for a comforting dessert that pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Topping

• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cup pecans, toasted

Filling

• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup light or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 medium-sized bananas, cut into chunks about an inch long

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. For the topping: Combine all the topping ingredients (except pecans) in a medium-size bowl. Work them together with your fingers until crumbly. Add toasted pecans and stir to mix. Refrigerate while making the filling.
2. For the Filling: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet over low heat. Add brown sugar, stirring until dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and salt. Add orange juice, cook until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Add banana chunks, toss gently to coat. Spread bananas and sauce in the pan. Remove from heat, sprinkle topping over bananas. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

---

Notes

• You can customize this recipe by adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or a dash of vanilla extract to the filling for extra flavor.
• Try serving the Banana Crumble with a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent twist.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 30mg