Easy 5 Minute Strawberry Crunch Topping

This strawberry crunch topping is one of those recipes that sounds fancy but couldn’t be easier to pull off. Two ingredients, a food processor, and a few pulses is all it takes. It tastes like the coating on a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar and it makes everything it touches taste like a million bucks.

I first made this topping for a strawberry crunch cheesecake and honestly could not stop eating the crumble straight off the pan. There is something about the combination of sweet golden cookies and tangy freeze dried strawberries that just works so well together. It smells amazing, it looks beautiful, and it adds the best texture to just about anything you put it o

The best part is how versatile this topping really is. I use it on ice cream, yogurt, fresh fruit, cakes, and cheesecakes. If you love big strawberry flavor, you are going to want to check out my strawberry crunch cheesecake too. It uses this exact topping and it is absolutely stunning.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only 2 Ingredients – Freeze dried strawberries and golden Oreos. That’s it. No measuring cups, no mixing bowls full of stuff.
• No Baking Required – This strawberry crunch topping recipe comes together in minutes with zero oven time.
• Incredibly Versatile – Sprinkle it on ice cream, cheesecake, yogurt, fresh fruit, or cake. It makes everything better.
• Big Strawberry Flavor – Freeze dried strawberries pack a punch of real, concentrated strawberry taste in every bite.

Ingredients for Strawberry Crunch Topping

Here are a few notes on the key ingredients in this recipe. The full list with amounts is in the recipe card below.

Freeze Dried Strawberries – These are the star of the show. Freeze dried fruit has all the water removed, which concentrates the flavor and gives you that bright, tangy strawberry taste. You can find them in the snack aisle at most grocery stores or at a reasonable price at Trader Joes. Do not swap these for fresh strawberries – fresh fruit has too much moisture and will make the crumble soggy.

Golden Oreos – These buttery, vanilla sandwich cookies create the base of the crumble. They pulse down into the most beautiful golden crumbs and add just the right amount of sweetness. These are one of my favorite cookies and I always have some hidden in the kitchen. 😂

How to Make Strawberry Crunch Topping

This is an overview of the steps. For the full instructions, see the recipe card below.

Step 1 Add your golden Oreos to the food processor. You do not need to remove the cream filling – it actually helps the crumble stick together a little.

Step 2 – Add the freeze dried strawberries right on top of the cookies in the food processor. Pulse a few times until crumbs form. You want a mix of fine crumbs and some slightly larger pieces for the best texture. Do not over-process or you will end up with a powder instead of a crumble.

Unplug food processor and remove from the food processor and use right away or store for later.

Tips & Tricks

• Pulse, don’t blend. A few short pulses gives you that perfect crumbly texture. Running the processor continuously will turn everything into a fine dust.
• Make it ahead. This strawberry crunch topping recipe is great for prepping in advance. Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge so it’s ready whenever you need it.
• Layer it, don’t just sprinkle it. For cakes and cheesecakes, press a layer of the crumble onto the sides for a full coating. It sticks better than you’d think and looks so impressive. I do the same thing for my strawberry crunch cake  topping and it makes such a difference.
• Keep moisture away. Moisture is the enemy of crunch. Add this topping right before serving when possible, especially on things like yogurt or fresh fruit.

Learning how to make strawberry crunch topping opens up so many dessert possibilities. Once you have this in your refrigerator, you will find yourself reaching for it constantly.

I love keeping a jar of it on hand all summer long. It makes even a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream feel like something special. If you love easy toppings and crumbles like this, my no bake Oreo cheesecake uses a similar cookie crumble base that you are going to love.

Ways to Use Strawberry Crunch Topping

This crumble is so good on so many things. Here are some of my favorites:

• Sprinkle over a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream
• Stir into or layer on top of yogurt parfaits
• Press onto the outside of a frosted cake or cheesecake
• Spoon over fresh fruit or a fruit salad
• Use as a topping for cupcakes in place of sprinkles
• Layer into a trifle for added texture and flavor

This strawberry crunch cake topping is truly so versatile!

How to Store Strawberry Crunch Topping

Store your crumble in an airtight container or zip top bag. Kept at room temperature in a dry spot, it will stay fresh and crunchy for up to one week. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Just make sure it stays away from any moisture or it will lose its crunch.

FAQs

Can I make this without a food processor? Yes! Place the cookies and freeze dried strawberries in a zip top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You won’t get as uniform of a crumble but it works great and is a fun job for little helpers in the kitchen.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze dried? Fresh strawberries have too much moisture and will make the crumble soggy. Stick with freeze dried for the best results and the most concentrated strawberry flavor.

Can I use a different cookie? Golden Oreos are the go-to for this recipe, but vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies can work as a swap. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

How much does this recipe make? One bag of freeze dried strawberries and 30 golden Oreos makes a generous amount of topping – plenty for a full cheesecake or cake coating with some left over for snacking.

Is this the same topping used on strawberry crunch cheesecake? Yes! This is exactly the topping used on strawberry crunch cheesecake. It’s what gives that cheesecake its signature look and flavor. If you haven’t tried that recipe yet, it is absolutely worth making.

More Strawberry Crunch Recipes You’ll Love 🍓

Looking for another crowd favorite? This Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake recipe is packed with creamy filling and crunchy topping. Also check out my Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake.

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