From Sweet to Savoury: How to Remove Sugar from Your Crumble Recipe and Create Delicious Savoury Crumbles

Crumble isn’t just for dessert! While we often think of crumbles as sweet treats packed with fruit and sugar, the humble crumble topping has a whole other life when it goes savoury. 

By removing sugar from your traditional crumble mix, you open the door to a world of comforting, creative and hearty savoury dishes that are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even as a dinner party showstopper.

Here’s how to switch things up and explore the world of savoury crumbles.

Step 1: Remove the Sugar from Your Crumble Mix

A standard crumble topping includes flour, butter and sugar. To make it savoury, simply omit the sugar entirely. The basic savoury crumble mix includes:

100g plain flour

75g cold butter, cubed

A pinch of salt

Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs, just like you would for a sweet crumble. From here, you can build flavour by adding savoury ingredients.

Step 2: Add Savoury Ingredients to Your Crumble Topping

Try these tasty additions to give your crumble topping a delicious savoury twist:

Grated cheese – cheddar, parmesan or a strong blue cheese all add a punch of flavour.

Herbs – fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, oregano or sage work beautifully.

Spices – smoked paprika, cumin, chilli flakes or black pepper add warmth and depth.

Oats or breadcrumbs – for texture and crunch.

Crushed nuts or seeds – walnuts, sunflower seeds or pine nuts bring richness and bite.

Step 3: Pick a Savoury Base Filling

Just like a sweet crumble has a fruit base, your savoury crumble needs a hearty, flavour-packed filling. Some brilliant ideas include:

1. Root Vegetable Crumble

Roast chunks of carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and squash. Combine with sautéed onions, garlic and a splash of vegetable stock or white sauce. Top with your savoury crumble for a comforting vegetarian meal.

2. Chicken and Leek Crumble

Sauté chopped leeks and chicken in butter, add cream or a white wine sauce, then top with a thyme and cheddar crumble topping. Bake until golden and bubbling.

3. Mediterranean Crumble

Use a mix of roasted aubergines, courgettes, peppers and tomatoes. Add some chopped olives and crumbled feta cheese to the topping for a Greek-inspired twist.

4. Mushroom and Blue Cheese Crumble

Cook down a mix of mushrooms with garlic and thyme. Add a splash of cream or a dollop of crème fraîche and crumble blue cheese into the topping mix for a luxurious vegetarian dish.

5. Lentil and Spinach Crumble

Make a rich lentil stew with onions, garlic, tinned tomatoes and spinach. Top with a spiced oat crumble – perfect for a plant-based meal.

6. Tuna and Vegetable Crumble

Drain two tins of tuna fish mix into some frozen casserole vegetables.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Spoon your cooked filling into an ovenproof dish and scatter over your crumble topping. Bake at 180°C (fan 160°C) / Gas Mark 4 for around 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edges.

Tips for Perfect Savoury Crumbles

Make ahead: You can prep both the filling and crumble topping in advance. Assemble and bake when ready to serve

Serve with sides: A green salad, steamed greens or buttery mash work wonderfully alongside.

Get creative: Use leftovers like cooked meat, roast veg or even stuffing as your base.

Turning your crumble recipe into a savoury superstar is simple, satisfying and endlessly versatile. Whether you're catering for vegetarians, meat lovers or simply trying something new, savoury crumbles are a brilliant way to reimagine a classic British dish.

Next time you're craving comfort food, skip the sugar and crumble something savoury!

Eton Mess available at Humble Crumble

Founder of Humble Crumble Kim Innes was a student in Brighton when she realised that during the winter months, the town's ice cream parlours were virtually deserted. 

She bagan to wonder what kind of treat would go over well when it's cold outside? It was then she came up with the idea of the world's first crumble bar. 

Humble Crumble, which is the world's first crumble bar solely dedicated to making perfect British grab-and-go crumbles, has opened its largest premises ever within London's Old Spitalfields Market to cope with the demand for its delicious and delectable crumbles. 

You can even ask for unlimited custard! Londoners and visitors to the capital can't get enough of this traditional treat, with over half a million crumbles sold since the business launched fives years ago in 2018. 

Founder Kim Innes, 28, was named in the Natwest X Telegraph's 100 Female Entrepreneurs to watch in 2022 and there's absolutely no stopping her with two new sites planned this summer in Camden and Covent Garden. With a super cool slick iPad ordering system, you won't have to wait long for a taste of deliciousness. 

Humble Crumble only uses sustainably produced ingredients because of its commitment to knowing that where we buy our food has a big impact on the world. Follow Humble Crumble on Instagram @humblecrumble and visit the website https://www.humble-crumble.com/

You'll find the new Humble Crumble Bakery at:

Old Spitalfields Market, 105C Commercial St, London E1 6BG

Opening hours 10am - 9pm every day

Nearest Tubes: Liverpool Street, Shoreditch High Street.