Yes, you can definitely buy gluten-free crumble mix. Gluten-free crumble mix is a pre-made baking mix that can be used to make fruit crumbles and crisps without wheat or gluten. It is a great option for those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or who are avoiding gluten for other reasons. Gluten-free crumble mixes are now widely available in most grocery stores, health food stores, and online.
What is Gluten-Free Crumble Mix?
Gluten-free crumble mix is a pre-made baking mix formulated without wheat or gluten ingredients. It typically contains gluten-free flour (like rice flour, tapioca flour, etc), sugars, spices, and other ingredients to easily prepare fruit crumbles and crisps.
The crumble mix can be used in place of regular flour to create the crispy, crunchy topping layer for fruit crumbles, crisps, buckles, betties, and cobblers. It binds together with butter or oil and is sprinkled over fruit fillings, then baked.
Using a gluten-free crumble mix saves time and makes it easy to whip up gluten-free crumble desserts. No need to blend your own flour mixes. Just pour the mix over your fruit filling and bake!
Benefits of Gluten-Free Crumble Mix
There are several benefits to using store-bought gluten-free crumble mixes:
– Convenience – Gluten-free crumble mixes are pre-made so you can skip measuring and blending flours yourself. Just pour over fruit and bake.
– Consistency – The mixes provide an evenly blended, gluten-free flour that creates light, crunchy crumble toppings.
– Reliably Gluten-Free – The mixes are made in dedicated gluten-free facilities and tested for gluten, providing assurance for those with celiac disease.
– Variety – You can find mixes with different gluten-free flours like rice, sorghum, millet, etc.
– Speeds Up Baking – Using a pre-made mix cuts down prep time compared to making your own flour blend.
– Uniform Crispness – The crumbles come out evenly baked and crunchy, compared to homemade mixes which may burn or undercook.
– No Waste – Pre-measured mixes avoid having excess flour leftovers that go bad. You use just what you need.
Where to Buy Gluten-Free Crumble Mix
Here are some of the places you can find gluten-free crumble mixes:
– Grocery Stores – Look in the gluten-free sections of large supermarket chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, etc. Bob’s Red Mill is a common brand.
– Health Food Stores – Stores like Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Earth Fare carry multiple brands of gluten-free crumble mix.
– Online – Amazon, Gluten Free Mall, Thrive Market and gluten-free specialty sites sell mixes that ship nationwide.
– Bakeries – Some local gluten-free bakeries prepare their own crumble mix blends to sell.
– DIY – You can find recipes online to make your own gluten-free crumble mix at home.
Be sure to check the ingredients and manufacturing labels for confirmation that the mixes are gluten-free. Key words like “Gluten-Free”, “Free of Wheat”, “Made in a Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility” help identify truly gluten-free products.
Popular Brands of Gluten-Free Crumble Mix
Here are some of the top brands producing gluten-free crumble mixes:
Bob’s Red Mill – Their gluten-free crumble mixes are made with a blend of sorghum flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, and xanthan gum.
King Arthur – They offer gluten-free crumble mixes made with brown rice flour, tapioca starch, potato starch, and sorghum flour.
Pamela’s Products – Their crumble mixes contain ingredients like brown rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, evaporated cane juice, and guar gum.
Betty Crocker – Their line of gluten-free dessert mixes includes crumble mixes made with rice flour.
Namaste Foods – They make gluten-free crumble mixes with a blend of brown rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, baking powder, and xanthan gum.
Maseca – Their gluten-free crumble mix uses white corn flour along with potato starch, brown rice flour and guar gum.
Cup4Cup – Their multi-purpose flour blend can readily be used to make gluten-free crumbles.
Tips for Using Gluten-Free Crumble Mix
Here are some helpful tips for preparing perfect fruit crumbles with gluten-free crumble mix:
– Use cold butter cut into small cubes and work it into the mix with your fingers until pea-sized crumbs form. This keeps the crumble topping light and crunchy. Melted butter will make it dense.
– Add a tablespoon or two of sugar to the mix if you want a sweeter topping. Granulated or brown sugar both work well.
– Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or other spices like ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, etc if you want to add flavor.
– Do not over-mix the crumble topping or it can get dense. Just mix enough to evenly combine.
– Make sure fruit fillings are well drained so the crumble bakes up crispy and not soggy.
– Scatter crumble mix evenly over fruit in clumps so there are both crunchy and soft bites.
– Bake at 375°F until topping is lightly browned and fruit filling is bubbling, about 30-40 minutes.
Fruit Fillings That Pair Well with Crumble
Gluten-free crumble mixes go well with all types of fruit fillings both sweet and tart. Some top options include:
– Apples – Classic. Soften sliced apples in lemon juice and sugar, drain, and fill baking dish. Top with crumbles.
– Berries – Use blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or a mix. Sweeten with sugar.
– Stone Fruits – Sliced peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots make delicious fillings.
– Pears – Slice pears and poach briefly in sugar syrup before crumbling.
– Rhubarb – Combine chopped rhubarb with sugar and a little water or orange juice.
– Cherries – Use pitted fresh or frozen cherries sweetened to taste. Sour cherries work too.
– Mangoes – Diced fresh or frozen mango combines beautifully with crumbles.
– Pineapple – Fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple chunks make a tropical filling.
– Cranberries – Combine cooked cranberries with diced apples for color and tartness.
Delicious Gluten-Free Crumble Recipes to Try
Here are some tasty crumble recipes that use gluten-free crumble mixes:
Apple Cranberry Crumble – Toss chopped apples and fresh cranberries with spices, sugar, and orange juice. Top with crumble mix and bake.
Mixed Berry Crumble Bars – Press crumble mix into a baking pan and bake into a crust. Top with your favorite mixed berries.
Caramel Apple Crumble – Layer sliced apples sprinkled with caramel sauce in a dish. Cover with crumble topping and bake.
Plum Ginger Crumble – Pit and slice plums, mix with grated ginger, lemon juice, and sugar. Crumble on top.
Skillet Peach Crumble – Cook peach slices with brown sugar and cinnamon in a skillet. Drop crumble mix on top and bake.
Mango Coconut Crumble – Puree mango with shredded coconut, sugar, and lime juice. Top with coconut crumble mix.
Blueberry Cheesecake Crumble – Mix cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. Fold in blueberries. Crumble and bake.
Pear Rosemary Crumble – Poach pears in syrup with rosemary. Arrange pears in baking dish, crumble, and bake.
Rhubarb Strawberry Crumble – Cook rhubarb and strawberries together with sugar and orange zest. Cover with crumble.
Cherry Almond Crumble – Pit cherries and mix with almond extract, cornstarch, and sugar. Top with almond crumble.
Adapting Crumble Recipes to be Gluten-Free
Many traditional crumble recipes can be easily adapted to be gluten-free using store-bought crumble mixes:
– Replace regular flour in the crumble topping with an equal amount of gluten-free crumble mix.
– Check that the fruit filling thickener is gluten-free, if used. Substitute corn starch for regular starch.
– Use gluten-free oats or certified gluten-free regular oats if the recipe calls for oats in the crumble.
– Review recipe for any additional sources of gluten like wheat germ, malt extract, barley malt, soy sauce, etc. Swap for gluten-free alternatives.
– Make sure extracts, spices, leavening, and any other ingredients are gluten-free.
– Use gluten-free bread crumbs rather than regular bread crumbs if coating fruit.
– Bake in a thoroughly cleaned baking dish if concerned about cross-contact.
With just a few simple adjustments, most crumble recipes can easily be made gluten-free for all to enjoy!
Gluten-Free Crumble Mix Nutrition Information
Gluten-free crumble mixes are typically made from gluten-free grain and starch flours like rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. Here is the nutrition profile per 1/4 cup serving of a typical gluten-free crumble mix:
| Calories | 113 |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0.5 g |
The mixes are naturally low in fat and protein. Carbohydrates make up the majority of calories, however there is very minimal natural sugar.
Fiber content is a bit lower compared to whole grain flour mixes. However, the crumble topping still provides some fiber, especially when paired with fibrous fruit fillings like berries or apples.
Gluten-free crumble mixes make it easy to whip up sweet desserts and get a dose of carbohydrates from nutrient-rich gluten-free flours. Be sure to check labels for added sugars or other ingredients to fit your dietary needs.
Are Gluten-Free Crumble Mixes Healthy?
Gluten-free crumble mixes can be a healthy baking option for those who need to avoid gluten. However, like any processed food, quality can vary across brands. Here are some things to consider regarding the health of gluten-free crumble mixes:
– Ingredients – Look for mixes made with whole gluten-free flours rather than starches and gums. This provides more nutrients and fiber.
– Added Sugars – Some brands add sugars like brown sugar, molasses, honey, etc. Opt for ones without added sugars if possible.
– Fats – Most mixes only need butter added, though some call for vegetable oil. Butter provides more flavor.
– Preservatives – Check for unwanted preservatives and additives. Look for brands with clean ingredients.
– Sodium – Some mixes add salt and baking powder, which increases sodium. Compare to find lower sodium options.
– Allergens – Make sure the mixes avoid ingredients you are allergic to like dairy, nuts, etc.
– Organic – Organic varieties avoid pesticides and GMOs.
– Calories – Fruit crumbles will remain a treat. Balance intake along with activity.
Choosing a high quality gluten-free crumble mix made with whole food ingredients can provide a relatively healthy dessert option in moderation. Make crumbles occasionally as a special treat, not an everyday dessert.
Baking Tips for Gluten-Free Crumble Mix
Here are some helpful baking tips for using gluten-free crumble mix:
– Follow the package instructions carefully, as gluten-free mixes can behave differently than regular flour in recipes.
– Stir the crumble mix gently to avoid over-mixing which can make it dense. Just combine until crumbles form.
– Cut cold butter into the mix using a pastry cutter or two forks until pea-sized crumbs develop. Do not melt the butter first.
– You can substitute oil for butter, but the crumble may end up more dense and less flaky.
– Add any extra flavorings like spices, extracts, or zest to the fruit filling rather than the dry crumble mix.
– Spread the crumble evenly over the fruit filling, but leave some visible fruit pieces showing through.
– Bake at the recommended temperature (usually 375°F) until topping is lightly browned. Tent with foil if it browns too quickly.
– Allow crumbles to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving so the filling can set. Serve warm or at room temperature.
– Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions before enjoying.
With a bit of care, gluten-free crumble mixes make easy work of preparing delightful gluten-free fruit desserts!
Common Questions about Gluten-Free Crumble Mix
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about gluten-free crumble mixes:
Are there any tricks to getting the crumble mix crispy?
Using cold butter rather than melted butter is key. Cut cold butter into the mix to keep the crumbles light and flaky. Over-mixing can make it dense.
Can I freeze crumbles made with gluten-free mix?
Yes, fully baked crumbles freeze well for 2-3 months. Cool completely before freezing. To serve, reheat individual portions in the oven or microwave until hot.
What can I use instead of butter?
You can substitute vegetable oil, coconut oil, or dairy-free margarine for the butter. But butter provides the best flavor and texture.
Do I need xanthan gum if the recipe doesn’t call for it?
Usually not, unless you live at high altitude. Xanthan gum helps bind moisture. Omitting it may result in a slightly more crumbly texture.
What fruit fillings work best?
Berry fillings, stone fruits, apples, pears, and rhubarb all pair beautifully with crumble toppings. Avoid watery fruit like melons which make the crumble soggy.
Can I make crumble with a gluten-free all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute an all-purpose gluten-free flour like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 for the crumble mix. Add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum per cup of flour.
Should I sweeten the fruit filling?
Most fruit benefits from added sugar to balance tartness. Taste the filling and add sugar gradually until desired sweetness is reached.
Conclusion
Gluten-free crumble mixes provide a quick and easy way to prepare classic fruit crumble desserts that everyone can enjoy. Whether you have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or are simply avoiding gluten, crumble mixes make it possible to whip up sweet gluten-free treats using pantry-friendly ingredients. With so many brands and options now available in stores and online, those with specialty diets don’t have to miss out on the fun of fruit crumbles. Be sure to check labels and ingredients to find a high quality, gluten-free crumble mix to add to your kitchen arsenal. Let the baking begin!
