This easy strawberry crunch recipe is completely no bake. I just stir together golden Oreos, melted butter, and strawberry gelatin, and it is ready in a few minutes. It makes a sweet, crunchy topping for ice cream, cheesecake, parfaits, and more.

Love all things strawberry? Then this one is for you. If you have made my Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies, Strawberry Shortcake Crumble, or Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake, you are going to want this crunchy topping in your back pocket too.

Remember the outside of Good Humor’s Strawberry Shortcake bar? That sweet, crunchy, pink coating is exactly what this is. Strawberry crunch, also called strawberry shortcake crunch, tastes almost the same, and you can make a big batch at home whenever you want it.

Here is what makes mine a little different. A lot of strawberry crunch recipes bake the crumbs for about 10 minutes to crisp them up. I tested it both ways, and the baking did not add enough crunch to be worth the extra time and the hot oven. So I keep mine completely no bake, and it still comes out plenty crisp. If you love a treat that skips the oven, I have a whole stack of easy no bake desserts just like it.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is what goes into this easy strawberry crunch, and why each one matters.

• Golden Oreos – These are the base of the crunch. The vanilla cookie flavor is what makes it taste like the ice cream bar. You want a mix of small chunks and finer crumbs so you get both texture and coverage.
• Butter, melted – This is what holds everything together. The butter helps the gelatin stick to the cookies and gives the crumbs that rich flavor. Do not skip it.
• Strawberry gelatin – This is where all the strawberry flavor and that signature pink color come from. Use the dry powder straight from the box, do not mix it with water.

How to make strawberry crunch

Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements and storage tips.

Crush the cookies. Put the golden Oreos in a large ziploc bag and roll over them with a rolling pin. You want some small chunks and some crumbs, not a fine powder, so you keep that nice crunchy texture.

Add the butter slowly. Move the crushed cookies to a medium bowl and pour in the melted butter a little at a time, stirring as you go. This is the step I always slow down on. If you dump all the butter in at once, a few of the Oreo pieces soak it up and turn soggy, so adding it in stages keeps every crumb crisp.

Stir in the gelatin. Still stirring, slowly sprinkle in the dry strawberry gelatin. Keep mixing so all the crumbs get evenly coated with that strawberry flavor and pink color.

Mix and use. Keep stirring until everything is evenly coated. That is it! Use it right away or store it in an airtight container for later.

My best tips

• Go slow with the butter. I know I already said it, but it really is the one step that makes or breaks the texture. Slow and steady keeps it crunchy.
• Do not crush the cookies too fine. A little bit of chunk is what gives you that satisfying crunch. If it all turns to dust, you lose the texture.
• Use the gelatin dry. The powder does double duty here. It brings both the flavor and the pink color, so there is no need to add water.

Ways to use strawberry crunch

This is my favorite part. Strawberry crunch is good enough to eat by the spoonful, but it makes just about any dessert better. A few of the ways I use it:

• Sprinkle it over a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream for an instant strawberry shortcake sundae.
• Layer it into a strawberry parfait with yogurt or pudding.
• Pile it on top of a strawberry shortcake crumble.
• Make a strawberry crunch cheesecake and use it as the topping.
• Use it to decorate frosted cookies, cakes, or pies.
• Stir a handful into granola, oatmeal, or even a bagel with cream cheese.
• Make your own strawberry shortcake ice cream bars or ice cream sandwiches.

Variations and swaps

One of the reasons I love this recipe is how easy it is to change up.

• Cookies: Golden Oreos are my favorite here, but any vanilla sandwich cookie works. That is handy if you want to use a gluten free brand. You can also try chocolate sandwich cookies for a totally different flavor. I have not tested that one myself, so just know it will taste different.
• Gelatin flavor: Swap the strawberry gelatin for lemon, lime, or cherry to match whatever you are topping. Lime crumbles are so good on a key lime dessert, and lemon crumbles are great on my Jello lemon meringue pie.
• Sugar free gelatin: You can use sugar free gelatin in place of the regular box. It works just the same.

How to store strawberry crunch

Store your strawberry crunch in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and keep some for later.

Frequently asked questions

What is strawberry crunch made of?

It is just 3 simple ingredients. All you need is crushed golden Oreos, melted butter, and dry strawberry gelatin.

Do you have to bake strawberry crunch?

No. Some versions bake the crumbs for about 10 minutes, but I tested it both ways and the baking did not add enough crunch to be worth the extra time. Mine is completely no bake and still gives you that crisp, crunchy texture.

Can I make it a different flavor?

Yes! Swap the strawberry gelatin for any flavor you like, such as lemon, lime, or cherry. The color and flavor will change to match.

What does strawberry crunch taste like?

It tastes almost exactly like the sweet, crunchy pink coating on a Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake ice cream bar. It is sweet, a little like vanilla, and full of strawberry flavor.

More dessert recipes you’ll love

• Easy Strawberry Shortcake
• Strawberry Shortcake Crumble
• Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
• Oreo Mousse