This easy pear crisp is made with sweet, juicy and tender cinnamon spiced pears baked beneath a buttery oat topping. The pears become soft and syrupy as they bake, while the oat crumble topping adds just the right amount of buttery crunch. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, and you have an easy homemade fall dessert everyone will love.
Jump to:
Why Make This Recipe
Some of my favorite desserts are the ones you can toss into a pan and bake. Which is what I absolutely adore fruit crisps. My Cherry Crisp, Peach Blueberry Crisp, Berry Crisp, Apple Blueberry Crisp, Apple Cranberry Crisp and Peach Crisp with Canned Peaches are all quick, easy and delicious crisp recipes for anytime of year. I am so excited to add this easy pear crisp recipe to the blog.
- Quick desserts are the best. Whether you are looking for a sweet and delicious dish to end a meal, or you need a great last minute fall dessert, nothing is as easy as a fresh, fall fruit crisp. Plus, its a great make ahead dessert. Just assemble, cover and chill. Then bake straight from the fridge about 45 minutes before you’re ready to serve dessert.
- Easy to make, easy to bake. This crumble topped pear dessert uses just a handful of ingredients to make. All you have to do is assemble and bake!
- A simple dessert with layers of flavor. The rich, sweet and juicy spiced pear filling pairs perfectly with the buttery brown sugar and oat crumble. Top this fall crisp with cold vanilla ice cream and you have the perfect cozy dessert.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This easy and delicious cinnamon spiced pear crumble recipe requires only a handful of ingredients to make. If needed use the suggested substitutions.
- Pears: Bartlett, Anjou, and Bosc pears are all excellent choices. Look for pears that are fragrant and ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape during baking.
- Light Brown Sugar: This crumble recipe calls for light brown sugar, but maple sugar would also work well to make this pear crumble crisp refined sugar free.
- Cornstarch: This is used to thicken the juices from the pears. Use an equal amount of flour or arrowroot in place of the cornstarch.
- Vanilla Extract and Lemon Juice: Both are used as flavor enhancers for the fruit. If you don’t have one or both, feel free to omit.
- All purpose flour: To make this cozy pear dessert gluten free, use a good 1-1 gluten free flour. I recommend using the one from Bob’s Red Mill. Measure the amount based on weight (90 g).
- Rolled or Old Fashioned Oats: I love the hearty and cozy texture of rolled oats, but quick cooking oats can work well too. Make sure to use a gluten free brand if you need this pear dessert to be gluten free.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: This is another flavor enhancer that pairs beautifully with the fruit and crumble. Omit if you need to. Ground ginger would also be lovely in this recipe.
- Butter: Feel free to use any butter you like. To make this crumble recipe vegan or dairy free, use a vegan, diary free or plant based butter.
How To Make
Learn how to make pear crisp in a few easy steps.
- Lightly grease a 10-inch, 8 x 10 or 11 x 7 inch baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). In a large bowl whisk the flour, oats, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon and salt together until well combined. Add 2 -3 tablespoons of the melted butter at a time until the crumble topping resembles wet sand with some larger crumbs. Transfer the crumble to the fridge until it’s time to top the pear filling.
- If you like, peel the pears. Slice the pears into ¼ inch thick slices or ½ inch cubes. In a large bowl toss the diced or sliced pears with the light brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Make sure all the fruit is well coated.
- Transfer the pear mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the crisp with the brown sugar crumble. Bake the pear crisp for 45 - 60 minutes or until the top is a beautiful golden brown and the pear filling is bubbling around the edges of the baking dish.
- Cool the pear dessert for 20 - 30 minutes. The filling needs time to cool and thicken. After the crumble has cooled, scoop into a bowl, top with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy!
How To Make Ahead, Store, Freeze, Thaw and Serve
- Make Ahead: Prepare the filling and the topping according to the recipe directions. If you plan on baking the crisp later in the day, assemble the crisp and bake as directed straight from the fridge. If you plan on baking the crisp within 2 days, prepare the filling and crumble. Store each in separate airtight containers in he fridge. Assemble and bake as directed in the recipe.
- Store: Transfer the pear crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 - 4 days.
- Freeze: Make and bake the crisp according to the pear crisp recipe directions and cool completely. Wrap the entire dish in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store the dessert in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Thaw: Transfer the pear crumble to the refrigerator overnight and reheat the crisp in the oven at 350 F (177 C) for 15 minutes or until warmed through. Note that this method is not the best way to make and serve this crisp as the topping changes texture a bit.
- Serve: The best way to serve the spiced pear crumble is warm from the oven with a big scoop of cold vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream on top. If you’d like a dessert for breakfast idea, top the crisp with greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
M’s Expert Tips
- Prepare the pan. Grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish to prevent the pear filling from sticking to the pan.
- Use the fresh, in season and ripe fruit. Pears should be firm, but also have a slight give.
- Use the flavor boosters. Mix in 2 - 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract and cinnamon really enhance the taste of the fruit filling.
- Let the dessert rest. Give this pear crumble dessert about 20 - 30 minutes to rest and cool slightly. This allows the juices and filling to thicken a bit more.
- Serve with cold vanilla ice cream. Pure magic happens when warm, jammy fruit and crisp golden crumble meet cold and creamy vanilla ice cream.
- Want extra crunch? Stir a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the oat topping before baking.
FAQs
Do I need to peel the pears for a crisp?
This is entirely up to you. I prefer to peel my pears.
Why is my pear crisp watery?
Pears naturally release juice as they bake, and especially juicy or very ripe pears can release more liquid than expected. Make sure your pears aren't overly ripe, use the recommended cornstarch as thickener in the filling, and allow the crisp to rest for the recommended 20 minutes after baking so the juices can thicken.
Can I use canned or frozen pears?
Canned pears are very soft so they won’t hold their shape as well. However, the flavor will still be great. Frozen pears can work, just make sure to thaw the pears completely and drain the excess moisture away before using the pears in the crisp recipe.
Why is my crumble topping not crunchy?
Using too little butter can result in a crumble that is too dry and too much butter can result in a crumble topping that is soggy. Start with 6 tablespoons (85 g) of butter. If the crumble seems too dry, add 1 tablespoon (14 g) butter at a time, up to 2 additional tablespoons (28 g) butter.
More Pear Recipes to Try
If you try this Pear Crisp recipe please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Doing so helps other readers decide if this is a great recipe to bake. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using @olivesnthyme so I can see what you’re baking!
Pear Crisp Recipe
This easy pear crisp is the perfect cozy dessert for fall. Juicy, cinnamon spiced pears are baked until tender beneath a buttery, golden oat crumble topping. It comes together with simple ingredients, requires no pie crust, and is absolutely delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re looking for an easy pear dessert everyone will love, this one is a keeper!
Equipment
- 1 10-inch pan, 11x7 or 12x8 baking dish
- 1 knife
Ingredients
Oat Crumble
- 1 cup (90 g) rolled or old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup (90g) all purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg or ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 g) melted butter
Spiced Pear Filling
- 6 cups sliced or diced pears
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 10-inch, 8 x 10 or 11 x 7 inch baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C).
- In a large bowl whisk the flour, oats, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon and salt together until well combined. Add 2 -3 tablespoons of the melted butter at a time until the crumble topping resembles wet sand with some larger crumbs. Transfer the crumble to the fridge until it’s time to top the pear filling.1 cup (90 g) rolled or old fashioned oats, ¾ cup (90g) all purpose flour, ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg or ginger, ¼ teaspoon salt , ½ cup (113 g) melted butter
- If you like, peel the pears. Slice the pears into ¼ inch thick slices or ½ inch cubes. In a large bowl toss the diced or sliced pears with the light brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Make sure all the fruit is well coated.6 cups sliced or diced pears, ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract , 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon , ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt
- Transfer the pear mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the crisp with the brown sugar crumble. Bake the pear crisp for 45 - 60 minutes or until the top is a beautiful golden brown and the pear filling is bubbling around the edges of the baking dish.
- Cool the pear dessert for 20 - 30 minutes. The filling needs time to cool and thicken. After the crumble has cooled, scoop into a bowl, top with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy.
Notes
Store: Transfer the pear crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 - 4 days.
Variations:
- Pear and Apple Crisp: Replace ⅓ of the pears with sliced or diced apples.
- Pear Cranberry Crisp: Replace 1 cup pears with 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries to the filling for a tart contrast to the sweet pears.
- Pear Pecan Crisp: Add ½ cup chopped pecans to the oat topping for extra crunch.
- Ginger Pear Crisp: Replace all or ½ of the cinnamon with ground ginger or finely minced fresh ginger to the pear filling for a warm, slightly spicy flavor.
- Maple Pear Crisp: Replace ½ of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
did you make this recipe?tag @olivesnthyme on Instagram
Leave a Reply