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If you love pears, you'll love this healthy and simple pear crisp that's made with a gluten-free oat topping. It's also vegan, dairy-free, and works even as a breakfast.

Why you'll love this recipe

Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and simple ingredients, this pear crisp is a breeze to make. It's an excellent choice for a weeknight dessert or when you're craving something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen.
Nutritious: This recipe is low in added sugar and is perfectly sweetened even as a breakfast option.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare components of this recipe in advance, refrigerate them separately, and assemble just before baking. This convenience makes it a great choice for entertaining.
Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free: This recipe is suitable for those with special allergies or dietary restrictions.

What Is the Difference a Pear Crisp and Pear Crumble?

Pear crisps and pear crumbles are often interchanged but they differ in texture and ingredient composition.

Aspect	Pear Crisp	Pear Crumble
Topping Texture	Crisp and crunchy	Soft and crumbly/streusel-like
Typical Ingredients	Oats, flour, butter/alternative fats, sugar/sweetener	Flour, butter, sugar/sweetener
Inclusion of Oats	Often includes oats	Typically does not include oats
Flavor and Texture Variations	Offers more variations in texture and flavor due to oats and potential nut additions	Tends to have a more uniform, buttery topping

Which Pears are Best for this Crisp?

For making a pear crisp, it's best to choose pears that are known for their flavor and ability to hold up well during baking. Some of the best pear varieties to use for a pear crisp include:

Anjou Pears:

Anjou pears are a great choice because they have a sweet and slightly tart flavor. They hold their shape well when baked and provide a pleasant, tender texture in the crisp.

Bosc Pears:

Bosc pears are another excellent option. They have a more firm and dense texture, making them ideal for baking. Their flavor is sweet and earthy, which pairs nicely with the topping.

Comice Pears:

Comice pears are known for their sweet and juicy flesh. While they are very delicate and can become quite soft when baked, some people enjoy their melt-in-the-mouth texture in a pear crisp.

D'Anjou Pears:

D'Anjou pears are similar to Anjou pears in terms of flavor and texture. They hold their shape well during baking and provide a sweet, slightly tangy taste.

Bartlett Pears:

Bartlett pears are wonderfully juicy and sweet when ripe. They are a softer pear variety, so they may become very tender when baked, which can be desirable for some.

Ingredients

Minimal ingredients for maximal flavors.

Pears:

The star of the show, pears provide natural sweetness and a luscious, tender texture to the filling.

While this recipe uses Anjou pears, you can experiment with other pear varieties like Bartlett or Bosc.

They are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, adding a healthy component to the dessert.

Cornstarch:

Cornstarch is used to thicken the pear filling as it bakes.

It ensures the filling isn't overly watery, allowing it to hold together.

Balsamic Vinegar:

Balsamic vinegar offers a pleasant tangy note that complements the sweet pears.

It adds depth and a subtle sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the pears.

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is a classic spice that pairs exceptionally well with pears to provide warmth, aroma, and a subtle spiciness. You can also add nutmeg, cloves, or other warming spices.

Rolled Oats:

Rolled oats are the base for the crisp topping.

They provide a satisfying crunch, dietary fiber, and a nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the pears.

Nut Butter:

Nut butter, like almond or peanut butter, binds the oat topping together.

It adds richness, creaminess, and a hint of nuttiness.

You can substitute for any seed butter.

Maple Syrup:

Maple syrup sweetens the oat topping naturally and contributes a distinctive, earthy sweetness.

It balances the flavors without overwhelming them.

Optional Additions or Variations:

How to add variety to your pear crisp!

Nuts:

Add a handful of chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the oat topping for extra crunch and flavor. Toast them lightly before incorporating for an enhanced nuttiness.

Dried Fruit:

Toss in some dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots to the pear filling for a burst of sweetness and chewiness.

Spices:

Experiment with spices to customize the flavor. Nutmeg, cardamom, or a pinch of ginger are my favorite spices to add a hint of warmth and complexity.

Citrus Zest:

Grate a bit of lemon or orange zest into the pear filling for a citrusy zing that beautifully complements the pears.

Vanilla Extract:

A dash of vanilla extract in the filling or topping can infuse a lovely vanilla undertone.

Fruit Combinations:

Mix pears with other fruits like apples, berries, or peaches to create a medley of flavors and textures.

Sweeteners:

Swap out maple syrup for honey or agave nectar if you prefer different sweeteners. Adjust the quantity to suit your desired level of sweetness.

Creamy Toppings:

Serve the crisp with yogurt, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

pear crisp with yogurt on top and spoon digging in

Print Recipe

Healthy Pear Crisp with Oat Topping (Gluten-Free)

This Healthy Pear Crisp is a gluten-free dessert featuring sweet chunks of Anjou pear tossed with a touch of balsamic vinegar and cinnamon. Topped with a golden oat crumble infused with nutty goodness and a hint of maple syrup, this dessert is a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Prep Time3

Cook Time30

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy free recipes, easy desserts, gluten free desserts, gluten free recipes

Servings: serving

Calories: 312kcal

Ingredients

Fiilling

1 small anjou pear
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Oat topping

¼ cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon runny nut butter
1 teaspoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a small bowl, combine the pear chunks, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Toss everything together until the pear chunks are evenly coated.
Transfer the pear mixture into a small ovenproof dish or ramekin, spreading the pear chunks out evenly in the dish.
In another small bowl, mix together the rolled oats, runny nut butter, maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon until the ingredients are well combined. The mixture should form clumps.
Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the pear filling in the dish.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the pear filling is bubbling.

Notes

In a small bowl, combine the pear chunks, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Toss everything together until the pear chunks are evenly coated.

Transfer the pear mixture into a small ovenproof dish or ramekin, spreading the pear chunks out evenly in the dish.

In another small bowl, mix together the rolled oats, runny nut butter, maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon until the ingredients are well combined. The mixture should form clumps.

Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the pear filling in the dish.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the pear filling is bubbling.

Pear Variety: While this recipe uses Anjou pears, you can experiment with other pear varieties like Bartlett or Bosc. The choice of pear can subtly affect the flavor and texture of the crisp.

Texture Preferences: Adjust the size of your pear chunks to suit your texture preferences. Smaller chunks may result in a smoother filling, while larger ones can give you a heartier, chunkier texture.

Nut Butter Options: Use your favorite runny nut butter for the oat topping. Almond butter and peanut butter work well, but you can get creative with other nut butters like cashew or hazelnut for different flavor profiles.

Sweetness Level: The sweetness of this dessert comes primarily from the natural sugars in the pears and the maple syrup. Taste the pear mixture before assembling the crisp and adjust the maple syrup to your preferred level of sweetness.

Serving Suggestions: This pear crisp is great on its own, but it's also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Make-Ahead: You can prepare the pear filling and oat topping in advance and refrigerate them separately. Assemble and bake the crisp just before serving for a warm, fresh dessert.

Dietary Considerations: This recipe is gluten-free and can easily be adapted for other dietary preferences. For a vegan version, use plant-based nut butter and maple syrup.

Variations: Get creative with this recipe by adding ingredients like chopped nuts, raisins, or a sprinkle of nutmeg or cardamom for extra flavor and texture.

Storage: Leftover pear crisp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Nutrition

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes!

You'll need to scale up the ingredients to accommodate the desired number of servings.

For instance, if the original recipe yields one servings and you want to make two servings, simply double the ingredient quantities.

Reheat instructions

To reheat, place individual servings in a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds per serving or until warm.

Alternatively, you can reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Storage

Leftover pear crisp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

How do you ripen pears quickly?

If your pears are too firm, you can ripen your pears in a paper bag or air-tight container with a ripe banana or apple. The ripe fruit will emit ethylene gas that speeds up the ripening process in pears.

Healthy Pear Crisp Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Why you'll love this recipe

What Is the Difference a Pear Crisp and Pear Crumble?

Which Pears are Best for this Crisp?