Baked apple and pear crisp is a delicious, comforting dessert that brings together the sweetness of apples and pears with a crunchy, buttery oat topping. This dish is the perfect way to enjoy the cozy flavors of fall, but it’s so easy to make that you can enjoy it any time of year. Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or on its own, this fruit crisp is a treat that everyone will love.
To start, the apples and pears are the stars of this dish. Their natural sweetness and tender texture create the perfect base for the crisp. When baked, the fruit softens and releases its juices, creating a flavorful, syrupy filling that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy topping. You can use any variety of apples and pears, but a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Granny Smith apples and Bartlett pears works wonderfully to give a balance of flavors.
The topping is what really makes this crisp stand out. Made with oats, butter, flour, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, the mixture creates a perfectly crispy, golden crust. The butter brings richness, while the brown sugar adds depth and sweetness. The oats give the topping a hearty, satisfying crunch that complements the soft, baked fruit underneath. If you want to take it a step further, you can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for even more texture and flavor.
Once assembled, the crisp is baked in the oven until the fruit is tender and bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy. The result is a warm, comforting dessert that’s both simple and satisfying. The combination of apples, pears, and oats creates a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it a perfect dessert to serve after a hearty meal or as an afternoon snack.
Baked apple and pear crisp is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can enjoy it with whipped cream, yogurt, or a scoop of ice cream for added indulgence. This simple, wholesome dessert is a must-try for anyone who loves the flavors of autumn or a sweet, comforting treat.
While Baked Apple and Pear Crisp may be a dessert indulgence, it also offers some health benefits. Apples and pears are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which can support digestion and boost overall health. By using whole ingredients and reducing added sugars, this recipe can be a wholesome treat that satisfies your sweet cravings in a more nutritious way.
Ingredients
- 4 apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 4 pears peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup butter diced, cold, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sliced pears, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss until the fruit is coated with the sugar and spices.
- Transfer the fruit mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, and diced cold butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix the ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Spread the oat topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the fruit is tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
The ingredient list feels very normal, but somehow the result is fancy? Like… it tastes like something from a cafe. I used salted butter by accident and it was still fine. Great fall dessert.
I was skeptical about pears in a crisp, but wow, they really worked well with the apples! Surprised but impressed.
Pretty good, but I added some raisins and walnuts. Gave it an extra crunch! Not too sweet, just right.
I’ve never thought of adding nuts! That sounds interesting. Might try it next time.
35-40 minutes felt short for my oven. I ended up baking closer to 50 and the fruit was softer. Flavor was worth it!
It turned out kinda mushy for me, not sure what went wrong. I think I added too much fruit. 🤷♂️
No joke, this is the best dessert to use up extra fruit. I swapped pears for peaches and it turned out tasty too.
I don’t get why you need both apples and pears—like aren’t they basically the same? But ok, the texture is better I guess.
Honestly I get what you mean—apples and pears are similar, but they bake up different. Pears get a bit softer/juicier, and apples hold their shape more, so the texture doesn’t turn to mush.
I didn’t have nutmeg, so I just skipped it. Still good but what is nutmeg anyway?
This came out so cozy—golden, crispy topping and the apples/pears stayed nice and tender. I added a splash of lemon juice to the fruit and it really brightened the flavor. Will make again!
Yes!! I love when the fruit stays tender but the top gets that proper crunch. Great idea with the lemon juice—next time I’ll try that too.
Hah, I always forget to add anything acidic. Do you think a full tablespoon of lemon juice would be too much or just right? 🍋
This crisp was a total hit at our family dinner! Everyone loved it, even my picky cousin! 😍