Rhubarb crisp is a delicious dessert that perfectly balances the tangy flavor of rhubarb with a sweet, buttery crumble topping. A beloved treat, especially in the spring when rhubarb is in season, this dessert combines fresh rhubarb with sugar and a hint of cinnamon, topped with a crispy oat and butter mixture. The result is a warm, comforting dessert with a sweet-tart filling and a crunchy, golden topping that will satisfy your sweet tooth with every bite.
The star of rhubarb crisp is, of course, the rhubarb. This vegetable, often mistaken for a fruit, has a distinctive tartness that works beautifully in desserts. When combined with sugar, the natural acidity of rhubarb is balanced, creating a pleasant contrast to the sweetness of the topping. Some recipes also add a touch of orange zest or vanilla to enhance the flavor, though the simplicity of rhubarb, sugar, and cinnamon is often all you need.
The topping for rhubarb crisp is what sets it apart from other desserts like pies or crumbles. Made with oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar, the topping is both crunchy and buttery, creating a perfect contrast to the soft, jammy rhubarb filling beneath. As the crisp bakes, the topping becomes golden brown, adding a delightful texture to each bite.
Rhubarb crisp is incredibly versatile and can be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of heavy cream for extra indulgence. It’s perfect for family gatherings, springtime celebrations, or as a simple weeknight treat. You can also make it in individual portions for a more elegant presentation or bake it as a large dish to serve a crowd.
This dessert is as easy to make as it is delicious, requiring minimal ingredients and preparation. Whether you’re a rhubarb lover or a newcomer to this tart vegetable, rhubarb crisp is a timeless dessert that brings comfort and sweetness to any occasion.
Ingredients
- 5 cups rhubarb sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar for filling
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour for filling
- 1 cup rolled oats for topping
- 1 cup brown sugar for topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour for topping
- 1/2 cup butter melted, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together rhubarb, granulated sugar, and flour for the filling.
- Pour the rhubarb mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter for the topping.
- Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the rhubarb filling.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve warm, optionally with ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
I’m not a fan of baking, but this was pretty simple. Kind of feels like cheating food. 🤷♂️
This was delightful! My family loved it, especially with vanilla ice cream! 😋
Why do you use a 9×13 dish? I used a round one and it turned out fine! Just saying…
Yum! I added some strawberries and it taste better. Rhubarb and strawberries should team up more often!
I burnt it! 😱 Don’t forget to check it, or you’ll have rhubarb charcoal!
Super easy to make! Took it to a potluck, and it was a hit! Will make again.
I don’t understand why people love rhubarb. It’s so sour! This recipe didn’t change my mind. 👎
Tastes good, but I feel like it could use more sugar. My rhubarb was kinda tart.
I dunno… I think it’s supposed to be a little tart, but I guess everyone’s taste is different. Maybe try honey instead?
More sugar sounds right! I always add extra to my rhubarb dishes. Tartness can throw it off a bit. Happy baking!
My grandma made this for us every summer! Brought back good memories. 🥰
That sounds so lovely! I wish I could’ve tasted your grandma’s version. 😍
Memories are cool, but isn’t rhubarb kinda tart? How does that work in a dessert?
I don’t know, it was too sweet for my taste. Rhubarb is supposed to be tart, right? Next time I might reduce the sugar.
So good!!! 😋 Can’t wait to make it again! I used half berries too and it turned out great!
Sounds delicious! I love that you added berries. Might try that next time!
Easy recipe and tastes great! I added some cinnamon to the topping for a twist. Yummy!
Wow, so yummy!!! I just made it and it was gone in like 5 minutes! 🥳
Rhubarb? Really? Is that even a fruit or what? Idk, but this looks weird.
I think it needs more sugar, it was not sweet enough for me. 😕
I totally agree! A bit more sugar would really enhance the flavors. I like mine sweet too. 😋
I dunno, I thought it was just right. Maybe try adding honey instead? 🤷♂️
I don’t trust rhubarb. Is it even safe to eat? My grandma told me it was poisonous or something??
Rhubarb is safe to eat when it’s cooked! The leaves are toxic, but the stalks are delicious. Don’t worry!
This looks amazing! Made it last night and it was a hit! My family loved it!
Took longer to bake than it said. But still came out alright. My kids gobbled it up.
Very good recipe! But I used strawberries instead of rhubarb because that’s what I had, and it turned out pretty good too!
My grandma used to make this all the time when I was a kid! Brought back memories, thanks!
Crisps are always a good idea! But how do I fix my crust? It’s all soggy… 🤔
Not sure if the rhubarb is good choice. It’s kinda sour, right? I don’t know if I can get my kids to eat it.
This recipe is fantastic! My family loved it, and it was so easy to make. Definitely a hit at our dinner gathering!
I dunno, seems kinda simple. Can you really mess it up? What if the rhubarb is too tart?
I’m glad you liked it! Rhubarb crisp is one of my favorites. Did you use ice cream on top?
It was okay but not as good as I expected. Too much flour, I think.
I dunno, I thought it was pretty good. Maybe yours just needed less flour? Or differnt rhubarb? 🤷♂️
I totally agree! The flour can really overpower the rhubarb. Next time, I’ll try less flour too. 😊
This rhubarb crisp is the best! I made it for my family and they loved it. Will definitely make again!
I think it needed more sugar, rhubarb is really tart. Can someone adjust this for me?
Yasssss! So good! Could eat the whole pan by myself! 😍
Not impressed, the rhubarb was too tart for my taste. I think it needs more sugar.
Super easy recipe! I added some strawberries to the mix for a twist. Yum!
This was super easy and turned out delicious! My whole family loved it.
So glad to hear that! Rhubarb crisp is such a classic. What did you serve it with? Ice cream is a must!
I was nervous about using rhubarb never tried it before but wow it was awesome!
Tastes amazing warm with ice cream! Perfect comfort food for spring.