There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a warm fruit crisp baking in the oven, and this apple pear crisp truly delivers on that promise.
Combining the sweet, slightly tart notes of apples with the subtle, juicy sweetness of pears, this dessert offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that makes it an instant family favorite.
This recipe is designed for ease and enjoyment, featuring a simple yet incredibly satisfying crumble topping that adds a wonderful crunch to every bite. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight treat or a charming dessert for a casual gathering, this apple pear crisp is a perfect choice that celebrates the best of fall flavors in a simple, fuss-free way.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Apple Pear Crisp
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
This apple pear crisp combines sweet and tart apples with juicy pears under a delightful, crunchy crumble topping. It’s an easy-to-make, comforting dessert perfect for any occasion, offering a balance of flavors and textures that makes it a family favorite.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and pears. Sprinkle the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg over the fruit. Toss gently until all the fruit slices are evenly coated.
3. Pour the seasoned fruit mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
4. In a separate medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, old-fashioned rolled oats, and salt. Use a fork or your fingertips to mix these dry ingredients together.
5. Add the cold, diced butter to the dry crumble ingredients. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
6. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish. Do not press it down too firmly.
7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly around the edges.
8. Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: apple, pear, crisp, crumble, dessert, fruit, fall, easy, baked, comfort food
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This apple pear crisp recipe is a true gem for anyone looking for a dessert that’s both impressive and incredibly straightforward to make. It works beautifully because it relies on readily available ingredients and simple techniques, making it perfect for beginner bakers or busy parents who want to whip up something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of apples and pears offers a more nuanced flavor profile than an apple-only crisp, adding a touch of sophistication while remaining utterly approachable. It’s a fantastic dessert for family dinners, potlucks, or even a cozy night in. The warm, spiced fruit filling topped with a buttery, crunchy crumble creates a textural contrast that’s simply irresistible, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Serve it warm, and watch it disappear!
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this apple pear crisp is a breeze, as most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly delicious.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 medium apples (such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 3 medium pears (such as Bartlett or Anjou), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the fruit, feel free to mix and match apple varieties based on your preference for sweetness and tartness. Granny Smith apples will add a nice tart contrast, while Honeycrisp or Fuji will provide more sweetness. Similarly, any firm pear variety will work well. If you don’t have old-fashioned rolled oats, quick oats can be used in a pinch, though they will result in a slightly finer crumble texture. For a dairy-free option, you can substitute the butter in the crumble topping with a solid, dairy-free baking stick, ensuring it’s kept very cold.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This apple pear crisp is designed to be a relatively quick dessert to prepare, making it ideal for those busy days when you crave something homemade but don’t have endless hours.
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 35-40 minutes
- Total time: 55-60 minutes
The hands-on time is minimal, mostly involving peeling and slicing the fruit and quickly mixing the crumble topping. The majority of the time is spent letting the oven do its magic, filling your home with wonderful aromas.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious apple pear crisp is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect dessert every time.
- Prepare your oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This will prevent the fruit from sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix the fruit filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and pears. Sprinkle the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg over the fruit. Toss gently until all the fruit slices are evenly coated. The flour helps to thicken the fruit juices as it bakes.
- Transfer fruit to the baking dish: Pour the seasoned fruit mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Make sure the fruit is in a single layer or slightly mounded in the center for even baking.
- Prepare the crumble topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, packed light brown sugar, old-fashioned rolled oats, and salt. Use a fork or your fingertips to mix these dry ingredients together.
- Cut in the cold butter: Add the cold, diced butter to the dry crumble ingredients. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. The key here is to keep the butter cold, which helps create that desirable crumbly texture.
- Add the topping and bake: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish. Don’t press it down too firmly; a loose topping will bake up crispier.
- Bake until golden and bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly around the edges. You should see the fruit juices gently simmering.
- Cool slightly before serving: Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the fruit filling to set slightly and prevents it from being too runny.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This apple pear crisp is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the crumble topping during the last 10 minutes of baking, or sprinkle some colorful sprinkles over the top right before serving for a fun visual.
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to the fruit mixture before baking; it brightens the fruit and prevents browning. A pinch of ground ginger or cardamom can also be added to the fruit spices for an extra layer of warmth. For a nuttier crumble, incorporate 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping mixture.
This crisp is a fantastic dessert for parties or buffets. It can be made in individual ramekins for single servings, which are always a hit. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence. For a simpler approach, it’s equally delicious on its own with a cup of coffee or tea.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have a few common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help ensure your apple pear crisp turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent mistake is over-mixing the crumble topping. When you work the butter into the dry ingredients, aim for a coarse, crumbly texture with some visible pieces of butter. Over-mixing can lead to a dense, cookie-like topping rather than a light, crisp one. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender and stop as soon as the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Another common issue is under-baking the fruit. If the fruit isn’t cooked long enough, it will be hard and crunchy instead of tender and juicy. Make sure to bake until the fruit filling is visibly bubbly around the edges of the dish. If the topping starts to brown too quickly before the fruit is tender, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Slicing the fruit inconsistently can also lead to uneven cooking. Try to slice your apples and pears to a similar thickness (about 1/4-inch) so they all soften at the same rate. Thicker slices will take longer to cook, while very thin slices might turn to mush.
Finally, not letting the crisp cool slightly before serving can result in a runny filling. The fruit juices need a few minutes to set up after coming out of the oven. While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, waiting 10-15 minutes will give you a much better texture.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This apple pear crisp is best enjoyed warm, shortly after baking, but it also stores well and can be prepared in advance with a few considerations.
To store leftover crisp, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Then, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, you have a couple of options. For a single serving, a microwave works fine, but the topping won’t be as crisp. For the best results and to restore the crisp’s texture, reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through and
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
