Why You Will Love This Easy & Healthy Fruit Crisp Recipe

• Super Easy and Quick: You can literally have this dessert prepped and in the oven in under 10 minutes, especially if you’re using convenient frozen fruit. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected guests arrive.
• Perfect for Any Gathering: This recipe is incredibly easy to double or even triple, making it ideal for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you need to feed a crowd. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that everyone can enjoy.
• Deliciously Balanced Sweetness: This crisp offers a delightful sweetness from the fruit and natural maple syrup without being overly cloying. It lets the natural flavors of the fruit truly shine through.
• An Incredible Brunch Option: Don’t limit this to just dessert! Its wholesome ingredients and balanced flavors make it a fantastic addition to any brunch spread. Serve it alongside your main dishes or as a sweet complement to coffee.
• Dietary-Friendly: This recipe is naturally vegan, gluten-free (when using certified gluten-free oats), and made without refined sugars, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs and preferences.
• Highly Adaptable: The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Use any fruit you have on hand or whatever is in season. While peach crisp is a classic, don’t hesitate to try apple crisp, mixed berry crisp, or a delightful pear crisp. Each combination brings its own unique charm!
• Irresistible Topping Texture: The gluten-free crisp topping delivers the perfect combination of crunchy oats and nuts, with a satisfyingly chewy interior. It’s the textural contrast that truly makes this dessert special.
• Impressive Last-Minute Dessert: Despite its ease of preparation, this fruit crisp looks and tastes incredibly impressive. It’s your secret weapon for a dessert that appears fancy but comes together in a flash.

• Fruit: The star of the show! Feel free to use whatever fruit is in season or readily available. My personal favorites include succulent stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, or apricots for a taste of summer. In cooler months, crisp apples or juicy pears work beautifully. For ultimate convenience, don’t hesitate to use frozen fruit; pre-sliced frozen peaches or mixed berries are fantastic year-round.
• Berries: Just like with the main fruit, use what’s in season or frozen. You’ll need a total of 6 cups of fruit, and an assortment of berries (like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries) adds wonderful complexity and vibrant color.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is crucial here. It prevents the sliced fruit from browning prematurely and adds a bright, zesty counterpoint that enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit filling.
• Arrowroot Powder: This acts as a natural thickener for the fruit juices released during baking. Arrowroot is a fantastic, healthier alternative to cornstarch, ensuring your crisp filling is perfectly saucy, not watery.
• Maple Syrup: This provides a touch of natural sweetness to the filling. The amount needed can vary based on the ripeness and inherent sweetness of your chosen fruit. I recommend tasting the fruit mixture first; if it’s already perfectly sweet, you might even be able to reduce or omit the maple syrup entirely.

Wholesome Gluten-Free Crumble Topping Ingredients

• Oats: The foundation of our crisp topping! Oats are a fiber-rich whole grain and are naturally gluten-free. For optimal digestion and nutrient absorption, I opt for sprouted oats, which are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When purchasing, always ensure your oats are certified gluten-free, non-GMO, and glyphosate-free for the healthiest choice. You can substitute up to half of the oats with your choice of flour (e.g., almond or coconut flour) if you prefer a different texture.
• Nuts: These are essential for that satisfying “crunch factor” that gives a crisp its name. I use chopped walnuts not only for their delightful texture but also for their added boost of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Chopped pecans or almonds are also excellent choices and offer their own unique flavor profiles. If you need a nut-free version, pumpkin seeds are a fantastic substitute, providing similar crunch and healthy fats.
• Ground Flax Seeds: Flax seeds contribute a wonderful nutty flavor and significantly boost the fiber and protein content of the topping. Beyond nutrition, ground flax acts as a natural binder, helping to create those delicious, clumpy clusters in the crumble.
• Hemp Seeds: A true superfood, hemp seeds add another layer of delicate texture and a powerful nutritional boost, packed with plant-based protein, magnesium, and Vitamin E. They add a subtle richness to the topping.
• Cinnamon: This warm spice beautifully complements the natural sweetness of the fruit and adds an inviting aroma to the crisp. Feel free to experiment by adding a pinch of other warming spices like cloves, nutmeg, or allspice for extra depth of flavor.
• Salt: A small amount of sea salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and truly bringing out the nutty flavors in the topping. It creates a wonderful juxtaposition between the savory notes of the crumble and the sweet fruit. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, you can omit it.
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is our natural sticky sweetener, helping to bind the crisp topping ingredients together while providing a rich, natural sweetness. Date syrup is another excellent natural alternative if you prefer.
• Orange: We utilize both the zest and the juice of an orange. The zest provides a bright, aromatic lift, while the juice adds moisture and a subtle citrusy note that beautifully complements the fruit. Lemon juice or even apple juice can be substituted if an orange isn’t available.

Step 2: Combine Fruit and Berries
Place your sliced fresh fruit and washed berries (or frozen fruit and berries) into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Ensure they are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Season the Fruit Filling
Sprinkle the arrowroot powder over the fruit mixture and toss gently until the fruit is lightly coated. Then, squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and drizzle with maple syrup. Mix everything well to ensure all the fruit is evenly coated with the thickener and sweetener.

Step 5: Combine Dry Topping Ingredients
In the same bowl you used for the fruit (or a new one), measure out the old-fashioned rolled oats, ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, chopped walnuts, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Give these dry ingredients a good stir to ensure they are well combined.

Step 6: Add Wet Ingredients and Mix
Carefully zest the orange directly over the bowl, then squeeze in its juice. Drizzle in the pure maple syrup. Mix everything thoroughly until just combined. The mixture should be somewhat pasty and come together in delightful clumps – these clumps are key to that wonderful crisp texture!

Step 7: Top the Fruit Filling
Spoon the crumble topping evenly over the fruit filling in the baking dish. It’s perfectly fine if the topping doesn’t completely cover the fruit; some gaps allow the fruit to bubble through beautifully. Embrace the large clumps – they add great texture!

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the baking dish onto a rimmed baking tray (this will catch any delicious fruit juices that might bubble over). Bake in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crisp. Serve warm or at room temperature. For an extra special treat, top with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut cream!

Debra’s Pro Tips for the Best Fruit Crisp Every Time

• Embrace Frozen Fruit for Convenience: Don’t underestimate the power of frozen fruit! It’s a fantastic shortcut that means you can enjoy this healthy dessert year-round without worrying about seasonality or extensive prep. Simply toss it in from the freezer.
• Savor Fresh, Seasonal Goodness: While frozen fruit is great, make sure to take advantage of fresh, ripe fruit and berries when they are in season. Their vibrant flavors and natural sweetness will elevate your crisp to new heights.
• Prep Ahead with a Double Batch of Topping: My absolute favorite time-saving hack! Make a double batch of the crumble topping and freeze half of it in an airtight container. Trust me, there will be days when you need a delicious dessert in under 5 minutes – having pre-made topping in the freezer, along with some frozen fruit, makes it effortlessly possible.
• Experiment with Fruit and Berry Combinations: This recipe is incredibly forgiving and encourages creativity! Try combinations like apple and cranberry, strawberry and rhubarb, or a medley of summer stone fruits. Each blend offers a unique and exciting flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead for Easy Entertaining: Want to impress your guests without the last-minute stress? Assemble the entire crisp (both filling and topping) in your baking dish, then cover and refrigerate it. About an hour before you plan to serve dessert, simply pop it into the preheated oven. It will emerge hot, fresh, and perfect, ready for a scoop of melting ice cream.

Fruit Crisp with Gluten-free Crumble Topping

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