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Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Desserts » Easy Cinnamon Apple Pear Crisp – Gluten-Free

Easy Cinnamon Apple Pear Crisp – Gluten-Free

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This Apple Pear Crisp combines tart apples and sweet pears mixed with warm spices for a wonderful healthy treat! It is covered in an amazing gluten-free oat topping and baked until golden brown and yummy. A wonderful easy dessert that anyone can make! Perfect for fall!

Bowl filled with apple pear crisp topped with vanilla ice cream with a gold spoon in the bowl and crisp and apples behind it.

If I could eat any dessert for the rest of my life it would be apple pear crisp! It is just the best dessert with warm, crisp cinnamon-flavored apples and pears baked until soft and delicious with a sweet buttery crumble topping.  It can easily feed a crowd and it is healthy-ish because it is made with fruit! Top it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and you have one delicious fall dessert!

In this unique crisp, I’ve harmoniously blended sweet apples and pears, enhancing the flavors and perfectly balancing the sweetness. The fruit melds beautifully with just a hint of brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and a touch of salt, letting their natural tastes shine. Crowned with a delectable gluten-free oat crumble that turns gorgeously golden, bubbly, and simply irresistible when baked.

You may also love this strawberry crumble that is equally easy to make and so delicious!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Healthy: This recipe is gluten-free and is a wonderfully light dessert for fall! You can also easily make it vegan (see below for variations of this recipe)
  • Unique Flavor Combination: The fusion of both apple and pear offers a delightful blend of sweetness and texture, presenting a fresh take on the traditional fruit crisp that everyone loves. 
  • Versatility: This dessert can be served at various events, from casual family dinners to upscale gatherings, and is suitable for both regular days and festive occasions. 
  • Natural Ingredients: Utilizing fresh apples and pears in the crisp emphasizes the importance of using natural, whole ingredients, which not only enhance the taste but also provide essential nutrients and fiber.
  • Homemade: This easy recipe is made from scratch (don’t worry it is the easiest from-scratch dessert you can make)so you know exactly what ingredients are in it, which is awesome!
White dish filled with apple crisp with an oat crumble topping with a specked plate with gold spoons on it in front of it.

What Are The Best Apples To Use For Apple Crisp?

For apple pear crisps, it’s ideal to use apple varieties that are firm and maintain their shape during baking, while also offering a mix of tartness and sweetness to complement the delicate flavor of pears. Here are some of the best apple varieties for this purpose:

  • Honeycrisp: They are sweet with a hint of tartness and have a crisp texture that holds up well during baking.
  • Braeburn: These apples offer a balanced flavor of sweet and tart, and they maintain their form when baked.
  • Granny Smith: This variety is famously tart, which can balance the sweetness of the pears and the topping. They also hold their shape very well when baked.
  • Pink Lady (or Cripps Pink): These are tangy with a sweet finish, and their firm texture remains intact during the baking process.
  • Golden Delicious: While they are softer than the other varieties listed, they have a mild sweet flavor that pairs well with pears. However, be careful not to overcook, as they can become mushy.

When making apple pear crisp, you can experiment with mixing apple varieties or adjust according to the flavors and textures you prefer. Remember to taste both the apples and the pears before adding sugar or other sweeteners, as the natural sweetness of the fruits can vary. Adjust your recipe accordingly to achieve the desired sweetness level.

Ingredients

Ingredients for gluten-free apple pear crisp with labels over each ingredient.
  • Apples: Preferably Honeycrisp apples, but Granny Smith apples and other mentioned varieties are also suitable.
  • Pears: Fresh Bartlett or Bosc pears are the best pears to use; ensure they’re ripe but still firm. Sweet pears will yield the best results. 
  • Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar is recommended, but light brown sugar or coconut sugar are good alternatives. Of course, you could also use white sugar but it is not ideal. 
  • Butter: Essential for a golden, bubbly crumble topping. For a vegan option, vegan butter works perfectly. Make sure to use cold butter. 
  • Oats: Gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture. Quick oats are an option but avoid steel-cut oats.
  • Flour: A touch of gluten-free all-purpose flour is used in the crumble, but regular all-purpose or oat flour can be substituted. Substitutions: almond flour or oat flour will also work.
  • Cinnamon: Enhances the warm notes of the fruits.
  • Pecans: Add a rich, nutty depth; walnuts are a viable substitute.
  • Vanilla extract: Contributes a comforting warmth.
  • Salt: A small amount balances sweetness and elevates the overall flavors.

*Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of the post. 

How to make Apple Pear Crisp

Glass mixing bowl filled with raw, peeled apple and pear slices with more peals and apples and pears in front of it and behind it.

Step one: For the Fruit Filling: Peel and slice the apples and pears, then combine with sugar, cinnamon, butter, and salt in a large bowl. 

White rectangle pan filled with cinnamon-seasoned sliced uncooked apples and pears.

Step two: Spread the fruit filling in an even layer in a buttered baking dish.

Round glass mixing bowl filled with oats, nuts and cubed butter pieces with a pastry cutter in front of it.

Step three: Prepare the Oat Crumble: In a medium bowl, blend the crumble ingredients. Add the cubed butter.

Oat and nut crumble mixed in a round glass bowl with a pastry cutter next to it in front of it.

Step four: Incorporate the butter using two forks or a pastry cutter. 

A white baking dish filled with a crumble oat and nut topping before being baked.

Step five: Assembling the Crisp: Evenly sprinkle the oat crumble on top of the fruit filling in the baking dish.

Rectangle white baking pan filled with cooked apples and pears topped with an oat and nut crumble topping with a striped linen in front of it and a bow of sugar and more crisp behind it.

Step six: Baking Instructions: Place the assembled crisp into a 350°F preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, as detailed in the recipe card.

Expert tip: Peel and thinly slice the apples and pears so they cook down while baking and get perfectly soft.

Tips for a Perfect Apple Pear Crisp

  1. Prevent Apple Browning: Sprinkle the apple slices with some lemon juice to prevent discoloration. This should keep them fresh for over an hour.
  2. Slicing the Fruit: Cut the apples and pears thinly to ensure quicker cooking, leading to a soft and caramelized texture.
  3. Oat Crumble Layer: Distribute the oat crumble uniformly over the fruit filling to achieve the classic crunchy and sweet topping that makes apple crisps so delightful.
  4. Cooling Time: After baking, allow the apple pear crisp to cool for at least 15 minutes due to its high temperature. Then, dig in and enjoy!

How can you tell when the crisp is done baking?

To tell when a crisp is baking, you want to look for a golden brown topping with the edges of the crisp visibly bubbling. Using a fork or knife, gently pierce the fruit through the topping to ensure it’s tender. It should easily slide through if the fruit is adequately cooked.  The delicious aroma of the baked fruit and the topping is a good sign that the crisp is ready. When your kitchen is filled with this enticing scent, it’s often an indication that the dessert is nearing completion.

Part of a white baking dish with baked apple pear crisp in it with an oat pecan topping with spoons on a plate in front of it.

Are apples and pears good together? 

Absolutely! Apples and pears complement each other wonderfully. They both have a sweet and slightly tart flavor profile, with textures that meld seamlessly when cooked together. The subtle differences between the two fruits allow for a depth of flavor that’s richer than using just one type of fruit. Additionally, both apples and pears have a similar moisture content, ensuring that they bake evenly together.

How can you tell if a pear is ripe?

Fresh Bartlett pears, also known as Williams pears in some regions, have a few distinct signs that indicate they are ripe and ready to eat:

  1. Color Change: Bartlett pears are unique in that they undergo a color transformation as they ripen. A green Bartlett pear will turn a golden yellow when it’s fully ripe.
  2. Softness at the Neck: Apply gentle pressure to the neck or stem end of the pear with your thumb. If it yields slightly, it’s ripe. This is one of the most reliable methods for checking ripeness.
  3. Aromatic Smell: Ripe Bartlett pears will give off a sweet and fragrant aroma, especially around the stem end.
  4. Skin Texture: As Bartlett pears ripen, their skin becomes slightly wrinkled, especially near the base of the stem. This can be a sign that they’re getting overripe, so it’s best to consume them soon. 

What is the difference between an apple crumble and an apple crisp?

Apple crumble and apple crisp are both delicious baked apple desserts that are quite similar, but they do have distinct differences, primarily in the topping:

  • Apple Crisp Topping: Typically includes oats, flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes nuts. Due to the oats, the topping has a more textured, “crispy” finish. The oats give the topping a rough, uneven look, hence the name “crisp.”
  • Apple Crumble Topping: Made primarily from butter, flour, and sugar, without the addition of oats. It’s more “crumbly” with a streusel-like texture. Tends to be smoother and less textured than a crisp.

Storage Tips

Cool the apple pear crisp to room temperature before storing. For short-term storage, cover and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days; for longer periods, freeze in a tightly wrapped freezer-safe container. Reheat in the oven to restore crispness to the topping and serve with fresh toppings like ice cream or whipped cream for added flair.

More delicious apple recipes

Did you make this apple pear crisp recipe?  If you did then please leave a rating and comment below! I would love to hear how it turned out!

Update: This recipe and post have been updated with step-by-step photos and an improved recipe card. 

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Bowl filled with apple pear crisp topped with vanilla ice cream with a gold spoon in the bowl and crisp and apples behind it.

Cinnamon Apple Pear Crisp – Gluten Free

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5 from 46 reviews

  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This Apple Pear Crisp combines tart apples and sweet pears mixed with warm spices for a wonderful healthy treat! The crisp is covered in an amazing gluten-free oat topping and baked until golden brown and yummy. A wonderful easy dessert that anyone can make! Perfect for fall!

Ingredients

Scale

For the apple pear filling

  • 4 medium size apples
  • 4 medium size ripe pears
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon  ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

For the oat crumble topping

  • 1 ¾ cup gluten-free oats
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • ⅛ cup maple syrup
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9 baking pan with cooking spray or grease it with a little butter. I used a gratin pan and it was about 9×9 in size. An 8×8 or even a 9×13 would also work fine. 
  2. Peel, core, and slice the apples and pears into thin slices and place them into a large mixing bowl. Note: Sprinkle them with some lemon juice and toss to prevent the apples from browning.
  3. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and a pinch of salt to the apples and pears and lightly toss them to coat them all. Pour the mixture into the baking dish in an even layer. 
  4. To make the crumble: Add all of the crumble ingredients except the butter to a mixing bowl and toss. Add in the butter, pinching it with your fingers to break it down into small pieces, and mix it in with the rest of the crumble ingredients. You can also use a pastry cutter or 2 forks to do this. 
  5. Top the apple and pear mixture with the crumble and spread it out evenly to cover all of the apples and pears.
  6. Bake in the oven, uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top is nice and golden brown and the edges are slightly bubbly.
  7. Once done, remove the apple crisp from the oven and let cool for about 10  minutes. Serve warm topped with your favorite vanilla ice cream.

Equipment

Notes

  • Choose high-quality fruit.  When choosing both apples and pears follow these guidelines:  Choose fruit that is free of blemishes and has smooth skin without any dents.  Look for the brightest colored fruits since they will have the most flavor and nutrition. Make sure the fruit is not too soft but still ripe. 
  • Slice the fruit into thin slices so it cooks up nicely when it bakes. 
  • Bake the crisp uncovered.  This is very important to allow the topping to get nice and golden brown with slightly bubbly edges while it bakes. 
  • You can store this apple pear crisp in the refrigerator for up to 4 days after it has been cooked and cooled. 
  • Reheat portions in the microwave for about 90 seconds. 
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

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