This delicious Mixed Berry Crisp is the best summer treat! It is made with fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries topped with a buttery oat cookie crisp. It makes a great healthy dessert that is also gluten free!
Fresh fruit and a cookie crumble, what’s not to love? My favorite type of dessert is a fruit-based dessert like this apple crisp or strawberry crumble. But I must say that this mixed berry crisp is at the top of my list! It is so easy to whip up, especially for us non-bakers.
What makes this berry crisp so good? It’s the combination of flavors from the fresh mixed berries, that are baked until they burst forming this incredibly wonderful syrupy filling with chunks of tender fruit. Add in the buttery oat cookie crisp topping and it is one perfect summer dessert!
If you are not that into baking but love a homemade dessert then this is the recipe for you!
Why this healthy berry crisp recipe works
- Healthy summer dessert – loaded with vitamins and minerals thanks to the fruit mixed with the hearty oats and crunchy walnuts, which also makes it gluten-free!
- Easy recipe – this is such an easy dessert recipe that even my kids can make it! It only has 4 steps and a few simple ingredients.
- Great way to use up fresh berries – berries are abundant in the summer, which also makes them inexpensive, flavorful, and nutritious. This crisp recipe uses 2 pounds of fresh berries, which is great if you love berry picking in the summer.
- Flavorful and delicious – this recipe has the perfect hint of tartness and sweetness as well as a crunchy buttery oat topping that takes it to a whole new level. It is perfect topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Jump to:
- Why this healthy berry crisp recipe works
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- How To Make a Healthy Homemade Berry Crisp
- Expert tips for the best results
- Serving suggestions
- Storing and reheating berry crisp
- Frequently asked questions
- More fruit-based desserts to try!
- Healthy Berry Crisp – Gluten Free
Ingredients and Substitutions
One of the best parts about this crisp recipe is that the ingredients are simple and include items you likely already have in your pantry and fridge. Here is what you’ll need to make this homemade berry crisp.
- Fresh berries – I used a combination of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries but any combination will work. You can also use frozen fruit if you are making this recipe in the winter.
- Oats – you can use old-fashioned oats or rolled oats. Quick oats or steel-cut oats will not work.
- Almond flour – just a little bit to help bind the oat topping. You can also use oat flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Walnuts – are used to add a nice nutty crunch to the crisp topping. You could also use pecans or almonds.
- Coconut sugar + brown sugar – I used a combination of these two sugars to keep the refined sugars lower in this recipe. If you prefer not to use coconut sugar then you can substitute it with more brown sugar.
- Maple syrup – just a bit to bring out the sweet notes in this recipe.
- Cornstarch – is used to thicken up the mixed berry filling. You can also use arrowroot starch.
- Butter – is used to form that wonderful golden crisp topping that is the perfect addition to this recipe.
- Cinnamon and salt – are used to enhance the other flavors.
Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Knife + cutting board – to cut the strawberries
- Strainer – to rinse the fruit
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dish – 9×13, 9-inch pie dish, or casserole dish
- Measuring cups + measuring spoons
- Large spoon or Rubber spatula
How To Make a Healthy Homemade Berry Crisp
This berry crisp is so easy to make and is the perfect recipe for entertaining. Here is a summary of the steps for how to make it.
Add the berries, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon and maple syrup to a large mixing bowl and toss.
Pour the mixed berry filling into a prepared baking dish.
Combine the crisp topping ingredients in a medium bowl, and toss everything together.
Use your hands to arrange the oat topping evenly over the berries in the pan.
Finally, bake the berry crisp at 350°F in a preheated oven on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is a nicely golden brown.
Expert tips for the best results
- Fresh berries are best – although you can use frozen berries, the use of fresh berries results in a more flavorful crisp. If you are using frozen berries then there is no need to defrost them first. I would add ½ tablespoon more cornstarch and bake the crisp for about 5 minutes longer if using frozen fruit.
- Make it ahead – you can make the berry filling and crisp topping 1 day ahead, store it separately, then assemble and bake the crisp when you are ready to serve and enjoy it!
- Do not skip the cornstarch – the starch allows the berry filling to thicken and not become too watery, making it an essential ingredient in this recipe.
- Allow the crisp to cool – the berry filling will thicken even more as it cools, so I recommend letting the crisp cool for 15 minutes before you serve it.
Serving suggestions
Here are some delicious ways to top a berry crisp:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped topping
- Vanilla yogurt
- Drizzle of peanut butter
- Caramel sauce
Storing and reheating berry crisp
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use frozen berries to make a berry crisp?
Yes! You can use frozen berries to make a crisp and it will be just as easy and delicious. I recommend using a triple berry blend for added flavor and texture. See more notes on this in the recipe tips section above.
What is the difference between a crisp and a crumble?
Both types of dessert have a fruit base but the difference is really in the topping. A crisp has a thinner, crispier topping whereas a crumble will have a thicker, crumblier topping that resembles a cookie crumble.
Can you freeze berry crisp?
Berry crisp can easily be frozen after you bake it and let it cool. Once fully cooled, double wrap it up with foil, then plastic wrap. Label it and place it into the freezer for up to 2 months.
To reheat: Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Then remove the foil and plastic wrap and bake at 350° F for 25-30 minutes.
More fruit-based desserts to try!
- Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Bites
- Blueberry Yogurt Clusters
- Air Fryer Pineapple
- Healthy Date Shake
- Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Did you try this recipe? If you did then please leave a comment and rating below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!
Print
Healthy Berry Crisp – Gluten Free
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This delicious mixed berry crisp is the best summer treat! It is made with loads of fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries topped with a buttery oat cookie crumble. It makes a great healthy dessert that is gluten-free.
Ingredients
For the berry filling
- 2lbs of fresh berries (use a mix of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries)
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup real maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the oat crisp topping
- 1 cup old fashioned oats – not quick-cooking oats
- ½ cup blanched almond flour
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and spray a 9×13 or casserole baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mix up the berry filing. Clean and dry the berries, hull and chop the strawberries, then add all of the berries to a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and fold it all together to coat the berries. Pour the berry mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish and spread it out so it covers the bottom of the pan.
- Make the oat crumble topping. Wipe out the mixing bowl you mixed the berry filing in and add in the oats, almond flour, nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and salt and mix well to combine. Pour the melted butter onto the oat mixture and stir it all together until it forms a crumbly but still slightly wet topping.
- Use your hands or a spoon to arrange the crisp topping evenly over the berries.
- Bake the crisp in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are nice and bubbly and the top is beautifully golden brown.
- Remove, let cool for at least 10-15 minutes. Serve and top with vanilla ice cream, whipped topping or yogurt.
Notes
- You can use any medley of berries you like or just one. You could also use a combination of berries and chopped plums. Just make sure to use 2 lbs of fruit.
- If you are out of coconut sugar or cannot find it then you can use light brown sugar in this recipe as well. Munkfruit also works for a much lower sugar version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Healthy Desserts
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
I made this last bight for my family and everyone loved it! Thank you!
Hi Heather! I am so glad everyone loved it!
Can I substitute frozen berries for the fresh?
Hi Sarah! Yes you can. Enjoy!
Can I replace the almond flour with coconut flour
Hi Taylor, While I did not test this variation, I bet it would work fine. Please let me know how it turns out.