Warm Pear Crisp Recipe with Walnut Oat Topping
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This Pear Crisp is what cozy evenings and warm kitchens are made for. Juicy ripe pears bubble under a crisp, buttery oat topping that turns perfectly golden brown in the oven. A touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla gives the pear filling a deep, comforting flavor that tastes like fall in a spoon.
It’s an easy pear dessert you can pull together in one bowl with simple pantry ingredients. The topping gets its crunch from oats and chopped walnuts, and when the juices start to bubble up around the edges of the pan, you’ll know it’s ready. Serve it warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of maple syrup, and you’ve got a dessert that’s rustic, easy, and deeply satisfying.
Why You’ll Love Pear Crisp
- Simple and cozy: Just a few basic ingredients and one baking dish. No complicated prep, no mixer, no stress.
- Perfectly spiced filling: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bring out the natural sweetness of fresh pears.
- Crunchy oat topping: Buttery, crisp, and full of texture thanks to oats and walnuts.
- Flexible and forgiving: Works with any pear variety—Bosc, Bartlett, or Anjou all bake beautifully.
- Make-ahead friendly: Reheats well in the oven or microwave, and even better the next day.
Ingredients Needed To Make Pear Crisp
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Pears
- Ground cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Ground nutmeg
- Brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Water
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- All-purpose flour
- Oats
- Walnuts
- Salt
- Butter
Variations, Tips, and Substitutions
- Use any pears you have: Bartlett pears get soft and sweet, Bosc hold their shape, and Anjou give the best balance of both.
- Try a nut swap: Pecans or almonds work just as well if you don’t have walnuts on hand.
- Add a hint of ginger: A pinch of ground ginger brings warmth and a touch of spice.
- Make it vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter for the same rich crumb texture.
- Store leftovers smartly: Keep cooled crisp covered with foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
How To Make Pear Crisp
- Preheat the oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
- Prepare the pear filling: In a large bowl, combine peeled, cubed pears, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch. Stir until everything is evenly coated and juicy.
- Make the topping: In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, and salt. Stir in melted butter until the mixture turns crumbly.
- Assemble: Pour the pear mixture into the pan, then sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the pear filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and serve: Let it cool for about 10 minutes before digging in. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use canned or frozen pears?
Fresh pears are best for texture, but you can use frozen pears—just thaw and drain them first so the filling doesn’t turn watery.
How do I know when the crisp is done baking?
The topping should be golden brown, and the pear juices should be bubbling up at the edges. A knife inserted in the center should meet soft, fork-tender fruit.
Can I make pear crisp ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the unbaked crisp, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the time.
Can I freeze pear crisp?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven until warm and bubbly.
What’s the best way to serve it?
It’s hard to beat warm pear crisp topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It also pairs nicely with Greek yogurt for breakfast (no judgment).
Pear Crisp
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (1 large, 1 medium)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- 11-inch oven-safe skillet or 7×10-inch baking dish
Ingredients
Filling
- 5 cups pears cubed (about 5–6 ripe pears)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour
- ½ cup oats
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- Pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 11-inch oven-safe skillet or a 7×10-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Toss until pears are evenly coated, then pour into the prepared baking dish.
- In another bowl, mix together the flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pear mixture.
- Bake for 45–60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy warm as-is, or top with ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
This pear crisp recipe is everything a fruit crisp should be: simple, golden, and bursting with sweet pear flavor. The buttery oat topping adds the perfect crunch to balance the soft, cinnamon-spiced filling.
Tried this recipe and it was delicious. I substituted slivered almond in place of walnuts for dietary reasons but still very tasty.