Fruit crisp made with fresh pears showcases the pears’ natural sweetness, with just a hint of warm spice and a perfectly crisp and crumbly topping.
This pear crisp is an approachable, comforting dessert: tender spiced fruit under a buttery, oat-and-nut crumble. It comes together quickly and is perfect for sharing.
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There’s something instantly cozy about a pear crisp baking in the oven. As the fruit softens and the topping browns, the kitchen fills with a warm, inviting aroma of pears and cinnamon. This dessert is a favorite when ripe pears are on the counter and you want something easy yet special.
The pear filling becomes tender and syrupy, gently spiced, while the oat-and-nut topping turns golden and crunchy. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to elevate a simple gathering into a memorable finish to any meal.
More pear recipe ideas to try at home (titles only):
- Best Ever Pear Bread
- Pear Muffins
- Fresh Pear Cobbler from Scratch
- Old-Fashioned Pear Cake
- Pear Butter
- Banana Pear Bread
- Easy Pear Apple Sauce
- Homemade Pear Jam
- Pear Coffee Cake
Why You’ll Love This Pear Crumble
This pear crumble has a relaxed, rustic appeal—you don’t need to worry about making it picture-perfect. That casual look is part of its charm.
The pears cook down into a soft, lightly spiced filling that’s sweet without being heavy. The topping of oats, flour, butter, and chopped nuts bakes into a crisp, crumbly streusel that provides a pleasant contrast in texture.
It’s a reliable dessert for family dinners, potlucks, or a quiet weekend treat. The combination of warm fruit and crunchy topping is universally comforting and easy to customize.
How to Make Fruit Crisp with Fresh Pears
Making this pear crisp is straightforward and forgiving. Below are the ingredients and step-by-step directions so you can prepare it with confidence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Filling:
- 3–4 large pears, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, grated or cut into small pieces
How to Make It
Find the printable recipe below for exact measurements and times.
1. Prepare and preheat. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the sliced pears, sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss gently until the slices are evenly coated. Spread the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. Prepare the crumble topping. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Add the cold butter pieces and work them into the dry ingredients using two forks, a pastry blender, or your fingertips. Stop when the butter is in pea-sized pieces and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble and bake. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pears. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Remove from the oven and let the crisp cool for a few minutes to allow the filling to thicken slightly.
5. Serve. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you like.
Notes and Adaptations:
- I usually leave the pear skins on because they become very soft when baked; peel them first if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Swap pecans for walnuts, or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
- Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for 3–5 days.
Recommended Equipment:
- 13×9-inch baking dish
- Pastry blender or two forks
- Mixing bowls
Easy Pear Crisp
Author: Chrysti Benner
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Pear crisp is a simple, cobbler-style dessert featuring fresh pears gently spiced and topped with a crunchy oat-and-nut streusel. It’s easy to make and ideal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 3–4 large pears, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, grated or cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss pears with sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Spread the fruit mixture in the prepared dish.
- In a separate bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.
- Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly and the butter pieces are about pea-sized.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pears.
- Bake about 35–40 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool slightly, then serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Pear skins soften during baking; leave them on unless you prefer to peel the fruit first.
- Use walnuts or omit nuts for a nut-free dish.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerated for 3–5 days.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry blender or two forks
Nutrition (approx. per serving)
Calories: 372 kcal | Carbohydrates: 51 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 19 g | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 34 g
Nutrition info is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
Save this recipe to your dessert collection and enjoy making it again and again.