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RUSTIC APPLE & PEAR CRISP (HEALTHY + VEGAN)

Apple & Pear Crisp – Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, this healthy fruit crisp is super easy to make and will be ready in under 1 hour! Gluten-free and easily customizable for different diet types.

top down view of a serving of healthy apple pear crisp in a white serving bowl with spoon and items surrounding.

I’ve always loved apple crisps, or crumbles as they are referred to in the UK and Australia. They’re just one of those simple pleasures that I’ve never tired of.

Something about the soft apples, cinnamon and crispy oatmeal topping that I just love. And with the abundance of apples and pears this time of year, it seems the perfect time to enjoy these fall fruits together.

It’s even kid friendly and was a hit with my daughter who said she’d like to have this around the house more often. Looking forward to making more of these fruit crisps in the days to come!

top down view of ingredients used to make healthy, vegan apple pear crisp.

Ingredients You’ll Need

In this recipe we’ll be baking spiced apples topped with a naturally sweetened oatmeal topping creating a tender center and crisp golden crust. Perfect for breakfast and dessert!

Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Apples
  • Oatmeal
  • Walnuts
  • Pure Maple Syrup
  • Coconut Oil
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemon
  • Vanilla
  • Coconut Sugar
  • Salt

Pick your favorite apples and pears. I love Fuji apples for their sweetness and crispness. You could also add a granny smith for tartness and variation. Pears can be a variety or simply a few of the same.

To peel or not is up to you. I call this ‘rustic’ because I have left the apple peels on. They add fiber and make prepping a little easier. Feel free to peel if you prefer.

side by side photos showing the process of making quick and easy apple pear crisp.

How To Make Apple & Pear Crisp

  1. Wash, core and dice your apples.
  2. Mix the apples and pears with lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon, mix well (above left). Tip: You can also mix this right in your baking dish making for one less dish to wash.
  3. Combine the oat crumble topping (shown above right).
  4. Layer the apples in a baking dish (below).
  5. Top with granola mixture (below right).
  6. Bake in oven at 350 for 35 – 40 minutes.

And now all you have to do is enjoy, and share the love!

side by side photos showing the process of making quick and easy apple pear crisp.

How To Store Your Fruit Crisp

Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, in a covered container.

Reheat: Warm in the oven at 250 degrees for 10 – 15 minutes. Alternately, warm individual serving sizes in the microwave using 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.

Adjusting For Dietary Needs

  • Oil-free: Omit the oil. The topping will be a little dryer, but still delicious!
  • Nut allergies: Omit using any nuts in the topping.
  • Low-fat: Omit the nuts and/or oil.

top down view of freshly made healthy apple crisp in a white baking dish.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your fruit crisp with a scoop of vanilla non-dairy ice cream and extra cinnamon sprinkled on top.

Alone this crisp is healthy as can be, and not only does it make a great dessert but can double as a nice breakfast idea as well. I can literally sit and eat this all day long!

More Healthy Dessert Recipes

side angle view of vegan apple pear crisp in a white serving bowl with items surrounding.

If you make this healthy fruit recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

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HEALTHY APPLE & PEAR CRISP

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 8 reviews

An old favorite made healthy without losing any flavor. I could eat this all day long! I have left the skin on the apples and pears here but feel free to peel yours. Enjoy this classic!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 35 min
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6 generously 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Breakfast
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: Vegan, American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium apples, cored and chopped (peel if you prefer)
  • 3 medium pears, cored and chopped (peel if you prefer)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (coconut or organic pure cane)
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

Topping

  • 1 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/4 cup almond meal or flaxseed meal, optional
  • 1 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 34 tablespoons coconut oil (at room temp)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon mineral salt
  • cinnamon, to garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Wash apples well. Slice, core and dice apples and pears.

In a large bowl (or right in your baking dish), combine apples, pears, lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Mix well and layer into a 9 x 9 baking dish.

In a medium size bowl, combine oats, almond meal, walnuts, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt, mix well. Spread oat mixture evenly over the apples and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.

Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until apples and pears are fork tender. Let cool 5 – 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6 generously

Notes

Make gluten free by using gluten free oats.

Feel free to use almonds, pecans or other nuts and seeds of choice in place of the walnuts.

Peel your apples if you prefer. I leave the skin on for the fiber and less work. Plus I love the rustic look and different colors the skin brings to the dish. If serving for everyday I don’t bother to peel the apples but if serving for company I may consider peeling them. You may also like to dice your apples a little smaller than shown or cut them into thin to medium slices.

Make this oil free and omit the coconut oil. Your crisp top will be a little bit dryer but still good!

Add fresh cranberries for a splash of color. This is especially nice around the fall & winter holidays.

Change the recipe to just be an apple crisp if you like, or vice versa.

Updated: This Apple Pear Crisp was originally published in November 2013. It has been retested and updated with new photos and helpful tips in January 2020. 

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25 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Ramsey says:

    Just delicious! Great recipe ❤️






  2. April Rogers says:

    I cut it way down as all I had was 1 pear and 1apple. Hubby loved it! Will be making more later. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

  3. This was DELICIOUS! The only change I made was using ghee butter instead of coconut oil. Amazing, easy and yummy recipe!






  4. Dorene Pon says:

    Thank you !!! Loved your recipe as a base for pear & apple crisp..used lime juice, and flaxseed, and added on powdered ginger and nutmeg and 1/4 c of raisins to the mix .. wow … such a nice light, crunchy and flavorful taste I could eat the whole bowl in one sitting! For a dessert or breakfast, I might just eat it cold and top it with a scoop of greek honey yogart!






  5. Delicious. I used only a small amount of oil and topped with oat milk whip. Delicious! Halved the recipe and wish I had made the whole thing. Next time!






  6. This was delicious! We all loved it. My dad is vegan and it was perfect. We actually ate it for dinner then breakfast! So good!!






  7. Since this is my go-to recipe to serve when we have guests, I decided I needed to leave a review. This is always a hit. I’ve adapted it a little to fit my family’s commitment to spice and love affair with nuts, by adding a couple other spices, including cayenne, and pecans. It is light and easy and we usually serve it with vegan vanilla ice cream. Thanks so much for the care you put into creating this yummy treat. Keep up the good work!






  8. Amazing!! Highly recommend. Apple crumble was a childhood favourite and I loved recreating it with healthy ingredients. This is a new favourite in our house! Thank you!!






  9. I just tried this tonight. It is wonderful. I didn’t have the almond flour on hand so went without and it turned out fine without it. Thanks for the recipe.

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