Irresistible Pear Crisp Recipe with Brown Sugar and Oats

This Pear Crisp recipe turns ripe pears into a tender, juicy filling finished with a golden, crunchy oat crumble. It’s an effortless, comforting dessert best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — simple, classic, and always a crowd-pleaser.

What is Pear Crisp?

A pear crisp is a baked fruit dessert where sliced pears are covered with a buttery streusel made from oats, flour, sugar, and butter. As it bakes, the pears become soft and syrupy while the topping turns golden and crisp, creating a warm contrast of textures and flavors. It’s an uncomplicated way to showcase pear season and pairs beautifully with ice cream or a drizzle of caramel.

Unlike a cobbler, which uses a biscuit or cake-like topping, a crisp relies on a streusel-style crumble that stays crunchy and highlights the fruit underneath. The result is a rustic, comforting dessert that’s easy to prepare and perfect for sharing.

Ingredients You Need

• Firm pears – Choose pears that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape while baking (Bosc and Bartlett are great options).
• Granulated sugar – Balances the natural tartness of the pears and helps create a syrupy filling.
• Corn starch – Thickens the fruit juices so the filling isn’t watery.
• Cinnamon – Adds warm, cozy spice.
• Ground nutmeg – Complements the cinnamon and deepens the flavor.
• All-purpose flour – Helps form crisp, golden clusters in the topping.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats – Provide a hearty texture in the streusel.
• Baking powder – Gives the topping a light lift so it doesn’t become dense.
• Light brown sugar – Adds caramel notes and helps the topping brown.
• Unsalted butter – Cold butter worked into the topping creates flakiness and rich flavor.
• Raw walnuts – Optional, but they add a toasty, earthy crunch.
• Sea salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Flaky sea salt – A finishing touch that highlights the sweet-and-salty contrast.
• Vanilla ice cream – Perfect for serving alongside the warm crisp.

How to Make Pear Crisp

1. Prep the pears. Peel, core, and slice the pears. Spread them in an even layer in a 12×8-inch baking dish.
2. Coat the filling. Toss the pears with granulated sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, and nutmeg so they’re evenly coated and will form a thickened filling as they bake.
3. Build the topping. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and sea salt. Cut in cold, cubed butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
4. Add the crumble. Sprinkle the streusel loosely over the pears — don’t pack it down so it bakes up crisp and airy.
5. Bake the crisp. Bake in a preheated 350 °F (175 °C) oven for about 30–35 minutes, until the topping is golden-brown and the filling is bubbling.
6. Finish and serve. Let the crisp rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel if you like, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for balance.

Variations

• Nuts – Swap walnuts for pecans for a richer, buttery crunch.
• Citrus zest – Add lemon or orange zest to brighten the filling.
• Fresh ginger – Grated ginger adds a warm, spicy lift.
• Almond extract – A small amount complements the pears with a delicate, nutty note.
• Dried cranberries – Stir in a handful for tart contrast and color.

Can I Store Leftovers?

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The topping will soften as it absorbs moisture; to restore crispness, reheat in a 350 °F oven for 15–20 minutes if thawed. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 3 months.

Common Questions about Pear Crisp

More Crisp Recipes

Fruit crisps are easy, comforting desserts. Try other seasonal variations to suit what’s in your fruit bowl.

Mixed Berry Crisp

Apple Crisp

Blueberry Crisp

Peach Crisp