Customizable Fruit Crisp

This customizable fruit crisp is a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert you can enjoy with any fruit you have on hand. Feel free to customize with berries, peaches, cherries, or another seasonal fruit. This year-round sweet treat is perfect for parties or even for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt on top!

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Why you'll love it

• Totally customizable: Pick any fruit combo you love-apples, berries, peaches, you name it. This recipe works with what's in season or what's in your freezer.
• Naturally sweetened: We're using just a touch of maple syrup or honey in both the filling and topping, so the natural fruit flavors really shine.
• Crispy and comforting: That golden oat-nut topping delivers the perfect crunch to balance the soft, juicy fruit underneath.
• Perfect for sharing: It serves 6-8 people, making it ideal for dinner parties or holiday tables.

Can I use frozen fruit?

Yes! You can absolutely use frozen fruit for this fruit crisp. No need to thaw before baking-just toss the frozen fruit directly with the other base ingredients and add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch to help absorb any extra moisture. Great option for off-season or meal prep-friendly baking!

Can I use canned fruit?

You can, but with a few tips! Choose canned fruit packed in 100% juice (not syrup), and drain it well before mixing. Since canned fruit is softer, the texture will be more tender after baking, and you may want to reduce bake time slightly.

What is a fruit crisp?

A fruit crisp is a baked dessert featuring fresh or frozen fruit topped with a crumbly mixture of oats, flour, nuts, and a touch of fat (like butter or coconut oil). It's similar to a crumble or cobbler, but typically lighter and crispier thanks to the oats and nuts. You can think of it as a rustic, fuss-free pie with no crust required!

Is this fruit crisp healthy?

As a registered dietitian, I'm always looking for ways to add fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats into our favorite comfort foods. This fruit crisp delivers just that with a perfect combo of nutrient-packed ingredients:

• Fruits like berries and apples are high in fiber and polyphenols-compounds that support heart health and brain function. A meta-analysis found that higher fruit intake is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease.
  
• Rolled oats offer whole-grain goodness and a steady source of energy. They're rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber linked to reduced cholesterol levels.
  
• Nuts like walnuts or almonds provide healthy fats and plant-based protein, plus vitamin E and magnesium for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Walnuts, in particular, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health, help balance cholesterol levels, and may play a role in brain health.

What ingredients do you need?

Here's what you'll need to pull together this easy fruit crisp.

• Chopped fruit: This is the heart of the recipe and can be fresh, frozen, or canned (just drain well if using canned).
• Maple syrup or honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps everything caramelize as it bakes.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the fruit juices so your crisp isn't soupy.
• Lemon juice: Adds a pop of brightness and balances the sweetness.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warm, cozy depth to the fruit filling.
• Cinnamon: A classic spice that pairs well with almost every fruit.
• Rolled oats: Brings that golden, crispy texture on top.
• Oat flour: Keeps it gluten-free and subtly nutty, but all-purpose works too.
• Chopped nuts: Adds crunch and richness from healthy fats.
• Salt: Just a pinch helps balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
• Coconut oil or butter: Binds the topping together and gives it a rich, toasty finish.

How do you make customizable fruit crisp?

Here's how to whip up this cozy dessert in under an hour:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
   
2. Mix the fruit base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped fruit, maple syrup or honey, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir until well coated and pour into your prepared baking dish.
   
3. Make the topping: In another bowl, stir together oats, oat flour, chopped nuts, maple syrup or honey, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted coconut oil or butter and mix until crumbly.
   
4. Assemble and bake: Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
   
5. Rest and serve: Let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken up, then dig in! Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or your favorite vanilla ice cream.

Customize it your way

Like all of my recipes, this customizable fruit crisp can be endlessly personalized. Choose your favorite fruits, nuts, and sweeteners you want to use.

• Fruit of your choice: Pick a single fruit (like just apples or peaches) or mix a few together. This recipe works with almost any fruit! Try sliced apples and pears in the fall, peaches and berries in the summer, or a mix of frozen fruit in the winter.
• Sweetener of your choice: Maple syrup gives a warm, earthy sweetness while honey adds floral notes. You can also try agave or date syrup.
• Nuts of your choice: Pecans, walnuts, almonds, or cashews all bring a slightly different crunch. Toasted nuts will boost the flavor even more. You can also swap with pumpkin seeds.
• Fat of your choice: Coconut oil gives a light coconut aroma, while butter brings that classic crisp richness.

Recipe tips and tricks

• Serving: This crisp is best served warm, with a scoop of vanilla Greek yogurt or ice cream. It's also great cooled and spooned over oatmeal for a next-day breakfast treat.
• Troubleshooting: If your topping browns too fast but the fruit isn't bubbling yet, loosely cover with foil and bake a few more minutes. If your topping looks dry, add an extra drizzle of melted coconut oil.
• Scaling: This recipe serves 6-8, but you can easily double it in a 9x13 dish for a crowd. Or halve it and bake in a loaf pan for a smaller batch.

Meal prep and storage

Let your crisp cool completely, then cover and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or a low oven to re-crisp the topping. You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months-just thaw and reheat when the craving hits!

Need more help with recipes for your busy schedule?

In my coaching + cooking program, I help busy people with beginner cooking knowledge become confident in the kitchen so that they can enjoy nourishing foods they love and stress less about mealtime. Click here to learn more about this virtual program led by a dietitian.

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Other favorite fruit recipes to try next:

• Customizable Protein Muffins with Fruit
• Customizable Fruit Mojito
• High Fiber Apple Cider Mocktail