This Pear Crisp is a cozy, homemade dessert made with tender pears, real maple syrup, and a buttery oat topping. This easy, from-scratch crisp recipe is perfect for fall dinners, holidays, or anytime you want a warm, comforting dessert with amazing flavor.
This Pear Crisp is everything I want in a simple fruit dessert. Warm, softly baked pears with a hint of maple and vanilla get topped with a golden, crumbly oat topping that bakes up crisp and irresistible.
Pears are a little underrated in the dessert world, in my opinion, and this recipe proves how delicious they can be. When baked, they turn tender and juicy while still holding their shape, making them perfect for a crisp.
The maple syrup adds natural sweetness and depth without overpowering the fruit. Paired with cinnamon and brown sugar, the flavor feels cozy, classic, and just right.
This is the kind of dessert that works just as well for a casual family dinner as it does for a holiday table like Thanksgiving. Serve it warm and let everyone dig in. It’s a delicious summer and fall treat.
What I Love About This Recipe
- This crisp is incredibly versatile. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or reheated the next day. It is just as good on day two, if not better.
- I love how simple and comforting this dessert is. There is nothing complicated here, just fresh pears and pantry staples coming together beautifully. It feels like an everyday dessert that still tastes special. That balance is always a win for me.
- The maple flavor is subtle but makes a big difference. It adds warmth and richness that pairs perfectly with pears. Combined with vanilla, it gives the filling a cozy, natural sweetness that tastes amazing. It is not overly sweet, just right.
- The streusel-like topping is one of my favorite parts. The mix of oats, flour, brown sugar, and cold butter creates that perfect crisp texture. Crunchy on top, soft underneath, it checks all the boxes. I always sneak a little extra topping onto my serving.
Equipment You May Need
- Large Bowl – Used to mix both the filling and the topping.
- 9-inch Pie Pan – The perfect size for baking the crisp evenly.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Pear Crisp Ingredients
For the Filling
- Pears – Ripe pears bake up tender and juicy while holding their shape.
- Maple Syrup – Adds natural sweetness and warm flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the pear and maple flavors.
For the Topping
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats – Create a hearty, crisp topping.
- All-Purpose Flour – Helps bind the topping together.
- Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and caramel-like depth.
- Ground Cinnamon – Brings warm spice to the topping.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Cold Butter – Creates those irresistible crumbly bits when baked.
How to Make Pear Crisp
Step One: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
Step Two: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, gently stir together the sliced pears, maple syrup, and vanilla until coated. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan and spread evenly.
Step Three: Make the Topping
In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well blended. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Crumble the topping evenly over the pears.
Step Four: Bake the Crisp
Bake for 40 to 55 minutes, or until the pears are soft and bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Enjoy it on its own for a simple dessert.
- Pair with coffee or tea for a cozy treat. Apple cider or Pear Cider would be great too.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Slice pears thinly so they cook through evenly.
- Use cold butter for the best crumbly topping.
- Let the crisp cool slightly so the filling thickens before serving.
- You can make individual or mini crisps in small pie plates or ramekins. Be sure to adjust the baking time as needed.
Pear Crisp FAQ
How should I store Pear Crisp?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze Pear Crisp?
Yes. Freeze fully cooled crisp for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently. I can’t guarantee results for texture.
How long will Pear Crisp last?
It is best within the first couple of days, but still delicious for several days when refrigerated.
Substitutions?
You can substitute apples for pears using the same amounts. You can use other spices such as nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and apple pie spice instead of or in addition to the cinnamon. Instead of maple syrup, you could use caramel or butterscotch if you prefer.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Low-fat substitutions are not recommended since butter is important for the topping texture.
What else can I add to this recipe?
A pinch of nutmeg or ginger pairs beautifully with pears. You can throw in a handful of your favorite berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries. You could also add some toffee bits or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the filling or topping. A little maple or almond extract would also be good. A little orange zest in the filling would be delicious.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – Use plant-based butter.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – You can try a sugar substitute.
Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend.
Other Fruit Recipes You May Enjoy
- Bacon & Apples Foster – Fun twist on the classic Bananas Foster.
- Apple Pearsauce – Homemade applesauce, but with some pears!
- Apple Chicken Salad – A savory chicken salad with sweet apples.
Hope you enjoy this Pear Crisp. Tell me in the comments how it turned out for you.
If you like fruit desserts, you may also like these Mini Blueberry Cobblers!
Pear Crisp
Ingredients
Filling:
- 5 cups ripe pears peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (4 or 5 pears)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold butter cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
- In a large bowl, gently stir the pears, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pour into a 9-inch pie pan.
- In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well blended. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Crumble the topping over the pears.
- Bake the crisp for 40 to 55 minutes, or until the pears are soft and the topping is crisp and browned.
Notes
- Be sure the pears are thinly sliced so that they can cook through.
- Instead of pears, you can use apples.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
