Learn how to make this Easy Apple and Pear Crumble with simple ingredients from a dietitian! Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert or with yogurt for breakfast! It's so good!
I don't know about you, but I love cooking with fresh fruit when it's in season. I get my strawberry fix in the Spring and then start cooking with Fall fruit as soon as the weather turns. 🍂
And nothing says Fall like a freshly baked apple dessert with a crumbly and slightly crisp topping. In fact, this delicious apple pear crumble is a great dessert to make around the holidays because it's easy to make and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Easy recipe There is no need to peel the apples, and it has a shorter baking time than most other apple pear crisp recipes.
- Dairy-Free and Soy-free, so kids with an allergy or intolerance to milk or soy can enjoy it, too!
- Kid-Approved What's not to love about fruit crumble recipes made with juicy pears and crips apples? Seriously though, this recipe is sweet but not too sweet and can be served for dessert, breakfast, or a snack.
- High in fiber 6 grams of fiber per serving. Fiber helps food move through your digestive tract and it keeps you feeling full longer.
Dietitian Tips
Tip 1 Leaving the skins on when eating or cooking with apples and pears is a great way to add fiber to what you are already eating.
Tip 2 While a pear apple crumble like this is typically served as dessert, this version works just as well for breakfast or a snack. Serve the leftovers of this fruit crisp as is, topped with yogurt, or with a glass of milk for a quick and easy breakfast.
Ingredient Notes
- Apples I often use gala apples to make this recipe because we always have them in the fridge. Still, golden delicious or honey crisp apples would taste great, too. Or, if you are looking for more of an apple pie flavor, use tart apples like granny smith apples. Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
- Bartlett Pears (sweet pears) High in fiber and vitamin C. Bartlett pears are considered the sweetest, juiciest, and most flavorful pear.
- Oats An excellent source of soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, phosphorus, thiamine, magnesium, and zinc.
- Walnuts The only nut significantly high in omega-3 ALA, according to California Walnuts. Walnuts are also a good source of protein, fiber, and magnesium.
- Flour I use white whole wheat flour (now also known as Golden Wheat Flour) for more fiber and texture. Plain flour (all-purpose) or a gluten-free flour can be used instead. In fact, one person mentioned in the comment section that she used almond flour to make this recipe, and it turned out great.
- Maple Syrup Use pure maple syrup. Maple syrup adds a nice maple flavor and touch of sweetness to the crumble topping. If you don't have maple syrup, use dark brown sugar instead.
- Olive Oil Used in place of butter in this recipe. It's rich in monounsaturated fats, is full of antioxidants, and contains anti-inflammatory properties. Can use avocado oil or melted coconut oil instead.
- Lemon Use fresh lemon juice.
- Cranberries (optional) Update: I included cranberries in the ingredient photo when I first published this recipe but have since decided to leave it out since it's an optional ingredient. Still, cranberries do add color and incredible flavor.
How to Make Apple and Pear Crumble Recipe
Here's a brief overview of the steps to make this easy apple and pear crumble. For the full recipe with a complete list of ingredients and full instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Add chopped apples and pears to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and one teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Make the oat mixture: Mix the rest of the dry ingredients together with the maple syrup and olive oil in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Pour the apple and pear mixture into a prepared 9x9 baking dish. Spread it out so it covers the bottom of the baking dish.
- Top the fruit filling with the oat mixture. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.
Helpful Tips
- Wash the apples and pears before cutting them.
- Leave the skins on and cut apples and pears up into small, bite sized pieces.
- Leave the skins on the apples and pears for added nutrients and for excellent texture. By cutting up the apple and pear into small pieces the skins won't be as noticeable once it's cooked.
- Cranberries are optional. If your kids don't like foods that are 'tart' (like cranberries), consider adding only a few cranberries the first time you make this with cranberries.
- I recommend serving this apple and pear crumble warm.
- Let this cool to room temperature before storing it refrigerated in an airtight container.
- The fruit crisp is delicious on its own, so adding yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is completely optional.
Questions You May Have
Apply pressure to the neck of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to pressure, it's ripe.
Use what you have. Any apple will work in this recipe! Since this recipe is not made with a lot of added sugar, I suggest sticking with sweeter apples, like Gala, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp apples.
More apples!
The top will be golden brown, and the fruit mixture will be bubbly around the sides.
More Delicious Recipes
Did you love this Apple and Pear Crumble? Please leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below. A 5-star rating is the best compliment!
Don't forget to take a picture with your favorite topping and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it!
📖 Recipe
Easy Apple and Pear Crumble
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 apples washed, cored, and chopped into bite-sized pieces (about 4 cups)
- 2 pears washed, cored, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup cranberries optional
- ¾ cup whole oats old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup white whole wheat flour I used King Arthur brand
- 1 lemon juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoon walnuts finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon divided
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix together apple and pear pieces, cranberries, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Spread on the bottom of a 8x8 baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together oats, walnuts, flour, salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, olive oil, and maple syrup.
- Spread oat mixture out evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 35 minutes.
- Serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- You do not have to peel the apples or pears. Keeping the skins on adds color, fiber, texture, and more nutritional value to this recipe. Plus, it saves time!
- If you choose to use larger apple and pear pieces or slices, it will take longer to bake.
- Serve this to your kids plain or with a glass of milk or serving of yogurt for breakfast or with a small scoop of ice cream for dessert!
- Let leftovers cool to room temperature before storing it refrigerated in an airtight container.
Blakey says
Perfect! I used almond flour and blueberries instead of cranberries.
Kristi says
Yay! Sounds like delicious substitutions!