Ditch the dough and get your ice cream ready for this Easy Apple and Pear Crisp topped with a DIY cinnamon-oat topping.
Move over, pumpkin bars. Step aside, caramel apple hand pies. There’s a new fall dessert favorite in town: Easy Apple and Pear Crisp!
We are officially one week away from the biggest food day of the year. I repeat: ONE WEEK! Whether your menu is set or you’re just getting started, one thing is certain: There’s always room for more dessert.
Fruit-filled desserts are always a favorite at our holiday table but this year we’re skipping the finicky pie dough in favor of this easy skillet dessert.
It’s no secret that I love skillet desserts (I’m looking at you Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie). There’s just something about skipping the plates, piling on the ice cream and digging right in with a spoon.
The setup on this one is simple: Diced apples and pears get tossed with flour, sugar and lemon juice, poured into a skillet, then topped with the best cinnamony-oat crisp to ever hit your lips. The result is a 5-star dessert without the stress of DIY pie.
What apples do I use for this easy apple crisp?
Any variety of apples will work in this recipe but I prefer Granny Smith or Cortlands.
What if I Don’t Have a Skillet?
No problem! This classic apple and pear crisp can also be made in a pie plate. Simply place the pie plate atop a baking sheet and bake the crisp until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, 40 to 50 minutes.
All that’s left to do is top it off with a big ol’ scoop of your favorite ice cream or a dollop (or two!) of whipped cream, grab the spoons and dig in.
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Ingredients
For the fruit filling:
- Unsalted butter, for greasing skillet
- 3 cups small diced and peeled apples (any variety)
- 3 cups small diced and peeled pears
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons white sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For the topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Make the fruit filling:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch skillet or pie plate with butter.
- In a large bowl, stir together the apples, pears, flour, sugar and lemon juice.
- Pour the fruit filling into the prepared pie plate.
Make the topping:
- In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.
- Stir in the melted butter until combined.
- Using your fingers, clump together the topping and sprinkle it on the fruit.
- Place the pie plate atop a baking sheet and bake the crisp until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, 40 to 50 minutes.
- Remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
This was delicious and easy to make.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Sue!
Also, if you don’t have much time, you don’t have to peel the apples/pears. You can just cut them up. That’s what I did. Annnd. You don’t have to use brown sugar for the topping. I used white, and just poured in a little bit of cinnamon, it still turned out great!
This recipe is legit amazing! I’ve already made it twice, and probably about to make it a 3rd time. It’s sooo good!
Woohoo! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Kaia!
This was so so so good! I made it the other day for my family, and everyone loved it. Turned out perfectly. For the apples and pears, you don’t have to peel them if you don’t have much time. I didn’t peel them and it turned out perfectly. 5 star rating from me! Also, you can use white sugar if you don’t have brown sugar. that’s what I did.
Yesssss! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kaia!
I made this recipe tonight. I used asian pears and mcintosh apples. Very tasty especially the topping!. The pears are not as sweet as some varieties so next time I would add abit more sugar to the fruit mixture. This recipe was perfectly easy to follow and I am glad I tried it! Thank you very much and I will make this again for sure!!!!!
You are so welcome, Malie! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
Made tonight using coconut sugar and whole wheat flour. Tasty!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Candace!
Easy! Tasty! A winner!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Bubba!
First timer here! All I can say if it tastes as delicious as the smells permeating my kitchen right now. This is our Thanksgiving dessert today. I need strength not to prenibble
Haha! I hope you enjoyed the crisp, Cheri!
The best apple pear crisp I have ever had. I doubled up the recipe and made 2 round pie plates of it. I also used light brown sugar instead of white sugar and lessened it to let the natural sugars shine in the filing. I won’t make any other recipe now. Thank you! also, I used Asian pears and a honey apple.
AMAZING! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Maria!
Waiting for it to cook, but it smells fantastic, and is a really simple recipe. More to follow……
I hope you enjoy the crisp, Cheryl!
Fantastic recipe, and so easy to make. I used a couple of Granny Smith apples, a Dazzle variety apple, and two pears. It was perfect. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to trying some of your other recipes.
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Rachel! Welcome to Just a Taste :)
This is the only apple ‘ pear crisp I make now. We all love it. I have made about 5-6 times now. I make it once a month
Love reading this, Carrie! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe!
Fantastic recipe! I plan on making it again for Thanksgiving. :)
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed it, Jane!