Name: Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 ripe pears (4 to 5 cups thinly sliced); 1 Tablespoon lemon juice; 1 pint blueberries (2 cups); 2 Tablespoons corn starch; 2 Tablespoons honey; 1½ cups rolled oats; ½ cup almond flour; ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped; ¼ cup brown sugar; ½ cup butter, melted

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 10 reviews

I love sharing this Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe because it captures everything I adore in a dessert: tender, juicy fruit mingling with a perfectly crunchy oat and nut topping. It’s naturally gluten-free and packed with wholesome ingredients, making it a sweet treat I feel good about serving anytime — whether it’s a cozy weeknight dessert or a festive holiday centerpiece. Each bite is a delightful balance of flavors and textures that keeps me coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe

I’m genuinely excited about the flavor profile in this recipe. The pears bring a delicate sweetness and a lovely softness, while the blueberries add bright, tangy pops of juicy freshness. Together, they create this harmonious fruit filling that feels both vibrant and comforting. Then, atop that, the oat pecan topping introduces a buttery crunch with nutty undertones that contrasts beautifully with the fruit’s softness. Every mouthful feels like a small celebration.

What truly makes this Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe stand out to me is how incredibly easy it is to put together, especially considering how impressive it tastes. No fancy equipment or complicated techniques required — just simple mixing and baking. I also love that it’s versatile enough for so many occasions. From casual family gatherings to holiday dinners, this crisp always wins hearts. And best of all, it’s even better when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A large white bowl on a white marbled surface holds three layers of ingredients: the bottom layer has blue blueberries, the middle layer has white powder scattered over the blueberries, and the top layer shows thin slices of yellow-green pear arranged on one side. A wooden spoon rests inside the bowl near the edge. Around the main bowl, there are smaller white bowls containing rolled oats, chopped pecans, and brown sugar, along with some square slices of pale yellow butter on white paper. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this pear blueberry crisp lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in layering flavors and textures — the juicy pears and sweet blueberries form the tender fruit base, while the oat pecan topping brings a satisfying crunch and a hint of buttery richness.

Pro Tip ✨

Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

Pears: Choose ripe but firm pears to ensure a perfect soft texture without muddiness.
Lemon juice: Helps prevent the pears from browning and adds a nice citrusy brightness.
Blueberries: Fresh or frozen work equally well to bring juicy sweetness and beautiful color.
Corn starch: Thickens the filling, giving it a lovely, spoonable consistency.
Honey: Adds a natural, gentle sweetness and complements the fruit flavors perfectly.
Rolled oats: Provide that classic crisp texture in the topping with wholesome heartiness.
Almond flour: Adds moisture and a subtle nuttiness that enriches the topping’s flavor.
Pecans: Roughly chopped for a satisfying crunch and toasty depth in every bite.
Brown sugar: Gives a caramel-like sweetness to balance the tartness of the berries.
Butter: Melted to tie the topping together and add richness that browns nicely in the oven.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375℉. Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish with a little of the melted butter to prevent sticking and help with browning the edges.

Step 2: Prepare the pears by washing them, then cutting around the core into quarters and slicing them thinly (no peeling needed!). Toss the slices immediately with the lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent browning.

Step 3: In a large bowl, gently combine the sliced pears, blueberries, corn starch, and honey. Toss everything together with your hands to evenly coat the fruit, making sure the corn starch is well distributed for perfect filling consistency.

Step 4: Pour the fruit mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly so it fills the dish but still leaves a little room for bubbling underneath the topping.

Step 5: Using the same bowl, mix the rolled oats, almond flour, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter until everything is well combined and crumbly.

Step 6: Spread the oat pecan topping evenly over the fruit filling. It’s nice to let a few slices of pear and blueberries peek through, especially around the edges, for a rustic homemade look.

Step 7: Bake the crisp in your preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until the topping is golden and crisp and the filling is bubbling happily underneath.

Step 8: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for that extra indulgence.

Servings and Timing

This Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe makes enough to serve 6 to 8 people generously—perfect for sharing with loved ones. Prep time is delightfully short, about 15 minutes to slice, mix, and assemble. Then it bakes for roughly 40 minutes, giving you a total active plus cooking time of about 55 minutes. I usually let it cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the filling can set just right.

How to Serve This Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe

The dish shows a white oval baking dish filled with a layered fruit crisp. The bottom layer is made of sliced greenish-yellow fruits, mostly covered but slightly visible on the edges. On top of the fruit layer, there are dark blueberries scattered throughout. The top layer is thick and chunky, made mostly of golden-brown oat clusters with some pecan halves distributed evenly. The texture looks crunchy and crumbly. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with hints of a white bowl and a beige cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Whenever I serve this crisp, I love pairing it with something creamy to balance the warm fruit and crunchy topping. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting slowly over the top is my absolute favorite. If you prefer something lighter, a dollop of whipped cream or even plain Greek yogurt adds a lovely tangy contrast.

This dessert shines beautifully on its own but also pairs well with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a warm chai latte if you want a comforting drink combo. For something more festive, I’ve found that a chilled glass of late harvest Riesling or a sparkling rosé complements the fruity sweetness wonderfully.

I like to serve this crisp warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect fresh out of the oven for that crisp topping crunch or later when the flavors have melded even more. For presentation, I often serve it family-style right from the baking dish with big spoons for guests to help themselves. If you want to get a little fancy, portion it into pretty bowls or ramekins and garnish with a few extra pecan halves or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Variations

I’m always up for mixing things up with this recipe to suit different tastes or dietary needs. For instance, if you want to swap out pears, apples or peaches work just as nicely and offer a slightly different sweetness and texture. Blueberries can be replaced or combined with blackberries or raspberries for a berry medley twist.

If you’re gluten-free but want to make it vegan, this recipe is already a great start just by using vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. You can also experiment by substituting pecans with walnuts or sliced almonds for different nutty flavors and textures in the topping.

For a fun flavor variation, I’ve drizzled a bit of maple syrup instead of honey, added a pinch of ground cardamom or ginger to the fruit filling, or sprinkled cinnamon into the oat topping. If you want a smoother texture in the topping, try pulsing the oats and pecans lightly in a food processor before mixing with the other ingredients.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I always store any leftover pear blueberry crisp in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just bring it to room temperature or gently reheat it.

Freezing

Yes, this crisp freezes beautifully. I recommend assembling it in a freezer-safe dish, covering it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and freezing it for up to 2 months. You can either freeze it unbaked and bake straight from frozen (adding extra baking time), or freeze it baked and just reheat later. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating to ensure even warming.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat pear blueberry crisp is in the oven at 350℉ for about 15 to 20 minutes until warm and bubbly again. This helps the topping stay crisp rather than going soggy like it might in a microwave. If you’re reheating from frozen, leave time to thaw first for the best result.

FAQs

Can I use canned pears or frozen blueberries in this recipe?

While fresh pears and blueberries are ideal for the best texture and flavor, you can definitely use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer. Just make sure to thaw them slightly and drain any excess liquid to prevent a watery filling. I don’t recommend canned pears because they tend to be too soft and watery, which can affect the crisp’s texture.

How can I make this recipe vegan and gluten-free?

This Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats and almond flour. To make it vegan, simply swap the butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil, and replace honey with maple syrup. These swaps work beautifully without compromising taste or texture.

Can I prepare this dessert ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble this crisp up to a day before baking. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. This makes it super convenient for busy days or entertaining, allowing you to pop it in the oven and serve warm with minimal fuss.

What kind of pears work best for this recipe?

I prefer ripe but firm pears such as Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou. They hold their shape nicely when baked but still become tender and sweet. Avoid overly soft or mealy pears as they can turn mushy during baking.

Can I add spices or other flavorings to the crisp?

Yes! I often add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the fruit filling for warming spice. Other great additions include a splash of vanilla extract, a pinch of ground ginger, or a bit of lemon zest to brighten the flavors. These are easy ways to personalize the crisp to your taste.

Conclusion

I truly hope you give this Pear Blueberry Crisp with Oat Pecan Topping Recipe a try — it’s one of those desserts that feels like a warm hug after a long day. Its effortless preparation, wholesome ingredients, and irresistible balance of sweet fruit and crunchy topping never fail to impress me or my guests. Whether you’re new to baking crisps or a seasoned pro, this recipe is bound to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen, just like it is in mine.