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Apple Pear Crisp

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Apple Pear Crisp combines tart apples and sweet pears for a delightful take on the traditional fall crisp. 

Bowl of apple pear crisp, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, next to a glass of milk

As soon the temperatures turn fall-like, Apple Crisp automatically becomes the most popular dessert in our house. And because of that, I always have the essentials on hand to make it on a whim.

My husband happened to pick up a bag full of beautiful pears from our local fruit stand, but they started to ripen way quicker than we could eat them, so I decided to put them to good use and whipped up this Apple Pear Crisp over the weekend.

We love to serve Apple Pear Crisp with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, but it’s perfectly delicious on its own, or with a little dollop of homemade whipped cream.

Ingredients for apple pear crisp on a blue countertop

WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES FOR MAKING THIS CRISP?

Even though this crisp recipe combines apples and pears together, using the right kinds of apples is just as important as if you were making Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp or Caramel Apple Crisp

Actually, it might be more important because you want to choose an apple that pairs well with the soft, sweet pears.

Filling for apple pear crisp in a white baking dish, set on a blue countertop

I like to use an apple that is super crisp and a little bit tart to balance the texture and sweetness of the pears. Granny smith, honeycrisp, and golden delicious apples are all a great choice here.

I would stay away from fuji or gala apples for this recipe. They are naturally a lot sweeter and not as crisp, so they could make the final crisp too sweet.

Spatula stirring together the topping for apple pear crisp in a clear mixing bowl

HOW TO MAKE APPLE PEAR CRISP

The filling for this Apple Pear Crisp uses just a handful of ingredients:

  • 6 cups thinly sliced baking apples
  • 4 cups thinly sliced pears
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon homemade apple pie spice
Apple pear crisp in a white baking dish, ready to be baked

I like to use just a teaspoon of apple pie spice in the filling because I like to let the flavor of the fruit shine through. Too many spices covers up the flavor of the apples and pears. After all, we want an Apple Pear Crisp, not a cinnamon crisp!

Gently toss the filling ingredients together, pour it into a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, and set the filling aside while you prep the crisp topping.

Overhead view of baked apple pear crisp with a spoonful taken out of it

This topping uses melted butter, so you don’t even have to wait for butter to soften to make this recipe. Simple stir together old-fashioned oats, flour, a bit more apple pie spice, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, pecan chips, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

As you stir the mixture, it will naturally start to form crumbs. Sprinkle these crumbs evenly over the filling and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Two bowls of apple pear crisp, topped with whipped cream, on a countertop next to glasses of milk

HOW CAN YOU TELL WHEN THE CRISP IS DONE?

Not sure how to tell when your Apple Pear Crisp is done? Look for a nice golden-brown color on the crisp topping and bubbling fruit all along the sides of the pan.

This doesn’t just apply to apple crisps; it applies to all fruit crisps, such as Berry Crisp or Peach Crisp, as well! 

Caramel sauce being drizzled over apple pear crisp and whipped cream in a white bowl

STORAGE TIPS

A lot of people are unsure if they should store Apple Pear Crisp at room temperature or in the refrigerator. 

You can typically store crisps like this one covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep the crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If you live in a hot and humid climate, or your kitchen tends to run warm and humid, I suggest storing it in the refrigerator unless you plan to eat the crisp within one day.

Overhead view of apple pear crisp and vanilla ice cream in a white bowl, drizzled with caramel sauce
Caramel sauce being drizzled over apple pear crisp and whipped cream in a white bowl

Apple Pear Crisp

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Apple Pear Crisp combines tart apples and sweet pears for a delightful take on the traditional fall crisp. 

Ingredients

  • 6 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced baking apples (about 6 large)
  • 4 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced pears (about 5 large)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice

For the topping:

  • 1 ¼ cup old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup pecan chips (optional)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Prepare the fruit base: In a large mixing bowl, combine apple, pears and lemon juice; toss to coat. In a medium bowl mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour and apple pie spice. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples and pears tossing to coat. Pour apple pear mixture into prepared pan, spread into an even layer.
  3. Prepare the topping: In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, apple pie spice, salt, pecans and brown sugar. Mix butter and vanilla together and pour over oat mixture; stir to combine. Crumble mixture evenly over the apples and pears.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown.
  5. Serve warm. If desired, top with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, or whipped cream.

Notes

I used Honeycrisp apples. If you are using very tart Granny Smith apples, you may want to add an additional 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to the fruit filling.

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Nutrition Information
Yield 12
Amount Per Serving Calories 331Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 20mgSodium 33mgCarbohydrates 54gFiber 4gSugar 34gProtein 3g

Did you make this recipe?

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kathy

Wednesday 3rd of November 2021

Made this with apples and pears from my own trees. I split into 8x8 pans, baked one for immediate consumption and one for the freezer. Fantastic warm with a scoop of ice cream on top!

Jamie

Wednesday 15th of December 2021

So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Kathy! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback! -Jamie

Cassandra

Sunday 21st of February 2016

It's in the oven Apple's  and pears oh my and a crisp . Can't wait !!!!

Jamie

Monday 22nd of February 2016

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did, Cassandra! Thanks so much for stopping by! -Jamie

Sondra

Monday 17th of November 2014

My 8 year old and I made this last night. It was so delicious! The kids and adults couldn't get enough. We ended up using more pears than apples since we were using up what was going to go bad. It's a gooey, crunchy not overly sweet bowl of deliciousness!! Will definitely make this one a staple in our house

Jamie

Monday 17th of November 2014

Sondra- I'm so glad the recipe was successful for you. Thanks for visiting.

-Jamie

AWY

Monday 27th of October 2014

If you like ooey gooey super sweet desserts this is for you. Otherwise cut the sugar WAY WAY back. Just sprinkle a little sugar on the fruit and let the crispy topping carry the sweetness.

Jamie

Wednesday 29th of October 2014

Thanks for stopping by.

-Jamie

Ruth

Tuesday 22nd of October 2013

I made this tonight and it is delicious. It's now my go to apple crisp recipe. Thanks for sharing!

Jamie

Monday 4th of November 2013

Ruth-

That's great to hear! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the recipe. Have a fantastic day and thank you for following MBA!

-Jamie

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