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Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe – Best Easy Dessert with Oat Topping

strawberry rhubarb crisp - featured image

This easy strawberry rhubarb crisp features a jammy, sweet-tart fruit filling topped with a golden, buttery oat crumble. It’s a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for summer gatherings or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 2 cups)
  • 1 lb fresh rhubarb, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Hull and quarter strawberries; chop rhubarb into 1/2-inch pieces. If using frozen fruit, thaw and drain well.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine strawberries, rhubarb, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir until evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  5. Add cold, cubed butter to the oat mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse, chunky sand with pea-sized bits.
  6. Stir in sliced almonds if using.
  7. Pour fruit mixture (with juices) into a greased 8×8-inch baking dish.
  8. Evenly sprinkle oat topping over the fruit, covering completely but not packing down.
  9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until topping is golden brown and fruit is bubbling at the edges. Tent with foil if topping browns too quickly.
  10. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free/vegan, substitute coconut oil or vegan butter for regular butter. If using frozen fruit, thaw and drain well to prevent a watery crisp. Taste your fruit and adjust sugar as needed. Let the crisp cool before serving for best texture. Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the topping for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry rhubarb crisp, oat topping, easy dessert, summer dessert, fruit crisp, comfort food, vegetarian, gluten-free option