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    Home » Dessert » Pies

    Awesome Gluten-Free Pear Crisp

    Published: Jan 19, 2017 · Modified: Oct 9, 2021 by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    You have to try this Awesome Gluten-Free Pear Crisp! It's vegan too and made with no refined sugar. We love this guilt-free, healthy dessert!

    Awesome Gluten-Free Pear Crisp | Vegan | Dessert | Healthy | No Refined Sugar

    If you don't tell anyone this pear crisp is vegan, gluten free, and contains no refined sugar, no one would ever guess. And, they'll be so busy shoveling in mouthfuls of this nutty, crunchy, salty-and-sweet dessert with cinnamon-spiced pears, they'd probably wouldn't hear you, anyway.

    But if you can't resist blurting it out (who, me?), when your announcement registers, they'll gleefully go for seconds. Since it's healthy and all. At least, that's my excuse for devouring half a pie plate of this awesome, gluten-free pear crisp.

    What can I say? I really love pear desserts. I also can't be trusted around this Amaretto Pear Cake with Canned Pears.

    overhead view of gluten-free pear crisp in a bowl

    Let me break down this pear crisp for you. You'll start with ripe, sweet pears (it's OK if they're a little firm, but best if they're a little soft.) You'll peel and slice them up and toss them with cinnamon.

    Then, you'll make the most delicious, gluten-free streusel topping, using whole-food ingredients. By that, I mean oats (use gluten-free if needed), almond meal or almond flour, olive oil (yes!), pure maple syrup and coarsely chopped pecans. And, last, but not least, a little salt, which will take us up the express elevator to salty-and-sweet dessert heaven.

    two-thirds of Gluten-free pear crisp in a bowl

    My family shouldn't be surprised to find me shamelessly scarfing down spoonfuls of that crisp topping. It's basically granola, right?

    I keep almond meal/flour (that's my Amazon affiliate link) on hand in my freezer, just so I can make this gluten-free dessert. The original recipe called for blueberries and no cinnamon. We enjoyed it, but liked apple crisp better, and now this pear version best. I had to add the cinnamon, which provides the perfect accent without overwhelming the other flavors.

    Tip: Store almond meal and alternative flours in your freezer to keep them fresh.

    Finally, I usually serve this awesome, gluten-free pear crisp naked. (I'm not sure that came out right.) I mean, no whipped cream or ice cream is necessary. However, I happened to have a lonely half cup of whipping cream in my fridge and decided the photos would look extra enticing with some whipped cream for contrast. I think it worked, no?

    Gluten-free pear crisp on a plate with a fork

    Enjoy!

    More gluten-free desserts to love

    • Torta Caprese (Flourless Chocolate-Almond Cake)
    • Fluffy Crustless Cheesecake
    • Chocolate Cheesecake (Gluten Free)
    • Chocolate Meringue Cookies

    Other desserts to try

    • The Best Jewish Apple Cake
    • Single-Layer Carrot Cake without Nuts
    • Chinese Chews (Date-Nut Bars)

    (Recipe Source: Adapted from Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes, 2013)

    P.S. If you like the idea of using pure maple syrup as a sweetener, check out my Healthy Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins and my Apple-Mozzarella-Pecan Salad with Maple Vinaigrette.

     

    gluten free pear crisp on a plate with a fork

    Awesome Gluten-Free Pear Crisp

    A delicious, healthy dessert that's gluten free, vegan and contains no refined sugar! Adapted from Shauna Niequist.
    4.41 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Go to Collections
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 333kcal
    Author: Mamma C

    Ingredients

    Pear Filling

    • 3 large ripe pears (I use red Anjou)
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    Crisp Topping

    • ½ cup unsalted pecan halves
    • 1 cup rolled oats (use gluten-free if needed)
    • ½ cup almond meal/flour
    • ¼ cup regular olive oil
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse and peel your pears. Remove the stems. Slice the pears (avoiding the core) into pieces about ⅓-inch thick. Place your pears in an ungreased pie dish and toss them with the cinnamon.
    • Give your pecans a rough chop, so they're still chunky. In a small mixing bowl, combine your pecans and all topping ingredients with a spoon or fork.
    • Cover your pears with your topping, spreading it evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling, and the topping is crisp and golden. Let the pear crisp cool for 10 minutes before serving. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to a week, but they'll probably be gone quickly.

    Notes

    This is so good plain, but if you don't need it to be vegan or lower in calories, you can add whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 3.8mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!
    Awesome Gluten-Free Pear Crisp | Vegan | Dessert | Healthy | No Refined Sugar
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicki grobe

      November 16, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      Have you made the sugar cookie crust with pecan pie filling? I
      My husband wants me to try this I wanted to ask you first if I c. Back the pecan pie filling directly into the sugar cookie crust. Thanks

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        November 16, 2021 at 7:28 pm

        Hi Vicki - I have not tried making that crust with pecan pie. If you do try it, bake the cookies for the top separately according to my recipe. For the pie, you'd have to use a pie shield or foil to protect the crust edges from getting too brown. Let me know if you try it.

        Reply
    2. Peg

      July 16, 2020 at 2:07 am

      i am wondering, (I am sure you have a reason,) why you chose olive oil instead of coconut oil. I don't want to make a substitute that is "okay" but not quite as good. Also, would this be good with ginger and nutmeg instead of cinnamon?

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        July 16, 2020 at 10:07 am

        Hi Peg - I never use coconut oil in my cooking or baking. I love the taste of olive oil here, but it should be fine to substitute coconut oil. If you enjoy ginger and nutmeg, go for it!

        Reply
    3. Joyce

      October 01, 2019 at 1:21 am

      5 stars
      This was delicious!i loved the nutty flavour.i also subbed coconut oil for olive oil.definitely on my hit list!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        October 01, 2019 at 1:31 pm

        Hi Joyce - I'm so glad you loved this pear crisp! It's good to know that coconut oil works here too.

        Reply
    4. HB

      September 01, 2018 at 10:54 pm

      5 stars
      This is a super easy and delicious recipe. I made a few substitutions based on what I had - I used walnuts instead of pecans and coconut oil instead of olive oil. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe, will definitely be making this again!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        September 02, 2018 at 8:41 am

        Hi HB - It's good to know walnuts and coconut oil work here too. I'm glad you enjoyed this dessert! It's one of our favorites.

        Reply
    5. Cheryl "CheffieCook" Wiser

      January 23, 2017 at 5:28 pm

      Yes please...love it!!! xo

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 23, 2017 at 7:30 pm

        I think you'd really enjoy this, Cheryl! xo

        Reply
    6. Julie

      January 19, 2017 at 5:57 pm

      This dessert doesn't need one thing. It's just gorgeous and sounds delicious. I love pears and crisps of all kinds!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 19, 2017 at 8:03 pm

        Thanks, Julie! It's a favorite in my house. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Donna

      January 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm

      Yum, this sounds perfect! I have been craving a pear crisp for the longest time, and I am sure this would satisfy my cravings 🙂

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 19, 2017 at 5:40 pm

        This should do it, Donna!

        Reply
    8. Lisa

      January 19, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      Haha...I think it's okay to serve it naked as long as you don't take photos of that for your blog! 😉 But seriously - this sounds wonderful! I love crisps because they're so much healthier and EASIER than pies! I make mine in much the same way, but I've not made a pear crisp before...my husband will love this!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 19, 2017 at 5:27 pm

        Hahaha!!! I swear that phrasing happened by accident, but then I had to leave it in. I agree, crisps are so easy! I hope your husband enjoys this, Lisa!

        Reply
    9. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

      January 19, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      I recently made a gluten free apple crisp that everyone raved over, so I know that a pear version would be equally welcome. I love that you've not used refined sugar here too! Lovely!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 19, 2017 at 5:07 pm

        It's exciting to make something delicious and guilt free that gets rave reviews. Thanks, Lisa!

        Reply
    10. Lizzie

      January 19, 2017 at 4:34 pm

      Yum, pear and cinnamon are two of my favourite flavours, if only the pears we got last week had ripened! And I can't believe you mentioned lonely cream, it's the excuse for many a cake here!

      Reply
      • Mamma C

        January 19, 2017 at 4:40 pm

        Haha! We must make all the things to prevent lonely cream, LOL. I've made this with pears that were pretty firm, and they actually softened a bit by the next day after baking.

        Reply

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    I'm Andrea, also known as Mamma C. I share family-tested recipes from my Italian-American kitchen. I hope you'll visit often! Read More…

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