Craving a warm, comforting dessert? This easy pear crumble recipe is the perfect fall dessert combining juicy fresh pears with a buttery crumble overtop. Quick to make and packed with flavor, it’s the ultimate treat for cozy evenings made with just a few simple ingredients!
When you're short on time but still want to wow your guests, this is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.
If you love quick & easy desserts, than you're going to absolutely love my Easy Pumpkin Blondies, Single Serving Molten Lava Cake and Cookie Dough Bites!
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Ingredients for Pear Crumble Recipe
- Ripe Pears
- Cornstarch
- Lemon Juice
- Walnuts
- All-Purpose Flour
- Rolled Oats
- Brown Sugar
- Unsalted Butter
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the pears, peel & slice! Add lemon & cornstarch & set aside.
Make the crumble topping!
Add the pears to an oven safe dish & sprinkle the crumble on top!
Bake for 45 minutes, cool & serve with a scoop of ice cream!
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Generously butter a 8x8 inch baking dish. I recommend using a ceramic dish.
- Prepare the Pears: If you haven’t already, peel and core the pears. Slice them into quarters, then chop into approximately 1.5 cm (⅔ inch) pieces.
- Transfer the pears to a medium-sized bowl and toss them with the lemon juice and cornstarch, which will help thicken the juices. The recipe also works without cornstarch, though the filling may be slightly runnier.
- Stir to combine, then spread the pear mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, combine flour, chopped walnuts, oats, brown sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold butter cubes and use a fork or pastry cutter to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It should hold together slightly when pinched.
- Assemble and Bake: Evenly scatter the crumble topping over the pears, breaking up any large clumps with your fingers.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let the crumble cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Substitutions
- Ripe Pears: Substitute with apples, peaches, or any seasonal fruit. It's personal preference.
- Cornstarch: Use arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or all-purpose flour to thicken the fruit juices.
- Lemon Juice: Replace with lime juice, apple cider vinegar, or a splash of orange juice for a mild acidity.
- Walnuts: Swap with pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, or omit entirely for a nut-free version.
- All-Purpose Flour: Substitute with whole wheat flour, almond flour, or gluten-free flour for a different texture or dietary needs.
- Rolled Oats: Use quick oats, steel-cut oats, or leave them out and add more flour or nuts for a different texture.
- Brown Sugar: Replace with coconut sugar, white granulated sugar, pure maple syrup, or honey for a natural sweetener alternative.
- Unsalted Butter: Substitute with coconut oil, margarine, or a vegan butter option.
Variations for Pear Crumble
Pear and Apple Crumble: Combine pears with apples for a sweet and tart mix. Use half pears and half apples for a balanced flavor.
Pear and Berry Crumble: Mix fresh or frozen berries, like blueberries or raspberries, with the pears for a burst of color and tangy flavor.
Chocolate Pear Crumble: Add dark chocolate chips to the crumble topping or sprinkle them over the pears for a decadent touch.
Equipment
- Baking Dish (ceramic recommended)
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Peeler
Storage
Refrigerating: After the pear crumble has cooled completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: To freeze, wrap the crumble tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight freezer-safe container. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
3 Top Tips for Success
1. Use Ripe Pears: Choose ripe, sweet pears for the best flavor and texture. If the pears are too firm, they won’t soften enough while baking.
2. Cold Butter for a Crisp Topping: Keep the butter cold when making the crumble topping. Cold butter creates that irresistible, crumbly texture by melting slowly in the oven, ensuring a crispy, golden finish.
3. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Spread the pear filling in an even layer without overcrowding the baking dish. This allows the pears to cook evenly and prevents a soggy crumble.
FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the crumble in advance by assembling the filling and topping separately. Store them in the fridge, then combine and bake when ready. You can also bake it fully and reheat it when needed.
Absolutely! You can swap the pears for apples, peaches, or berries, or even mix fruits for a unique twist. Just adjust the sweetness and baking time as needed.
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and ensure your oats are labeled gluten-free. The result will be just as delicious!
Related
Looking for other dessert recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite pastas to serve before this Pear Crumble:
Easy Delicious Pear Crumble (Best Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Generously butter a 8x8 inch baking dish. I recommend using a ceramic dish.
- If you haven’t already, peel and core the pears. Slice them into quarters, then chop into approximately 1.5 cm (⅔ inch) pieces.
- Transfer the pears to a medium-sized bowl and toss them with the lemon juice and cornstarch, which will help thicken the juices. The recipe also works without cornstarch, though the filling may be slightly runnier.
- Stir to combine, then spread the pear mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, chopped walnuts, oats, brown sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold butter cubes and use a fork or pastry cutter to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. It should hold together slightly when pinched.
- Evenly scatter the crumble topping over the pears, breaking up any large clumps with your fingers.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let the crumble cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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