An Easy Strawberry Crisp recipe made with oats, pecans, fresh strawberries, coconut sugar, and maple syrup. A delicious gluten-free and vegan strawberry dessert that can be enjoyed anytime!
Gluten-free desserts don't have to be difficult. And summer desserts definitely shouldn't be. This crisp couldn't be easier.
I'll show you have to make a flavorful strawberry crisp with simple whole-food ingredients.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy - No complicated instructions here. Whipping up the strawberry mixture and the crisp topping come together in a few simple steps.
- Healthy - Coconut sugar and maple syrup take the place of brown and white sugars. Whole grain oats and fresh fruit shine!
- Simple Ingredients - juicy strawberries, whole-grain oats, pecans, and vegan butter make up the major components for this simple dessert.
Crisps vs crumbles
Both baked fruit desserts, what really is the difference between a crisp and a crumble? The two dishes are similar in that they use a streusel topping that covers a fruit mixture.
But unlike crumbles, crisps use oats in their topping that "crisp" up during baking. You'll find that this is not a hard and fast rule, but was what originally distinguished the two.
For either dessert, the best way to serve them is with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Gluten-Free Oats - Whole grain oats are the main component of the crispy topping. In this buttery oat crisp dessert, oats are used in their whole form as well as blitzed in a food processor to make oat flour. Store-bought gluten-free oat flour will work for this too.
Fresh Strawberries - The star of the recipe, fresh ripe strawberries, bake up into a warm compote-like strawberry filling. A couple of pounds of strawberries is just the right amount for this dish.
Raw Pecans - The addition of chopped nuts enhances the flavor and texture of the warm crisp recipe. Other raw nuts like almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts would work well as a substitute.
Coconut Sugar & Maple Syrup - Swap out that brown sugar and white sugar. These two natural sweeteners give this dessert a sweet but not-too-sweet taste.
Vegan Butter - Melted butter brings the crunchy oat streusel together. Substitute coconut oil (melted) can be used in place of vegan butter as a dairy-free alternative.
Arrowroot Starch - A grain-free alternative to cornstarch. Cornstarch or tapioca starch can be used as an arrowroot substitute.
Ground Cinnamon - A little cinnamon goes a long way in enhancing the hints of vanilla and maple syrup in this dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Before you start: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease your baking pan with cooking spray. Melt the vegan butter and set aside.
Step 1: Place 1 cup of oats in the bowl of a food processor.
Step 2: Process on high until a fine flour is achieved. Set aside.
Step 3: Place cut strawberries in a medium bowl and toss with arrowroot starch, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Then, transfer the strawberry mixture to the baking dish.
Step 4: Combine oats, oat flour, pecans, coconut sugar, salt, and melted butter in the medium bowl.
Step 5: Scatter the crumbly oat mixture on top of the strawberries in the baking pan.
Step 6: Set the bake time for 35-45 minutes. The crisp topping should be golden and fruit bubbly.
Recipe tips
If you are making this for people that specifically need a gluten-free dessert, make sure you are using certified gluten-free oats. I like using Bob's Red Mill brand, but doing a double-check of the label is always a good practice.
Cut down on using multiple mixing bowls by wiping out the mixing bowl after making the strawberry mixture. Then, the same bowl can be used to make the crumbly oat topping.
Equipment
To make this delicious berry dessert, there are a few main kitchen tools that you will need.
- Making oat flour at home is easy with a food processor. If you don't have a food processor, a high speed blender will work great too.
- A medium mixing bowl can be used for both the strawberry mixture and the crisp mixture.
- An 8x8 baking dish or casserole dish.
Serving suggestions
What's good with this jammy fruit dessert? Here's a few ideas:
- Dairy-free whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream or chocolate tahini ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- Vanilla yogurt
- Chocolate sorbet
FAQs
Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe, but frozen strawberries will work in a pinch. Make sure to completely thaw and drain the strawberries before using. Add 2 teaspoons of arrowroot starch to the recipe.
Leftover crisp should be covered and stored in the refrigerator. Best eaten within 2-3 days.
You can reheat individual portions of fruit crisp in the microwave in 30-second intervals until desired heat is reached.
Fresh strawberry crisp can also be reheated in the oven. Tent the baking dish with the crisp with foil and heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven for 15 minutes.
Love strawberries? Check out Veggie Balance's gluten-free strawberry shortcake and more gluten-free strawberry desserts below.
Want more crisp? There are crisps for all seasons. Check out this blueberry crisp or this apple butternut squash crisp!
Easy Strawberry Desserts
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Easy Strawberry Crisp
Ingredients
- 32 oz (5-6 cups) fresh strawberries, tops removed, halved and quartered
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch or cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (220g) gluten-free oats
- ½ cup (60g) coconut sugar
- ¾ cup (78g) raw pecans, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons vegan butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place 1 cup of oats in the bowl of a food processor. Process on high until a fine flour is achieved. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, place strawberries, maple syrup, arrowroot starch, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir to evenly combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish, spreading in an even layer.
- Wipe the mixing bowl clean and then combine oats, oat flour, coconut sugar, pecans, and salt. Pour melted vegan butter onto mixture. Stir to evenly incorporate ingredients and ensure all dry ingredients are moistened.
- Squeeze a handful of the oat mixture together and then sprinkle evenly on top of strawberries. Continue until all oat mixture has been used.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until strawberries are bubbling and the oat mixture on top has become golden. Watch to make sure your pecans do not burn. Serve warm with ice cream. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat, warm single portions in the microwave at 30 second intervals until desired temperature is reached. Alternatively, set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, tent oven-safe dish with crisp with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
Notes
- Making oat flour at home is easy with a food processor. If you don't have a food processor, a high speed blender will work great too. Using store-bought oat flour works well here too.
- If you are making this for people who specifically need a gluten-free dessert, make sure you use certified gluten-free oats. I like using Bob's Red Mill brand, but doing a double-check of the label is always a good practice.
- To avoid using multiple mixing bowls, wipe out your bowl after mixing the strawberries. It can then be used again to make the crunchy oat topping.
- Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe, but frozen strawberries will work in a pinch. Make sure to completely thaw and drain the strawberries before using. Add an additional 2 teaspoons of arrowroot starch to the recipe to adjust for extra liquid.
Sarah
What a great idea for the summer!
Tessa
Thank you, Sarah!
janet
I'm a huge fan of the crisp for summer desserts!
Tessa
You can't beat it! <3