Vegan Fruit Crisp
Written by Rachel, Posted in Baking, Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Kid-Friendly, Quick and Easy, Vegan, Vegetarian
A few weeks ago we were invited to a barbecue at the house of some friends. I brought the dessert. The only dessert.
One of my favorite go-to desserts is fruit crisp. I like to make it because it’s easy and because my mom used to make it all the time when I was growing up, so I have a sentimental attachment to it.
For this particular evening, I chose to make it because the friends who hosted are vegans. I wasn’t sure about trying to make a vegan cake. So I went with simple, and adapted my crisp to suit them.
Their son, Theo, was not impressed. He was expecting dessert. To a three year old, dessert means cake.
Oops.
The still warm crisp was dished out. Generous helpings. I was anxious to know if they liked it. As Theo was handed his plate his little face just crumpled and the cutest three year old voice says, “That’s not desse-wrt! Where’s the cake?”
Thankfully his parents liked it. 😉
It’s the perfect dessert for whatever fruit is in season. Spring and summer: berries and stone fruit. Fall and winter: apples, pears, persimmons, and grapes. And it makes a fabulous breakfast the next day. Cold with some Greek yogurt, that’s how I like it. Or just standing in front of the fridge with the door open, shoveling spoonfuls into my mouth as I try to decide what to make for dinner. (I know, I know, I’m not supposed to decide with the fridge door open… My mom has told me a thousand times…)
Sugars and juice are whisked together. Sweet sweet. But, it’s honey, maple syrup, and coconut palm sugar. No refined white sugar here. You can use white or brown sugar if you prefer. This is how I like it though.
Super sweet and juicy, the fruit is tossed with the liquid and poured into a greased baking dish.
I opted for summer fruits, because that’s what’s in season. Aren’t the colors pretty?
A slightly less sweet, oaty, crumbly mixture will top the fruit.
Oats for hearty goodness. And to make this a perfectly acceptable next day breakfast.
Invite your favorite people over, or bring this to a barbecue.
Just be sure to remind them that it’s not cake.
(Sorry Theo.)
Happy Eating!
- 2 C blueberries
- 1 C strawberries (could sub blackberries), chopped
- 2 C (heaping) nectarines (could sub apples, pears, plums, persimmons), chopped
- 1/2 C apriums/apricots (could sub peaches), chopped
- 1 T cornstarch
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 3 T orange juice
- pinch salt
- 1/3 C honey
- 1/3 C coconut palm sugar (honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar will work too)
- 1/3 C maple syrup (or honey)
- 4 C oats
- 1/3 C coconut palm sugar
- 2 T whole wheat or Gluten-free flour
- 1 t cinnamon
- dash nutmeg
- pinch allspice
- 1/3 C maple syrup
- 3 T coconut oil, melted
- 2 T honey
- 1 T coconut oil, plus more for greasing the pan
- Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
- Combine fruit in a bowl.
- Whisk together cornstarch, vanilla, orange juice, salt, honey, coconut palm sugar, and maple syrup. Toss with fruit.
- Combine oats, flour, coconut palm sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Add maple syrup, oil, and honey.
- Pour fruit into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with oat mixture. Press down slightly with a spatula. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until bubbly and hot.
- Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving – it’s best just a little warmer than room temperature.
I’ve been making lots of crisps this summer! My brother Dan who just moved back up here always requests one and I love that it’s so simple to throw together 🙂
I know, so simple!! And I love that I get to eat it for breakfast the next day. 🙂