This berry crisp recipe will become your new go to! Fresh or frozen berries make it the ultimate berry crumble in any season.

Blackberry Crisp

In need of a sweet treat? Here’s the perfect Berry Crisp recipe! Imagine: a gooey sweet berry layer, flavored with orange and vanilla. Top it with a cinnamon-scented oat crumble layer, and you won’t want each bite to end! This sweetly nostalgic dessert is perfect for any occasion. Even better, you can make it with fresh or frozen berries: so it works for any season! Come experience the magic.

A berry crisp recipe with fresh or frozen fruit

This berry crisp recipe is fully customizable for whatever season you’re in! It can be hard to find great fresh berries, especially in mid-winter. So you can use frozen mixed berries: store them in your freezer and you can whip up this dessert on moments notice! Here are a few notes:

  • Use any type of berries you like. Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries or a mix of the three work!
  • Frozen berries just need a quick rinse. Rinse them in warm water in a strainer for 1 minute. This won’t thaw them fully, but it will start the process.
  • The bake time depends on the topping! The exact timing depends on your oven, but it’s based on when the crumble topping turns golden brown. Both frozen or fresh berries will be done once the topping is!
Berry crisp recipe

Is this a berry crumble recipe, too?

Yes and no! The terms crisp and crumble originally had different meanings, but they’ve become interchangeable over time. The exact meaning depends on your country, too. The standard definition is that a crisp has oats in the topping, but crumble topping does not have oats. Today most people use the terms interchangeably, so this is both a berry crisp and a berry crumble. And in the UK and Australia, the term crumble is used for both desserts.

Diet swaps for this berry crisp: gluten free, vegan, etc.

You can easily flex this berry crisp recipe for different diets! Here are a few ideas that work beautifully in the crumble topping:

  • Use almond flour for gluten free. Almond flour is an easy swap for all purpose flour, and it makes an even crispier crisp toping.
  • Use coconut oil or vegan butter for vegan. Swap out the butter for a vegan alternative to make a plant-based version of this dessert!
Berry crisp recipe

More variations berry crumble variations

There are a few other ingredients you can swap in to make different flavors to this easy dessert! Here are some ideas:

  • Basil: Add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil to the filling for a berry basil flavor.
  • Mint: Add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint to add a minty undertone.
  • Lemon zest: Use lemon zest instead of orange for a different citrus flavor.
  • Use one type of berry: Make this into a blueberry crisp, blackberry crisp, raspberry crisp or strawberry crisp by using just one berry. Quart the strawberries if you’re using them whole — or head over to our Easy Strawberry Crumble for exact instructions.

Ways to serve berry crisp

Add a topping to this berry crumble recipe to take it over the top! Here are some ideas:

Berry crumble

This berry crisp recipe is…

Vegetarian. For gluten-free and vegan, see the recipe below.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Perfect Berry Crisp


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This berry crisp recipe will become your new go to! Fresh or frozen berries make it the ultimate berry crumble in any season. 


Ingredients

Scale

For the filling

  • 2 pounds mixed berries, fresh or frozen (6 cups)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
  • ¼ teaspoon orange zest* (or ½ teaspoon lemon zest)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the crumble / crisp topping

  • ¾ cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ cup all purpose flour or almond flour
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold salted butter (or coconut oil or vegan butter for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Make the filling: Or if using frozen, run the berries under warm water for about 1 minute in a strainer (they will still be frozen on the inside but starting to thaw). Then mix with the filling ingredients in a bowl, then pour the filling into a round 9-inch pie pan, 9 x 9 inch baking dish or 7 x 11 baking dish.
  3. Make the topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nuts and kosher salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and then use your hands to mix it into the oats until fully distributed and a crumbly dough forms. It may take a while so be patient; you can also use a pastry cutter if you prefer. (If using coconut oil, it can be room temperature; use the same method to add it.) Pour the crumble on top and smooth it into an even layer with your fingers.
  4. Bake: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is evenly golden brown and the filling is bubbly (this will vary based on your oven and berries: it may be shorter or longer so keep an eye on it). Cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then serve warm. If desired, top with whipped cream and mint leaves. You can leave out your crisp on the counter for up to 1 day (covered, at night) so the crisp topping can stay crisp. After 1 day, refrigerate any leftovers. This crumble also freezes well for several months in a sealed container; reheat it in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.

Notes

*For a very forward orange flavor, use ⅓ to ½ teaspoon orange zest.

  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Berry crisp, berry crisp recipe

More berry dessert recipes

Love fruit desserts and sweets with berries? Here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment

  1. SOOOO good!!! My husband bought 3 large bulk packs of berries, which were inadvertently left in his car for days on end and were close to being thrown out. I used this recipe to give them one last life, and yummy!!! I can’t think of a better way to use berries, than this!!! Seriously delish!