Crafting the perfect Apple Pear Crisp starts with selecting the right, fresh ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that balance of flavor and texture that makes this dessert so memorable.

• Apples: For the ideal crisp, I highly recommend using a mix of sweet and tart apples to create a balanced flavor profile. My personal favorites are Granny Smith or Cortlands, as they hold their shape beautifully during baking, preventing a mushy filling. You can, however, use any apple variety you like – just be sure to check my detailed tips below for the best apples to ensure a flawless result!
• Pears: When it comes to selecting the best pears for baking, Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou varieties are my top picks. These particular pears are known for their ability to hold up well in the oven, offering that delightful sweet, juicy bite without breaking down too much or turning mushy. It’s crucial to make sure your pears are ripe enough to be flavorful but still firm to the touch for the perfect baked texture.
• Lemon juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice is a vital ingredient. It not only brightens up the entire fruit filling by adding a zesty counterpoint but also balances the sweetness of the fruit and helps prevent the apples and pears from browning, keeping your crisp visually appealing.
• Flour and sugar (for the filling): A light dusting of all-purpose flour and white sugar works as a gentle binder and thickener for the fruit’s natural juices. This combination ensures your filling becomes luscious and slightly saucy, rather than watery, while adding just a touch of sweetness that allows the natural fruit flavors to truly shine through.
• Oats and brown sugar (for the topping): Old-fashioned rolled oats are absolutely key to achieving that irresistible, chewy-crisp texture in the topping. They toast beautifully and absorb some of the butter, creating delightful golden clusters. Packed light brown sugar, on the other hand, brings a deeper, subtle caramel note to the topping, enhancing the overall richness and creating that perfectly golden-brown crust.
• Cinnamon: Is it truly fall baking without a generous amount of warm, fragrant cinnamon? This essential spice is an absolute must for that unmistakable cozy, autumnal flavor, infusing both the topping and the fruit with its comforting aroma.

See the recipe card below for full information on specific ingredients and precise quantities.

Choosing the Best Apples for a Perfectly Textured Crisp

When it comes to making the perfect crisp, not all apples are created equal. The right apple variety can make a world of difference, affecting both the texture and the flavor of your finished dessert. Some varieties hold their shape and texture beautifully during baking, while others can sadly turn into an unappealing mush. Additionally, some apples are simply too sweet (think popular varieties like Fuji and Gala) and can make your crisp one-dimensional. Here are a few of my top apple picks that guarantee a fantastic crisp:

• Granny Smith: A classic and indispensable choice for crisps. Known for their distinct tartness and incredibly firm texture, Granny Smith apples are champions at holding their shape even through prolonged baking. They provide a crucial tartness that prevents the crisp from being overly sweet and ensures you get those perfect bites of tender, yet slightly firm, apple within the filling.
• Cortland: These apples are fantastic for baking due to their balanced flavor – slightly tart with a hint of natural sweetness. Cortlands maintain their shape beautifully without turning mushy and have the added benefit of resisting browning when sliced, which is perfect if you’re prepping your fruit in advance. They offer a delightful textural element to the mix.
• Honeycrisp: A sweeter, wonderfully juicy apple that adds just the right amount of natural sugar and a vibrant crispness. While they are on the sweeter side, their exceptional crisp texture holds up surprisingly well to heat, contributing a delightful pop and juiciness to the fruit filling.
• Golden Delicious: Mellow and sweet, these apples possess a tender texture that perfectly complements the tartness and firmness of other apple varieties. They soften beautifully in the oven, melting slightly to create a rich, flavorful base within the overall fruit mixture, adding another layer of complexity.

Pro Tip for the Best Crisp: For an unparalleled depth of flavor and a delightful textural interplay, always aim to mix and match two or more apple varieties. Combining a tart apple like Granny Smith with a slightly sweeter, firmer variety such as Cortland or Honeycrisp will give your crisp an irresistible balance and complexity that truly stands out.

This incredibly easy apple pear crisp recipe can be effortlessly prepared in either a rustic 10-inch skillet (cast iron works wonderfully for even baking and presentation!) or a classic pie plate. If you opt for a pie plate, I highly recommend placing it atop a sturdy baking sheet before baking; this simple step will graciously catch any bubbling fruit juices that might playfully overflow, saving you from a messy oven cleanup.

1. Prepare for Baking: First, preheat your oven to a comforting 350°F (175°C). Then, generously grease your chosen 10-inch skillet or pie plate with unsalted butter, ensuring every crevice is coated for easy serving and a beautiful golden crust.
2. Make the Fruit Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine your freshly diced and peeled apples, pears, all-purpose flour, white sugar, and the bright splash of fresh lemon juice. Toss everything gently with your hands or a sturdy spoon until the fruit pieces are evenly coated. This light coating is essential for creating that perfectly thickened and flavorful fruit filling.
3. Transfer the Fruit: Carefully pour the vibrant fruit filling mixture into your prepared, buttered skillet or pie plate. Spread it out into an even layer, ensuring the fruit is distributed uniformly and ready to be crowned with its delectable topping.

4. Craft the Topping: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, stir together the dry ingredients for your crumble: old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, rich packed brown sugar, fragrant ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. These dry elements form the foundation of your crunchy crust.
5. Add the Butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter over the dry topping mixture. Using your fingers, a fork, or a pastry blender, mix until all ingredients are just combined and crumbly. The goal is a texture that resembles coarse crumbs, with some delightful larger clumps forming – these are the bits that will get extra golden and wonderfully crispy during baking!
6. Sprinkle the Topping: Evenly sprinkle this irresistible crumble topping over the entire surface of the fruit filling. Make sure to distribute it generously and consistently. Those lovely clumps will transform into golden nuggets of deliciousness and texture in the oven.

7. Bake to Perfection: Carefully slide your prepared pie plate (if using, place it on a baking sheet) into the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for approximately 40 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfectly done when the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges, fragrant with the aromas of cinnamon and baked fruit, and the oat topping has turned a beautiful golden brown and is wonderfully crisp.
8. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the crisp from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. This brief cooling period allows the fruit juices to set slightly and the topping to firm up, ensuring the ultimate warm, scoopable dessert experience.

All that’s left to do is gather your loved ones, grab the spoons, and dig into this magnificent creation! Top it off with a big ol’ scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream or a luxurious dollop (or two!) of DIY whipped cream. The contrast of hot and cold, tender and crisp, is simply divine.

Serving and Storage Tips

While this Apple Pear Crisp is undoubtedly best enjoyed warm, directly from the oven, any delightful leftovers can be easily stored. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy another slice of cozy goodness, individual servings can be quickly reheated in the microwave. Alternatively, to bring back that glorious crunchy topping and warm, tender fruit, you can pop the entire crisp back into a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s warmed through and the topping is deliciously re-crisped.