If you’re craving a dessert that bursts with tart, tangy rhubarb and pairs perfectly with a golden, crunchy topping, then this Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe is exactly what you need. This dessert is a nostalgic comfort food that balances the brightness of rhubarb with a buttery oat crumble, making it an irresistible treat any time of the year. Whether you’re serving it as a casual family dessert or impressing guests, this crisp delivers simplicity and flavor without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients—each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and flavor harmony. From the fresh sharpness of rhubarb to the sweet, crumbly topping, every component is essential.
- 2 pounds sliced rhubarb: Fresh is best, but frozen works well too—just thaw and drain excess liquid for balance.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch: This thickens the rhubarb juices so you get a luscious filling that isn’t runny.
- 3/4 cup sugar: Balances the tartness of the rhubarb with just the right amount of sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, subtle spice that brightens the fruit flavor.
- 1 cup oats: Gives the topping its hearty, chewy texture for crunch and depth.
- 1/2 cup flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together for that classic crisp crumb.
- 1/2 cup sugar: Sweetens the topping without overpowering the natural fruit flavors.
- 1 pinch salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 stick cold butter (cubed): Cold butter is key to creating a flaky, crumbly texture in the topping that melts in your mouth.
How to Make Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dish and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F, which ensures a hot environment so the crisp bakes evenly and gets that perfect golden crust. Lightly butter a roughly 2-quart casserole dish. This prevents sticking and adds richness to the edges.
Step 2: Mix the Rhubarb Filling
In a large bowl, toss together the sliced rhubarb, cornstarch, sugar, and cinnamon. The cornstarch is what thickens the rhubarb’s natural juices during baking, making sure you get a thick and luscious filling rather than a watery mess. Once combined, spread the mixture out evenly in your prepared casserole dish. This even layer helps everything cook uniformly.
Step 3: Create the Oat Topping
For the crisp, combine oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Then cut in the cold, cubed butter using your fingers, a pastry cutter, or two forks. You want to work the butter just until pea-sized crumbs form—this is the secret to a delightfully crumbly topping that bakes up crunchy and tender.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Scatter your crumbly oat topping evenly over the rhubarb filling. Place the dish in the hot oven and bake for about 35 minutes until bubbling around the edges and the topping is beautifully golden brown. After baking, let the crisp rest on the counter for about 10 minutes to let the filling set for easier serving and enhanced flavor melding.
How to Serve Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe, dust it lightly with powdered sugar or sprinkle crushed nuts for extra crunch. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully, balancing the tartness with creamy sweetness while adding a luscious texture contrast.
Side Dishes
This crisp stands happily on its own but also complements simple breakfast or brunch spreads beautifully. Serve alongside a cup of rich coffee or a creamy latte for cozy mornings. It also pairs well with fresh berries or a fruit salad for a delightful, fresh counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dessert in individual ramekins for an elegant presentation, perfect for guests. Layer pieces of the crisp with yogurt and honey in a parfait glass for a fresh twist. For a picnic, pack it in a sturdy container and enjoy rustic, easy dessert outdoors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover leftover rhubarb crisp tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors blend wonderfully after sitting, making leftovers even tastier.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully—wrap it well with plastic wrap and a layer of foil or place it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth, reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. This restores the crisp topping’s crunch and warms the filling to cozy deliciousness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen rhubarb in this Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen rhubarb works fine as long as you thaw it first and drain any excess liquid to avoid a soggy filling.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and use gluten-free oats. This keeps the crisp safe for those with gluten sensitivities without sacrificing texture.
What can I substitute for the butter in the topping?
Butter is key for that rich flavor and crumbly texture, but you can replace it with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free version—just make sure it’s cold and solid.
How do I ensure the topping stays crunchy?
A crucial tip is using cold butter and cutting it into small crumbs so it bakes evenly. Also, avoid covering the dish tightly after baking to prevent steam from softening the topping.
Can I add other fruits to the rhubarb filling?
Definitely! Strawberries, apples, or blueberries mix wonderfully with rhubarb and add natural sweetness and texture variations, making this crisp even more delightful.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe is truly a treasure in any home cook’s dessert repertoire. The perfect balance of tart and sweet with a buttery, crisp topping makes it a treat you’ll want to return to again and again. Give it a try and watch it become your new favorite dessert that’s as simple as it is scrumptious!
Print
Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Rhubarb Crisp is a delightful and simple dessert featuring tart rhubarb filling with a sweet, crunchy oat topping. Perfectly baked to a golden and bubbly finish, it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal prep and brings out the unique flavor of rhubarb in a comforting crispy texture.
Ingredients
Rhubarb Filling
- 2 pounds sliced rhubarb (fresh or frozen; see notes for frozen)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 stick cold butter, cubed (1 stick = 8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Prep: Heat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly butter a casserole dish that holds approximately 2 quarts to prevent the crisp from sticking and help with even cooking.
- Make rhubarb filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced rhubarb, cornstarch, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix well to coat all the rhubarb pieces. Spread this mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish to create the base layer of your crisp.
- Make topping: In another large bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs resembling wet sand.
- Finish and bake: Scatter the crumb topping evenly over the rhubarb filling. Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Once baked, let it cool on the counter for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb. If using frozen, do not thaw before using to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
- Adjust sugar amounts as rhubarb can be quite tart, depending on your preference.
- Allowing the crisp to rest for 10 minutes post-baking helps the dessert to firm up and enhances flavor blending.
- For added texture and flavor, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the topping.
