Ginger Pear Crisp
Fall Crisp! A healthy, fiber-packed dessert featuring juicy pears, apples and ginger.
If we put oats in this dish, does it count as breakfast? How about fruit? Fruit and Oats? As a dietitian am I able to go ahead and respond with a resounding yes?
Because, I’ve been eating this for breakfast. And for a snack. And then of course for dessert- with an extra dollop of ice cream or coconut cream.
Sure, I get excited about adding butternut squash and pumpkin to as many fall meals as I can, but I get downright giddy when it comes to fruit crisps. I was craving this warm dessert a few nights ago when it finally got cool enough to sleep with the windows open. While including apple is a no-brainer, the real star of this crisp is juicy pear.
I didn’t set out to include so much ginger, but after playing around with different ratios, I kept wanting more. It’s like a combo pear and apple pie- but it’s not. The inclusion of extra ginger is unexpected, though definitely welcomed.
This dessert/breakfast also contains a 1-2 punch of oats: they’re first included in a quick DIY flour and then in the whole, rolled grain form. I have become overly intrigued by current research on the health benefits of fiber and the gut microbiome. Yeah, we all knew that fiber is good for us, but there may be even more health benefits –> linked to obesity, asthma and other chronic illnesses.
If you are interested, I highly recommending checking out this two part series on gut health from the Australian TV show Catalyst. I showed this video to my students last week and have been sharing it like wildfire. And, of course, all while trying to up my own fiber game.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
Ginger Pear Crisp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ripe pears, diced
- 1 large apple, diced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided
- 1 tbsp. corn starch
- 1 tsp. cinnamon, divided
- 1 tsp. ground ginger, divided
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup rolled oats, divided
- 1/4 cup almond meal
Instructions
- Combine the diced apples and pears with lemon juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp. cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger in a bowl.
- Place in a square 8 x8 baking dish.
- Place 1/4 cup rolled oats in a blender (affiliate) or food processor (affiliate). Blend until a fine powder forms, like a flour.
- Wipe out the bowl and add the oat flour, remaining oats, remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, coconut oil, almond meal and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. ginger. Blend together.
- Crumble the almond-oat mixture on top of the pears.
- Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees F until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Enjoy as is or top with coconut cream or ice cream.