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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Dessert » Healthy Cherry Crisp

    ★★★★★ from 13 reviews

    Healthy Cherry Crisp

    Published Jul 23, 2020 · Modified Sep 7, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 35 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    The easiest recipe for Healthy Cherry Crisp with only 8 ingredients! The irresistible almond oat topping is perfect with vanilla ice cream.

    fruit crisp with ice cream and gold fork

    'Tis the peak of summer and you need this downright stupendous sweet cherry crisp more than ever before. I'm assuming you've already made my blueberry crisp with tahini coconut crumble!

    Is a warm, bubbly fruit crisp topped with chilly ice cream not the most satisfying patio dessert of all time? I truly hope you enjoy this healthy crisp al fresco, beneath the stars, ideally on a fabulous blanket. Summer at its finest!

    Wouldya believe this here crisp only has 8 ingredients? Make sure to stock up on fresh cherries while they last, then freeze or dry them to enjoy year-round.

    This recipe could not be simpler to make. Not a baker? Rest assured that it's next to impossible to mess up. (Unless you fail to top it with ice cream. Then we may have a problem.)

    Health benefits of fresh sweet cherries

    Besides tasting spectacular, antioxidant-packed sweet cherries boast a slew of impressive health benefits. As a Dietitian, I love the dynamic duo of irresistible flavor and good health!

    white bowl of fresh cherries
    • A natural sleep aid: Did you know sweet cherries are one of the few natural plant sources of melatonin? Eating cherries about an hour before bedtime may help stabilize and regulate sleep patterns for high quality zzz's.
    • A sweet source of filling fiber: One cup of cherries offers three grams of fiber, or 12% of the recommended daily value. Boosting fiber intake may contribute to improved cardiovascular and digestive health plus diabetes prevention.
    • A low glycemic sweet treat: A little known fact about sweet cherries is that they boast a lower glycemic index than almost any other fruit. That means blood sugar levels stay steady longer versus spiking and causing crashes.
    • Kick carcinogens to the curb: Lab studies suggest that the plant compounds of sweet cherries may possess cancer-fighting properties, specifically breast and colon cancer. Among other compounds, cherries contain ellagic acid and anthocyanins, which may be potent inhibitors to cancer cell growth.
    • Chill out with cherries: Research suggests that polyphenols may protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Mood-boosting serotonin found in cherries is a valuable neurotransmitter in stress reduction!
    • Gout, be gone: Eating sweet cherries may lower levels of uric acid in the blood, according to research conducted at the USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center. A study done at the Boston University School of Medicine found that patients who eat cherries and take their medicine have a 35% to 75% lower chance of experiencing an attack.
    cherry crisp with dish towel and three cherries

    Ingredient Notes

    • Fresh sweet cherries: One of summer's finest fruits, tasty to boot and packed with fiber and antioxidants! Be sure to remove the pits and the stems. No shame if you do it with your hands...
    • White whole wheat flour: For some extra whole grain goodness, but all purpose flour, almond flour or GF flour will all work swimmingly.
    • Old fashioned (rolled) oats: Classic for a texturally pleasing, streusel-like crisp! Be sure they're certified GF if needed.
    • Coconut sugar: A natural, low-glycemic sweetener. Brown sugar can be used as well.
    • Almonds: A must for crunch factor and toasty, nutty flavor. Pecans or walnuts would also be delish. Raw is best since it's going in the oven but I've made this with roasted as well and it worked fine!
    • Cinnamon and sea salt: Key for bringing out maximum cherry flavor.
    • Coconut oil: I love the buttery + subtle coconut flavor of coconut oil, but you can easily use butter instead. For less coconut flavor, use refined coconut oil.
    white baking dish of pitted cherries

    Substitution Ideas

    Next, all the modification possibilities! I'd say this crisp is relatively fool-proof, because it's hard to make oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and coconut oil not taste sublime.

    Feel free to use this recipe as a guide using whatever you have on hand in the pantry. Want to throw in some ground flax, vanilla, or lemon juice? You do you!

    • Using frozen cherries: Yes, you can use frozen cherries, but I recommend fresh sweet cherries while they’re available. You can also stock up now, pit them, and freeze them while they’re at their freshest to enjoy them year-round. If you’re using frozen, I'd recommend letting them thaw a bit so the cherry layer isn't too liquidy. You can use the reserved juice on oatmeal, in smoothies, or mixed into vinaigrettes!
    • Using butter instead of coconut oil: For a more traditional buttery flavor, butter can totally be swapped in for coconut oil.
    • Making a gluten-free crisp: Almond flour or your favorite all purpose gluten free flour can be used here in place of wheat flour.
    • Swap the nuts: I think the almonds make this crisp, but pecans or walnuts would be delicious, too!
    cherry crisp on small white plate

    Storage tips

    Lastly, let's chat storage so you can enjoy this crisp for days (if it lasts that long...).

    • How to store: Cover the crisp with foil and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
    • How to reheat: This crisp can easily be reheated in the microwave, however the topping will be crispier if it's reheated in the oven at 350F until hot.
    • How to freeze: Cherry crisp can be kept in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to three months. Thaw crisp overnight in the refrigerator prior to reheating.

    Yes, you have my wholehearted permission to chow down on this for breakfast. You're welcome.

    Print
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    fruit crisp with ice cream and gold fork

    Healthy Cherry Crisp Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 13 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    The easiest recipe for Healthy Cherry Crisp with only 8 ingredients! Made with juicy sweet cherries and an irresistible almond oat topping. Dairy-free with a gluten-free option. Serve with your favorite vanilla or cinnamon ice cream!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 3 cups fresh or frozen sweet cherries, pitted (measure after pitting)
    • ½ cup all purpose flour or white whole wheat flour
    • ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
    • ½ cup coconut sugar (can sub brown sugar)
    • ⅓ cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
    • heaping ⅓ cup coconut oil, solid (or unsalted butter)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
    2. Pit cherries (if you don't have a cherry pitter, you can always use your hands like I did!) and then measure out 3 cups. Place cherries in baking dish.
    3. Add flour, oats, coconut sugar, almonds, cinnamon, and salt to a medium mixing bowl, stirring until combined. Add coconut oil and use your fingers to incorporate the oil into the mixture until it's moist, crumbly, and very well combined. If your coconut oil is very hard, this will take a bit longer.
    4. Sprinkle topping evenly onto the cherries. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before diving in, preferably with ice cream!

    Notes

    • Other fruits: Blueberries work great here, too!
    • How to store: Cover the crisp with foil and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
    • How to reheat: This crisp can easily be reheated in the microwave, however the topping will be crispier if it's reheated in the oven at 350F until hot.
    • How to freeze: Cherry crisp can be kept in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to three months. Thaw crisp overnight in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
    • To make gluten free: Almond flour or your favorite all purpose gluten free flour can be used. Recipe will not work with coconut flour.
    • Using frozen cherries: You can use frozen cherries here, but I recommend fresh sweet cherries while they’re available. If you’re using frozen, I'd recommend letting them thaw a bit and not using the juice so the cherry layer isn't too liquidy.

    Keywords: cherry crisp, healthy cherry crisp

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Kori Daniel says

      June 20, 2022 at 9:17 pm

      Incredible recipe & very versatile! I made it with blueberries & gf flour, & it was excellent. Enjoyed it with Neapolitan ice cream on Father’s Day & plain Greek yogurt today.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Sally says

      April 24, 2022 at 11:18 pm

      This is my new go to recipe for a fruity crisp dessert! So easy and delicious. I used frozen cherries but didn’t drain the excess liquid since I was using gluten free flour and the end result was just to my preference.

      Speaking of portion control (😁), what would one serving be exactly? A cup? 4 ounces?

      Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 24, 2022 at 11:59 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Sally! Thanks a ton for coming back to let me know. A portion would be 1/8th of the pan.

        Reply
    3. Jody Gibson says

      July 05, 2021 at 4:59 am

      I made this on the 4th of July b/c I had some cherries that were nearing the end of their life and my freezer is already full of frozen fruit, so I started scouring the net for a "healthy" cherry recipe. I'm not a big cobbler person, but cherry anything is my favorite and I had all of these ingredients so I thought I'd give this a try. I loved it! I did use refined coconut oil, GF flour, almonds, and all the rest, and thought it was just perfect - not too sweet, not sour. I was sad I had no vanilla ice cream, but that only made it healthier. (Let's just not talk about portion control!)

      PS - Here's a tip on pitting cherries. Get a #8 Wilton tip (for piping frosting) and push it into the spot where the stem was to de-pit your cherries. Your hands might get a bit messy and it may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but it is MUCH easier than cutting them or tearing them open with your hands.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        July 07, 2021 at 6:37 pm

        That is such a good tip! I'm thrilled you loved this one, Jody. Next time, vanilla ice cream 😉

        Reply
    4. Angie says

      June 25, 2021 at 1:51 am

      Can you make this using tart cherries?

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 30, 2021 at 4:59 pm

        Sure! Since it'll be more tart, you may want to increase the sweetener.

        Reply
    5. Kendra says

      June 09, 2021 at 1:56 am

      I made this with Gluten free flour and it was amazing! It was probably one of the easiest recipes I’ve made. Added some dairy free vanilla ice cream which took this over the edge.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 09, 2021 at 6:50 pm

        I love it! Thank you so much, Kendra!

        Reply
    6. Kim says

      October 02, 2020 at 6:08 pm

      Soooooo I had tried this stellar recipe back in July with fresh cherries and couldn't wait to try it with fresh apples this fall! I'm happy to report that the results were absolutely delicious! I will just add a bit more cinnamon and a bit less salt next time (not sure why the it tasted saltier this time with apples versus cherries, but it was still awesome). Apple Pie seasoning is totally doable in this version as well 😉 I will definitely make this crisp again and again! Thank you ♥

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        October 02, 2020 at 8:02 pm

        Ohhh so smart! Yes, I'd add lots of cinnamon and I'd do lots more apples! Thanks so much for letting me know. Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    7. Janelle says

      September 10, 2020 at 5:48 pm

      Five stars. So easy and delicious--everyone loved it with vanilla ice cream!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Sam Vander Wielen says

      August 12, 2020 at 12:41 pm

      This was SO good, Alexis!! I loved it. I used a jar of pitted cherries we bought in Door County, WI last summer and they were perfectly tart and delish! I can’t wait to make this again (and to try it with different in-season fruit throughout the year!). Thanks for the great recipe! (PS. Topped this with Alden’s French vanilla ice cream it was AMAZE!)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 12, 2020 at 7:32 pm

        How fun!! I love it! OMG...sounds so amazing with that french vanilla ice cream. Miss ya, Sam!

        Reply
    9. Tara says

      August 03, 2020 at 2:54 am

      Another great recipe! So good... just would suggest cutting the cherries in half or quarters. Thanks Alexis

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 03, 2020 at 8:22 pm

        Thanks so much, Tara! Good call--I legitimately pitted them with my hands so they ended up that way anyway...LOL!

        Reply
    10. Ivy League Schools says

      August 01, 2020 at 8:17 am

      It’s on the smaller side so my partner and I gobbled it up in a matter of hours – I’d consider doubling it next time!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 03, 2020 at 8:23 pm

        So glad you loved it!

        Reply
    11. Kim says

      July 29, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      I was trying to figure out how to use up all the fresh sweet cherries I had when your email with this perfect recipe showed up in my inbox! I had every ingredient on hand except the ice cream, but the lure of fresh-from-the-oven-cherry-crisp was too strong to pass up 😉 It turned out better than I imagined - the crisp topping was so delicious that I plan to make it again and again with different seasonal fruits year-round 🙂 (I'm definitely getting cinnamon ice cream when I make this recipe with apples!)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 29, 2020 at 7:50 pm

        Yayyy! Your comment made my day, Kim! Thank you so much for letting me know. I agree that it would be wonderful with all kinds of fruit. Happy crisping!

        Reply
        • Alexis Joseph says

          July 29, 2020 at 7:52 pm

          Yep! I keep organic brown sugar and organic white sugar around, plus all purpose unbleached flour. They last quite a while and I use them when I make more traditional baked goods when I want the real deal 🙂 You could possibly use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, and a whole grain flour if you wanted? But they're amazing as is!

          Reply
    12. Anne S says

      July 29, 2020 at 4:26 pm

      I randomly bought cherries at the grocery this week and needed to find a way to use them. I came here thinking "I bet hummusapien has a good recipe." Turns out I didn't even need to dig through the recipes to find one! Thanks for posting-- can't wait to try.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 29, 2020 at 7:53 pm

        Yayyy! I hope you love this one, Anne!

        Reply
    13. Katie says

      July 27, 2020 at 11:39 pm

      This was really scrumptious! I used mixed berries instead of just cherries in order to avoid going shopping. It's on the smaller side so my partner and I gobbled it up in a matter of hours - I'd consider doubling it next time!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 28, 2020 at 3:31 pm

        I'm glad you loved the recipe, thanks Katie! You could totally double it and bake it a 9x13 pan.

        Reply
    14. Kalie says

      July 25, 2020 at 3:17 pm

      This made a really tastey breakfast! I used earth balance butter instead of coconut oil!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm

        Yayyy love that sub! I bet it was so nice and buttery!

        Reply
    15. Kori says

      July 24, 2020 at 3:21 pm

      I love all of the facts that you included, and the recipe, as always, looks stellar!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 27, 2020 at 1:29 pm

        Eeeee thank you, friend!

        Reply
    16. Jodie says

      July 23, 2020 at 10:14 pm

      This will now be my go to crisp recipe!! Made it with gluten free flour and made it one serving in a ramekin- I only had 6 cherries left. Will be making the full recipe soon. Sooo delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 27, 2020 at 1:31 pm

        Wonderful, so happy the mini version worked well for you, Jodie!

        Reply
    17. Sharon says

      July 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm

      This is such a wonderful recipe!! It’s so easy and perfect for a summer gathering! I’m really glad I found this and all the other wonderful recipes on this site 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 27, 2020 at 1:29 pm

        Yayyy thank you, Sharon!

        Reply
    18. Laura says

      July 23, 2020 at 2:08 pm

      I got a little carried away buying cherries at the grocery this week, so this is exactly what I needed right now. Going to try this over the weekend!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 23, 2020 at 2:28 pm

        Yayyy! Let me know if you try it!

        Reply

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