Easy Apple Pear Crisp Recipe for Cozy Nights

If you haven't tried pears in a crisp yet, this is your sign! This apple pear crisp is a simple baked fall dessert spiced with cinnamon and topped with a buttery oat crumble. It's similar to apple crisp, but pears add natural sweetness and soft texture, making it extra cozy for fall and winter.

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I've always been an apple crisp girl (I used to request it for my birthday instead of cake... still with ice cream, of course!), but after testing this pear-apple version, I might be converted.

The pears add natural sweetness that balances the tart apples perfectly, while the classic buttery oat topping turns golden and crisp in the oven. It also checks all the boxes for busy home cooks and seasonal eaters:

• Easy to make: No pie crust or special equipment needed.
• Seasonal: Apples and pears shine in fall and winter, so they're easy to find locally.
• Irresistible topping: Buttery, cinnamon-spiked oat crumble.

As it bakes, your kitchen fills with the smell of warm apples, pears, and cinnamon, which is pure cozy heaven. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or let it cool for an easy, make-ahead dessert that's just as good the next day.

Why This Fruit Combo Works + Seasonal Insights

Here's why combining apples and pears in a crisp is so dang good!

• Flavor science: Apples bring the tart while pears bring the sweet, and this combo in desserts is an absolute winner when it comes to making flavor pop. You could try combining apples and pears in these apple pie yogurt bowls for a similar effect!
• Texture: Pears soften faster but apples hold their shape, so using a bit of both means the crisp filling keeps structure while getting all the sweet pear flavor benefits.
• Locally available: Apples and pears start showing up at farmers markets in late September and store well through winter, which means you can enjoy this crisp long after fresh summer fruit is gone.

Sustainability Tips for Baking with Seasonal Fruit

Remember, eating seasonally doesn't have to be perfect! One small action, like using peels or buying local apples, makes a difference.

• Buy local: Look for apples and pears from farmers markets, co-ops, or even regional supplies in mainstream grocery stores (they're usually clearly labeled).
• Compost: Add cores and any peels to your compost bin or electric composter.
• Skip peeling: Thin slices make the skin barely noticeable while reducing waste.
• Soft apples: If you're storing apples over winter and they become soft, use some in butternut squash and apple soup, which gets blended up anyway.