Fresh Cherry Crisp with Cinnamon Crunch Topping

A fresh and slightly sweet cherry crisp with the best crunchy topping! You won’t believe how easy it is to make!

You just can't beat this easy summertime dessert! It's made with fresh cherries, a sweet cinnamon crunch topping and is topped with creamy vanilla ice cream!

Summer is officially here loves and you know what that means… it’s cherry season! (Fun fact: Cherries are my all time favorite fruit!) And I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by making my favorite fresh cherry crisp. It’s full of sweet fresh cherries, topped with a lightened up crumb topping and pairs perfectly with your favorite ice cream!

Ingredients and Substitutions

I love making fruit crisps because they’re so easy and only require a few simple ingredients. Here’s what I used for this lightened up recipe and a few substitutions for them too:

For the filling:

  • Fresh cherries: I used sweet dark cherries for mine. (This year’s crop of cherries at Sprouts have been unbelievable in quality and flavor!)
  • Maple syrup: Can be replaced with regular sugar or coconut sugar
  • Cornstarch: Can be replaced with arrowroot starch

For the crumb topping:

  • Rolled oats: Can use gluten free oats if needed
  • Almond flour: Make sure to use super fine almond flour and NOT almond meal.
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Cinnamon
  • Coconut oil: Can be replaced with butter.
  • Coconut sugar: Can be replaced with brown sugar.
  • Salt
This decadent crisp recipe is made healthier with maple syrup and coconut sugar! It takes just minutes to throw together and is perfect for a crowd!

What kind of cherries should I use?

I would suggest using fresh cherries for this recipe and NOT canned or pie filling. Usually canned cherries or cherry pie filling has some kind of added sugar in it and also contains more moisture than fresh cherries. (This can make your crisp very soggy!) I loved using fresh sweet dark cherries for this crisp.

An easy summer time dessert made with fresh cherries and a delicious cinnamon crumb topping! You'll be wanting to make this one again and again!

How to make the best SUPER CRUNCHY crumb topping

Ok I know the cherries are the star of the show here but I just HAVE to talk about this topping! The is by far the BEST crumb topping I’ve ever made and I bet you’ll never guess the secret ingredient…greek yogurt! (Weird but true!) It’s crunchy, a little sweet and salty and pairs perfectly with those juicy cherries! Here’s how I did it below.

  • 1½ cup rolled oats (Use gluten free oats if needed)
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ⅓ cup coconut sugar (Can use a 1/2 cup if you want it sweeter)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp plain greek yogurt
  • 4 Tbsp coconut oil (NOT melted)

Mix the rolled oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl. Add the greek yogurt and coconut oil. Take a large fork and mix the the yogurt and oil into your dry ingredients until they’re full incorporated. (Your mixture should look a little sticky and not so crumbly. If it’s still crumbly, keep mixing.) Place the topping in the fridge while your prepare your filling.

This fresh cherry crisp is sweet, crunchy and so easy to make too! Serve it with some ice and you've got the perfect summer treat!

Can I use other fruit instead of cherries?

Absolutely! I love making this crisp with all kinds of fruit or even a mix of fruit too! Here are a few of my favorites.

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Peaches, sliced or diced
  • Raspberries

I hope you’re all having the best day loves!

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Fresh Cherry Crisp with Cinnamon Crunch Topping

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Gluten free
Keyword: cherry crisp, easy, fresh, healthier
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Caitlin

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 4 cups cherries, pitted & cut in half
  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch

For the topping:

  • cup rolled oats (use gluten free oats is needed)
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp plain greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup coconut oil (NOT melted)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 inch pie or casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon and salt together. Add the greek yogurt and coconut oil. Take a large fork and mix the yogurt and oil into your dry ingredients until they're fully combined. (Your mixture should look a little sticky and not so crumbly. If it's still crumbly, keep mixing.) Place the topping in the fridge while your prepare your filling.
  • Toss the cherries, maple syrup and cornstarch together in a bowl. Once fully mixed, pour the cherries into your prepared pie/casserole dish and sprinkle your crumb topping over the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes. (Check your crisp at 30 minutes to make sure the topping isn't burning. If it's getting too dark, tent some foil over the top and continue baking.)
  • Serve with your favorite ice cream!

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