Blueberry Crisp

If you are looking for a potluck dessert that is incredibly easy to make but also sure to please at parties year-round, a dessert crisp is the best way to go. They only require a few ingredients, and are quick, easy, and SO delicious. I also love that there are so many versions, from peach to cran-apple, but, when the weather is warming up and blueberries are in season, this blueberry crisp recipe is by far the best way to go. Paired with fresh, juicy blueberries and an oat- and almond-based topping, this easy (and versatile!) dessert is a summer must.

What People Are Saying:
“Amazing. Everyone loved it. I used frozen wild blueberries, substituted pecans, assembled it ahead and popped it in the oven while we ate supper. Yumm!!!” -CyanCoffee

How To Make A Blueberry Crisp

INGREDIENTS

• Blueberries: If fresh blueberries are in season, I highly recommend using them to take advantage of their fresh flavor. But, if you don’t have access to them fresh, feel free to use frozen! Just make sure to thaw them before using. Craving another fruit? Crisp recipes are wonderfully versatile, from strawberry to our mixed berry air fryer crisp recipe.
• Granulated Sugar: The granulated sugar helps to emphasize the natural sweetness of the blueberries, while also helping to macerate the blueberries by drawing the moisture out. This helps to create the syrupy filling.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a great thickening agent. It will help to thicken the blueberry mixture into a not-too-thin filling. In a pinch, flour will do, but cornstarch is finer and less is required for the same result.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: While adding some acidity and tartness to the dish, lemon juice and zest also help to enhance the natural flavors and sweetness of the blueberries. The zest adds extra citrus flavor and aroma without the sourness of lemon juice.
• All-Purpose Flour: For a crisp, all you need is a simple topping, and AP flour does the job perfectly.
• Rolled Oats: Oats separate a crisp from a crumble. They add a slightly nutty, subtly sweet flavor and a pleasant chewiness. Rolled oats are generally a better choice than steel-cut oats for baking as their texture is more consistent and less dense.
• Sliced Almonds: I think sliced almonds are perfect for this crisp. They add to the slightly nutty flavor of the oats, and bake into a great, slightly crispy texture that adds a bit to the bite of the crust.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds extra sweetness to the crisp while the molasses also helps to bind the crisp topping together.
• Kosher Salt: All baked goods should have a little bit of salt. It won’t make the crisp salty, but will rather enhance the sweetness and flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon & Ground Ginger: Adding some warming spices really brings this whole dish together. Cinnamon and ginger bring a hint of a bite and make the whole crisp that much more comforting.
• Butter: The melted butter brings the topping together. The fat and moisture helps to bind the mixture, forming the pea-sized clumps. Unsalted butter is always the best option in baking as it gives you better control of the sodium content.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Start off by preheating your oven and making the filling. In an ovenproof skillet or baking dish, combine and toss the blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest for an evenly coated and distributed blueberry mixture.

Then make the crisp topping by whisking together flour, oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl. Then, using your hands or a fork, incorporate the melted butter into the mixture until small clumps begin to form. You want a rough mixture here, so take care not to overwork the mixture.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberry filling and then place the whole dish into the oven to bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the berry mixture is bubbling.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• What's the difference between a crisp and a crumble? While crisps and crumbles are similar desserts, one ingredient sets them apart. Crisps and crumbles both have toppings similar to streusel, but crisps usually contain oats, while blueberry crumbles do not. Our blueberry crisp topping here is created from flour, oats, almonds, brown sugar, melted butter, and warming spices.
• Customize your crisp. If you're not a fan of almonds, you can leave them out or swap them for your favorite nut, like walnuts or pecans.
• Don’t skip the ice cream. There is nothing better than a warm, baked fruit dessert and a cold scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess and sweetness of the ice cream pairs perfectly with the warm, syrupy blueberry mixture and crisp, spiced topping.

Storage

If you have any leftovers they can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or for up to 6 days in the fridge. If you want to freeze it, it should last for up to 5 months when stored in an airtight container.