Deliciously Healthy Holiday Pear, Apple & Cranberry Crisp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan)
The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and cherished traditions. For many, these traditions revolve around food – baking cookies, sharing festive meals, and creating new memories in the kitchen. If you’re looking for a dessert or even a wholesome breakfast that embodies the spirit of the holidays while catering to dietary needs, look no further than this Holiday Pear, Apple, and Cranberry Crisp. It’s not just a dish; it’s a celebration of flavor, health, and togetherness, designed to be both gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly.
Imagine your home filled with the comforting aroma of spiced fruit and toasted oats. This healthy holiday crisp delivers just that, blending fiber-rich oats, protein-packed almond flour, and naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup. What makes it truly versatile is the option to prepare it quickly and easily in your Instant Pot or baked to golden perfection right in your oven. Whether you’re planning a lavish holiday dinner or a cozy Christmas morning brunch, this crisp promises a stress-free and utterly delicious addition to your menu.
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The Magic of Holiday Crisps: A Healthy Tradition
There’s something uniquely comforting about a fruit crisp. The bubbly, tender fruit filling beneath a warm, crunchy, buttery (or in our case, coconut oil-based!) oat topping is pure bliss. It’s a dish that evokes nostalgia, bringing back memories of childhood and family gatherings. This Holiday Pear, Apple, and Cranberry Crisp takes that beloved comfort food and elevates it with wholesome ingredients, making it not only delicious but also incredibly healthy and accessible for various dietary needs. It’s truly one of the best healthy holiday desserts or breakfasts you can create, satisfying sweet cravings without the guilt.
Embracing Holiday Traditions with Wholesome Food
What’s your favorite part of the holiday season? For me, it will always be the traditions. From baking festive cookies and marveling at twinkling Christmas lights, to our cherished Advent calendar and annual Christmas Eve party, my greatest aspiration as a mom is for my children to recall their holiday childhood memories with the same fondness I hold for mine.
Many of our traditions are unique to our family, especially since we live far from the large, bustling Italian extended family I grew up with. Yet, they are authentically ours, and I cherish them deeply. Christmas morning, in particular, stands out. Since we spend Christmas Day as a small family unit – just the four of us and my mom – it’s a day dedicated to relaxed lounging in PJs by the fire, unwrapping presents, and savoring a big, yummy brunch, often complemented by delightful leftovers from Christmas Eve, in place of a formal dinner. It’s the day when the festive rush finally subsides, allowing me to truly immerse myself in my kids’ innocent joy and the tranquil beauty of the season.
Simplified Holiday Meal Planning: Our Christmas Brunch Strategy
To ensure Christmas morning remains as peaceful and enjoyable as possible after weeks of bustling holiday preparations, I’ve curated a Christmas Brunch Menu featuring quick and easy dishes. I rely heavily on make-ahead recipes like my Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole and Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole Cups. These prepare-ahead options are lifesavers, allowing more time for family and less time in the kitchen.
My Instant Pot is another indispensable tool during this busy season. It dramatically cuts down cooking time and frees up oven space, which is why it’s my go-to for this delightful Holiday Crisp! This recipe is truly perfect for either your Christmas Brunch or as a satisfying dessert for Christmas Dinner. It comes together remarkably fast, and the process of cooking it will infuse your entire home with those warm, comforting, and irresistibly festive aromas that truly define the season.
Instant Pot vs. Oven: Your Choice for the Perfect Crisp
While the Instant Pot is fantastic for speed and hands-off cooking, I understand that not everyone owns one. The great news is, this Pear, Apple, and Cranberry Crisp is equally delicious when baked in a traditional oven! You can choose the method that best suits your kitchen and schedule.
Using the Instant Pot significantly reduces the cooking time for the fruit filling, making it a great option when you need a quick dessert or breakfast, especially during busy holiday mornings. It steams the fruit to a perfect tender consistency. For oven baking, the fruits slowly tenderize while the topping crisps up beautifully. The full oven instructions are provided in the recipe card below, ensuring you can enjoy this delightful crisp no matter your cooking appliance of choice.
Key Ingredients for a Deliciously Healthy Crisp
One of the many reasons I adore this healthy crisp recipe is that it relies on ingredients I typically have on hand. This means no frantic, last-minute trips to the grocery store during the already hectic holiday season!
The Fruit Medley: Apples, Pears, and Cranberries
- Fruit – The beauty of this crisp lies in its flexibility. Any combination totaling six cups of diced fruit will work beautifully! For this recipe, I recommend a delightful blend of 3 cups of crisp apples (like Honeycrisp), 2 cups of ripe pears, and 1 cup of fresh cranberries. The cranberries add a vibrant tartness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the apples and pears, creating a truly festive flavor profile. When we photographed this recipe, we even experimented with adding some diced oranges – and they were incredibly delicious, adding an extra burst of citrusy brightness!
- Fresh Orange Juice + Orange Zest – To further brighten the flavors and add a wonderful aromatic quality, I include the zest from one orange along with 1-2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice in the fruit mixture. This subtle citrus note truly elevates the overall taste.
Do I have to peel the apples and pears for this Instant Pot Crisp?
Absolutely not! This is one of my favorite time-saving shortcuts. You certainly can peel them if you prefer a smoother texture, but there’s really no need. The peels soften beautifully during cooking, and I find they contribute an extra layer of flavor, a beautiful color to the filling, and even some added sweetness and fiber. So, it’s entirely your choice, but I highly recommend skipping the peeling for convenience and enhanced taste.
Sweeteners and Healthy Fats
- Honey or maple syrup – You have the flexibility to use either honey or maple syrup, or even a delightful mix of both! Honey offers a rich, floral sweetness, while maple syrup provides a distinct caramel-like note. To ensure this crisp remains a truly vegan-friendly option, be sure to use pure maple syrup.
- Coconut oil – I meticulously tested this crisp topping with both traditional butter and coconut oil. To my surprise and delight, I found I actually preferred the results with coconut oil! It creates a wonderfully crumbly and flavorful topping, and crucially, it keeps the entire recipe vegan, making it accessible for even more guests during your holiday celebrations.
The Wholesome Crisp Topping: Oats and Almond Flour
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Oats – These are a pantry staple in my kitchen! I always have a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Oats on hand because they are incredibly versatile and consistently high quality. Their heartiness is perfect for absorbing the flavors and creating that satisfying crisp texture. They’re excellent for Overnight Oats, Muffins, and of course, healthy desserts like this scrumptious crisp!
- Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour – I love incorporating almond flour into my baking to sneak in some extra healthy fats and protein, which also makes this crisp more substantial and satisfying. Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour provides a wonderful tender texture to the topping. If you’re dealing with a nut allergy, you can easily substitute this with Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour without compromising the texture or deliciousness of the topping.
Flavor Boosters: Cinnamon and Salt
- Cinnamon – More than just a spice, cinnamon is the quintessential flavor of the holidays. Not only does it add a wonderfully warm and sweet flavor to both the fruit filling and the crisp topping, but the moment it starts baking, it fills your entire house with an intoxicating aroma that instantly transports you to Christmas morning.
- Salt – A pinch of salt is crucial in any sweet dish. It doesn’t make the crisp salty; instead, it cleverly enhances and balances the natural sweetness of the fruits and the topping, making all the flavors truly pop.
Achieving That Irresistible Crispy Topping
One common question about making a fruit crisp in the Instant Pot is, “Will it actually be crispy?” If you simply cook this Pear Apple Cranberry Crisp entirely in your Instant Pot without an additional step, the topping will be more like a soft crumble rather than a truly crispy texture. But don’t worry, there are two fantastic ways to achieve that perfect golden-brown crispness!
- Broiler Method: After the main cooking time in the Instant Pot, you can carefully transfer your crisp to your oven and broil it for a few minutes. This high heat will quickly brown and crisp up the topping. Be sure to watch it very carefully, as broilers can work quickly and you want to remove it just as it starts to turn golden, preventing any burning. This method is simple and effective if you have an oven available.
- Mealthy CrispLid: For Instant Pot enthusiasts who want to avoid turning on their oven, the Mealthy CrispLid is a game-changer! This innovative accessory turns your pressure cooker into an air fryer and broiler. Simply attach it to your Instant Pot after the pressure cooking cycle, and let it work its magic. I can’t recommend my CrispLid enough – it’s a fantastic tool for achieving that desired crispy texture with minimal effort and without heating up your kitchen.
Want to learn more about the amazing Mealthy CrispLid and how it turns your pressure cooker into an Instant Pot? Check out my CrispLid review!
Customizing Your Holiday Crisp
One of the best features of this fruit crisp recipe is its incredible adaptability! Don’t feel limited to just pears, apples, and cranberries. If you don’t particularly love one of these fruits, or simply want to try something new, feel free to experiment with substitutions. You can add extra apples, throw in some juicy oranges, or even incorporate frozen cherries or mixed berries for a different twist. Peaches, blueberries, and even rhubarb (when in season) are all excellent choices. Add whatever your merry heart desires – the beauty of a crisp is that almost any fruit combination will be absolutely delicious!
Beyond fruit, consider adding a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping for an extra layer of crunch and flavor. A touch of ginger or a blend of pumpkin pie spice can also enhance the holiday essence, making each bite a truly unique experience.
Serving Suggestions and Dishes
I often use adorable ramekins to make individual portions, which are fantastic for portion control and presentation, especially for a brunch spread. However, you can absolutely make this crisp in a larger oven-safe or Instant Pot-safe dish, such as a casserole dish, that fits inside your Instant Pot. If serving family-style, a larger dish is perfect for scooping generous portions.
While this crisp is wonderful on its own, it truly shines when paired with a creamy topping. For a dairy-free and vegan option, homemade coconut cream is an absolute dream. Alternatively, a dollop of your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a sprinkle of toasted shredded coconut can take this dessert to the next level.
Elevate Your Crisp with Homemade Coconut Cream
While this crisp is absolutely delightful on its own, for an extra special touch, you can top it with a luscious coconut cream. The best part? Making your own dairy-free coconut cream is surprisingly easy and adds a truly luxurious finish to your crisp.
Here’s how to whip up your own coconut cream: Start with a can of full-fat coconut milk (not light coconut milk) and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the rich, thick coconut cream to separate and solidify at the top of the can. The next day, carefully open the can and scoop out the chilled, thick cream into a large mixing bowl, leaving behind the liquid coconut water (you can save this for smoothies!). Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the coconut cream until it becomes light, fluffy, and holds soft peaks, much like whipped dairy cream. This usually takes about 5 minutes. If you prefer a sweeter cream, you can add a few drops of stevia or a teaspoon of maple syrup while whipping. For a delicious seasonal twist, try a pumpkin version of this cream – see this recipe!
Alternatively, for a convenient time-saver, check your local grocery store for already prepared coconut whipped cream in a can or tub. It’s becoming increasingly common and makes life so much easier during busy times, allowing you to enjoy this delicious topping with minimal effort.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
The holidays are busy, and anything that can be prepared in advance is a blessing. This Holiday Pear, Apple, and Cranberry Crisp is excellent for make-ahead preparation:
- Prepare Components Separately: You can dice the fruit and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The crisp topping mixture can also be prepared ahead of time and stored in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake or cook, simply assemble and proceed with the recipe.
- Assemble Ahead: For ultimate convenience, you can assemble the entire crisp (fruit filling and topping layered in the dish) up to one day in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
- Leftovers: Any leftover crisp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. While it might lose some of its crispiness, the flavors will still be wonderful. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
More Healthy Instant Pot Crisp Recipes
If you love the ease and deliciousness of this holiday crisp, you’ll be thrilled to know there are many other healthy Instant Pot crisp recipes to explore:
- Instant Pot Peach Crisp
- Berry Crisp
- Instant Pot Apple Crisp
- Healthy Instant Pot Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Thank you Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring this post. It means so much to me to work with brands that I love and use in my kitchen daily!
Holiday Pear, Apple, Cranberry Crisp Recipe Card
Holiday Pear, Apple, Cranberry Crisp
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups honey crisp apples* diced
- 2 cups pears diced, be sure they are nice and ripe*
- 1 cup fresh cranberries halved if they are large*
- 1 orange for zest and juice
- 4 ½ tablespoons honey or maple syrup divided
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Oats
- 1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Instant Pot
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In a medium bowl , combine fruit with 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
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Next, make the topping. In a small bowl, combine honey/maple syrup with the melted coconut oil by whisking until smooth. Tip – if your maple syrup is cold, leave it out for a bit before combining, otherwise your coconut oil will solidify.
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In a medium bowl, mix oats, almond flour, cinnamon and salt together. Then pour the maple syrup/honey/coconut oil into the oat mixture and combine.
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Use an instant pot safe bowl, like my favorite casserole dish, or instant pot safe ramekins, layer your crisp together by first adding in fruit, then spooning the crisp topping over the fruit mixture.
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Add one cup of water to the steel insert of the Instant Pot, then place trivet insert (or sling) in the bottom. Cover casserole dish with foil, then lay on top of trivet. If you are using the ramekins, you can stack them on top of each other! Set IP for 7 minutes on manual/pressure cook.
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After cook time, do a quick release.
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In the meantime, preheat oven to broil.. When it’s safe to remove the dish from the Instant Pot, place it under the broiler for a few minutes, or until the topping begins to crisp. Watch them carefully, and remove just as the crisp topping starts to brown.
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Let the Crisp sit and rest for around ten minutes before eating. Enjoy by itself or with coconut cream!
Oven
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Preheat oven to 350.
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Follow steps 1-4. Then cover crisp with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes or until the fruit is bubbly. Remove foil and let the topping crisp up. You can broil for a few minutes to get it even crispier.
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Let the Crisp sit and cool for around ten minutes before eating.
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 PURPLE, 1/2 YELLOW, 1/3 BLUE, 1 TSP, 2 sweetener TSP (per serving)
WW link for personal points: Holiday Crisp (per serving)