Pear Crumble is a simple and delicious dessert made with sweet, juicy pears topped with a buttery crumb mixture that becomes golden and crispy when baked. It is one of those comforting desserts that fills your kitchen with an amazing aroma and brings warmth to the table. The soft baked pears create a sweet fruit filling, while the crunchy topping adds the perfect contrast in texture.

This classic dessert is popular because it is easy to make and requires only a handful of everyday ingredients. Unlike pies, there is no need to make a pastry crust, which makes Pear Crumble a great choice for beginner bakers. Whether served after a family dinner or enjoyed as an afternoon treat, this dessert is always a crowd-pleaser.
Why You Should Try This Pear Crumble
If you love simple desserts that taste homemade and comforting, this Pear Crumble is a recipe you should definitely try. The natural sweetness of ripe pears combines beautifully with cinnamon and a buttery oat topping, creating a dessert that feels both rustic and special.
Another reason to love this recipe is its flexibility. You can make it with different types of pears, add nuts for extra crunch, or serve it with ice cream for a richer dessert. It is also a wonderful recipe for kids to help make because many of the steps are easy and fun. Once you try it, you may find yourself making it throughout the year whenever pears are in season.
Table of Contents
Ingredients you’ll need for Pear Crumble
For the Pear Filling
- 6 ripe pears, peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Crumble Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Pear Crumble
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, lightly grease your baking dish with a little butter or non-stick spray. Preparing the dish ahead of time helps prevent sticking and makes serving much easier once the crumble is baked.
Step 2: Prepare the Pear Filling
Peel the pears and slice them into thin, even pieces. Place the sliced pears into a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Gently toss everything together until all the pear slices are evenly coated. The lemon juice helps keep the pears fresh-looking, while the cornstarch helps create a thick and delicious filling during baking.

Step 3: Transfer the Filling
Pour the prepared pear mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread the pears into an even layer so that every bite will have a balanced amount of fruit. Taking a few extra seconds to level the filling will help the crumble bake evenly.
Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a fork or pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue mixing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small buttery pieces throughout. These butter pockets help create the crispy texture that makes crumble toppings so irresistible.

Step 5: Add the Topping
Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the pear filling. Try to cover most of the pears while keeping the topping loose and crumbly. Avoid pressing the topping down because a light layer will bake up crispier and more golden.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. As it bakes, the pears will soften and release their juices while the topping turns beautifully golden brown. The dessert is ready when the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges and the crumble topping looks crisp and lightly browned.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Carefully remove the crumble from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. Allow it to cool for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the filling thicken slightly and makes serving easier. Spoon into bowls and enjoy while warm.
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Tips for the Best Pear Crumble
- Keep the butter cold when making the crumble topping. Cold butter creates a crisp, crumbly texture after baking.
- Don’t overwork the topping. Mix just until coarse crumbs form to keep the crumble light and crunchy.
- Add a little lemon juice to the pears to brighten the flavor and prevent browning.
- Use rolled oats instead of quick oats for a heartier and crispier topping.
How Do You Store Pear Crumble
Let the Pear Crumble cool completely first. Then cover it well with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
After it has fully cooled, wrap the crumble tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
What to Eat With Pear Crumble
I love serving this pear crumble to my family while it’s still warm from the oven. It pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of yogurt, and we enjoy it with a cup of tea, coffee, or Smoothie.

Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use canned pears ?
Yes, but make sure to drain them well first.
How do I make the topping crispy ?
Use cold butter and avoid overmixing the crumble.
Can I add other fruits ?
Yes, apples, berries, or peaches mix well with pears.
Why add lemon juice ?
It prevents browning and adds a fresh flavor.
Pear Crumble
Course: DessertCuisine: British, EuropeanDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes40
minutes320
kcal1
hourPear Crumble is a warm, cozy dessert made with soft baked pears topped with a golden, buttery, and crunchy oat crumble. It is easy to prepare, family-friendly, and perfect served warm with ice cream or cream.
Ingredients
6 ripe pears, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Pinch of salt
Directions
- Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish :Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, lightly grease your baking dish with a little butter or non-stick spray. Preparing the dish ahead of time helps prevent sticking and makes serving much easier once the crumble is baked.
- Step 2: Prepare the Pear Filling :Peel the pears and slice them into thin, even pieces. Place the sliced pears into a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Gently toss everything together until all the pear slices are evenly coated. The lemon juice helps keep the pears fresh-looking, while the cornstarch helps create a thick and delicious filling during baking.
- Step 3: Transfer the Filling :Pour the prepared pear mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread the pears into an even layer so that every bite will have a balanced amount of fruit. Taking a few extra seconds to level the filling will help the crumble bake evenly.
- Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping :In a medium bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a fork or pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue mixing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small buttery pieces throughout. These butter pockets help create the crispy texture that makes crumble toppings so irresistible.
- Step 5: Add the Topping :Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the pear filling. Try to cover most of the pears while keeping the topping loose and crumbly. Avoid pressing the topping down because a light layer will bake up crispier and more golden.
- Step 6: Bake Until Golden :Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. As it bakes, the pears will soften and release their juices while the topping turns beautifully golden brown. The dessert is ready when the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges and the crumble topping looks crisp and lightly browned.
- Step 7: Cool and Serve :Carefully remove the crumble from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. Allow it to cool for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the filling thicken slightly and makes serving easier. Spoon into bowls and enjoy while warm.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the crumble mixture.
- Add a little vanilla extract to the filling for depth.
- Include a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.
- Add chopped nuts like walnuts for extra texture.

