This post may contain references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Oh Sweet Basil may receive compensation when you click on links to such products.
This beautiful, quick and easy Old Fashioned Cherry Crisp Recipe with an oatmeal topping is loaded with saucy sweet cherries. Our cherry crisp is perfectly sweet and tart with a secret ingredient to make it extra special. This classic Cherry Crisp with extra oatmeal topping is what summer fruit dessert dreams are made of.
Just like my homemade Apple Crisp, this recipe is a staple! We love to serve it warm out of the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a quick and easy dessert that’s great for when company is coming!
Our Favorite Cherry Crisp Recipe
My sister has a cherry tree and is always finding a new way to use her cherries. One of our favorite ways to use cherries is a cherry pie. With our homemade cherry pie filling which can be canned, frozen or stored in the fridge.
This summer fruit crisp boasts amazing flavor with a secret weapon…
The Secret to Easy Cherry Crisp
Have you ever had a dessert that you’ve had a million times, but then you have one that blows your mind and you can’t quite pinpoint why? That’s this recipe and the secret is almond extract. It’s a little something special that will transform your filling!
Ingredients In This Cherry Crisp Recipe
- All Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the topping and helps create a crumbly texture.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Never use quick oats! Old fashioned add a chewy, rustic texture.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the crisp with a warmth white sugar lacks.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices add warmth and aromatic flavor to the topping, complementing the cherries.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: Fat that makes the topping rich and crumbly.
- Fresh Cherries: The main filling of the dessert! Make sure the pits have been removed.
Served warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of the BEST homemade whipped cream – it’s hard to beat this classic!
How to Make Cherry Crisp
- Topping: In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together to evenly distribute all ingredients. Mix in the cold butter.
- Filling: In a saucepan prepare the filling.
- Bake: Add the cherry filling to a baking dish and top with the oatmeal crumble topping. Bake until the crumble is golden brown and the filling bubbles happily underneath.
- Serve: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that will start to melt down into the brown sugary crumble making for the most delicious bite!
Make it Even Faster
You can skip the homemade cherry pie filling if you can’t get cherries by you and just use store bought. I won’t tell anyone!
FAQs
Sour or tart cherries make the best filling, but we often mix sweet and Rainier cherries as those are what are available in Utah.
This is a great resource for types of cherries for snacking and baking.
Tip: For tart varieties, taste the cherries then increase the sugar to offset the sourness.
Actually, I love to make cherry crisp with frozen cherries so there’s extra juice!
Yes. Tightly wrap leftovers with foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The juices will slowly soften the topping. To recrisp an oatmeal topping, warm (uncovered) in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Unbaked Fresh Cherry Crisp: Assemble, wrap tightly in saran wrap then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. My mom does this every season with crisps and pies. Bake directly from the freezer, adding extra time as needed.
Baked Cherry Crisp with Oats: Cool, wrap in foil, and freeze. Thaw in the fridge and reheat to serve.
Variations of Cherry Crisp
Try a chocolate and cherry combo! I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate and cherries together?! Sprinkle dark or semi sweet chocolate chips on the filling for an extra special treat.
Make Ahead Of Time
Make the crisp topping ahead and keep it in the fridge in a ziploc or keep topping in the freezer to use anytime. I almost always have crisp topping mixed together and in my freezer so I can whip up desserts or single serving treats! (Let it warm up for 20 minutes before using.)
Filling can be made and stored in the fridge or freezer as well. See our homemade pie filling for more info.
There’s just something about this easy cherry dessert that tastes like summer in a bowl. The sweet, juicy cherries bubbling under that golden, buttery oat topping never disappoint, and it’s one of those recipes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
Whether you serve cherry crisp warm with a big scoop of ice cream or sneak a bite straight from the pan, it’s summer comfort food at its finest — simple, timeless, and oh so delicious.
More Crisps, Bars & Fresh Fruit Desserts
Get all of my fresh fruit dessert recipes here!