This cherry blueberry crisp is a cozy and sweet family dessert, and perfect for a sweet treat on a lazy weekend. With cherries, blueberries and a simple oat topping, it will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth and is so easy to make. A vegetarian, gluten free (using certified oats) and low histamine recipe.
Do check out my apple blueberry crisp for another comforting dessert idea!
Crisp recipes are such a go-to in my home, and this recipe sits alongside my rhubarb blueberry crisp and blueberry and blackberry crisp as real favourites.
For this cherry blueberry crisp, we use the perfect combination of sweet fruit and oat topping, which has the best crunch. Given how easy it is to make, I think it will become a favourite of yours too!
Have a peek at my cherry coconut popsicles for another summer dessert recipe making the most of sweet cherries!
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⭐ Why you'll love this cherry crisp
- All the cozy vibes. There's something so warming and comforting about a crisp recipe on a winter's day.
- All whole foods. No preservatives or anything hard to pronounce(!) in this crisp, all fruit and pantry staples. Use gluten free oats if you have that dietary requirement.
- Easy recipe. Just a couple of steps until that perfect baking aroma is filling your kitchen.
🍒 Ingredients
This cherry blueberry crisp uses fruit and pantry staples. You will need:
- Cherries and blueberries - the sweet fruit for that layer of the crisp. You can use fresh or frozen.
- Maple syrup - to add a touch more sweetness.
- Oats - use gluten free if required.
- Butter and brown sugar - to make the oat topping.
- Pumpkin seeds - for a little extra crunch for the oat topping.
🍎 Options for fruit
I've made this crisp with both fresh and frozen fruit, and both work wonderfully. If you can get fresh cherries when in season, they will be lovely in this recipe.
Recently though I've switched to using frozen cherries, as in the pics for this recipe. Cherries can be so expensive out of season, and blueberries too. Using frozen fruit is just as juicy and gooey, although you will get a little more liquid at the bottom of the crisp. Personally I really like this and think it complements the crisp topping really well.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making this cherry and blueberry crisp couldn't be easier. It really does take less than ten minutes to put together and the only 'work' is to make the topping.
- Add your fruit to the pan, as in the pic below and drizzle over the maple syrup. Just make sure the fruit is an even layer.
- Make the crisp topping by adding your oats, butter, sugar, pumpkin seeds and cinnamon (if using) to a bowl and then rubbing the butter through the oats so it all combines. I find it best to use my fingers to do this; using a spoon doesn't seem as easy. And yes, it's a tiny bit messy, but this fruity comfort food dessert is well worth it!
- Sprinkle the oat mixture over the fruit in an even layer and pop into the oven. That's it, you're done. Now for the hard part, waiting for it to cook while the smell of baking fills your home.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Spread the fruit into an even layer in your baking dish.
- Rub the butter evenly through the oats so you have a slightly sticky mixture.
- Always watch your crisp in the last 5-10 minutes of cook time as it can turn fast, and you don't want a burnt topping!
- The crisp will be quite hot and the berries bubbling when you remove from the oven so be careful not to dive in too quickly and get a burnt tongue!
📋 Frequently asked questions
Yes, both fresh and frozen fruit work well. If using frozen berries, you may have a little more liquid at the base of the crisp.
Using certified gluten free oats makes this fruit crisp suitable for a gluten free diet.
📖 A note for my low histamine friends
As with all my low histamine recipes on this blog, I use the SIGHI food list for histamine as a guide for the foods that are 'allowed' and those restricted on a low histamine diet.
Cherries rate as 0 on the SIGHI list, but with a note that simply says 'controversial'. I asked on my Instagram and 92% of respondents said they were fine with them, so I hope you are able to tolerate them. Cherries rate as low histamine on other lists. However, always follow the advice of your doctor or dietician.
📖 Recipe
Cherry Blueberry Crisp
Equipment
- Ovenproof dish
Ingredients
For the fruit layer
- 2 cups cherries fresh or frozen
- ½ cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup maple syrup more to taste
For the crisp topping
- 1.5 cups oats gf if required
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C / 360F.
- In a large oven-proof dish scatter your fruit so that it is an even layer, and then drizzle over the maple syrup.
- Pour the oats, sugar, pumpkin seeds and cinnamon, if using, into a bowl and then 'rub' the butter between your fingers and the oat mixture so that it is all combined.
- Top your fruit with the oat mixture in an even layer, and place in the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, checking after about 30 minutes and every 5 minutes thereafter for any signs of burning. It can turn quickly, so keep an eye on it!
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Scatter the fruit in an even layer in your dish.
- Fresh or frozen fruit can be used. Using frozen will give slightly more juice in the base of the dish.
- Rub the butter well through the oats so they are evenly coated and slightly sticky.
- The crisp will have more fruity liquid at the bottom if you use frozen fruit.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup to taste - if you have a sweet tooth you may like a little more.
- Cherries score 0, but have 'controversial' next to them.
- Cinnamon, which is optional, scores as 0, but is higher on other histamine lists.
Klyn Elsbury says
Oh my word! I am so doing this, I absolutely love cooking on the days I have more energy ! Little less syrup for the diabetic in me but it may just be worth the insulin
throughthefibrofog says
Hope you like it! As fruit is sweet anyway you may be able to go without maple syrup at all. Enjoy!
Carrie Kellenberger says
Happy Birthday, Claire! I love a good fruit crisp and you are hitting these maple syrup recipes out of the ballpark. Looking forward to trying this!
throughthefibrofog says
Thanks Carrie! Really hope you like it, and feel free to add a little extra maple syrup 😉
Sheryl says
Cherry anything gets my vote, but I love how you included some fruit alternatives, too! Thanks for this recipe (and all the other recipes) on your site!
throughthefibrofog says
I'm all about the cherries at the moment! But you can make crisp recipes with so many fruits, and always taste so good 🙂
Shruti Chopra says
Claire! This is such a yum option for your birthday. I hope you had a good one - well who wouldn't with such a great looking sweet treat. I can imagine how it'd smell too - heavenly for sure. I got a box of cherries delivered today, I'll have to figure another fruit and give this a go!
Also... I'm looking forward to the sweet potato burger recipe too!:D
throughthefibrofog says
Thanks Shruti, had a good birthday - at home of course! I fully recommend the crisp on a cosy afternoon while watching an old movie!
Katie Clark says
I can see why you saved this for your birthday dessert! Yum! My favorite flavors. I love frut (especially dark cherry) more than chocolate:)
throughthefibrofog says
I'm obsessed with cherries at the moment! Hope you like it if you get to making it.