Irresistible Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp: A Sweet & Simple Dessert for Any Season

Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with our exquisite **Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp recipe**. Each spoonful offers a delightful fusion of tender, juicy cherry filling enveloped beneath a golden, buttery, and irresistibly crispy oat crumble topping. This remarkably easy recipe is designed for versatility, allowing you to create this sensational dessert using either fresh, seasonal cherries or convenient frozen cherries. This means you can savor the sweet, tart, and deeply satisfying flavors of a homemade cherry crisp any time of the year, making it a perfect treat for gatherings, holidays, or a simple weeknight indulgence.

Our **fresh cherry crisp recipe** masterfully transforms vibrant, succulent cherries into a luscious, jammy filling, perfectly complemented by our signature gluten-free oat crisp topping. The result is a dessert where every bite is a symphony of textures and flavors: rich, buttery, perfectly crispy, wonderfully jammy, and absolutely bursting with authentic cherry essence. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience.

While this **homemade cherry crisp** shines brightest during peak cherry season, its adaptability means you don’t have to wait. The option to use **fresh cherries or frozen cherries** ensures this beautiful **gluten-free cherry crumble** can be prepared and enjoyed throughout the entire year, bringing a taste of sunshine even on the coldest days. Forget complicated pastry work; this recipe celebrates simplicity and pure, unadulterated flavor, proving that a truly magnificent dessert doesn’t require advanced baking skills.

One of the most appealing aspects of this **easy gluten-free cherry crisp** is its straightforward nature, beginning with a list of incredibly simple, accessible ingredients. There’s no need for intricate pie crusts or specialized techniques often associated with fruit desserts. Just a few pantry staples and fresh or frozen cherries are all you need to create a show-stopping dessert that will impress everyone.

The Secret Behind Every Delicious Bite: Simple Ingredients, Exceptional Flavor

Creating a truly outstanding **gluten-free cherry crisp** starts with understanding each component. If you’re familiar with our other beloved fruit crisp recipes, such as our Gluten-Free Blueberry Crisp or our decadent Caramel Apple Crisp, you’ll recognize many of these foundational ingredients. They are carefully selected to ensure the perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and a vibrant cherry flavor that truly stands out. Let’s explore what makes this **homemade cherry crisp** so special:

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Cherry Crisp

• Cherries (Fresh or Frozen): The star of our **cherry crisp recipe**! For the luscious filling, you’ll need either ripe, sweet fresh cherries or convenient frozen cherries. While fresh cherries often offer the most vibrant flavor and texture when in season, high-quality frozen cherries are an excellent year-round alternative. If opting for frozen, we provide a helpful tip in the notes section of the recipe card to ensure your filling remains perfectly thick and not watery. Remember to pit and halve your cherries regardless of whether they are fresh or frozen.
• Granulated Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness; granulated sugar plays a crucial role in creating that irresistible, saucy, syrupy consistency in the cherry filling as it cooks. It helps the cherries release their natural juices, which then combine with other ingredients to form a thick, delectable base for your crisp.
• Cornstarch: Our go-to thickener for fruit crisps! Cornstarch is essential to ensure the cherry filling sets beautifully and achieves that desirable thick, glossy texture. Without it, your filling might be too runny, making for a less enjoyable eating experience. It provides the perfect body to cradle all those juicy cherries.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice is a game-changer! It brightens the overall flavor profile of the **cherry crisp**, cutting through the sweetness and adding a delightful tang that prevents the dessert from tasting overly rich or one-dimensional. This acidity perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the cherries, enhancing their vibrant taste.
• Vanilla Extract & Almond Extract: These are our “secret weapon” ingredients! While vanilla adds a classic warmth, almond extract truly elevates the cherry flavor, creating a nuanced and incredibly delicious aroma and taste that perfectly harmonizes with the fruit. Don’t skip these; they make all the difference in achieving that bakery-quality flavor.
• Butter: Now, for the quintessential oat topping! You’ll need cold, unsalted butter, diced into small cubes. Keeping the butter cold is key to achieving a light, crumbly, and crispy topping, as it prevents the butter from melting too quickly. Smaller cubes integrate more easily into the dry ingredients, ensuring an even crumble.
• Gluten-Free Oats: Crucial for a **gluten-free cherry crisp**! Always ensure you use certified gluten-free oats to avoid cross-contamination for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. We love a blend of gluten-free quick oats and gluten-free rolled oats (sometimes labeled old-fashioned oats) for a varied texture, but you can use all quick-cooking or all rolled oats based on your preference for chewiness.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: For the best results, we highly recommend a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend. Our top choice is King Arthur Measure-For-Measure gluten-free flour blend, which consistently delivers excellent taste and texture. If you choose another 1:1 brand, make sure it explicitly states it contains xanthan gum, as this is vital for binding and achieving the right structure in gluten-free baking. We strongly advise against using almond flour or coconut flour for this recipe, as almond flour can burn easily and result in a soggy topping, while coconut flour tends to be too dry and crumbly for a crisp.
• Brown Sugar: Our absolute favorite for creating a rich, deeply flavored oat crumble topping! We typically use light brown sugar for its subtle caramel notes and moist texture, but if you desire a more pronounced molasses flavor, dark brown sugar makes a fantastic substitute.
• Kosher Salt: Just a touch of salt is all it takes to bring out and balance all the wonderful flavors in both the filling and the topping. It enhances the sweetness of the cherries and the richness of the crumble, preventing the dessert from tasting flat.

Crafting Your Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp: A Step-By-Step Guide to Perfection

For precise ingredient measurements, detailed instructions, and additional expert tips, please refer to the complete recipe card provided below.

Making this **gluten-free cherry crisp** is a straightforward and enjoyable process. With just a few simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a warm, bubbly, and fragrant dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Follow these instructions to create your own delicious **homemade cherry crisp**:

Simple Steps for a Stunning Dessert

1. Step 1: Preheat & Prepare Your Baking Dish. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the moment your crisp goes in. Next, lightly grease a 9×9 inch square baking dish. This crucial step prevents the filling from sticking and makes for easier serving and clean-up. Once greased, set the dish aside, ready for your cherry mixture.
2. Step 2: Assemble the Luscious Cherry Filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine your pitted and halved cherries with the granulated sugar, cornstarch, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gently stir all these ingredients together until the cherries are evenly coated. Be careful not to mash the fruit; a gentle hand ensures the cherries retain their shape and texture. Once combined, transfer this vibrant cherry mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer across the bottom.
3. Step 3: Craft the Irresistible Oat Crumble Topping. There’s no need to dirty another bowl! Use the same large mixing bowl you just used for the filling. Add the cubed cold butter, certified gluten-free oats (your preferred mix of quick and rolled oats), light brown sugar, gluten-free measure-for-measure flour, a touch more vanilla extract, and the kosher salt. Using a fork, a pastry blender, or even your clean fingertips, mix these ingredients until the topping is uniformly blended. You’re looking for moist, cohesive clusters, with no dry patches of flour remaining. This ensures a perfectly crispy and flavorful topping. Generously sprinkle this crumbly mixture over the cherry filling in your baking dish, covering it completely.
4. Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place your assembled **cherry crisp** in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-55 minutes. The crisp is ready when the cherry filling is visibly bubbling around the edges of the pan and the oat crumble topping has turned a beautiful golden brown. It’s vital for the filling to come to a full boil; this activation ensures the cornstarch properly thickens the filling. If you notice the topping browning too quickly before the filling is adequately bubbling, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil. This protects the topping from scorching while allowing the filling to continue cooking and thickening.
5. Step 5: Cool, Serve, and Savor. Once baked, remove the **gluten-free cherry crisp** from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 20-30 minutes before serving. This cooling period is essential as it gives the hot cherry filling time to properly set and thicken. If you scoop it too warm, the filling may be runnier than desired. After cooling slightly, serve this warm, comforting dessert with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or simply on its own. Enjoy every delightful bite!

Pro Tip: The Cherry Pitter Difference

Preparing fresh cherries, especially pitting them, can be the most time-consuming part of this **cherry crisp recipe**. To significantly speed up your prep time and make the process much more enjoyable, consider investing in a quality cherry pitter! There are fantastic tools available, including some that can pit multiple cherries at once, transforming a tedious task into a quick and easy step. This small gadget is a game-changer for anyone who loves baking with fresh cherries.

SHOP THE CHERRY PITTER

Discover More Gluten-Free Fruit Crisp Delights

If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting flavors and ease of our **Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp**, you’re in for a treat! The world of fruit crisps is vast and varied, offering endless opportunities to enjoy seasonal fruits in a delicious, gluten-free format. These recipes are perfect for anyone seeking delightful desserts that are both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. Expand your baking repertoire with our other tried-and-true gluten-free fruit crisp recipes:

Explore Our Collection of Gluten-Free Crisps

Gluten-Free Strawberry Crisp

Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Crisp

Gluten-Free Blueberry Crisp

Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp Recipe Card

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Gluten-Free Cherry Crisp

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• Author: Emily Dixon, Sweets & Thank You
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 servings
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Our easy gluten-free cherry crisp recipe is a delicious combination of buttery oat crumble & fresh cherry filling in every bite. It’s the perfect way to use fresh cherries OR frozen cherries!

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Ingredients

For The Cherry Filling:

• 6 cups pitted & halved fresh cherries* (about 2 pounds)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (67 grams)
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch (20 grams)
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Oat Topping:

• 6 Tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
• 3/4 cup certified gluten-free oats (I like a mix of quick oats & rolled oats)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (150 grams)
• 1/2 cup gluten-free measure-for-measure flour (60 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep. To start, preheat oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×9 baking dish and set aside.
2. Make Filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract and almond extract. Gently stir to combine. Transfer filling to prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer.
3. Make Crumble Topping. In the same large bowl (no need for a new one!), combine cubed butter, gluten-free oats, brown sugar, gluten-free flour, vanilla, and salt. Stir with a fork, a pastry cutter, or clean hands until the topping is evenly blended and moist clusters have formed. (There shouldn’t be any dry patches of flour left!) Sprinkle topping over the cherry filling.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges and the crumble topping is golden brown. (It’s important the the filling comes to a boil, otherwise it won’t thicken. If the top starts to brown too much before the filling is bubbling, loosely tent the pan with foil.)
5. Cool & Enjoy. Let the warm cherry crisp cool at least 20-30 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. (If you scoop it warm, the filling won’t be as thick!) Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy! Cover leftover crisp with foil and refrigerate 2-3 days. Reheat in a 300 degree oven to 10-20 minutes, or warm in the microwave, as desired.

Notes

• Tips For Using Frozen Cherries. Frozen cherries work GREAT in this cherry crisp recipe, but you’ll want to keep in mind that the ice crystals will melt, releasing extra water into the recipe. You can moderate this by thawing the cherries first OR adding 1 extra teaspoon of cornstarch. Either works!
• Your Pan Matters! While I LOVE metal pans for baking gluten-free brownies & cookie bars, I prefer using a ceramic 9×9 pan for baking gluten-free cherry crisp and other fruit crisp recipes. I find ceramic cooks gently enough that my filling will thicken properly without scorching around the edges. If you use a metal pan, you may find your fruit crisp cooks faster than mine.
• Try Adding Almonds! For more of a cherry-almond crisp vibe, you can add 1/3-1/2 cup sliced almonds to the crumble topping mixture. (It will likely brown faster, so make sure to tent the pan with foil as needed toward the end of the bake time!)

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American