TL;DR
Get kitchen staples and gadgets delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
The Kitchn published a pear crisp recipe credited to Perry Santanachote, with recipe testing commentary from food editor Patty Catalano. It serves six to eight and combines firm pears, lemon, brown sugar and spices under an oat topping, baked at 400°F until golden and bubbling.
The Kitchn has published a pear crisp recipe credited to food writer and recipe developer Perry Santanachote, offering a fruit dessert that serves six to eight people and bakes at 400°F. It layers firm pears tossed with brown sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice beneath a buttery oat topping, with baking time listed as about 30 minutes.
The recipe calls for Bosc or Anjou pears, varieties the article recommends because their firm flesh is more likely to retain distinct slices as it softens in the oven. The filling also uses light brown sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch. The lemon adds acidity and helps limit browning while the fruit is prepared; the cornstarch thickens the juices as the crisp bakes.
For the topping, the recipe combines quick-cooking rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, allspice and salt with melted unsalted butter and vanilla. The directions say to scatter the mixture over the pears without pressing it down, then bake until the topping is golden and the fruit filling bubbles around the edges. The article gives 25 to 30 minutes for baking in its instructions, while its overview lists a 30-to-35-minute cook time.
The Kitchn presents the dessert as a simpler alternative to pie: it requires no pastry or rolling pin and uses a mixing bowl and baking dish. Suggested variations include replacing half the pears with firm, tart apples or swapping allspice for cinnamon, cardamom or ginger. The supplied source text cuts off during its list of additional topping ideas, so any remaining suggestions are not available here.
A Pie-Style Dessert Without Pastry
The recipe gives home cooks a way to use fresh pears in a baked dessert without making pie dough. Its appeal rests on a straightforward preparation and a contrast between soft fruit and a crisp, buttery oat layer, rather than on a complex technique.
Its practical details also help readers judge whether it fits a meal: the stated yield is six to eight servings, preparation takes 15 minutes, and the listed baking time is roughly half an hour. The article’s alternate apple-and-pear option offers a way to adjust the flavor and texture while keeping the basic method.
These are recipe descriptions and recommendations from the publication, not independently reported results or a claim that the dessert has been tested in every kitchen. Actual baking time can vary with the fruit, oven and baking dish; the recipe’s visual cues—bubbling filling and a golden, firm topping—are part of its instructions.
Popular right now
Ninja SP151 Flip Toaster Oven and Air Fryer
KitchenAid 5.5-Qt Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, Porcelain White (KSM55SXXX)
Philips 2200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Classic Milk Frother, 2 Coffee Varieties, Intuitive Touch Display, Ceramic Grinder
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Recipe Builds Flavor
The Kitchn’s article credits Perry Santanachote as the recipe’s author and includes a testing note from food editor Patty Catalano. The source identifies Catalano as having more than 17 years of recipe-development experience, including work in cookbook test kitchens and on Alton Brown’s culinary team. That background is supplied by the publication; the article does not provide independent test results or a detailed account of the testing process.
The recipe’s method separates the fruit and topping before baking. Brown sugar, cornstarch, pears and lemon juice are mixed first and transferred to a greased dish. The topping is made in the same bowl, then spread over the filling. The publication says allspice supplies a warm flavor and that quick oats help form a cohesive, crisp crumb.
The listed preparation time is 15 minutes, with a 400°F oven temperature. The source’s overview gives 30 to 35 minutes of cooking, while its step-by-step directions specify 25 to 30 minutes. Readers should use the stated visual finish as well as time when checking the dish.
““Crisps are one of my favorite ways to enjoy seasonal fruits, and I love the surprise of serving a pear crisp instead of apple this time of year. Including allspice in the crisp topping gives it a uniquely warm and spiced flavor.””
— Patty Catalano, The Kitchn food editor and recipe tester
Timing and Recipe Details
The source gives two baking-time ranges: 25 to 30 minutes in the directions and 30 to 35 minutes in the overview. It does not explain the difference. It does, however, direct cooks to look for filling bubbling around the edges and a topping that is golden-brown and firm to the touch.
The supplied article text ends partway through its suggested topping variations, so the full list of optional additions cannot be confirmed from the material provided. It also does not give a storage period, reheating method, or nutritional information. The source does not describe this recipe as allergen-free: it includes wheat in the flour and dairy in the butter, and oats may be subject to cross-contact depending on the product.
Check the Crisp as It Bakes
For cooks following the published method, the next step is to bake the assembled dish at 400°F and begin checking around the 25-minute mark. The recipe identifies bubbling fruit and a golden, firm topping as signs that it is ready; the overview allows as much as 35 minutes total cooking time.
The Kitchn recommends serving the crisp warm, including with vanilla ice cream. The source gives no formal storage or food-safety instructions, so readers should follow standard safe handling for prepared food and refrigerate leftovers promptly rather than leaving them at room temperature for an extended period.
Key Questions
How many people does the pear crisp serve?
The Kitchn lists six to eight servings.Which pears does the recipe recommend?
It recommends Bosc or Anjou pears, describing their firmer flesh as better suited to retaining distinct slices during baking.How long does the pear crisp bake?
The recipe directions say 25 to 30 minutes at 400°F; the overview lists 30 to 35 minutes. Check for bubbling filling and a golden, firm topping.Can apples replace some of the pears?
Yes. The article suggests replacing half the pears with firm, tart apples, such as Granny Smith, and slicing the apples thinly so they cook at a similar rate.What allergens are in the recipe?
The listed ingredients include wheat flour and dairy butter. Check product labels for other allergens or cross-contact concerns, including with oats.Source: thekitchn.com
