A simple wholesome dessert you can feel good about making and serving to your family. This easy fruit crisp is one of those recipes that delivers maximum comfort with minimal effort. Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and fruit it bakes into a warm, bubbling dessert, topped with a soft lightly crisp oat topping. Every bite is rich with fruit flavor, cozy spices, and satisfying texture – without oil, refined sugar or gluten.
It’s the kind of dessert that works just as well for a weeknight treat, as it does for serving guests. Since it is so adaptable, you can make it year-round using whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have on hand. Sometimes when we have company, I make this recipe in smaller ramekins and pop them in the oven when we sit down to eat a meal. As soon as dinner is over, I can serve it warm from the oven topped with a fruit soft serve made in the Vitamix Blender or the Ninja CREAMi.
These are very similar in size to the dishes I use for this recipe. Bonus - they come with lids!
Why This Recipe Works
The fruit crisp is naturally sweet, hearty, and satisfying without relying on traditional butter, sugar or flour. The bananas act as both a sweetener and a binder, while the oats create a soft, lightly crisp topping that complements the juicy fruit underneath.
Nutritional Highlights
Bananas
- Very ripe bananas provide natural sweetness without added sugar
- Contains fiber for digestive support
- Rich in potassium, supporting heart health and muscle function
Rolled Oats
- Excellent source of soluble fiber which supports cholesterol levels
- Helps keep you full and satisifed
- Provide steady, slow-burning energy
Fruit (Fresh or Frozen)
- Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients
- Naturally hydrating and low in calorie density
- Supports overall healthy and immune function
Optional Add-ins
- Nuts & seeds add healthy fats, protein and texture
- Flax meal boosts omega-3 fatty acids and fiber
- Hemp seeds provide complete plant-based protein
- Rasins or dates
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Maple or date syrup
Here is a very short video about this delicious dessert. We hope you will thry this recipe and leave us a comment and a star review at the end of this blog post. Thank you!
Substitutions & Variations
Fruit Options
- Berries (fresh or frozen) blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, mango, pineapple
- Apples or pears (thinly sliced or small dice)
- Peaches, nectarines, or plums
- Mixed Fruit combinations for deeper flavor
Banana Substitutes
- Unsweetened applesauce start with 1 cup add more as needed
- Mashed white sweet potato or mashed mango
Oats
- Certified gluten free oats for strict gluten – free needs
- A mix of rolled oats and quinoa flakes for added texture
- All quinoa flakes for anyone who can’t have oats
- 1 cup quiona flakes, 1/2 c chopped nuts or almond four and 1/2 c shredded coconut
- Buckwheat oats that have been lightly pulsed to break them down
Flavor Variations
- Add Lemon zest for brightness
- Swap nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice
- Stir in a few chopped dates for extra sweetness
- Stir a little maple syrup or date syrup into the fruit or topping
Make a cherry – banana soft serve in the Vitamix Blender with plant milk and frozen bananas, frozen cherries, and a splash of vanilla extract. Blend until creamy and smooth. Substitute other frozen fruits for variety. Standard ratio about 2 Tbsp of plant milk to every 2 cups of frozen fruit. Add one Tbsp more plant milk at a time if it is too thick to blend, start at a low speed, use the tamper to push the frozen fruit down into the blades. May also be made in a food processor but I like the texture from the blender the best.
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm on it’s own
- Top with Unsweetened Soy Yogurt or add a little maple syrup and vanilla extract
- Serve warm with homemade fruit ice cream made in a Vitamix or Ninja CREAMi
- Add a drizzle of mayple or date syrup over the top
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat in the microwave
- Can be frozen and reheated at a later date
This easy fruit crisp is a dependable, nourishing desert that aligns perfectly with a whole food plant-based lifestyle. It’s simple enough for everyday use, yet satisfying enough to serve to guests – proving that healthy desserts can still feel indulgent.
Link is to the Home page that features all of The Date Lady Products. The syrup comes in different sizes and containers. Also, explore the site for other delicious Date Lady Products.
Easy Fruit Crisp
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Place fruit in 4 baking dishes that have a 2 cup capacity or use an 8 inch baking dish. The baking dishes should be about 2/3 full with fruit
- In a bowl mash the bananas until smooth, stir in oats, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Stir in one or more of the optional add-ins if desired.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until fruit is bubbly and the topping is set.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with a fruit based soft serve made in the Vitamix blender or Ninja CREAMi. Another option is a dollop of plain non dairy yogurt sweetened with a little maple syrup and vanilla extract. See our recipe here https://nutmegnotebook.com/posts/cooking-method/blenderblendtec/soy-yogurt-in-the-instant-pot-just-2-ingredients/re.
Notes
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