Classic Rhubarb Crisp

May 10, 2022

This rhubarb crisp recipe has a golden, crunchy crumble topping and a gooey, sweet tart filling. It’s just the best!

Here’s spring and summer’s best treat, if you can find a bunch of those magical pinkish-green stalks: Rhubarb Crisp! This homey dessert is absolute summer nostalgia: each bite is a burst of gooey, sweet tart candy topped with a golden oat crumble. Top it with melty vanilla ice cream, and there’s nothing better than scooping up heaping mouthfuls on a summer’s evening. Here’s our favorite rhubarb crisp recipe that will wow everyone.

Ingredients in this rhubarb crisp recipe

This rhubarb crisp recipe is just sweet enough, with a hearty oat crumble and a gooey rhubarb filling. A couple secrets? A heavy dose of oats keeps the crumble textured and crunchy, and hint of orange zest makes the filling pop. It’s not required, but it adds just the right subtle sophistication. Here’s what you’ll need:

Rhubarb
Granulated sugar
Cornstarch (or arrowroot starch)
Orange zest (optional)
Vanilla extract
Old Fashioned rolled oats
All purpose flour
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Butter
Salt

Keys to the flavor and texture

This apple crisp recipe with oats is pristine: it’s just what you’d expect in a classic, but a little bit elevated. Here are a few notes on what makes it so divine:

Orange zest accentuates the sweetness. Acidity in desserts is like salt in savory food: it makes the flavors shine! Here the citrus zest strikes just the right balance with the sugar. Don’t have it? You can use lemon zest or simply remove.
The right ratio of butter to oats makes the crumble topping. A good rhubarb crisp recipe should have a topping that’s crumbly and crisp: not crunchy, soft, or soggy. This one has just the right ratio of butter and oats for that signature texture. (It’s crunchier than the one I grew up with, which didn’t have oats!)
Cornstarch helps the filling have a thick texture. We’ve found cornstarch works best to create a gooey texture (versus flour). The rhubarb releases a lot of liquid while baking. Don’t want to use cornstarch? Use arrowroot powder, which works in the same way.

Variations: vegan and gluten-free rhubarb crisp

Want to make a vegan or gluten-free rhubarb crisp? Here are a few easy substitutions that make this recipe work for almost any diet:

Substitute almond flour for gluten-free. Crisp recipes are easy to make gluten-free using almond flour! It works well in a crumble topping, especially because it becomes slightly crispy when baked.
Substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for gluten-free. Vegan butter is the best option. You can also use room temperature coconut oil, though the topping comes out softer and not quite as crisp. We recommend refined coconut oil, which has a subtler coconut flavor.

Make it a strawberry rhubarb crisp

Want to use that classic combination of sweet red berries and rhubarb? You can do that too! Simply substitute 1 pound of the rhubarb with 1 pound strawberries, or about 3 cups sliced. If you’d like, you can lower the sugar in the filling slightly (we’d try a scant 2/3 cup).

Leftover storage info

Want to save rhubarb crisp leftovers? Here’s what to do:

It can stand for 1 day at room temperature (covered). The topping stays crisp with this method.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. It holds up pretty well in the fridge, and tastes even better when reheated.
Freeze up to 3 months. You can freeze this rhubarb crisp for up to 3 months in a sealed container. Reheat it in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.

More rhubarb recipes

You’ve got to capitalize on the season when you can find rhubarb! Here are a few recipes we love:

Try nostalgic Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Mix up Hot Pink Rhubarb Compote and serve it over ice cream or yogurt
Make a jar of Rhubarb Jam
Go for a Strawberry Rhubarb Margarita

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Hot Pink Rhubarb Compote

Chia Rhubarb Jam Recipe

Strawberry Rhubarb Margarita

This rhubarb crisp recipe is…

Vegetarian. For gluten-free and vegan, see the substitutes in the recipe below.