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Apple and Pear Skillet Crumble

When fall rolls in, and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to fill your kitchen with the warm, cozy flavors of baked fruit desserts. There’s just something magical about that mix of cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats bubbling away in the oven—especially when you know a sweet, buttery crumble topping is waiting for you at the end.

Today, we’re sharing one of our absolute favorites—our Pear and Apple Skillet Crumble Recipe. It’s a comforting dessert that combines the juicy sweetness of Honey Crisp apples and pears with a delicious, golden brown crisp topping made from brown sugarcinnamon, and buttery oats. The best part? It’s baked right in a skillet, giving it a rustic charm that feels just right for this time of year.

Apple and Pear Skillet Crumble

A Cozy Fall Dessert for the Whole Family

This fruit crisp is one of those recipes you’ll make again and again during the fall and winter months. It’s simple, warm, and comforting—plus, it fills your home with that irresistible cinnamon-sugar scent that says, “the holidays are coming.”
Whether you serve it after Thanksgiving dinner or as a weeknight treat, this apple and pear crumble is always a hit. Top it off with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got the ultimate fall dessert everyone will love.
This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients, comes together in one bowl, and bakes up beautifully in a 9-inch baking dishor cast-iron skillet. It’s the kind of recipe every mom needs in her back pocket for when guests stop by or when the kids want something homemade and cozy.

Crumble topping with oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a skillet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this pear and apple crumble recipe, you’ll use simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The key is balancing sweetness, spice, and that satisfying crunch.

Fruit Filling:

  • Honeycrisp apples, peeled and sliced
  • Pears, peeled and sliced
  • A sprinkle of salt and cinnamon for flavor
  • A touch of brown sugar for sweetness
  • A tablespoon of all-purpose flour to thicken the fruit mixture

Crumble Topping:

  • Oats for that classic crisp topping texture
  • Brown sugar and cinnamon for warm sweetness
  • A bit of all-purpose flour
  • Butter for richness and that perfect golden brown finish

How to Make the Apple and Pear Skillet Crumble

  1. Preheat your oven.
    Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet lightly with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Prepare the fruit filling.
    In a large bowl, combine apple and pear slices, freshly squeezed lemon juice, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss until the fruit is evenly coated.
  3. Make the crumble topping.
    In a separate bowl, min in cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, brown sugar, flour, oats, salt and lots of butter. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. A pastry cutter is useful, but not necessary. This gives you that irresistible crisp topping texture.
  4. Assemble your crumble.
    Pour the fruit filling into your baking dish or skillet, then evenly sprinkle the crumble topping over the fruit.
  5. Bake to perfection.
    Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
  6. Serve and enjoy.
    Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Freshly baked pear and apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips and Variations

  • Mix up your spices: Try adding nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom to your crumble topping for more complex flavors.
  • Try other fruits: Substitute peaches, plums, or berries for a seasonal twist.
  • Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
  • Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts over the top before baking for a crunchy finish.
  • Make ahead: Prepare the fruit crisp up to 24 hours in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

This pear crumble variation is also delicious with a drizzle of honey or a spoonful of whipped cream if you don’t have ice cream on hand.

Apple and Pear Skillet Crumble

Apple and Pear Skillet Crumble – Delicious Dessert

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups apples (3 large apples, peeled, cored and diced)
  • 2 cups pears (2 large pears, peeled, cored, and diced)
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup oats, old fashioned
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 12 tbsp butter

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and spray an 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray.
  2. Place apples, pears, cornstarch, lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamon into a medium sized bowl and toss until all the fruit is coated in the cornstarch/sugar mixture. Leave to one side.
  3. Place the oats, sugar, flour and salt into a medium sized bowl and stir briefly to combine.
  4. Add in the cubes of butter and vanilla, then rub between your fingers until you have a coarse breadcrumb texture. Some larger lumps the size of peas is great; adds texture to the crumble!
  5. Tip the fruit mixture into your prepared pan and smooth into a level layer with a spatula/wooden spoon.
  6. Sprinkle the crumble topping all over the fruit into as even a layer as you can get it.
  7. Place in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until the fruit filling is bubbling and the top is golden brown and firm to the touch.
  8. Leave to cool for 20 minutes before serving.
  9. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

How to Store and Reheat

If you have leftovers (though that’s rare!), cover your baking dish with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10–15 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick treat.

Warm apple and pear skillet crumble with golden brown oat topping.

Final Thoughts

This Pear and Apple Skillet Crumble is the perfect blend of cozy fall flavors, satisfying textures, and homemade charm. It’s one of those easy desserts that feels special every single time you bake it. With its crunchy crumble topping and tender slices of fruit, it’s everything you love about fruit crisps—simple, rustic, and full of comfort.

Whether you’re making it for a Thanksgiving dinner, a family gathering, or a quiet weekend treat, this recipe will quickly become a seasonal favorite in your home.

So grab your bowl, warm up the oven, and let’s get baking!

For more great Fall recipes, check out these post:

Free Printable Turkey – Thanksgiving Project

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Free Printable Thankful Tags

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