Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (2024)

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is sweet and tart with fresh strawberries and rhubarb. An extra-thick buttery oats topping provides the perfect contrast – and it stays crisp for days!

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (1)

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

The girls and I made this Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp over the past weekend. As I was slicing the rhubarb, listening to that satisfying slicing sound, Tessa asked what it was and what it tasted like. At four years old, she couldn’t remember eating it before.

I explained that some people say it’s a vegetable and some say it’s a fruit. After looking it up, I found that it is considered a fruit in the US, for the purpose of regulations and duties. I went on to tell Tessa that rhubarb is crisp, kinda like celery, and tastes very tart. (To read more about rhubarb, go to my Rhubarb 101.)

Tessa’s young mind wondered out loud if she might like it.

So I got out a little bowl and poured a bit of sugar into it. Then I sliced some small pieces of bright red rhubarb and proceeded to give them a little dip into the sugar and pop them into my mouth. Tessa and Hatti followed suit. Over and over again, we did this. All the while, memories of Mom dipping rhubarb bites into sugar danced around in my head. So many years have gone by since she first taught me about this treat, yet it felt like just yesterday.

Kitchen memories are some of the very best memories, don’t you agree?

“Making this again for the 3rd time…. always always requested….great recipe as is!!!!”

Judy

Here are a few more of our favorite rhubarb recipes: If you like cheesecake, give this Rhubarb Cheesecake Pie a try. Also, this stunning Raspberry Rhubarb Skillet Coffee Cake, my almost-famous Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars, and this pretty Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler. And for a fun co*cktail, you MUST try my Rhubarb Margarita!

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (2)

Easy Rhubarb Recipe for Spring

I’ve been making this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe for years. It’s an easy favorite that’s sweet with strawberries and a little bit tart with rhubarb. And it’s loaded with an extra-thick buttery oats topping that’s fabulously crispy!

If you’d prefer a strawberry rhubarb dessert without oats, be sure to check out my Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble. The topping is buttery and crisp and ohhhhh so wonderful!

This dessert (Or breakfast dish? I won’t judge!) is great any time of year, but especially wonderful with the freshest rhubarb and strawberries of spring.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (3)

How to make strawberry rhubarb crisp

A rhubarb crisp with strawberries is extremely easy to make.

First, stir sugar into chopped rhubarb and sliced strawberries. Add a little cornstarch to thicken the juices a bit, plus fresh lemon juice and a touch of vanilla (the vanilla is such a nice touch!).

Then settle the fruit mixture into a 9″ x 13″ pan and cover it with a thick blanket of crumble topping. Bake until the fruits are all sweet and jammy, and the topping is awesomely crispy.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (4)

How to store strawberry rhubarb crisp

The strawberry rhubarb crisp emerges from the oven simply beautiful.

I like to leave a bare edge around the perimeter, free of the crumble topping. That deep ruby mixture peeking out at the pan’s edge adds extra life when presenting this spring treat.

And to store this crisp, I simply leave it out on the counter, uncovered, for up to a couple days (if it lasts that long!). The topping stays nice and crisp that way.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (5)

How to Serve Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

I’ve seen so many people scrunch up their noses at the mention of rhubarb. Have you, too? Then bake up this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe. I’ve found that it’s agreat way to convince people they are absolutely wrong about rhubarb. Everybody seems to love this dish; it’s one of my family’s favorite rhubarb recipes.

I recommend serving this dessert still a bit warm from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I promise, you’ll have rhubarb fans for life!

Like this rhubarb dessert? Save it to Pinterest!

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (6)

Want More Rhubarb Desserts?

Here are a few recipes I’d like to try:Easy Rhubarb Breakfast Cake from The View from Great Island, Rustic Strawberry Rhubarb Tart from Savory Sweet Life, Rhubarb Bars from Garnish with Lemon.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (7)

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Yield: 16

prep time: 35 minutes mins

cook time: 55 minutes mins

total time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

This baked treat is sweet and tart with fresh strawberries and rhubarb. An extra-thick buttery oats topping provides the perfect delicious contrast!

4.5 Stars (262 Reviews)

Print

Ingredients

for the strawberry rhubarb filling:

  • 2 lbs. rhubarb stalks sliced 1/2″ thick (about 8 cups)
  • 1.25 c. sugar divided
  • 1 lb. fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
  • 3 T. cornstarch
  • 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

for the topping:

  • ½ c. unsalted butter softened (not melted!)
  • 1.5 c. packed brown sugar
  • 1.5 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1.25 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 3 T. canola oil
  • 1.5 tsp. cinnamon
  • ¾ tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375° F.

  • For the strawberry rhubarb filling: In a medium bowl, toss the rhubarb with 3/4 cup of the sugar and let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. In another medium bowl, toss the strawberries with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Using a large slotted spoon, transfer the rhubarb to the strawberries and discard any rhubarb juice. Add the cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla to the fruit and stir well. Transfer the mixture to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.

  • For the topping: Combine all the topping ingredients in a medium bowl. Using a rigid pastry blender, cut the ingredients together until large crumbs form. You want to have some larger pieces, and sometimes it just works best to squeeze and crumble the mixture with your hands just a bit at the end.

  • Sprinkle topping evenly over the filling. I like to leave a small bare edge around the perimeter, to see the pretty strawberry rhubarb mixture. Bake for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325° F. If the topping is browning quickly, tent a piece of foil (my favorite is this larger-sized heavy duty foil) very loosely over the pan, so the foil is not touching the crisp. Continue baking for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until the fruit filling is thickened and bubbling quite a bit, and the topping is nicely browned. Let the crisp rest for about 20 minutes before serving. This is awesome served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.Store on the counter uncovered for up to a couple days. The topping will stay nicely crisp if left uncovered.

Notes

adapted fromFood & Winemagazine

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 269kcal Carbohydrates: 47g Protein: 2g Fat: 9g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 15mg Sodium: 118mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 34g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

© Brenda | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (8)

Originally published in 2010, this recipe has been a popular reader favorite. I updated some of the photos and text in 2018.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe with an extra-crispy topping! (2024)

FAQs

Why is my rhubarb crumble soggy? ›

- There's to much moisture in your fruit. Try mixing a little corn flour into the rhubarb before baking. - Your crumble has cooked to quickly. Try turning down the temperature and baking your crumble for longer.

How long will rhubarb crumble keep in the fridge? ›

Rhubarb Crumble can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Can Rhubarb Crumble be frozen? Rhubarb Crumble can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.

How many carbs are in rhubarb strawberry crisp? ›

Safeway Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp (0.17 pie) contains 43g total carbs, 42g net carbs, 8g fat, 2g protein, and 250 calories.

Does rhubarb taste like strawberry? ›

Many people associate the flavor of rhubarb with strawberries because the two are often paired together (they come into season at the same time, and strawberry's sweet flavor helps counteract the sour one of rhubarb).

What is the secret to crunchy crumble? ›

A pastry chef friend shared the technique. Instead of sprinkling the raw crumbs on top of the fruit, where they absorb the juices and turn a little mushy on their undersides, he spread them out in a pan and baked them separately, until crisp and cookielike.

Why is my crumble topping not crunchy? ›

Too much butter and your topping will become a greasy blob or disappointingly soggy. Some recipes will ask you to cut in cold butter along with your dry ingredients, resulting in pea-size pieces that are sprinkled across the hot fruit filling.

Can you keep uncooked crumble topping in the fridge? ›

Make the crumble topping and store in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep for later? Store the uncooked crumble in a covered dish and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking or freeze for up to three months.

Is it OK to reheat rhubarb crumble? ›

Freezing and defrosting guidelines:

Cover with fresh foil, then reheat in a preheated oven at gas 5, 190°C, fan 170°C for 40 mins until piping hot – remove the foil for the last 10 mins to crisp up the crumble again.

What herbs pair with rhubarb? ›

The abundance of both fresh rhubarb and fresh herbs available in early summer can be combined in a simple fruit-based dessert the whole family will love.

Is rhubarb high sugar? ›

Rhubarb stalks are a popular snack in some areas, and they have very little natural sugar (only about 1 gram in each cup), so they're a good choice if you want to manage the amount of sugar in your food. They're also a good source of vitamin K.

Why is rhubarb good for you? ›

Rhubarb is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins (which give it its red color) and proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, which help protect you from many health-related issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

How many calories in a cup of strawberry rhubarb crisp? ›

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is quick and easy to make desserts at only 263 calories per serve!

Which is sweeter red or green rhubarb? ›

Contrary to popular belief, whether it's red, pink, green or something in-between, rhubarb's color has nothing to do with ripeness. Rather, its hue is completely determined by genes; different varieties produce different colors, and green rhubarbs are just as sweet as red ones.

Is there rhubarb you can't eat? ›

Stick to the stems if you're eating rhubarb raw—the leaves are poisonous. I repeat: Rhubarb leaves are poisonous. The leaves contain oxalic acid, which can be fatal to both people and pets if consumed in large amounts. (But don't stress, we're talking several pounds' worth of leaves).

Why does my rhubarb taste like celery? ›

Botanically, rhubarb is a cousin of sorrel, and part of the buckwheat family (don't let the name fool you, it is definitely not a wheat or grain). It has a taste that's sort of like eating an apple and a bit of celery at the same time, which might sound weird, but give it a try.

How do you make a crumble not soggy? ›

Tips for making the perfect crumble

Mark Bowerman says: "Rub the butter in fairly quickly, and not too perfectly – a fine, dusty texture at this stage spoils the fun. Use a shallowish dish if you've got a wet fruit mixture, otherwise the crumble will start to dissolve before it's baked.

How do you get moisture out of rhubarb? ›

To solve this problem, I mix the rhubarb with the sugar. Over time, the sugar draws out the excess juices. This takes place overnight, while you're sleeping, and by the next morning, the rhubarb's ready to be put into the pie.

Why is my crumble watery? ›

The ingredient list for a crumble or crisp is relatively short, but don't be tempted to leave out the cornstarch. As fruit cooks, it releases its juices, becoming saucy and soupy.

Why is my rhubarb so watery? ›

Macerate your rhubarb with sugar to draw out excess liquid

The reason rhubarb pie gets so runny is that rhubarb is 95% liquid, which puts it near the top of watery fruits and vegetables alongside things like melon and cabbage.

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