This chai pear crisp is a perfect fall dessert: tender, syrupy pears infused with chai spices, a crunchy oat topping, and melty vanilla ice cream. A little extra spice on top makes it irresistible.
Just scoop some ice cream over warm chai pears and enjoy!
This is my go-to fall dessert right now: soft, spiced pear pieces with a perfectly crisp topping and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Each bite is warm, cozy and satisfying.
I adore chai spices and use them in many desserts. They bring a warm, fragrant depth that pairs especially well with stone fruits like pears.
Pears are often overlooked in autumn baking, but they’re juicy, tender and elegant. If you want something a little different for Thanksgiving or a holiday meal, this chai pear crisp is an excellent choice—light yet comforting and full of seasonal spice.
This dessert is essentially pear pie without the crust, but with my favorite crisp topping. The combination of syrupy pears and crunchy oats wins every time.
The method is simple: toss chopped pears with sugar, salt and chai spices, let them rest briefly, then cover with an oat-and-brown-sugar mixture spiced to match. Bake until the pears are bubbling and the topping is golden and crunchy. Finish with vanilla ice cream and a pinch of extra spice if you like.
The contrast of textures—soft pears, sticky syrup, and crisp oat bites—makes each spoonful exciting. The melting vanilla ice cream creates creamy ribbons through the warm fruit that are impossible to resist.
This crisp can also be made ahead: bake it a day in advance and reheat in the oven before serving so it’s hot and fresh for your meal. It’s an easy, stress-free dessert for holiday gatherings.
Who’s making chai pear crisp this weekend?
Chai Pear Crisp
Chai Pear Crisp
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Ingredients
Pear filling
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 6 pears, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crisp topping
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and allspice to make the chai spice blend.
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Place the peeled, chopped pears in a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar and kosher salt, then sprinkle on half of the chai spice. Toss gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, kosher salt and the remaining chai spice. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture is moistened and evenly combined.
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Transfer the pear mixture to a 9-inch pie plate, a 9×9-inch square dish, or a similar baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the oat topping over the pears.
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Bake for 45–55 minutes, until the topping is golden and the pears are soft and bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
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Remove from the oven and serve warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream.
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I could swim in that vanilla river!