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!

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 crisp runny? ›

It's pretty typical for any kind of fruit crisp to be a bit liquid-y while it's still warm. The juices are flowing and they are just thinner because of the warmth.

Should a rhubarb pie be refrigerated? ›

As surprising as it might sound, rhubarb pies can last for up to three days when kept at room temperature. Shoving your pie into the fridge can have an adverse effect, turning your delicate pie into a soggy mess that isn't quite as appealing to scoop out of the pie dish and serve.

What is a good substitute for rhubarb? ›

If you'd like to make this recipe but can't find rhubarb anywhere, substitute with any tart fruit. This could be some firm cherries, blackberries, or granny smith apples.

Is rhubarb supposed to be crunchy? ›

Look for crisp stalks that are firm and tender. Avoid rhubarb stalks that look wilted, feel woody, or are very thick. Aside from the flavor differences between hothouse rhubarb and field-grown rhubarb, the color of the stalks doesn't have much impact on taste.

What is the difference between rhubarb crisp and crumble? ›

So what's a crumble vs. a crisp? A crumble is just a crisp without oats in the streusel. It may feature nuts, but the streusel topping is usually a simple combination of butter, flour, and sugar that is more clumpy than that of a crisp.

What are the tips and tricks for rhubarb? ›

Watering and feeding

Established rhubarb plants – water only during prolonged dry periods in summer or in very light, free-draining soil. Growth will slow down and even stop if conditions are too hot and dry. Rhubarb in containers – water regularly throughout the growing season, as the compost will dry out quickly.

How do you make rhubarb taste better? ›

Sweeten It: Rhubarb's natural tartness can be balanced with sugar or other sweeteners. You can make rhubarb compote, pie, or jam by simmering chopped rhubarb with sugar until it becomes tender and sweet. Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.

Do you cut the top off rhubarb? ›

Harvest rhubarb for 8-10 weeks in the spring and early summer—from May to June in the northern hemisphere. To pick rhubarb, grasp a stalk, twist it, and pull it away from the base of the plant. Avoid cutting the stalks off the plant, which could lead to diseases like crown rot.

How do you keep rhubarb pie crust from getting soggy? ›

Sprinkle dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or other types of cereal, on the bottom crust before filling and baking in the oven.

Why is my strawberry rhubarb pie soupy? ›

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.

How do you keep rhubarb pie from getting soggy? ›

Blind Bake Your Crust

Blind baking is a technique that requires partially baking or fully baking a pie crust before adding any filling. This helps your crust bake evenly and prevents you from ending up with a soggy-bottom pie.

What is the old name for rhubarb? ›

Rha comes from the Indo-European protolanguage *sreu, which means river or to flow. Rha barbarum was transformed to rhubarb in English and to Rhabarber in German. Medicinal rhubarbs are R.

What fruit tastes like rhubarb? ›

Lulo Fruit Taste

Others compare it to lime and rhubarb. And ultimately, the taste can change based on the country where the fruit is grown. It's native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, but is also grown in Panama and Costa Rica.

Why is rhubarb not a fruit? ›

Rhubarb is a vegetable despite its prescient use in fruit pies, jams, and coulis. Fruit is something a plant produces to nourish its the seeds.. When you pick an apple you don't kill an apple tree, but you do have to kill the plant to eat a vegetable.

How do you fix a runny crisp? ›

You can add cornstarch or flour. I do this when making an apple pie and the filling is not watery.

How do you fix a runny crumble? ›

If possible, drain or dip off some of the liquid. Then, stir in a little flour or oats, and bake a little longer. About 10–15 minutes should do. To add even more crisp, top generously with granola.

How do you keep rhubarb pie from being runny? ›

Just take the liquid you strained out and simmer it over medium-low heat with a thickener like cornstarch until it's less runny. Then add the thickened juice back to your rhubarb and cornstarch mixture before cooking your recipe like normal.

How do you thicken up rhubarb? ›

If you desire a thicker rhubarb sauce, add a little cornstarch, tapioca, or modified starch after you open the jar prior to serving.

References

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