This Berry + Coconut Oat Crisp Recipe Is Your Next Go-To Dessert

January 4, 2023 Ashley Rollins

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Looking for a healthy dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth? This healthy berry crisp is both dairy-free and gluten-free and derives its sweetness from mixed berries and a topping made with shredded coconut, oats and honey. This simple recipe is ready in under an hour and easy to make with most ingredients that you may currently have in your kitchen. We used whole cherries and a mixed berry blend of blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, but feel free to use whatever frozen berries you prefer!

Note: To make this berry crisp vegan, simply substitute the honey for your choice of maple syrup or agave nectar.

What is a crisp?

A crisp is a dessert that is usually made with fruits, topped with a combination of oats, nuts, flour, sugar or butter. You might be familiar with fruit crumbles, which often have many of the same topping ingredients, but lack the oats and tend to be far more dense. Both of these options tend to be slightly lighter than their cobbler counterpart, which is baked with a biscuit-like topping.

Everything You Need To Make Berry Crisp

2 cups frozen cherries
2 .5 cups frozen mixed berry blend — blueberries, blackberries, & strawberries
2 tablespoon tapioca flour
1/2 large lemon, juiced
2 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free, if desired)
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch salt

Easy Recipe Substitutions

Swap the flour. If you don’t have coconut flour, any flour will work.

Trade out the tapioca starch. This is an alternative to traditional flour and cornstarch as a thickener for sauces. You could leave it out entirely if necessary or substitute with flour or cornstarch.

Use fresh fruit. Fresh fruit would work equally well in this recipe, however, may not become as liquid as the frozen counterparts.

Change up the toppings. Feel free to experiment with whatever toppings or berries you prefer. For a crunchier topping, add almonds or walnuts. Optionally, you could add flax seed, pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

How to Make Healthy Berry + Coconut Oat Crisp

Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Warm the fruit mixture. Add frozen cherries, mixed berry blend, and lemon juice into a medium saucepan and warm over low heat until defrosted. Add tapioca flour to the berry mixture and stir.
Spread it out. Pour berry mixture into 8 x 8 baking sheet and set aside.
Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut flour, shredded coconut, brown sugar, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir together until combined.
Prepare the crisp. In the berry saucepan, combine honey and coconut oil and warm until melted.
Mix with the oats. Add to the oat mixture and stir together until evenly coated.
Top the dessert. Top fruit with oat mixture, making sure to spread evenly.
Time to bake. Cook for 30 minutes or until oats are golden brown.