Homemade Rhubarb Crisp Recipe - Easy Rhubarb Recipe! (2024)

Bless This Mess Recipes Desserts

By Melissa

5 from 4 votes

on Jun 11, 2022, Updated Mar 22, 2023

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This Easy Rhubarb Crisp recipe is made with no other fruit and topped with an oatmeal topping. Baked to perfection, this is one of my favorite rhubarb recipes! It’s perfect with ice cream on top.

Homemade Rhubarb Crisp Recipe - Easy Rhubarb Recipe! (2)

Table of Contents

  • Rhubarb Crisp
  • Recipe Ingredients:
  • How to Make Rhubarb Crisp:
  • Tips for the Best Rhubarb Crisp:
  • What is Rhubarb?
  • Serving Suggestions:
  • How to Store a Crisp:
  • Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (Without Any Other Fruit) Recipe

Rhubarb Crisp

It’s not too sweet yet hits the spot on a warm evening when you want something crunchy and a little fruity with some vanilla bean ice cream.

I love that this recipe uses no other fruit but rhubarb, and that really helps to highlight all that rhubarb goodness. You are going to love this recipe.

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Is Rhubarb Poisonous?

Fun fact… rhubarb leaves are poisonous. While it would take ingesting roughly 10 pounds of leaves to kill an average-size adult, small amounts will make you sick. Be sure to keep livestock and chickens out of your rhubarb patch, too — it’s not good for them either. Have no fear; the stalks are just fine.

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Recipe Ingredients:

  • Rhubarb crisp is so simple. For the fruit part, you’ll need:
  • Chopped rhubarb:Of course, this is the star of the show! You can use any type you have available to you (red or green) and frozen rhubarb works great too.
  • Sugar:Sugars sweetens the tart fruit.
  • Cornstarch:This will thicken the fruit mixture so it’s more gooey than runny, in the most delicious way!
  • And for the topping, you’ll need:
  • Brown sugar:Brown sugar allows the crisp to almost caramelize and get really pretty and golden.
  • White sugar:White sugar adds another element of sweet.
  • Flour:Flour holds everything together and thickens the topping like a crunchy crust.
  • Oats:The oats will add a nice textured element.
  • Pecans:Pecans are optional, or you can use another favorite nut like walnuts.
  • Vanilla:Vanilla brings a soothing warmth to the sweet and tart flavors.
  • Melted butter:Melted butter acts as the liquid that turns the crust into a batter that crisps up nicely as it bakes.
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How to Make Rhubarb Crisp:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 8×8-inch baking dish or 4-6 individual ramekins with cooking spray.
  2. Combine chopped rhubarb, sugar, and cornstarch, and stir to combine.
  3. Combine the sugars, flour, oats, and pecans in another bowl; stir with fork to combine.
  4. Add vanilla and melted butter; stir until no dry powder is left.
  5. Place rhubarb mixture in your baking dish. Place the crisp topping on top of the rhubarb in the dish.
  6. Cook for 18 to 24 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Let the crisp cool for 5 minutes before serving hot.
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Tips for the Best Rhubarb Crisp:

  • Melt the butter: My trick to making the best crisp on the block is to melt the butter and then stir it into the oat mixture. This means that you’ll never have any dry pockets of oats and flour and it bakes up extra crispy.
  • Use any kind of rhubarb: Rhubarb comes in lots of varieties. You’ll generally see red rhubarb, but it also comes in green. All of them taste pretty similar, so just use what you can find.
  • Search for rhubarb in spring: New to the rhubarb scene? Look for it at the farmers marker in mid to late spring. It’s normally one of the first bits of produce you’ll find.
  • Bake in individual ramekins or an 8×8 baking dish: I love serving rhubarb crisp in individual ramekins with a scoop of ice cream on top, but you can also make this recipe in an 8×8 baking dish. Do what you have! Individual is just fun, though, right?
  • Leave out pecans or sub another nut: Not a fan of pecans? Leave them out or sub another nut. I think they are SO good in this crisp.
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What is Rhubarb?

It’s tart, like a tart cherry (which is so good in baking) but it cooks down a lot. It’s one of my favorite easy go-to perennials on our farm, and I look forward to it every spring. And fun fact, it’s super high in vitamin C. We like to eat it raw like celery with a bit of salt on it when we aren’t turning it into our favorite rhubarb desserts.

Serving Suggestions:

This is a delicious dessert on its own, or to take it up a notch, pair with fresh whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream!

How to Store a Crisp:

Rhubarb crisp is best served the day it’s made. If you want to store any leftovers, let it cool completely, cover tightly with an airtight lid or plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes.

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More great recipes:

  • Classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
  • Rhubarb Crumb Bars
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade – summer sipping just got tastier

If you’ve tried thisoatmeal rhubarb crisp recipeor any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget torate the recipeand leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me onInstagramso I can repost on my stories AND add your photo to your comment so that other can see your creation.

Homemade Rhubarb Crisp Recipe - Easy Rhubarb Recipe! (9)

5 from 4 votes

Rhubarb Crisp Recipe (Without Any Other Fruit)

By: Melissa Griffiths

Homemade rhubarb crisp with oatmeal topping. Baked to perfection, this is one of my favorite rhubarb recipes! It’s perfect with ice cream on top.

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 24 minutes mins

Total: 39 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

For the Fruit:

  • 2 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Crisp Topping:

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch square baking dish or individual ramekins (4 to 6 of them, depending on how big of a serving you want in each) with cooking spray. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, combine the chopped rhubarb, sugar, and cornstarch, and stir to combine.

  • In a second medium bowl, combine the sugars, flour, oats, and pecans. Stir with a fork to combine.

  • Add the vanilla and melted butter, and stir until no dry powder is left.

  • Stir the rhubarb and sugar again and then place it in your baking dish, or divide it evenly among the ramekins. Place the crisp topping on top of the rhubarb in the dish. If you used ramekins, place them on a baking sheet and then transfer them to the hot oven, or put the baking dish straight into the oven. Cook for 18 to 24 minutes, until the crisp is lightly browned and the rhubarb is bubbling around the edges.

  • Let the crisp cool for 5 minutes before serving hot with ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

Notes

  • This crisp is best enjoyed the same day.
  • You can use red or green rhubarb for this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 6 servings, Calories: 418kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 128mg, Potassium: 255mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 35g, Vitamin A: 529IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 1mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Home cooks agree that quick, easy, and homemade desserts are their favorite and this recipe checks all the boxes. I can’t wait for you to whip up some rhubarb crisp tonight. Don’t forget the ice cream!

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Homemade Rhubarb Crisp Recipe - Easy Rhubarb Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Does rhubarb need to be cooked before baking? ›

Do You Need to Cook Rhubarb Before Baking? The short answer is no, you don't need to cook rhubarb before baking a rhubarb pie.

How small do you cut rhubarb for crisp? ›

This is a double-crisp dessert and the bottom layer of crisp carmelizes so beautifully in the skillet, it really does make a difference. Chop rhubarb bigger than you would think. I used 1-2 inch pieces and love the flavor and texture of that size. Take your time on the crisp!

Should I thaw rhubarb before baking? ›

Before using frozen rhubarb in your baking, it's important to properly thaw it to ensure that excess moisture is removed.

Why is my rhubarb crisp runny? ›

TROUBLESHOOTING: 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. But as long as you used the right amount of cornstarch, it should “gel” quite a lot as it cools down.

What happens if you don't cook rhubarb? ›

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.

Do you take the red skin off of rhubarb? ›

Some rhubarb varieties are prone to being stringy, and rhubarb which has been left too long on the plant can also develop a 'stringiness' – if this occurs, pull away any thick, fibrous strands before cooking. Peeling rhubarb is rarely necessary. Most recipes require the rhubarb to be cut into batons.

Should you peel rhubarb? ›

Cut away and discard any tough, woody, or bruised parts of the stalks. Wash the stalks thoroughly and scrub with a vegetable brush. You don't need to peel peak-season rhubarb, but by midsummer, the stalks tend to be tough and fibrous. You might need to peel them to make them tastier.

How many stalks of rhubarb does it take to make a pound? ›

Three to five stalks make about 1 pound. One pound of rhubarb makes about 4 cups of raw chopped rhubarb.

Why is my frozen rhubarb mushy? ›

The texture of frozen/thawed rhubarb is less firm and considerable moisture is released in thawing. Blanching is not necessary but also not harmful.

Do you add sugar when freezing rhubarb? ›

You can also toss sliced rhubarb with granulated sugar, which helps prevent freezer burn by minimizing the rhubarb's exposure to air.

Can I just chop and freeze rhubarb? ›

Cut the rhubarb to a size that is convenient for how you plan to use it in future recipes. Place the cut rhubarb on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze. (This prevents the formation of ice crystals). Transfer the rhubarb to a freezer-safe bag (leaving it about 1/3 of the way empty).

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.

Can you eat raw rhubarb? ›

Its stalks are deeper red and tinged with green, while its leaves are bright green. It has a more intense flavour and robust texture than the forced variety. Although it can be eaten raw, rhubarb tends to be too tart this way, and it's usually best when cooked with plenty of sugar.

How do you make rhubarb taste better? ›

Many suggest dipping the stalk in sugar or some other sweet, such as honey, maple syrup or agave nectar, to mellow its tartness a touch. Sprinkling diced rhubarb over yogurt or cereal is an option too.

Can you eat undercooked rhubarb? ›

Rhubarb leaves do contain oxalic acid, which can cause issues with joint pain and in high enough doses can also cause kidney failure. Raw rhubarb stems can be eaten in small quantities (although they are very sour) but it's generally recommended that they're cooked.

What can I do with unripe rhubarb? ›

Here's my recipe for green rhubarb jam: Peel the green-fleshed parts of rhubarb stalks, cutting away any pink parts, and cut the stalks crosswise into ½-inch pieces. In a big, wide, nonreactive pot, mix 1 1/2 pounds of these rhubarb pieces with 2 cups sugar.

Does cooking rhubarb make it sweeter? ›

There is nothing in rhubarb that makes it turn sweet with cooking or baking, without the adding of sugar, in the form of sweeter fruits and berries, honey or other natural sugars or processed granulated sugar. It has to be added. Fresh or frozen rhubarb may be used." Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

What are the rules for rhubarb? ›

The rule of thumb is not to harvest rhubarb the year you plant it. Give plants time to produce a sturdy root system. The second year after planting, pick only a few stems from each plant. By not picking heavily, you're allowing leaves to generate energy that enhances root growth.

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