Nitrate & Nitrite Free Dark Chocolate Pear Crisp with Almond-Oat Topping
Warm, bubbling fruit filling beneath a golden, crunchy topping is one of those desserts that feels indulgent without requiring much effort, and this pear crisp absolutely delivers on that promise. The spiced pear base — kissed with maple syrup, cinnamon, and ginger — gets silky and jammy in the oven, while arrowroot starch helps it set into something scoopable and luscious rather than watery. The topping is where things get really exciting: rolled oats, almond flour, and roughly chopped raw almonds create serious crunch, and folding in chunks of high-quality dark chocolate means you get little pockets of bittersweet richness throughout every bite. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of added nitrates and nitrites, so there's no label-scanning required — just wholesome pantry staples doing exactly what they're supposed to do. Coconut oil and maple syrup pull double duty as both binder and sweetener, keeping the whole thing dairy-free and refined-sugar-free without sacrificing any of that cozy, bakery-style satisfaction. Let it rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven and the filling tightens up beautifully, making it easy to serve warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a drizzle of cream.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the filling
- 5 medium ripe pears (about 2 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
For the topping
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ½ cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 oz dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), roughly chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with a small amount of coconut oil.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, toss the sliced pears with 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon, ground ginger, and arrowroot starch until the pears are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!