Citric Acid Free Orange-Pistachio Cherry Oat Crisp
Cherries and citrus might sound like a risky combination when you're avoiding citric acid, but this crisp keeps things clean by relying on fresh orange zest and squeezed orange juice rather than any processed citric acid additives. The result is a naturally bright, fruity filling that bubbles up beautifully beneath a golden, nutty topping of rolled oats, chopped pistachios, almond flour, and warm spices. Arrowroot starch thickens the cherry filling without any questionable additives, and maple syrup sweetens both layers so there's no refined sugar to second-guess. The topping gets its irresistible crunch from coconut oil and a loose, open texture that lets steam escape as it bakes — no dense, gummy clusters here. Ground cinnamon and ginger give the whole dish a cozy, spiced warmth that makes it feel far more special than the short ingredient list suggests. Let it rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven and the filling will settle into something jammy, glossy, and deeply satisfying. It's the kind of dessert that disappears fast, whether you serve it on its own or with a scoop of something cold on top.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the filling
- 5 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (about 1 ¾ lb), thawed and drained if frozen
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp orange zest (from about 1 medium orange)
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
For the topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup raw shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
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, combine the cherries, 2 tbsp maple syrup, arrowroot starch, orange zest, orange juice, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Toss until the cherries are evenly coated and the starch is fully dissolved. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
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