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This Blackberry Crisp is the ultimate easy dessert! With just 10 minutes of prep and either fresh or frozen blackberries, it strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tart, warm, and crunchy.
My Favorite Berry Crisp
While I love apple crisp and peach crisp, my personal favorite fruit crisp is this Blackberry Crisp.
Not only do the blackberries add incredible texture, but the prep is minimal--no peeling or chopping required!
However, what really makes this Blackberry Crisp a standout, is the flavor and texture it delivers. With sweet-tart, plump blackberries and a buttery oat topping, it's perfectly sweet without being cloying. The topping is rich and crunchy, while the berries bake up warm and gooey. Finish it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you've got the ultimate treat!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
- Blackberries: Fresh or frozen. If using frozen berries, DO NOT defrost.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the berries while brown sugar (dark or regular) is used in the crisp topping.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is best and will help to brighten and balance the sweetness of the berry filling.
- Cornstarch: Is used to thicken the juices from the berries as they bake. Feel free to replace the cornstarch with equal amounts of tapioca starch or arrowroot powder.
- Rolled Oats: Use quick-cook or old-fashioned rolled oats, NOT steel-cut oats.
- Flour: All-purpose, whole white wheat, and a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour work equally well.
- Butter: Slightly softened, unsalted butter is best.
How to Make Blackberry Crisp
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Blackberries. Gently toss the berries with lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch to coat, then transfer this berry mixture mixture to a buttered baking dish.
- Prepare Crisp Topping. Mix together the flour, oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and until combined. Add in the cold cubed butter and mix until the butter is distributed throughout oats and the mixture is crumbly.
Kristen's Tip
I find it is best to mix the butter into the oat and flour mixture using your hands or pastry cutter. Either option helps to evenly distribute the butter throughout the ingredients, creating a deliciously balanced crumble.
- Top the Berries with the Oat Mixture. Using your hands, sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the berries.
- Bake until Golden. Bake the blackberry crisp until the berries are soft and the juices are bubbly and the crisp topping is golden.
Browning Too Quickly?
If you notice the crisp is browning too quickly, lightly cover with foil and continue to bake as directed.
- Serve. Serve the crisp warm. And while no topping is needed, not one EVER complains about a scoop of no-churn ice cream, homemade vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream.😉
Recipe Modifications
I have tested each one of these modifications, so you can be assured that they work!
- Use Any Berry You Like. Don't have blackberries on hand? Swap them out for blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. I sometimes use a combination of a variety of berries with delicious results.
- Dairy-Free Blackberry Crisp: I have made this blackberry crisp using vegan Earth Balance butter sticks in place of the butter with fabulous results. My family didn't even suspect a difference.
- Gluten-Free Blackberry Crisp: Be sure your oats are certified gluten-free and replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The results are superb.
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Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Blackberry Crisp
Video
Ingredients
- butter or coconut oil for greasing pan
Berry Mixture
- 6 cups blackberries, fresh or frozen
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ~1 medium lemon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For Crisp Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats, old fashioned or quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup butter, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Grease a 7x11 or 8x8 baking dish generously with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups blackberries3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until well combined and the cornstarch and sugar evenly coat the berries. Place the berries into the buttered baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup rolled oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ cup brown sugar, and ⅓ cup butter (softened) together with your hands until the mixture is crumbly. Spread the crumble evenly over the berries.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the berries are soft and the juices are bubbly and the crisp topping is golden. Note: If you notice the crisp is browning too quickly, lightly cover with foil and continue to bake as directed.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally shared in 2023 and updated in 2025.
Disappointing. I followed the recipe exactly but using frozen berries, I found I had way too much liquid on the bottom of the dish. Is this simply an issue with insufficient cornstarch?
Hi Earl! I am sorry you were disappointed in the results. Can I how you measured your frozen berries and what blend of berries you used? I have made this many times using frozen berries and have not had too much liquid.
Made with a combination of fresh and frozen blueberries, family loved it, making 2nd one tonight. Dinner and dessert recipes on your site have all been delicious!
I love hearing this, Beth! And love you are enjoying again tonight! Thanks for sharing.
this is the perfect use for the last of the blackberries I have in my fridge! thank you for sharing this recipe
You bet! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the crisp Jess!
Highly recommended! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again!
Great to hear that Alyssa! Thanks for sharing!
This was seriously amazing!! Everyone at my house loved it! Really a huge hit!
I love hearing that Toni! Always a hit here as well 🙂
Looks delicious and I'm looking forward to making it!
Happy Birthday, Kristen! Best to you always!
Thank you so very much Sandra!