Name: Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 3 cups strawberries hulled and sliced; 3 cups rhubarb stalks trimmed and diced into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or substitute vanilla extract; 1 orange zested and juiced; 3/4 cup organic cane sugar; 4 tablespoons Arrowroot powder; 1/2 cup buckwheat flour or substitute full cup of almond flour; 1/2 cup almond flour; 1 cup of brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon; 6 tablespoons of butter; 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats; 1/2 cup chopped pecans

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There’s something undeniably magical about a Saturday morning spent wandering the stalls at the farmers market. On a recent trip, I spotted piles of freshly harvested, ruby-red rhubarb stalks stacked high on a table. I had never actually cooked anything with rhubarb, but the thought of making a gluten-free strawberry rhubarb crisp had me inspired, so I picked up a big bundle.

This Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp was born out of that moment of inspiration. It’s a celebration of the season, sweet strawberries, tangy rhubarb, and a golden, nutty topping that happens to be completely gluten-free. The orange zest brightens everything, while the vanilla and cinnamon add a cozy, just-baked aroma that makes the whole kitchen smell like summer nostalgia. Rustic, simple, and exactly what I crave as the weather warms up.

Let’s make Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp:

Grab Your Ingredients!

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

4 cups strawberries, hulled and cut in half
3 cups rhubarb stalks trimmed and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or substitute vanilla extract
1 orange zested and juiced
3/4 cup organic cane sugar
4 tablespoons Arrowroot powder

For the Topping:

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup almond flour
1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
16 tablespoons of butter, chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats

Step 1: Rinse all produce and completely pat dry. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

strawberry and rhubarb ingredients in bowl

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberries and rhubarb.

Step 3

Combine the vanilla bean paste, orange juice, and orange zest. Add arrowroot powder and sugar, then toss until the mixture is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a 10″ cast iron pan or 9×9 inch baking pan and set aside while preparing the topping.

strawberry rhubarb crisp topping ingredients

Step 4

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon, stirring until the mixture is well combined. Add cubes of cold butter; a pastry cutter works well for this task until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in chopped pecans and rolled oats. Since we are working with a gluten-free recipe, you should take the extra step of chilling the topping to ensure it floats on top of the filling more effectively.

strawberry rhubarb crisp in cast iron pan

Step 5

Before adding the topping, add a dusting of almond flour to the top of the filling. Then, crumble the topping over the strawberry rhubarb layer.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

Step 7

Enjoy!

Step 7: Enjoy!

Now, if you’ve followed my recipes for a while, you know I typically use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. But every once in a while, especially for a dessert that’s all about classic texture and that perfect balance of sweet and tart, traditional cane sugar is the best choice. It melts just right into the fruit, helping create that luscious, jammy filling you expect from a crisp. It also adds the right amount of structure and crunch to the topping.

When choosing cane sugar or brown sugar for a recipe like this, quality matters. Look for organic unrefined sugar (it’s free from synthetic pesticides and is never processed with bone char), and make sure the label says “cane sugar” rather than beet sugar for a cleaner, more consistent flavor. For brown sugar, opt for one with real molasses content instead of artificial coloring—it will give your crisp a deeper, more authentic caramel note. We found both organic brown and white sugar at Costco, making it easier to stock a better-quality pantry.

Whether you’re lucky enough to find rhubarb at your local market or you grab it from the grocery store, this gluten-free strawberry rhubarb crisp brings the essence of early summer straight to your table. It’s proof that sometimes, the best recipes come from a simple walk through the farmers market and a little inspiration.