Fruit Crisp with Mixed Berries and Matzo Streusel (GF)

Name: Fruit Crisp with Mixed Berries and Matzo Streusel (GF)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 lb strawberries; 6 oz raspberries; 6 oz blueberries; 6 oz blackberries; 2 tbsp sugar; 3 tbsp light brown sugar; 1 tsp lemon zest (grated); 1 tsp cinnamon; 3/4 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp unsalted butter (cubed); 4 sheets gluten-free matzo (crushed); 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted); 1/4 cup light brown sugar; 2 tbsp sugar; 1 tbsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp kosher salt

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This Fruit Crisp is a gluten-free dessert that comes together with just 10 minutes of prep before baking until bubbly in a cast-iron skillet. Juicy mixed berries soften beneath a buttery cinnamon matzo topping that delivers classic crisp texture without flour, making it perfect for Passover and beyond. If you love berry desserts, my Mixed Berry Galette is another easy, fruit-filled favorite worth trying.

Mixed berry crisp with a matzo streusel is in a white bowl with vanilla ice cream on top and a silver spoon.

Fruit Crisp At A Glance

⏱ Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min bake + 30 min cooling)
🍓 Servings: 8
🇺🇸 Cuisine Type: American
🥗 Dietary Info: Gluten-free; Passover-friendly
🍒 Flavor Profile: Juicy mixed berries baked until bubbling, topped with a buttery cinnamon matzo streusel for a sweet, lightly spiced crunch
🥡 Storage Notes: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently or enjoy chilled
⭐ Why You'll Love It: A simple, fruit-forward crisp that delivers classic texture without flour. Easy to make, perfect for Passover, and just as welcome beyond the holiday

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One of the reasons this fruit crisp is so dependable is its simplicity. The berries bake into a naturally sweet, jammy layer while the matzo streusel turns golden and crisp, creating that perfect contrast of soft fruit and crunchy topping. If you enjoy easy, fruit-forward holiday desserts, my Baked Honeycrisp Apples.

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Fruit Crisp At A Glance
Key Ingredients
Variations
How To Make Fruit Crisp: Step-By-Step
Recipe Tips
Gwen's Top Tip
Fruit Crisp FAQ's
Other Delicious Desserts For Passover
Fruit Crisp with Mixed Berries and Matzo Streusel (GF)

As the crisp bakes, the juices bubble and thicken while the cinnamon-scented topping develops a rich, buttery texture that makes every bite feel special. Recipes like my Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake and Chocolate Chip Cookies follow the same simple, reliable approach, proving that Passover desserts can be both easy and deeply satisfying.

Made this recipe a couple times now and it's delicious! My family is asking for more so guess what? I'm making it again at the moment. Lol! Thanks for the great recipe.

- Lou

Key Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this berry crisp:

Ingredients for a berry crisp include lemon, salt, sugar, brown sugar, butter, mixed berries, pepper, cinnamon, and gluten free matzo.

Gluten-free matzo - Instead of flour or oats, this fruit crisp uses crushed gluten-free matzo to create a streusel topping that works for Passover while still delivering a classic crisp texture. During testing, I tried using almond flour and other flours that would work for Passover. Gluten-free matzo produced the best balance of crunch and structure, crisping nicely as it baked without becoming dense or gummy.
Mixed berries - A combination of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries gives this crisp the right balance of sweetness and acidity. I tested different fruit ratios and found that using a mix of berries created enough natural juice to bubble and thicken without turning watery, while keeping the flavor bright and fresh.
Butter, cinnamon, and lemon zest - Butter helps the streusel brown and adds richness, while cinnamon brings a warmth that ties the topping to the fruit. Lemon zest lifts the berries and keeps the filling from tasting flat. Together, these ingredients create a familiar crisp flavor, even without traditional baking ingredients.

See the recipe card for quantities.

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Variations

Orange zest: It's a very small variation but swapping the orange zest for lemon zest gives the mixed berry crisp a different kind of refreshing taste.
Add a crunch: Adding in some chopped almonds or pecans is a delicious way to change the texture and add some crunch to the mix.
Lemon juice - using 1 tablespoon of lemon juice would make the filling more tart.
Oats - If you would like to make this on a day that is not during the Passover holiday, you can substitute oats for the matzo in this recipe.

How To Make Fruit Crisp: Step-By-Step

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:

Mixed berries in a white bowl with lemon zest, cinnamon, salt, and pepper added.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a large bowl, combine all the berries, sugars, lemon zest, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Mix lightly.

Transfer the mixture to a large cast-iron skillet and scatter the butter on top.

In another bowl, making the topping with matzo, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Step 2: Crush the matzo so that it resembles chunky flour or use a gluten-free matzo farfel.

In a medium bowl, combine the crushed matzo, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until everything is coated and combined.

Berries in a cast iron skillet with the streusel on top.

Step 3: Sprinkle the matzo streusel over the top of the berry mixture.

Baked crisp after 40 minutes in the oven.

Step 4: Bake for 40 minutes until the fruit is bubbling and let it cool in the skillet for another 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

You don't need to crush the matzo into a full flour, you can leave some larger pieces in the mix for added texture.
The smaller the pieces of butter for the berry crisp topping, the better it will distribute.

Gwen's Top Tip

Let the crisp cool in the skillet for a full 30 minutes before serving it. It's during this time that the base firms up a bit and all the flavors come together.

This fruit crisp shines during the warmer months when berries are naturally sweet and full of flavor. The bubbling fruit and golden streusel feel rustic yet effortless, making it perfect for casual summer dinners or backyard gatherings. If you are building a seasonal dessert spread, my Triple Berry Trifle highlights fresh berries in a beautiful layered dessert, while a scoop of Peach Sorbet or Strawberry Lemon Sorbet adds a light, refreshing contrast.

berry crisp in a skillet with some taken out.

Fruit Crisp FAQ's

What's the difference between a fruit crisp and a fruit crumble?

Both are a delicious, baked fruit dessert. However, a crisp tends to have an oat or a grain in its streusel topping where whereas a crumble omits the grain as well as any nuts in its topping.

Can I use frozen berries?

Though frozen berries can be used in this mixed berry crisp, it will add more liquid to the base. This means that you may have to cook it a bit longer than normal for the extra fruit juice to dissolve and mix in.

Other Delicious Desserts For Passover

Let me know your thoughts on this Fruit Crisp byleaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Thank you!

Gwen

Comments

5 from 21 votes (8 ratings without comment)