Homemade Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crisp

By Amanda Paa – Updated April 22, 2023
4.84 from 6 votes
This incredibly delicious gluten-free rhubarb crisp is the perfect balance of tart and sweet, topped with an oat based, brown sugar crumble that includes pepitas and sunflower seeds. Can be made on the grill or in the oven!
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putting rhubarb crisp onto the grill

My rhubarb started peaking through the early April dirt in our backyard, my first sign that Spring was on the horizon here in the north land.

Inherited from the previous owners, our two flourishing rhubarb plants are such a gift each spring and summer. As the Victoria variety, they produce a bounty of crimson red stalks. I love the color it gives to this delicious rhubarb sauce, and rhubarb simple syrup.

Last summer I made rhubarb crisp on the grill (but you can also make this recipe in the oven, instructions for both are included). Brian and I stood outside on a warm June night, eating warm spoonfuls of it straight from the pan, with vanilla ice cream dripping down our chins. The heat of the grill had done something special to the rhubarb, concentrating the flavors and evoking just the slightest hint of smoke.

The oat and seed streusel topping was crisp and golden brown, and the juicy, sweet-tart filling bubbling underneath, the ruby red juices peaking through. I was convinced from that point on, that dessert straight off the grill should be a regular occurrence.

ingredients for rhubarb crisp
ingredients for rhubarb crisp
unbaked rhubarb crisp in pink pan

The Best Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crisp

I might be biased, but the unique crisp topping with seeds and brown sugar is sooooo good! It tastes like an elevated oatmeal cookie. It’s a gluten-free dessert that everyone will love.

Along with oat flour and rolled oats, I ground up pepita seeds to make another “flour”, and also added sunflower seeds. Brown sugar for sweetness, and butter. Because butter. The streusel topping has such a lovely texture and the richness of the seeds is so delicious. And don’t forget the salt! It’s what makes everything pop.

No one will ever know this gluten-free. Promise.

rhubarb crisp on the grill

How to Make Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crisp:

Although we often think of a grill for its direct heat and searing capabilities, I’ve come to think of it as an outdoor oven too, the result of using indirect heat.

For this recipe, you’ll assemble the crisp the exact same way as if you were using your regular oven. Then you’ll get your grill ready.

With my 36 inch Twin Eagles Grill, I have such great control over the temperature, whether that be direct or indirect heat. This grill has zone dividers, which makes regulating different temperatures so easy. Plus, Twin Eagles grates actually aid in the grilling process by absorbing, retaining and conducting heat. The thicker or heavier the grate, the more heat it will absorb and retain. They use 3/8 inch hexagonal stainless steel rods in their grates. This makes it much easier to hold a steady temperature when you’re using the indirect heat method.

I turn the left two burners to medium low, and leave the right one completely off. Then I close the lid, and let it heat up until it holds steady at about 400 degrees. At that point, I set the crisp on the right side of the grill, where there is no direct heat, and cover it with foil. It bakes for 25 minutes covered, then 20 to 25 minutes uncovered.

And that’s it!
Well, besides for topping it with vanilla ice cream and enjoying it outdoors.

rhubarb crisp on the grill
girl holding dessert in front of grill
gluten free rhubarb crisp with vanilla ice cream
holding a pan of rhubarb crisp with vanilla ice cream
rhubarb crisp with vanilla ice cream
rhubarb crisp with vanilla ice cream

More gluten-free rhubarb recipes:

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gluten free rhubarb crisp with vanilla ice cream

Oat & Brown Sugar Gluten-Free Rhubarb Crisp

This homemade gluten-free rhubarb crisp has an oat and brown sugar topping! The rhubarb turns sweet and jammy in the oven. Easy to make and can be baked in the oven or on the grill.
4.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time :20 minutes
Cook Time :50 minutes
Total Time :1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

  • scant 5 cups (575 grams rhubarb), cut into 1 inch pieces on the diagonal
  • 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
  • juice of one lemon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Crisp Topping:

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (55 grams)
  • 1/2 cup oat flour (50 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon tapioca starch
  • 1/4 cup raw pepitas, finely ground (I use a coffee grinder OR you can use 1/4 cup almond flour)
  • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/3 cup organic brown sugar, not packed
  • 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions 

  • Mix all filling ingredients together and let sit while preparing the crisp topping.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together all topping ingredients, everything but the butter. Then stir in the melted butter, and fully combine.
  • Add filling to a 9 or 10 inch baking dish or , 10 inch cast iron skillet. Top with crumble, leaving about 1/2 inch gap around the edges so you can see the rhubarb peak through.
  • Turn on left and middle set of burners of your grill, leaving one side of the grill unheated. Preheat rest of grill to 400 degrees F. When temp holds steady, put the crisp on the side of the grill with no burners on, and cover with foil. Close grill lid. For the grill, Let bake for 20 minutes. Then remove foil, and rotate the pan clockwise. Close lid. Continue to bake for 25-30 more minutes, until bubbling and top is crisp is lightly browned.
  • To bake in oven, preheat oven to 375 degrees F and bake crisp for 40 minutes, until fruit is softened and bubbling and the top is golden brown.
  • Let cool for 20-30 minutes before eating with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

*Recipe adapted from The Bojon Gourmet

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April 29, 2020

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5 comments

  1. Liesel

    5 stars
    Really good! Such a wonderful oatmeal cookie type flavor on the crisp. I used a spice grinder to grind oats for the oat flour, and sliced almonds for the almond flour. I used sliced almonds instead of sunflower seeds since that’s what we had. I will for sure make this again.

    • Amanda Paa

      i love that description of the topping!

  2. Gigi

    5 stars
    What fruit or base could I use alternatively? I adore rhubarb but am feeling this for a January 2022 breakfast, perhaps with a dollop of coconut milk yogurt- Happy New Year!!

    • Amanda Paa

      Hi Gigi! I think you do all raspberries!

  3. Sabrina

    yay for rhubarb, and I prefer crisps to pies so doubly appreciated, thank you!