Warm Plum & Fig Crisp with Walnut-Oat Crumble

This is the kind of dessert I like in September.

It is warm, but not heavy. The fruit still does most of the work. And because ripe plums and figs are naturally sweet, the recipe does not need much added sugar.

It also works beautifully in a toaster oven.

Warm Plum & Fig Crisp

Serves 4

Fruit layer

• 4 ripe plums, pitted and sliced
• 5 fresh figs, stems removed and quartered
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, optional
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of sea salt

Walnut-oat crumble

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour or oat flour
• 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil, softened
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 375°F.
2. Lightly grease a small baking dish.
3. Toss plums and figs with maple syrup if using, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
4. Spread fruit in the baking dish.
5. Mix oats, walnuts, flour, butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt until crumbly.
6. Scatter evenly over the fruit.
7. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until fruit is bubbling and topping is lightly browned.
8. Let rest 10 minutes before serving so the juices thicken slightly.

Healthy benefits

Plums and figs provide fiber, potassium, and a range of plant compounds. Walnuts contribute unsaturated fats, plant protein, magnesium, and alpha-linolenic acid, a plant omega-3 fatty acid.

This is still dessert. The goal is not to turn every dessert into a health food. I simply like recipes where fruit, whole grains, and nuts are doing most of the work.

Approximate nutrition per serving

• Calories: 245
• Protein: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Fat: 10 g

Nutrition varies with the size and sweetness of the fruit and whether you add the optional sweetener.

Serving suggestions

Serve warm with:

• plain Greek-style yogurt
• vanilla plant-based yogurt
• cottage cheese for a higher-protein twist
• a small scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt

For breakfast, reduce the maple syrup and serve with yogurt.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers for up to three days.

Reheat in the toaster oven at 325°F until warm. The topping will stay crisper than it does in the microwave.

Swaps

No figs? Use pears.

No walnuts? Use pecans or sunflower seeds.

No plums? Use apples, but add a few extra minutes of baking because apples are firmer.

This is a very simple way to use the last of late-summer fruit while letting fall flavors start to move in.

Plant Based Flex · Baked Dessert

Warm Plum & Fig Crisp

with Walnut-Oat Crumble

Serves4

Prep15 min

Bake25–30 min

Temp375°F

Ingredients

Fruit Layer

— 4 ripe plums, pitted and sliced

— 5 fresh figs, stems removed and quartered

— 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)

— 1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot

— 1/2 tsp cinnamon

— 1/4 tsp ground ginger

— Pinch of sea salt

Walnut-Oat Crumble

— 1/2 cup rolled oats

— 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

— 2 tbsp whole-wheat or oat flour

— 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil, softened

— 1 tbsp maple syrup

— 1/2 tsp cinnamon

— Pinch of salt

Directions

1

Preheat oven or toaster oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish.

2

Toss plums and figs with maple syrup if using, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until evenly coated.

3

Spread the fruit evenly in the baking dish.

4

Mix oats, walnuts, flour, butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt together until the mixture is crumbly and holds together when pressed.

5

Scatter the crumble evenly over the fruit.

6

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is lightly browned.

7

Let rest 10 minutes before serving so the juices thicken slightly.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to three days. Reheat in a toaster oven at 325°F until warm — the topping stays crisper than it does in the microwave. For breakfast, reduce the maple syrup and serve with yogurt.

Healthy Benefits

Plums provide fiber, potassium, and plant compounds that support digestive and heart health.

Figs are a good source of fiber, calcium, and natural sweetness that reduces the need for added sugar.

Walnuts contribute unsaturated fats, plant protein, magnesium, and alpha-linolenic acid, a plant omega-3 fatty acid.

Rolled oats add soluble fiber, including beta-glucan, which supports healthy cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon and ginger add warmth and both have anti-inflammatory properties.

This is still dessert. Fruit, whole grains, and nuts are doing most of the work here — and that is enough.

Simple Swaps

· No figs? Use pears instead

· No walnuts? Use pecans or sunflower seeds

· No plums? Use apples — add a few extra minutes of baking since apples are firmer

· Use coconut oil to make this fully plant-based

· Use oat flour to make it gluten-free (confirm oats are certified GF)

· Add nectarines or blackberries to the fruit layer

Make Ahead

· Mix the crumble up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate

· Slice the fruit and toss with spices up to 1 day ahead

· Assemble and bake just before serving for the crispest topping

· Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 3 days

· Reheat at 325°F in a toaster oven to restore crispness

· Excellent for breakfast the next day with yogurt

Serve With

Plain Greek-style yogurt Vanilla plant-based yogurt Cottage cheese Vanilla frozen yogurt Oat milk latte Herbal tea

Nutrition Facts

Per serving · serves 4 · with optional maple syrup in fruit layer

~245Calories

~4gProtein

~39gCarbs

~6gFiber

~10gTotal Fat

~2gSat. Fat

~55mgSodium

~22gSugars

Per serving · no optional sweetener in fruit layer · smaller portion

~215Calories

~4gProtein

~33gCarbs

~6gFiber

~10gTotal Fat

~2gSat. Fat

~55mgSodium

~17gSugars

Estimates only. Nutrition varies with the size and sweetness of the fruit, whether you add the optional sweetener, and the fat source used in the crumble. Values do not include any yogurt or topping served alongside.

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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle, especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.

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