Old-fashioned Rhubarb Crunch begins with a brown sugar oatmeal crumble layer that is topped with fresh rhubarb and then it is finished with a second layer of crumble over the top.
The Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Crisp is an ever-popular dessert in the summertime and this crunch variation takes it to an even tastier new level.
I hope you’re enjoying as beautiful of a spring as we are! I’m so happy to be deep into rhubarb season and I’m looking forward to more fruit desserts through the summer as well.
I’m excited to be working on more rhubarb recipes again this year. We have so many to share and I’m working through a list of them for you!
So far, I’ve shared a Rhubarb Crisp, Rhubarb Cake with Butter Sauce, Rhubarb Bars, Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie and the Double Crumb Rhubarb Coffee Cake.
This No Churn Rhubarb Ice Cream from Our Table for Seven and this Strawberry Rhubarb Galette from 365 Days of Baking are also on my list to try soon.
What is a Rhubarb Crunch?
A fruit crunch is similar to fruit crisps, but it has an oatmeal crumble layer on the bottom as well as a top.
Similar to a bar, but still gooey enough to eat with a spoon. It’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
A generous amount of brown sugar in the crumb layers and plenty of white sugar for the filling nicely balances the tartness of the rhubarb.
How to Make Rhubarb Crunch?
First you’ll start by making a brown sugar oatmeal crumb layer. Melt some butter and add oatmeal, flour and brown sugar. Mix until crumbly.
Press half of these crumbs on the bottom of the pan. Then top with some chopped rhubarb. You can use fresh or frozen.
If you choose to use frozen rhubarb, you’ll want to check out the section below on how to use frozen rhubarb in this rhubarb crunch recipe.
The next step of the recipe is what makes the rhubarb crunch unique. You boil a mixture of water, sugar and cornstarch until thickened and bubbly.
Then pour the mixture over the rhubarb in the pan. Top with the remaining half of the oatmeal crumb mixture and bake for about an hour.
Like most fruit crisps, I think a crunch is best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream, but the leftovers are also delicious the next day, eaten cold straight from the refrigerator.
How to use frozen rhubarb in this recipe?
You can make this recipe using fresh or frozen rhubarb.
If you choose to use frozen rhubarb thaw the rhubarb first and let any excess liquid drain off. Don’t squeeze any liquid out, just drain what naturally thaws out of the rhubarb.
You’ll want to plan ahead to use frozen rhubarb. Depending on the temperature of the room, it takes 4-6 hours to thaw a quart of rhubarb completely.
So you may want to take it out of the freezer the night before. When in a pinch, I’ve also used the auto defrost feature on the microwave to give it a head start, just be careful not to heat it too high and cook it.
Rhubarb Crunch Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon until crumbly. Press ½ of the crumb mixture into a greased 9 x 9 inch or 11 x 7 inch baking pan.
- Spread the diced rhubarb in the pan. In a small saucepan, combine the white sugar, water and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over low heat. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture is thick and clear. Pour the sugar mixture over the rhubarb in the baking pan. Top with the remaining crumb mixture.
- Bake for 1 hour. Cool at least slightly before serving. To serve, cut into squares and top with ice cream or whipped cream. Best served warm.
Rhubarb Crunch
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup quick cooking oatmeal
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 cups diced rhubarb
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon until crumbly. Press ½ of the crumb mixture into a greased 9 x 9 inch or 11 x 7 inch baking pan.
- Spread the diced rhubarb in the pan. In a small saucepan, combine the white sugar, water and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over low heat. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture is thick and clear. Pour over the rhubarb in the baking pan. Top with the remaining ½ of the crumb mixture.
- Bake for 1 hour. Cool at least slightly before serving. To serve, cut into squares and top with ice cream or whipped cream. Best served warm.
Nutrition
{originally published 4/11/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/25/21}
Jen says
This totally reminds me on my childhood. My mom used to make this for us all the time. I just love rhubarb.
Cheryl S says
I have some vanilla ice cream just waiting for this recipe!! I love anything rhubarb
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVE this sweet treat. Perfect with homemade whipped cream!
Toni says
This was really amazing! Everyone at my house loved it!
julie says
Yum! This is a great dessert, and perfect with some ice cream.
Julie says
My grandkids and friend love this. I now am making 3 more using your recipe. This recipe has made my daughter a rhubarb love. Thank you
Mallory says
I’m so glad you loved it!
Marguerite says
this is the recipe I had and lost – so glad to have found it here – (I reduce the sugar in the water-cornstarch mixture to a little less than three-quarter cup – and it’s still plenty sweet
Jenny says
Could you add strawberries to the rhubarb?
Mary says
Sure thing, Jenny. Just make sure the total amount of fruits remains the same. Enjoy!
Shelley W. says
This looks very much like a recipe my Grandma made when I was a child, but she used rhubarb paired with cranberries. I seem to remember she put the cranberries on top of the rhubarb pieces. it was delicious too, though just slightly tart. I do love that sweet/tart crossover. She paired cranberry, rhubarb and strawberries cooked like a compote with a wee bit of ginger and nutmeg and then tucked into pre-baked shortbread tart crusts, topped with a little cinnamon whipped cream.. Gee, now I’m drooling, I wish Grandma was still alive. Thank you sooo much for the recipe and for bringing back some lovely memories. Happy baking!
Jenn says
Making my 3rd batch of this, today I’m splitting the rhubarb with apple.
Christine T says
This recipe is fantastic, Great way to use up some of that fresh home grown rhubarb.
Jacq says
Okay, followed the recipe, had doubts at stage 2, looked like the picture but completely inedible. If I try again will be without cornflour and half the sugar. Seriously, 3 cups?
Cathy Gabriel says
Cornflour? It’s cornstarch. Made it and it was very good.
Mary hamann says
This is such a FANTASTIC recipe!!! Love it!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
AnnD says
Part 2 was like rock candy by the time it got clear and thick …. ahhhh
Sabrin says
Never got clear. When it was really getting goopy I decided to take it off. It’s baking now. Was looking through comments to see if anyone else had it not turn perfectly clear.
Mary says
Hopefully, it baked up delicious for you Sabrina.
Sharon K says
Cornstarch is fussy. The 2 Tbsp sounds a bit much for 1C of water but then have to take into consideration that the rhubarb the rhubarb will make some juice too.
Also, you have to be sure cornstarch is well mixed into the COLD water. Can’t add it to hot water EVER. May be the reason it wasn’t the consistency needed.
I would mix the cornstarch into the COLD cup of water before adding it to the sugar ( which I’d cut down to 2/3 C) in the pan before turning heat on under it. Bring to boil stirring often; turn down to simmer and stir for couple minutes. Take it off the heat.
Barb says
This is absolutely delicious. My husband couldn’t stop complimenting me on the recipe. Made just like recipe but only had 3 cups of rhubarb. Still wonderful.
Rhonda says
Yummmm, I am making this today!!!
Michelle Rieux says
Love this recipe. So easy to make and just delicious
Daphne says
This rhubarb crunch is absolutely delicious! My nephew, who is 10 years old, requested the recipe so that he could make it for when they had company coming over 🙂 It’s a definite keeper!!
Taylor says
Could I use old fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
Mary says
That should work fine, Taylor. The crunch will have a slightly more defined texture this way. I use both kinds of oats when I make this.
Pat Gerbrandt says
I’m about to bake this. In the bottom version of the ingredients, water is included, but that line is missing from the ingredients at the top of the page and on the photo.
Mary says
Yes, you do need the water. It isn’t always listed with ingredients you’ll need to gather or have on hand, but it is in the recipe card and instructions. Happy baking!
Emme says
Made it according to recipe – no changes. Absolutely delicious!
Mary says
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it, Emme!
Heather says
Could I make this and freeze it before baking at a later date?
Mary says
I’ve never tried that, Heather.
alison says
Could you use frozen rhubarb?
Mary says
That will work nicely, Alison!
Nicky says
Delish! Made it for family BBQ – a real hit with everyone. Thanks
Mary says
I’m so glad you like it, Nicky!
Gail Akerman says
Made this exactly as written and it was so delicious! Everyone loved it!
Mary says
Gail – So glad to hear that!
Jennifer McAllister says
This was delicious. I did make it with oat flour (I’m celiac) and I put all the crumbs on top. It baked in about 45-50 minutes. Will make this recipe again soon.
Mary says
Jennifer – Thank you so much for sharing. I always appreciate knowing what adjustments work for people with different restrictions.
Jennifer says
I made a double batch of this deliciousness tonight and it was absolutely the best tart and sweetness mixed together in …….yum! It was a big hit with my family. It was so simple to make and worth every bite! 😋
Mary says
Jennifer – The tart and sweet of this recipe is so good. I am glad it was a hit with your family.
Marcy says
Are you not supposed to refrigerate the rhubarb crisp? The bottom crust got hard and stuck to the glass pan after I put it in the fridge. Other than that it tasted great and I will make again
Mary says
Marcy – No this does not need refrigerated but should be consumed within 1-2 days.
Jo says
I added pecans and took it right on over the top from it’s already delicious state! Thanks for the best rhubarb recipe!
Mary says
Jo – That sounds wonderful.
Wendy says
Excellent recipe…so easy…and so delicious! I made mine in a 10×10 pan which worked well too ( more servings!)
Robin says
I’ve been eating rhubarb crunch for over 50 years. My mom made it and I make it (and strawberry rhubarb crunch) for my family. We took both to a family reunion on my husband’s side. They were both a huge hit!
Angie says
Made this last night. I used one and 3/4 cup of sugar because two seemed like a lot. It turned out perfect. Still a little bit tart which we like.
Mary says
Perfect! I am glad you were able to adjust the recipe to suit your tastes. I love a slightly tarter rhubarb as well, Angie.
Mo says
My sister added a couple cups of fresh blueberries and used old fashioned oats. (Used frozen rhubarb). Baked 55 min. Best I have had, ever!
Mary says
Sounds delicious, Mo.
Lois says
there is no amount of water mentioned in this recipe, to make the syrup with.
Mary says
The recipe calls for 1 cup of water, Lois.
Kurly says
I make this with 2 cups of blueberries added to thickened sugar mixture. It’s the best!!
Mary says
I have never tried that combination, Kurly. But sweet and tart works I am definitely going to try it!