FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Cherry Crisp Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Cherry Crisp
• My Recipe Tips & Variations
• Storage & Meal Prep
• More Healthy Dessert Recipes
• My Tools For This Recipe
• Cherry Crisp Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

Say hello to my last-minute creation this week, cherry crisp ! I had totally planned to test an apple crisp and wasn’t even going to publish it until next year because my calendar is so full. But a couple of weeks ago, we came home from Door County (a.k.a. the ultimate cherry-picking spot) with a giant bucket of sour cherries my family picked. They don’t last long, so I decided to make this cherry crisp recipe instead… 4 times… and loved this summer dessert so much that I had to publish it ASAP. Make it with me!

Why You’ll Love My Cherry Crisp Recipe

• Juicy filling, crisp topping – My easy cherry crisp is a perfect blend of sweet and tart. You’ll love the contrast of soft, juicy cherries with a crunchy oat pecan topping.
• Real food ingredients – Unlike most cherry crisp recipes, mine doesn’t have any flour (so it’s gluten-free). You honestly don’t need it! And I don’t use any refined sugar.
• Easy to make – The most time-consuming part is pitting the cherries, but I found a tool that makes it faster (see below). The rest of the prep only takes me about 10 minutes.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my cherry crisp recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Filling:

• Cherries – I used sour cherries (a.k.a. tart cherries) because that’s what we picked, but they are pretty hard to find outside of pre-made cherry pie filling. They’re available in certain regions of the country, and usually only for a few weeks each summer. You can totally make my cherry crisp using regular sweet cherries or even frozen cherries, which are much more widely available. If none of them look good, you might like my healthy apple crisp , which is similar to this recipe but has an apple filling.
• Honey – For sweetness. You can use regular honey, but I prefer my natural sugar-free honey for the perfect touch of sweetness without the extra sugar. I recommend reducing the amount of honey to 3-4 tablespoons if you use sweet cherries.
• Lemon Juice – For a little tang, and to preserve the color of the cherries. I tried this cherry crisp recipe with both fresh and bottled lemon juice , and in this case couldn’t taste a difference.
• Arrowroot Powder – This is my healthier alternative to cornstarch to prevent the filling from being too watery. Cornstarch works just fine if that’s what you’ve got.
• Vanilla Extract – I like this brand .

Topping:

• Rolled Oats – The base of my cherry crisp topping. Make sure to grab gluten-free oats if that matters to you. I don’t recommend using quick oats, as they would turn out more mushy.
• Pecans – I chop half of them to a fine powder to use instead of flour, and the other half coarsely for a chunky crunch. You can use other nuts, like walnuts or almonds, for a different flavor. The closest nut-free substitutes would be sunflower seeds or pepitas, but they might not work as well.
• Brown Sweetener – To keep this fresh cherry crisp healthier, I used my Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend . It bakes and browns just like regular brown sugar, minus the… well, sugar. You can use brown sugar if it fits your lifestyle, but you know that’s never my thing.
• Sea Salt – To balance the sweetness.
• Butter – I use unsalted butter so that I can control the salt separately. For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil. For one of my tests, I made this cherry crisp using butter-flavored coconut oil , and it tasted very close to the one with butter.

How To Make Cherry Crisp

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the cherry filling. In a large bowl, toss your pitted cherries with honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. Sprinkle with arrowroot powder or cornstarch, mix again, and pour evenly into a greased baking ( I used this one ).

1. Chop the nuts. Divide the pecans in half. Chop one half into small pieces and the other half into a coarse powder.
2. Make the topping. Stir together the oats, pecans (chopped and powdered), Besti Brown, and salt. Add the butter or coconut oil, and either mix it in with your hands or use a pastry cutter to combine. (You can use melted butter to make it easier, but the texture of the cherry crisp turns out better if I add the butter solid.)

1. Assemble. Crumble the topping over the cherries.
2. Bake. Pop the cherry crisp in the oven, and bake until the topping is golden brown. The filling will be bubbly as well, but this usually happens sooner than the topping browns. Let the filling stop bubbling before you dig in.

My Recipe Tips & Variations

• Taste the cherry mixture before adding it to the baking dish. If your cherries are extra tart, you might want to add a bit more honey.
• This amount of filling makes about a single layer of cherries at the bottom of the baking dish. If you want a higher amount of filling relative to topping, use 5-6 cups and bake for 5-10 minutes longer. You can keep the other ingredient amounts about the same, but I would add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of honey.
• Want a warm, spiced flavor? Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon into the topping. I tried this and liked it better without, but both ways are good.
• Want to change up the fruit? This recipe would also work well with sliced peaches, blueberries, or quartered strawberries.
• Feeling fancy? Top with ice cream! My almond milk vanilla ice cream or even frozen yogurt make the perfect creamy upgrades to cherry crisp.
• Making this for a crowd? Double the recipe and use a 9×13 inch pan. The baking time may be 5-10 minutes longer.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: If you use the same baking dish I did, you can simply pop the lid on and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The topping does get soft, but I still loved the leftovers!
• Meal prep: Mix the cherry filling and prepare the topping separately, then store them in airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, simply assemble and pop it in the oven!
• Reheat: Warm your cherry crisp in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes.
• Freeze: This healthy dessert will freeze well for up to 3 months. I like to freeze it in the same container with the lid, but place plastic wrap flush against the surface to prevent freezer burn. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat.

More Healthy Dessert Recipes

Who says delicious can’t be healthy? Check out some of my other healthy dessert recipes :

Yogurt Bark

Almond Cake

Watermelon Pizza

Healthy Rice Krispie Treats

My Tools For This Recipe

• Cherry Pitter – I got this new cherry pitter to deal with my bucket of cherries, and it was the best decision. It does 6 at a time, so pitting gos so much faster! Just watch for the occasional pit needing to be manually removed.
• Baking Dish – I love this one because it comes with a lid, so I can easily pop any leftovers straight into the fridge.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Filling:

• 4 cups Cherries (either sour or sweet cherries, pitted) ▢
• 1/3 cup Honey (I use my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey ; use 3-4 tbsp if using sweet cherries) ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 1 tbsp Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) ▢
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract ▢

Topping:

• 3/4 cup Rolled oats ▢
• 3/4 cup Pecans ▢
• 3 tbsp Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or brown sugar) ▢
• 1/8 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 3 tbsp Unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free; plus more for greasing the pan) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees (177 degrees C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter (or coconut oil), or spray with avocado oil spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cherries, honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. Sprinkle with arrowroot powder or cornstarch, and mix again. Transfer the filling to the baking dish in an even layer. Set aside.
3. Divide the pecans into 2 groups on a cutting board. Chop half into small pieces. Chop the other half even more finely, until they resemble a coarse powder.
4. In a second large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, pecans (both coarsely chopped and the powdery ones), Besti Brown, and salt. Add the butter or coconut oil, and either mix with your hands or use a pastry cutter to combine.
5. Crumble the topping over the cherries.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes , until the topping is golden brown. The filling will be bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven and cool for 5-10 minutes , until the filling stops bubbling. Enjoy!

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/6 of the entire pan

Nutrition info is based on common sweet cherries and my sugar-free honey . Sugar content will be about half of what is listed if you use sour cherries like I did above, or much higher if using regular honey.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Cherry Crisp

Gratitude Moment

We had a lot of fun picking cherries in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago. I don’t usually get to make recipes with produce I picked myself. So, making this cherry crisp was so fulfilling! I could definitely taste the freshness.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the rest of the bucket. Somehow they are still okay, but won’t last much longer. They’re pretty good to eat fresh too, but a little sour… because, well, they’re sour cherries.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Cherry Crisp

You’ll love my cherry crisp recipe with a juicy fresh cherry filling and crunchy oat-pecan topping! It’s sweet, healthy, and so easy to make.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/cherry-crisp/

Ingredients

Filling:

• 4 cups Cherries (either sour or sweet cherries, pitted)
• 1/3 cup Honey (I use my natural Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey ; use 3-4 tbsp if using sweet cherries)
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

Topping:

• 3/4 cup Rolled oats
• 3/4 cup Pecans
• 3 tbsp Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or brown sugar)
• 1/8 tsp Sea salt
• 3 tbsp Unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free; plus more for greasing the pan)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees (177 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with butter (or coconut oil), or spray with avocado oil spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cherries, honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. Sprinkle with arrowroot powder or cornstarch, and mix again. Transfer the filling to the baking dish in an even layer. Set aside.
3. Divide the pecans into 2 groups on a cutting board. Chop half into small pieces. Chop the other half even more finely, until they resemble a coarse powder.
4. In a second large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, pecans (both coarsely chopped and the powdery ones), Besti Brown, and salt. Add the butter or coconut oil, and either mix with your hands or use a pastry cutter to combine.
5. Crumble the topping over the cherries.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes , until the topping is golden brown. The filling will be bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven and cool for 5-10 minutes , until the filling stops bubbling. Enjoy!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/6 of the entire pan

Nutrition info is based on common sweet cherries and my sugar-free honey . Sugar content will be about half of what is listed if you use sour cherries like I did above, or much higher if using regular honey.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)