Make it Natural: Raw Berry Crisp

Have we got a summer treat for you! This no-cook berry crisp will save you from turning on your oven in the middle of the summer, and we bet it will be a hit with any crowd. Don’t just take our word for it though — check out the rave reviews on Raw Berry Crisp. Here’s a sample: ZieQ wrote: “I did not have the dates but substituted with raisins and whatever raw nuts I had available. This was fabulous, easy and will become a staple in our home.”

Have we got a summer treat for you! This no-cook berry crisp will save you from turning on your oven in the middle of the summer, and we bet it will be a hit with any crowd. Don’t just take our word for it though — check out the rave reviews on Raw Berry Crisp opens in a new tab. Here’s a sample:ZieQ wrote:


“I did not have the dates but substituted with raisins and whatever raw nuts I had available. This was fabulous, easy and will become a staple in our home.”

Unlike traditional fruit crisps, which are typically baked with butter, flour and sugar, we take advantage of the sweetness of summer’s peak berries to put a healthy spin on this classic fruit dessert. We’re not saying that a traditional crisp isn’t delicious; this is just a new way we encourage you to try!You can check out our complete recipe, as well as leave comments and ratings, on our Raw Berry Crisp recipe page opens in a new tab.Here’s the scoop on our raw version of fruit crisp:

  • Berries — think blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries — provide powerful antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and ellagic acid as well as vitamins and minerals. And they’re naturally sweet, so why not let the fruit’s sweetness come through!

  • Walnuts and pecans, combined with dates and cinnamon, make the “crisp” topping. The richness of the nuts and the texture of the topping will make you think of a traditional crisp, without the butter and the saturated fat. Walnuts are a good plant source of important omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber.

  • We use pure maple syrup, a natural, unrefined sweetener that contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese and zinc. Play around with using it in other desserts, too!

  • Dates are packed with fiber and natural sugars. They contain vitamin A as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and potassium. They are even thought by many to aid in good digestion. It’s hard to imagine such a simple dried fruit could be such a powerhouse!

  • Summer is a great time to eat more raw foods. A raw foods diet includes plant foods in their most natural state — uncooked and unprocessed. It’s typically low in sodium, trans fats and saturated fats, and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber and phytochemicals. It may help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which are associated with heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Put this 3-step recipe together in no time and serve up a low-calorie, high-fiber, delicious dessert for your family. Did you miss the recipe link above? Here is the complete Raw Berry Crisp recipe opens in a new tab.Got an idea for a recipe makeover? Post it in the comments below!

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