Sugar-Free Rhubarb Crisp – Tart, Toasty, and Summer-Friendly Without the Sugar Crash

Rhubarb crisp used to be one of those recipes I mentally filed under “not worth the carbs.” But this version? It’s tart and jammy with a buttery almond topping—and it’s sweetened naturally with honey (or your favorite low-carb swap), so you can actually enjoy it without feeling like you just face-planted into a sugar bowl.

I’ve tested this as both a low-sugar comfort dessert and a keto-adaptable crisp (yes, you can sub in your favorite erythritol blend). Either way, you get real fruit texture, golden almond crunch, and zero weird sweetener aftertaste.

💡 What Solves the “Too Sour or Too Soggy” Problem

• Baked uncovered so the topping crisps instead of steaming.
• Almonds in the crumble give actual crunch—not just a floury dusting.
• Lemon + honey balance the rhubarb’s bite without overpowering it.
• Make-ahead friendly—flavor gets better after chilling overnight.

🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Clean and Craveable

Crumble Topping

• ½ cup cold unsalted butter – The key to a flaky, golden top.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Swap with almond flour for lower carb.
• 1 tbsp honey – Slightly warmed so it stirs in easily.
• Zest from ½ lemon – Adds brightness.
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ½ cup sliced or chopped almonds – Toast up beautifully during baking.

🟢 Keto-friendly option: Use 1 cup almond flour + 2 tbsp coconut flour + monk fruit or allulose to replace honey.

Rhubarb Filling

• 2 lbs rhubarb (about 4–5 cups chopped) – Leaves removed, cut into 1-inch chunks.
• ¼–½ cup honey – Adjust based on how tart your rhubarb is.
• Zest + juice from ½ lemon – Brightens the filling naturally.
• Pinch of salt

🔁 Low-Carb Substitutions That Hold Up

Ingredient	Swap	Notes
Honey	Allulose, monk fruit syrup, or keto honey	Adjust sweetness to taste
All-purpose flour	Almond + coconut flour blend	Keeps it grain-free and lower carb
Rhubarb	Add a few strawberries	Natural sweetness without spiking sugar

⚠️ Learn From My Low-Carb Fails

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	Fix It
Topping was pale and soft	Covered dish or overmixed	Bake uncovered and keep butter chunky
Filling was soupy	Didn’t cook long enough or too much liquid	Bake until bubbling and thickened
Too tart	Used underripe rhubarb and not enough sweetener	Start with ¼ cup sweetener and adjust to taste

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make It

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13″ dish.
2. Make crumble topping: Mix flour, cold butter, honey, lemon zest, and salt. Use fingers or pastry cutter to form coarse crumbs. Stir in almonds. Chill.
3. Make filling: Toss rhubarb with honey, lemon zest, juice, and a pinch of salt. Spread in dish.
4. Top with crumble, evenly spreading it over the fruit.
5. Bake for 40–45 min, until topping is golden and filling is bubbling at edges.
6. Cool slightly before serving. Great warm or cold, with whipped cream or keto vanilla ice cream.

🧠 Tricks That Made This Work Better

• I chop rhubarb ahead and freeze it, then bake from frozen (just add 5 minutes to bake time).
• I mix almond flour + coconut flour for a crispier topping if doing low-carb.
• Use zest before juicing—always. Trying to zest a squished lemon is not the move.

🧊 Keeping It Keto-Friendly All Week

• Fridge: Keeps for 4–5 days. Flavor gets deeper as it sits.
• Freezer: Freeze in portions. Reheat at 325°F for 10–15 min for crisp texture.
• Macros: Swap honey with allulose or monk fruit to cut net carbs nearly in half.

❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers

Q: Is rhubarb keto?
A: Yes! Rhubarb is one of the lowest-carb “fruits”—about 2g net per ½ cup chopped. Just don’t go wild with the sweetener.

Q: Can I use almond flour in the crumble?
A: Absolutely. Use 1 cup almond flour + 2 tbsp coconut flour for structure.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yep—use solid coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter.

🧮 Full Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – 1 of 8, low-carb version)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	215 kcal
Total Fat	16 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Carbohydrates	14 g
– Fiber	4 g
– Net Carbs	10 g
Protein	3 g
Sugar	~3 g (natural from rhubarb, honey variant may vary)
Sodium	95 mg

Check out More Recipes:

• Sugar-Free Cherry Crisp – Warm, Juicy, and Crispy Without the Carbs
• Sugar-Free Pear Crisp – Warm, Spiced, and Crispy-Top Comfort Without the Crash
• Sugar-Free Apple Fritters – Low-Carb, Crispy, and Cinnamon-Sweet