Learn how to make the BEST Peach Crisp! This delicious fresh fruit dessert is loaded with juicy peaches paired with an irresistible cinnamon-oat streusel topping that's super buttery and crunchy. Best of all, it's so easy to make!
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Peaches are definitely one of the best summer fruits! They're truly scrumptious eaten out of hand, but they make wonderful seasonal desserts, too ... like this homemade Peach Crisp.
Just one bite, and you are going to fall in love with this fresh peach dessert! This delicious recipe is loaded with fresh, juicy peaches and a buttery, crispy oat topping. It's an irresistible combination, and one that's a total crowd pleaser.
The best part though? This homemade crisp couldn't be easier to make. Simply stir a few ingredients together, then bake, and you'll be treated to an amazing dessert!
Not sure of the difference between crumbles and crisps? The names of these two baked fruit desserts are often used interchangeably, but they have different toppings. This recipe is technically a crisp, because its topping contains oats (rather than a crumble, whose topping is made without oats). If you'd prefer a crisp without oats, feel free to substitute my easy crumble topping recipe ... this dessert is super tasty either way!
Ready to start baking? Then keep scrolling for the recipe, plus lots of helpful tips!
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Ingredients
This easy Peach Crunch recipe uses basic ingredients that you can probably find in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:
- Peaches - You'll need some fresh peaches, of course! For the best results, choose the tastiest ones you can find. They should have a wonderful fragrant scent, and ripe peaches will have a little give when you gently squeeze them. Tip: If your peaches are not ripe when you purchase them (which is totally normal), let them sit on your counter at room temperature for a few days until they've ripened.
- Other Filling Ingredients - To make the filling, you'll mix the peaches with granulated sugar, cornstarch (to help thicken the fruit juices), fresh lemon juice (which brightens the other flavors), ground cinnamon (it gives the crisp a warm, old fashioned flavor), and a pinch of salt (I recommend using kosher salt).
- Topping - Oats are the key ingredient in the oatmeal crisp topping! Make sure to use old fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking or steel cut). To create the streusel-like topping, you'll mix them with all-purpose flour, brown sugar (I used light brown sugar, but dark brown would also work), pecans or other nuts (which add a toasty flavor and nice crunch), and unsalted butter.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian! If needed, you can easily make it vegan, dairy free, nut free and / or gluten free with a few simple substitutions ... check out the Variations section below for tips.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a large bowl to prepare the peach filling and the oat topping (use the same bowl for both), a small microwave-safe bowl (or a small saucepan) to melt the butter, a whisk for mixing the topping, a large spoon (I like these silicone spoon-spatulas) for stirring together the peach filling, and an 8 x 8-inch square pan for baking. I used my favorite Emile Henry Square Baker ... it's easy to clean and looks so lovely on the table!
How to Make Peach Crisp
This fresh peach dessert couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Make peach filling. Start by mixing together the sliced peaches, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Tip: Be gentle as you mix, peaches are tender and bruise easily.
- Add peaches to baking dish. Transfer the peach mixture to a buttered baking dish. Make sure to spread the fruit in an even layer, and scrape any juices and sugar that remains in the bowl over the top.
- Mix topping. Wipe out the bowl you used for the peaches. Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, and chopped nuts to the bowl, then whisk these ingredients together.
- Sprinkle topping over fruit. Using a small spoon, sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the peaches. Tip: This is optional, but I like to leave about one inch of fruit showing around the edges of the baking dish. It makes the finished dessert look more attractive.
- Drizzle butter over topping. Use your spoon to drizzle the butter over the oat mixture. You want to cover the topping as completely as possible, but it's okay if a few floury spots poke through.
- Bake. Transfer the dessert to your oven, then bake the crisp until the topping is browned and the peach filling is hot and bubbling. Let the dessert rest for at least 30 minutes before serving so it can cool and the fruit juices can thicken.
Told you that was easy! And trust me, your homemade Peach Crisp is going to taste even better than it looks and smells ... this is one dessert you'll want to make all summer long!
Variations
Feel like experimenting with the basic crisp recipe? Here are a few easy ideas to try:
- Fruit - Consider using a combination of fruits, instead of all peaches. You could pair the peaches with blueberries, raspberries, nectarines, blackberries, plums, cherries, strawberries, apricots, apples, and more. Tip: If you do make substitutions, try to keep the volume of fruit the same (about five cups total).
- Nuts - Substitute other nuts for the pecans, such as walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
- Nut Free - You can also skip the nuts, if you'd prefer. This topping will still turn out great without them!
- Vegan - To make this recipe vegan + dairy free, use plant based butter, and double check that your sugar is vegan.
- Gluten Free - This recipe is really easy to make gluten free! Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for almond flour (or a 1 to 1 GF baking flour), and make sure to use GF oats.
- Topping - If you'd prefer not to use oats, substitute my Basic Crumble Topping to turn this recipe into a Peach Crumble.
- Spices - This recipe calls for cinnamon, but other warm spices (such as ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, or allspice) will also work well.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Peach Crumble with Oats warm for the best, coziest flavor! It's delicious served plain, but even more mouthwatering when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whipped cream also makes a tasty topping.
Storage
Wrap leftovers tightly (or transfer them to an airtight container), then store them in your refrigerator. The crisp will last for up to four days, but the topping's texture will be at its crunchiest if you eat the dessert within a day or two. This is because of the juicy filling, which causes the topping to soften over time. Tip: To make the leftovers extra tasty, rewarm them gently in your microwave before serving!
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, try my easy Peach Crumble without Oats or Nectarine Crumble next! You'll love my other crisps + crumbles, too:
Searching for more fresh peach ideas? You'll love my Baked Peach Oatmeal, Iced Tea with Peaches, Peach Freezer Jam, Peach Overnight Oats, Veggie Wrap (with peaches), Peach Toast, and Peach Ricotta Pizza, too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Peach Crisps, Crumbles, and Cobblers are similar baked fruit desserts with different toppings, whose their names are often used interchangeably. Crisps have toppings that contain oats, while crumble toppings are made without oats. Cobblers, on the other hand, have a biscuit-like topping.
No, it is not necessary to peel peaches for a Crisp, but feel free to peel them if you don't like the peel's texture. To peel peaches, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cut an X on the bottom of your peaches, then add them to the boiling water for one minute. Transfer the peaches to a bowl of ice water, then pull off the peel (it should come off easily).
Peach Crisp is best when made with fresh peaches, however you can use frozen peaches in a pinch. Just make sure to thaw the peaches before using them, and blot off any excess liquid before mixing them with the other ingredients.
Canned peaches are already cooked and have a soft texture, so they don't work well for this Peach Crisp recipe. The recipe works best with fresh peaches, however you may substitute frozen peaches (thawed and drained first), if needed.
No, you do not need to refrigerate Peach Crisp if you plan on eating it within a day (or so). However, I would recommend refrigerating the Crisp your home isn't cool (such as during hot summer weather), or if you still have leftovers to eat after 24 hours.
If you'd like to make Peach Crisp without oats, try my Peach Crumble recipe instead. It's made with very similar ingredients, but the topping has no oats.
Peach Crisp
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter (for buttering baking dish)
For Peaches:
- 5 cups sliced peaches (about 4 peaches / 2 pounds / 907 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch kosher salt
For Oat Topping:
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans (or other nuts, such as walnuts or almonds)
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Equipment
- 8 x 8-inch Baking Dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter an 8 x 8-inch baking dish; set aside.
Prepare Peaches:
- Combine peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Transfer peach mixture to buttered baking dish. Set aside.
Prepare Topping:
- Wipe out bowl used for peaches. Add oats, flour, pecans, and brown sugar to bowl, then use a whisk to combine.
- Sprinkle oat mixture over peaches, then drizzle with melted butter.
Bake:
- Bake until topping is browned and peaches are bubbling, about 45 to 50 minutes.
- Let crisp cool at least 30 minutes before eating. Serve plain or topped with ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
