The Ultimate Easy Peach Crisp Recipe: A Perfect Summer Dessert
Indulge in the quintessential taste of summer with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Peach Crisp recipe. Featuring succulent, fresh peaches nestled beneath a golden, buttery, and crumbly oat topping, this dessert bakes to perfection, offering a warm, sweet, and comforting treat. Serve it à la mode with your favorite ice cream for an unforgettable dessert or a delightful snack any time of day.
Embracing the Sweetness of Summer with Peach Crisp
There’s nothing quite like the peak of summer, when the days are long, the sun is warm, and the produce aisle bursts with vibrant, ripe stone fruits. For me, these juicy treasures — peaches, nectarines, and plums — have always held a special place, especially during certain phases of life. During this pregnancy, my cravings have been intensely focused on these beautiful fruits. It’s fascinating how our bodies guide us; with my first son, Will, it was watermelon daily, and with Drew, pancakes and waffles were the undeniable call. Now, it’s the sweet, fragrant allure of stone fruit that has me filling my grocery cart with peaches, plums, and nectarines at every visit.
This Peach Crisp recipe is my absolute favorite way to celebrate the bounty of summer peaches. It transforms simple, fresh fruit into a dessert that feels both comforting and celebratory. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute treat for guests or a simple weeknight indulgence. I love that I can keep leftovers in the fridge, ready to be warmed up whenever that craving for a delicious bowl of homemade Peach Crisp strikes.
The Joy of Seasonal Peaches: Choosing Your Star Ingredient
As summer gently begins its farewell, it’s the perfect time to stock up on the last of the season’s glorious peaches. A few weeks ago, during a visit to my mom in Tennessee, I had the pleasure of enjoying some truly phenomenal South Carolina peaches. And whenever we vacation in the Outer Banks, I make it a point to seek out those renowned Georgia peaches. There’s something undeniably special about those sweet, juicy beauties grown in specific regions. However, if you don’t have access to these specific varieties, don’t worry! Your local grocery store or farmer’s market likely carries delicious peaches that will work perfectly for this recipe. Just look for peaches that are fragrant and give slightly when gently squeezed.
For this delightful Peach Crisp, you’ll need about 6-8 large, ripe peaches. The key to a silky-smooth peach filling is to peel them first. While some people enjoy the skin, removing it ensures a more refined texture. You can easily peel peaches by blanching them in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then immediately transferring them to an ice bath. The skins will slip right off! After peeling, simply pit and slice them into uniform pieces.
Crafting the Perfect Peach Filling and Irresistible Oat Topping
Once your peaches are prepped, they get a vibrant boost from a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, which brightens their natural sweetness and prevents them from browning. Then, a carefully chosen blend of warm spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice — are gently tossed with the peaches. This aromatic combination creates a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the fruit, elevating the crisp from good to truly exceptional. A pinch of salt also helps to highlight all these wonderful flavors.
Next comes the star of any crisp: the topping. For this recipe, we combine wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, hearty quick-cooking oats, and rich dark brown sugar. The whole wheat flour adds a subtle nutty flavor and extra fiber, while the oats provide that signature chewy texture. The dark brown sugar not only sweetens but also adds a molasses-rich depth that caramelizes beautifully during baking. Once these dry ingredients are mixed, thin slices of cold butter are “cut in” until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This technique is crucial for achieving that delightful, crumbly, and golden-brown topping we all love. Sprinkle this generous topping over your spiced peaches, and if you’re a cinnamon lover like me, a little extra dusting on top is always a good idea.
Baking for Golden Perfection and Serving Suggestions
Bake this pan of deliciousness in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for just 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is beautifully golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling invitingly around the edges. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely heavenly! There’s truly nothing better than a warm, freshly baked Peach Crisp, especially when it’s crowned with a generous scoop of cold, creamy ice cream. The contrast of the warm, tender fruit and crisp topping with the melting ice cream is pure bliss. For me, a scoop of butter pecan ice cream adds an extra layer of nutty richness that perfectly complements the peaches and spices, but classic vanilla is always a winner.
This dessert is a huge hit with my kids, and to be honest, it’s not nearly as “unhealthy” as some might think. By using whole wheat flour and oats, along with the natural sweetness of fresh peaches, we keep the added sugar to a minimum. Of course, there’s butter in the topping to create that irresistible crisp texture, but a little butter never hurt anyone, right? It’s all about balance and enjoying wholesome, homemade treats.
Customizing Your Peach Crisp: Variations and Tips
While this classic Peach Crisp is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to experiment with adding other summer fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry peach crisp. A handful of chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts can be added to the oat topping for an extra layer of crunch and flavor. For a slightly different spice profile, consider a touch of ginger or cardamom. If you’re looking for gluten-free options, simply substitute the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and ensure your brown sugar is vegan-friendly.
Leftovers, if there are any, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop a portion in the microwave for a minute or two, or warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. It’s almost as good as fresh!
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Classic Peach Crisp
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Ingredients
For the Peach Filling:
- 8 large peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 Tablespoons)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- Pinch salt
For the Oat Topping:
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 cups quick cook oats , {uncooked}
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into thin slices or small cubes
Instructions
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Prepare Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Mix Peach Filling: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the peeled and sliced peaches with the fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and a pinch of salt. Stir carefully to coat the peaches evenly without mashing them. Set aside.
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Prepare Oat Topping: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, dark brown sugar, and quick-cooking oats until well combined.
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Assemble Crisp: Pour the peach mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch non-stick baking pan. Evenly scatter the oat topping mixture over the peaches. Distribute the cold butter slices over the topping, pressing them slightly into the oat mixture. If desired, sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon for added fragrance and flavor.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly around the edges, and the peaches are tender.
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Serve: Let the crisp cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, or your favorite complementary flavor like butter pecan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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