How to Make the Perfect Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches
There’s something about peach crisp that just screams “comfort food.” With its warm, spiced peaches and a buttery oat topping, it’s a dessert that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re working with freshly picked summer peaches or enjoying them out of season, this homemade peach crisp is the perfect treat to bring a little sweetness into your day.
Let’s get baking and bring out the best of these juicy peaches!
Why You’ll Love This Peach Crisp Recipe
1. Easy to Make
Peach crisp is one of those recipes that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. The hardest part might be peeling the peaches!
2. Perfect Balance of Flavors
The combination of juicy, sweet peaches with the slightly spiced oat topping makes this dessert rich, cozy, and delicious. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got the ultimate comfort dessert.
3. Customizable
You can easily adjust the sweetness, add other spices like nutmeg, or even toss in some berries to switch things up. Peach crisp is a versatile dessert that you can make your own.
Ingredients for Peach Crisp
- 8 cups peeled and thinly sliced fresh peaches
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, divided
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups old-fashioned oats
How to Make the Best Peach Crisp
Step 1: Prep the Peaches
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 8 cups of peeled, sliced peaches with ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Toss everything together until the peaches are evenly coated.
Step 2: Prepare the Crisp Topping
In the same bowl, cream together the ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup flour, ½ cup softened butter, and the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon. You’ll want the mixture to be crumbly but well combined. Once it’s mixed, stir in the 1 ¾ cups old-fashioned oats. Using your hands works best to create that perfect coarse texture.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Pour the peach mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Crumble the oat mixture on top of the peaches, making sure to cover them in an even layer.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping turns a light golden brown around the edges. The peaches should be bubbling slightly at the edges, and the oats should have a nice crisp texture.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once the crisp is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to cool and set up. Serve it warm, and if you want to take it up a notch, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Tips for Making the Best Peach Crisp
1. Peeling Peaches the Easy Way
To quickly peel peaches, bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut a small “X” on the bottom of each peach and drop them in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Transfer the peaches immediately to an ice bath, and the skins should easily peel off.
2. Use Ripe, Fresh Peaches
This recipe works best with ripe, juicy peaches. If you’re making this in the off-season, frozen peaches work well, too—just make sure to thaw and drain them first to avoid excess moisture in the crisp.
3. Adjust Sweetness as Needed
If your peaches are extra sweet, you can reduce the sugar slightly in the filling. Likewise, if you find them a bit tart, add an extra tablespoon of sugar.
4. Get Creative with Add-ins
For a twist, add ½ cup of fresh blueberries or raspberries to the peach mixture. You can also throw in some chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat topping for a little crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Peach Crisp Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can make the peach crisp a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes before serving.
Can I Freeze Peach Crisp?
Peach crisp can be frozen before or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the crisp and cover it tightly with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, pop it straight into the oven and add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
To freeze after baking, let the crisp cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
How Long Will Peach Crisp Last?
Peach crisp will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual portions.
Variations on Peach Crisp
While this classic recipe is delicious as is, here are a few fun ways to switch it up:
1. Berry Peach Crisp
Toss in some fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries for a berry twist on the classic peach crisp.
2. Nutty Peach Crisp
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat topping for a nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the sweet, juicy peaches.
3. Coconut Peach Crisp
For a tropical spin, mix ½ cup shredded coconut into the oat topping. Coconut and peaches are a match made in dessert heaven!
4. Gluten-Free Peach Crisp
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats.
What to Serve with Peach Crisp
While peach crisp is amazing on its own, there are a few ways to take it up a notch:
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic pairing! The cold, creamy ice cream melts perfectly into the warm peach crisp.
- Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy whipped cream adds a nice contrast to the rich, buttery crisp.
- Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Add a little ground cinnamon to your whipped cream for an extra layer of flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like a homemade peach crisp to satisfy your sweet tooth, especially when the peaches are ripe and the topping is perfectly crunchy. Whether you’re serving this for dessert at a summer gathering or as a comforting treat on a cool evening, this peach crisp recipe is sure to become a favorite.
So, next time you’re looking for an easy dessert that’s full of fresh fruit and comforting flavors, this peach crisp has you covered. Happy baking!
Peach Crisp
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 8 cups peaches peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Topping
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 8 cups of peeled, sliced peaches with ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Toss everything together until the peaches are evenly coated.
- In the same bowl, cream together the ¾ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup flour, ½ cup softened butter, and the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon. You’ll want the mixture to be crumbly but well combined. Once it’s mixed, stir in the 1 ¾ cups old-fashioned oats.
- Pour the peach mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Crumble the oat mixture on top of the peaches, making sure to cover them in an even layer.
- Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping turns a light golden brown around the edges. The peaches should be bubbling slightly at the edges, and the oats should have a nice crisp texture.
- Remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to cool and set up.