This peach crisp recipe with oats is the ultimate peach dessert! It’s packed with juicy, ripe peaches at peak sweetness and a crispy oat topping. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh peaches, especially when they’re picked at the height of their season!

This week, Ella and I visited the farmers market, where we found the most incredible peaches – sweet, fragrant, and bursting with flavor. I knew they deserved to be showcased in a dish that would do them justice, and this peach crisp does just that! It’s a treat that combines a golden, crunchy oat topping with the luscious, juicy filling of those perfect peaches. If you’re a fan of timeless desserts made lighter, this peach crisp is it!

Why You Will Love This Peach Crisp

Each bite is bursting with flavor! It’s the ultimate combination of fresh, juicy peaches, a hint of cinnamon, and a crispy oat topping.
The oat topping is made with oats and oat flour, making this recipe gluten-free!
The topping is crispy, buttery, and delicious!
Our peach crisp is easy to make and comes together with simple ingredients.
It’s a lighter option than many traditional peach crisps.
It’s incredibly delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

What Is A Peach Crisp?

This peach crisp is a delicious peach dessert with juicy peaches and a crispy oat topping. This peach crisp recipe is made with oats and oat flour rather than traditional all-purpose flour, making it gluten-free! Made with fresh peaches, this dessert is easy to prepare, offering a comforting treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients Needed

For The Peach Filling

Peaches: Use 2-2.5 pounds of fresh peaches, about 5-6 medium-sized peaches. Slice the peaches for this recipe. You don’t have to peel the peaches, but you can if you prefer.
Cornstarch: The cornstarch helps thicken the peach filling.
Brown Sugar: Sweeten the peach filling with brown sugar or brown monk fruit.
Vanilla Extract: Add vanilla extract for flavor.
Lemon Juice: Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to the filling.
Salt: Just a pinch of salt in the filling.

For The Oat Topping

Oats: You can use quick oats or rolled oats for the topping. We prefer quick oats because they are a smaller size and crisp up well, but either will work. Don’t use steel-cut oats.
Oat Flour: Use 1/2 cup of oat flour if you have it or make it by blending 1/2 cup of oats into oat flour.
Brown Sugar: Sweeten the crisp topping with brown sugar or brown monk fruit.
Butter: Use cold unsalted butter for this recipe. Cube the butter before adding it to the topping.
Applesauce: Add cold unsweetened applesauce to the oat topping. It helps reduce the amount of butter needed for this recipe.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds incredible flavor to the topping.
Nutmeg: Add a pinch of ground nutmeg for another layer of flavor.
Salt: Add a small amount of salt.
Walnuts: As an option, add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the oat topping.

How To Make Peach Crisp

Step 1: Wash and dry the peaches. Then, cut them in half lengthwise and remove the pits. From there, evenly slice the peaches and add them to a large bowl.

Step 2: Add the cornstarch, brown sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and pinch of salt to the bowl with the sliced peaches.

Next, thoroughly mix these ingredients.

Step 3: Lightly spray a 9-inch round baking dish, such as a pie pan, with coconut oil. After that, pour the peach mixture into the baking dish.

Peach filling for peach crisp in baking dish

Step 4: Make the oat topping. First, use oat flour if you have it, or place 1/2 cup of oats in a blender and blend them into oat flour. You will need 1/2 cup of oats and 1/2 cup of oat flour. Add the oats, oat flour, brown sugar, cubed cold butter, cold unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and optional chopped nuts to a bowl.

Step 5: Mix the ingredients for the topping. Use a fork, your hands, or a pastry cutter to combine the butter with the rest of the ingredients, until a crumbly topping forms.

Step 6: Once combined, use your hands to crumble and evenly sprinkle the topping over the peaches in the baking dish.

Step 7: Bake the peach crisp at 350°F for 40-45 minutes. Once done, let it slightly cool before serving.

Serving Suggestions

To truly savor this peach crisp, we recommend serving it warm, after baking it in the oven. The warmth enhances the flavors and ensures the topping remains perfectly crispy. For a classic pairing, add a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, which melts into the peaches and adds a delightful contrast to the crunchy topping. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, coconut whipped topping is an excellent choice.

Expert Tips

Ripe Peaches: Use ripe yet firm peaches for this recipe. Overly ripe peaches will be too mushy and unable to slice. When purchasing peaches, keep in mind that they will need 1-2 days to ripen for this recipe, so plan accordingly.
Use Cold Butter: To ensure the oat topping is crispy and comes together properly, use cold butter. Cube the cold butter and incorporate it into the oat topping.
Oats To Use: You can use 1/2 cup of quick oats or rolled oats for the topping. You will also need to blend an additional 1/2 cup of oats into oat flour if you don’t already have oat flour on hand.
Adjust The Sweetness: Taste your peaches before adding sugar to the filling. If they’re naturally very sweet, you can reduce the brown sugar slightly. Or, if the peaches are a bit tart, add a little extra brown sugar to enhance their flavor and sweetness.
Bake The Crisp: The key to a perfect peach crisp is to bake it in the oven until the topping is crispy and golden brown. However, keep an eye on it so it doesn’t over-bake.
Baking Dish To Use: Use an oven-safe 9-inch round baking dish, such as a pie dish, for this recipe.

Storage Instructions

This peach crisp is best enjoyed warm the day you make it. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. To reheat leftovers, bake them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until the topping is crispy again and the peaches are warmed through.

Variations

Peeled Or Unpeeled Peaches: We left the sliced peaches unpeeled for this recipe to keep it quick and easy. If you prefer, you can peel the peaches. One method is to blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath. From there, the skins should peel off. Or, you can use a vegetable peeler to peel the peaches.
Add Nuts To The Topping: You can add chopped nuts to the oat topping for another texture and flavor. We added chopped walnuts. Some other options are chopped pecans or almonds.
Sweetener To Use: You can sweeten this peach crisp with brown sugar, regular sugar, or a sugar-free sweetener such as brown monk fruit or Swerve.
What Flour To Use: We used oat flour to keep this recipe gluten-free. If you prefer, you can substitute it with almond flour or gluten-free flour. All-purpose flour works too, but your crisp won’t be gluten-free.
Use Canned Peaches Instead: You can make this recipe with canned peaches if you don’t have fresh peaches. Since canned peaches are often packed in juice or syrup, drain them and pat them dry with a paper towel. Also, taste the peaches to determine how sweet they are, you may not need to add as much sugar or any at all, especially if they are already sweetened. Lastly, since using canned peaches may make the filling more soupy, add another tablespoon of cornstarch. It will help thicken the filling as the peach crisp bakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Peach Crisp Vegan?

Yes, you can easily make this peach crisp vegan and dairy-free. Simply swap the butter for coconut oil or vegan butter. Also, if desired, top with vegan vanilla ice cream or vegan whipped cream.

Is This Peach Crisp Gluten-Free?

Yes, this peach crisp is naturally gluten-free. Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead?

If you don’t have fresh peaches, use frozen sliced peaches instead. Thaw and drain them, then pat them dry. Mix with the other filling ingredients, add to your baking dish, and top with the oat mixture. Bake as directed, but you may need to add about five extra minutes since the peaches were frozen. Keep an eye on it and adjust the time if necessary.

Do I Have To Peel The Peaches?

No, you don’t have to peel the peaches. It’s a matter of personal preference and the texture you prefer. Peeling them will result in a smoother peach filling, while keeping them unpeeled saves time, adds texture, and may increase the nutritional value due to the nutrients in the skin of peaches.

Is Peach Crisp Healthy?

This peach crisp is a lighter option! We added applesauce to the oat topping, which reduces the amount of butter you have to add. Also, we used oat flour instead of all-purpose flour.

What Is The Difference Between A Crisp And Cobbler?

Peach crisp and peach cobbler are similar as they are both baked fruit desserts. However, their toppings differ. A crisp has a crispy topping, while a cobbler contains a biscuit-like soft topping. This peach crisp has a crispy and crunchy topping made from oats, oat flour, brown sugar, butter, applesauce, and spices.

More Recipes To Try Next!

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