Why You’ll Love This Peach Crisp

• Easy, beginner-friendly dessert
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Ready in about one hour
• Perfect way to use fresh peaches
• Delicious with ice cream or whipped cream
• Great for make-ahead entertaining
• Can easily be adapted with frozen peaches

What Is Peach Crisp?

Peach crisp is a baked fruit dessert made with sweet peaches and topped with a buttery oat crumble. Unlike peach cobbler, which has a biscuit-like topping, or peach crumble, which often skips oats, peach crisp includes oats that become deliciously crunchy during baking.

The contrast between tender peaches and crispy topping makes this dessert irresistible.

Best Peaches for Peach Crisp

The best peaches for baking are ripe but still slightly firm. Overripe peaches can become mushy during baking.

Great varieties include:

• Yellow peaches
• Freestone peaches
• Elberta peaches
• Red Haven peaches

Freestone peaches are especially convenient because the pit removes easily.

How to Peel Peaches Easily

The easiest method is blanching.

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Score a small X on the bottom of each peach.
3. Boil peaches for 30 seconds.
4. Transfer immediately to ice water.
5. The skins should slip right off.

This simple trick makes preparing peaches incredibly easy.

How to Make Peach Crisp

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, combine:

• sliced peaches
• granulated sugar
• brown sugar
• cornstarch
• vanilla
• cinnamon
• lemon juice
• salt

Mix gently until evenly coated.

Transfer the peach mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish.

Step 2: Make the Crisp Topping

In another bowl combine:

• oats
• flour
• brown sugar
• cinnamon
• salt

Pour in melted butter and stir until crumbly.

Sprinkle evenly over the peaches.

Step 3: Bake

Bake for 40-50 minutes or until:

• peaches are bubbling
• topping is golden brown
• filling has thickened

Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Why Add Lemon Juice?

Lemon juice serves two purposes:

1. It brightens the flavor of the peaches.
2. It balances sweetness and prevents the dessert from tasting flat.

Even a small amount makes a huge difference.

Caraway Bakeware Recommendation

One of my favorite ways to bake fruit desserts is using my Caraway baking collection. Their ceramic-coated bakeware provides even heat distribution, which helps the peaches cook evenly while encouraging a golden, crisp topping. Click here to shop pans, skillets, and all my favorite kitchen essentials with a bonus discount applied at checkout.

For summer baking, I especially love using the Caraway Sheet Pan Set when prepping peaches or roasting extra fruit for toppings and breakfasts throughout the week. The naturally nonstick surface makes cleanup incredibly easy, especially when working with sugary fruit desserts that tend to bubble over.

If you love baking crisps, cobblers, and fruit desserts as much as I do, quality bakeware truly makes a difference.

Can You Use Frozen Peaches?

Absolutely.

If using frozen peaches:

• thaw completely
• drain excess liquid
• increase cornstarch to 3 tablespoons

This helps prevent a watery filling.

Can You Make Peach Crisp Ahead?

Yes.

Assemble the entire crisp and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

You can also bake it completely and gently reheat before serving.

How to Store Peach Crisp

Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual servings in the microwave or place the entire dish back into a 325°F oven until warmed through.

Can You Freeze Peach Crisp?

Yes.

Freeze either:

Unbaked:

Assemble and freeze up to 3 months.

Baked:

Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze.

Bake from frozen, adding an additional 15-20 minutes.

What to Serve with Peach Crisp

Peach crisp is delicious on its own, but even better with:

• vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream
• caramel drizzle
• fresh whipped mascarpone
• cinnamon ice cream

The contrast between warm peaches and cold ice cream is unbeatable.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Peach Crisp

Use Fresh Summer Peaches

Peak-season peaches provide the best flavor and sweetness.

Don’t Skip Cornstarch

This thickens the juices and prevents soupiness.

Use Old-Fashioned Oats

Quick oats can become soft and lose their texture.

Let It Rest

Cooling for 15 minutes allows the filling to thicken.

Add Extra Cinnamon

A little extra spice makes the peaches taste even more comforting.

For Extra Crunch

Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts with the topping.

Want More Flavor?

Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger.

Variations

Brown Butter Peach Crisp

Brown the butter before mixing it into the topping.

Peach Blueberry Crisp

Add 1 cup fresh blueberries.

Peach Raspberry Crisp

Raspberries add beautiful tartness.

Gluten-Free Peach Crisp

Use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend.

Peach Pecan Crisp

Add chopped pecans for extra texture.

Why This Peach Crisp Works

This recipe focuses on:

• plenty of juicy peaches
• balanced sweetness
• thick filling
• buttery oat topping
• perfect peach-to-crisp ratio

The result is a dessert that tastes homemade, comforting, and absolutely irresistible.

More Recipes to Try

If you love easy fruit desserts, be sure to try:

• Eggless Banana Bread
• Vanilla Cupcakes
• Key Lime Pie
• Funfetti Cake
• Apple Crisp
• No Bake Cheesecake
• Lemon Cake
• Chocolate Brownies
• Easy Carrot Cake
• Strawberry Shortcake Bars

These desserts are perfect for holidays, gatherings, and everyday baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to peel peaches for peach crisp?

No, but peeling creates a softer texture and more traditional dessert.

Can I use canned peaches?

Yes. Drain them well and reduce the sugar slightly since canned peaches are often sweetened.

Why is my peach crisp watery?

Usually from overly juicy peaches or not enough cornstarch.

How do I make the topping crispier?

Bake uncovered and allow the topping to become deeply golden.

Can peach crisp be made in advance?

Yes. Assemble it up to one day ahead or freeze for later baking.

What is the difference between peach crisp and peach cobbler?

Peach crisp has an oat topping, while cobbler uses a biscuit or cake-like topping.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely. Bake in two dishes or a larger roasting pan for parties.

What oats should I use?

Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes. Substitute vegan butter.

Can peach crisp be served cold?

Yes, although most people prefer it slightly warm with ice cream.