Introduction
Oh, sweet summertime! Or honestly, any time you can get your hands on some gorgeous, juicy peaches. There’s just something so incredibly comforting and nostalgic about a warm, bubbly peach crisp straight from the oven. It smells like pure happiness, tastes like a hug, and honestly? It’s so easy to make, it feels like a little kitchen magic. Forget complicated desserts – this recipe is about celebrating simple, fresh ingredients and creating something truly special without a fuss. It’s the kind of dessert you’ll make again and again, and everyone will ask for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Seriously, what’s not to love? This peach crisp hits all the right notes:
- Fast: Get this deliciousness in the oven in no time.
- Easy: Perfect for beginners, zero fancy techniques required.
- Giftable: Package it up and share the peachy love with neighbors or friends.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Always a hit, whether served warm with ice cream or enjoyed cold for breakfast (no judgment here!).
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this incredible peach crisp. Simple, staple ingredients that come together beautifully!
- 8 cups peeled and thinly sliced fresh peaches: The star of the show! Make sure they’re ripe for the best flavor.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: To sweeten up those lovely peaches.
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided: A little for the filling to thicken it up, and the rest for that glorious topping.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Our secret weapon for a perfectly thick (never watery!) filling.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided: Warm spice that pairs perfectly with peaches.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar: Adds depth and moisture to the crisp topping.
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, room temperature: Needs to be nice and soft so you can easily mix that crumb topping.
- 1 ¾ cups old-fashioned oats: Gives the topping that classic chewy, crispy texture. Make sure they’re old-fashioned, not instant!
How to Make It
Okay, deep breaths! This is where the magic happens, and I promise it’s super straightforward. Grab your apron, and let’s do this!
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab a large bowl for your peaches. Toss those beautiful sliced peaches with the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour, the cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the salt. Stir gently until everything is nicely coated. Pour this peach mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Now, let’s make that amazing crisp topping! In a separate medium bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup all-purpose flour, the brown sugar, the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the softened butter. Use a fork or your fingers (I always find my fingers work best!) to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Next, stir in the old-fashioned oats until they are evenly distributed throughout the crumb mixture.
Generously sprinkle this oat topping evenly over the peach mixture in the baking dish. Don’t be shy! Get good coverage so you get that perfect crispy-to-bubbly-filling ratio in every bite.
Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly around the edges. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells absolutely heavenly!
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. It’s best enjoyed warm!
Substitutions & Additions
Feel free to play around with this recipe! That’s the beauty of a classic like this. No peaches? Try sliced apples, berries, cherries, or a mix! You can easily swap out the fruit depending on the season or what you have on hand. For the topping, consider adding a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. A pinch of nutmeg or ginger can also be lovely alongside the cinnamon for added warmth.
Tips for Success
- Choose Ripe Peaches: This is key for the best flavor and texture. If your peaches aren’t quite ripe, the filling can be a bit firm. If they are overripe, the filling might be too watery – in that case, you might add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch.
- Don’t Overmix the Topping: You want those lovely crumbly bits, so mix just until everything is combined.
- Softened Butter is Your Friend: Make sure your butter is truly at room temperature for the easiest mixing and best topping texture.
- Watch for Bubbling: Don’t pull it out too early! The bubbling edges tell you the filling has thickened properly.
- Prep Ahead: You can slice the peaches and mix the filling ingredients (store separately) and make the topping ahead of time. Keep them chilled in the fridge, then assemble and bake when you’re ready.
How to Store It
If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence in my house!), cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store it at room temperature for a day, but for longer storage, pop it in the refrigerator. It will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or warm the whole dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use frozen peaches?
A: Absolutely! Thaw them first, drain off any excess liquid, and then proceed with the recipe as written. You might need to add an extra minute or two to the bake time.
Q: How do I peel the peaches easily?
A: The easiest way is to score a small ‘X’ on the bottom of each peach, then blanch them in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should then slip right off!
Q: My topping isn’t getting crispy. What happened?
A: Make sure your butter was room temperature (not melted!) and you used old-fashioned oats (not instant). Also, ensure your oven temperature is accurate.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats.
Easy Classic Homemade Peach Crisp
Equipment
- Oven Preheated to 375°F (190°C)
- Large bowl For peaches
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Medium bowl For crisp topping
- Fork or fingers For cutting in butter
Ingredients
Peach Filling
- 8 cups peeled and thinly sliced fresh peaches Make sure they're ripe
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour portion for filling
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon portion for filling
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Crisp Topping
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour portion for topping
- 0.75 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon portion for topping
- 0.5 cup salted butter 1 stick, room temperature
- 1.75 cups old-fashioned oats not instant
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- While it's heating up, grab a large bowl for your peaches.
- Toss those beautiful sliced peaches with the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour, the cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the salt. Stir gently until everything is nicely coated.
- Pour this peach mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Now, let's make that amazing crisp topping! In a separate medium bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup all-purpose flour, the brown sugar, the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and the softened butter.
- Use a fork or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Next, stir in the old-fashioned oats until they are evenly distributed throughout the crumb mixture.
- Generously sprinkle this oat topping evenly over the peach mixture in the baking dish. Get good coverage so you get that perfect crispy-to-bubbly-filling ratio in every bite.
- Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. It's best enjoyed warm!