The Most Simple Peach Crisp Recipe For Busy Moms

This peach crisp recipe is made with fresh, juicy peaches and topped with a classic buttery oat crumble! It's made in only 30 minutes, making it a perfect last minute dessert to throw together on busy weeknights, even as a busy mama wearing many hats.

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About This Peach Crisp Recipe

Ah it's finally here - peach season! Who else is excited? Locally grown, fresh, juicy peaches make some of the best desserts, salad toppings, and snacks. Have you tried our goat cheese peach salad recipe?

The best peaches to use, in my opinion, are freestone peaches. There's both clingstone and freestone varieties. Pits in clingstone peaches "cling" to the peach and the peach doesn't really release it. In order to slice this variety you have to cut around the pit.

On the other hand, freestone peaches easily release the pit. It's easy to cut the peach in half, twist it and the pit will easily pop out. Two halves are left which make it much easier to peel and slice for baking.

So, this peach crisp recipe uses freestone peaches. You can use clingstone but it will take a bit longer and will not result in clean cut peach slices. It just gets messy!

The flavor will be just as delicious no matter the peach variety you choose to use. If you love the taste of a fruity peach pie but don't want to put in that much effort, you'll love this simple shortcut recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Simple - During WWII, peach crisp was invented as a fun alternative to peach pie. Baking staples were rationed during that time, so a more simple version that used butter, sugar, and oats gave the same crisp, peachy flavor as a traditional peach pie. You'll love how basic and uncomplicated this peach crisp recipe is!
• Substitutions can easily be made. While freestone peaches are the best to use in this recipe, you could also use clingstone, frozen or canned peaches. Depending on the season, other fruits could also be used. For example, you can make apple crisp , blueberry crisp which is similar to blueberry cobbler, strawberry crisp and so on!
• It's light and refreshing. Fruity desserts have a way of refreshing you rather than weighing you down. This peach crisp recipe won't leave you feeling unable to function (unless maybe you've eaten three servings, haha).
• There's no unique ingredients. I don't enjoy when a baking recipe has really unique ingredients that I need to make a special trip to the grocery store in order to acquire. Our peach crisp recipe uses traditional ingredients like butter, sugar, oats, and flour. If you're a well-prepared home cook then you most likely have these on hand!
• Great for crowds. Take peach crisp to your next summer cookout! Your family and friends will love it and will probably devour the entire dish.
• Serve it hot. Waiting for a dessert to cool is no fun. Good news-this is best when eaten hot, straight out of the oven!

Ingredients

Fresh yellow freestone peaches - Freestone peaches are the best variety to use in this peach crisp recipe. I don't recommend using white peaches as they have a more soft and delicate texture. Yellow peaches hold up better for cooking and baking while white peaches do better in recipes such as jams. See the substitutions section for other peaches that can be used.

Lemon juice- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the best to use in my opinion. However, you can also use bottled lemon juice!

Vanilla extract

Cinnamon

Granulated sugar

Brown sugar - Either light or dark brown sugar will work. Brown sugar gives a more robust flavor and that's what I recommend using. Light brown sugar will slightly alter the flavor and texture but can be substituted with a 1:1 ratio.

All-purpose flour

Maple Syrup

Oats - I like using old fashioned rolled oats.

Butter - Preferably unsalted but salted will work as well.

Tools You'll Need

Cast iron skillet - I recommend using a 10 inch cast iron skillet or a smaller baking dish such as an 8 inch square baking dish.

Medium sized mixing bowl

Measuring cups/spoons

The Easiest Way To Pit A Peach

Here's a very simple way to pit a freestone peach.

First, slice the whole way around the equator.

Second, gently twist each halve in opposite directions to open the peach.

Finally, if the pit hasn't already popped out, gently sweep it out with your finger without damaging the peach.

Peach Crisp Recipe Step-By-Step

For exact measurements, see the peach crisp recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Peel and slice the peaches. If you don't know how to pit a peach, see the section above to learn the easiest way to pit a peach. Use a paring knife (or a mandolin) to peel the peaches and slice them into even pieces about ½ inch thick.

Pro tip: For perfectly equal slices, use a mandolin to slice the peaches instead of a paring knife.

Step 2: Make the filling. In a large mixing bowl add the peach slices, maple syrup, vanilla, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Stir everything together until the juices have absorbed the flour. Then, pour the filling into a 10 inch cast iron skillet.

After that, make the crisp, crumble topping by adding granulated sugar, brown sugar, cold butter cut into small cubes, flour and rolled oats to a mixing bowl.

Use your hands or a pastry cutter to cut into the butter and create a crumble texture. Spread the topping over the entire peach crisp filling.

Bake in a 375-degree F oven for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Love This Peach Crisp Recipe?

Save this delicious dessert on Pinterest so that you can make in on repeat all throughout peach season! We'd also be so grateful if you gave this recipe 5 stars and left us a comment below.

Ingredient Substitutions

Maple Syrup - As an alternative sweetener to maple syrup you could also use granulated sugar, cane sugar, or honey, though the honey may alter the flavor more significantly than using granulated or can sugar.

Flour - In this recipe, flour is used as the thickener. Other thickeners that can be substituted as a 1:1 ratio are cornstarch and clear gel.

FAQs About Peach Crisp

What is the difference between peach crumble and peach crisp?

A peach crumble uses butter, flour and sugar to make a softer, cookie like texture on top of a fruity peach filling while a peach crisp uses oats in the topping to lend a more "crisp," crunchy texture that doesn't crumble as easily.

When making peach crisp, do you peel the peaches?

Yes, in order to make peach crisp you should peel and slice the peaches before baking.

Can you use canned or frozen peaches in peach crisp?

Yes, you can certainly use canned or frozen peaches in peach crisp. You will need to adjust the amount of thickener you use depending on how much liquid the peaches contain. Also, let frozen peaches thaw completely before baking a peach crisp recipe.

What are some tips for making peach crisp?

1. For the best results, use fresh, yellow freestone peaches instead of clingstone. Freestone peaches easily release the pit which makes them ideal for slicing and baking.
2. Add a dash of lemon juice into the peach crisp filling. Lemon juice is acidic which will even out the sweetness and brighten the bold flavor of the fresh peaches.
3. Make each peach slice equally as thick so that every slice bakes evenly, otherwise you might end up with some slices too mushy or some left too firm.
4. To make perfectly even peach slices, use a mandolin to cut them about ½ inch thick.

Let's Chat In The Comments!

Let us know in the comment section what you love about this peach crisp recipe!