Crisp, sweet, and peachy keen — this peach crisp is a perfect fruity treat!
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Of all the healthy foods on this planet, only peaches are linked to immortality. According to Ancient Chinese legends, these fuzzy fruits are reserved for celestial beings and immortal sages, and they may even help us conquer death. Whether or not you believe in this miraculous power of peaches, there’s no question this fruit is a delight to the senses, especially during peak harvest season.
Since peaches are so naturally sweet, they go great in a wide range of treats, which makes them a tasty option to quell those sweet tooth cravings. From Peach Pancakes to Peach Milkshakes, you won’t have a difficult time adding a pinch of peach to recipes already full of sweet and creamy ingredients.
While you can get creative with your peach-packed plates and drinks, there are a few standards everyone should try at least once. For example, the peach crisp is a classic dessert that expertly blends peach’s tart and juicy notes with a “cinnamony” oat streusel.
As a bonus, peach crisp is such a simple recipe to bake. With just a few minutes of prep time and about 45 minutes in the oven, your tastebuds will be in peach paradise in no time.
Is Peach Crisp Healthy?
Although peaches have a lot of positives — including a great mix of vitamins, fiber, and minerals — some features of this recipe aren’t so healthy. After all, peach crisp is a dessert, so it has a good dose of sugar and saturated fat-filled butter. Also, I included all-purpose flour in this recipe, which is a no-no for anyone trying to avoid gluten.
Thankfully, there are many ways you can boost the health profile of this peach crisp without much effort. For instance, you could replace the all-purpose flour with a whole-wheat variety or a gluten-free alternative like almond flour. You could also consider using alternative sweeteners like stevia, honey, or even mashed dates for a great taste without the sugar.
What’s the difference between a peach crisp, cobbler, and crumble?
There’s a lot of confusion over these three sweet treats, but crisps, cobblers, and crumbles have a few distinctive features. Of these delectable desserts, the cobbler is arguably the easiest to separate out due to its biscuit-like topping that looks like, well, a “cobbled” street.
Crisps and crumbles, however, share more similar features, but the latter leaves out one key ingredient: oats. To get that “crumbly” texture, a traditional peach crumble recipe should only have flour, butter, and sugar in its streusel topping, while crisps get their extra crunch thanks to the inclusion of oats.
While these differences totally change the eating experience, it’s safe to say that all of these options are delicious ways to put your peaches to good use!
INGREDIENTS
- 6 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Prepare oven and baking dish.
Combine
Mix peaches with sugar and spices.
Crumble
Prepare the oat topping.
Assemble
Layer topping over peaches.
Bake
Cook until golden and bubbly.
Serve
Cool slightly and enjoy.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
For perfect crispiness, you should assemble your peach crisp while your oven is preheating. The longer you let your peaches sit with your oat topping, the more moisture they’ll release, increasing the odds of a soggy situation. Also, if you don’t use lemon juice on your peaches, they’ll brown out the longer they’re exposed to oxygen, which is not a good look on your social media feeds.
After your peach crisp cools, store it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge or freezer. Generally, peach crisps keep well in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for a few months.
To reheat your thawed leftover crisp, turn on your oven to 350° F and cook the crisp until it’s warmed through (about 15 – 20 minutes). Alternatively, you can reheat individual crisp portions in the microwave in 30 – 60-second bursts, but the oven will provide the crispier topping (and that’s what we all want, right?).
Peeling peaches isn’t a necessary part of prep work, but some people like the smoother texture peeled peaches provide. On the downside, you won’t get as many nutrients if you pull away these peels, and some may argue peach crisps without peels score lower in the flavor department.
Even when peaches aren’t in season, you can use frozen peaches to make a crisp whenever this craving hits you. Although frozen peaches have a higher water content than fresh peaches, they work fine in this recipe. You can add extra flour to dry out your frozen peaches or pre-cook them separately on the stovetop with sugar and cornstarch before adding them to your crisp.
Serving Suggestions
Vanilla ice cream is the ultimate sidekick for peach crisps, but feel free to use whatever frozen dairy or dairy-free delicacy you prefer. Adding a scoop of peach ice cream is another no-brainer, and fruity options like strawberry ice cream may also add a fun contrast to this recipe. Don’t forget to top your ice cream with some whipped cream and a drizzle of maple syrup, honey, or Homemade Caramel Sauce if you want to be extra indulgent.
For those who want to be a little healthier, toasted and chopped nuts also work well as a topper for peach crisps. For example, consider getting pecans, walnuts, or almonds to add nutrients to your meal and complement the crispy texture. You could also break out some fresh berries for extra antioxidants and a burst of lovely flavors on your peach crisp.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh peaches peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish or a similar size.
- In a large bowl, combine sliced peaches, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Toss to coat the peaches evenly and transfer them to the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the rolled oats, 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the oat mixture over the peaches in the baking dish, covering them evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let the peach crisp cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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