Peach Crumble

There’s just something about a warm peach crumble that screams summer at my house. If there’s a dessert I make on repeat when peaches are piled high at the market, it’s this one. It’s the definition of unfussy comfort food — sweet, syrupy peaches baked under a golden, buttery oat topping that’s crisp in all the right places.

What I love most is how approachable it is. You don’t need any fancy technique, just a few pantry basics and ripe peaches. The whole thing is prepped in about 10 minutes. On busy days, I can toss it together while chatting with my kids or waiting for dinner to finish on the stove. It’s just so easy.

I always serve it with big scoops of vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream, letting it melt into the warm filling. That combination never disappoints — it’s the sort of dessert that makes people close their eyes at the first bite.

Why This Recipe Always Wins in My Kitchen

I bake a lot, but when peach season hits, this crumble is my go-to. It’s special in the simplest way. Here’s why it has a permanent spot in my summer baking rotation:

• Fast prep, big reward. The hands-on time is so short. Peel, slice, mix, and bake. That’s it. Perfect for hot days when I don’t want to fuss.
• Minimal ingredients. Most of what you need is already in the pantry. Flour, oats, sugar, butter — classic crumble staples.
• Balanced sweetness. I don’t like when the fruit gets lost under too much sugar. This one lets the peach flavor really shine.
• Lots of crumble. Let’s be honest, that’s what we’re all here for. The ratio is generous so you get crispy topping in every bite.
• Customizable. You can tweak the spices, add nuts, change fruits. It’s a recipe that adapts to you.
• A little bit better for you. Sure, it’s dessert, but it’s full of real fruit and oats. I tell myself that counts as healthy enough to go back for seconds.

How Crumble, Cobbler, and Crisp Differ (The Way I See It)

People often ask if there’s really a difference between crumble, crisp, and cobbler — and there is! But let’s keep it real: people use the words interchangeably all the time. Here’s how I explain it when friends ask:

• Cobbler: Think of a biscuit or cake-like topping. Soft and doughy with peaches bubbling underneath. It’s hearty and old-school.
• Crumble: A streusel topping made with flour, sugar, and butter. Buttery, crumbly, and slightly crisp on top. It’s all about that contrast with the soft peaches.
• Crisp: Similar to crumble but with oats added for more texture and crunch.

Honestly, this recipe is technically a “crisp” because it has oats, but I’ve always called it crumble at home. Whatever you call it, it’s delicious.

Picking the Best Peaches for Baking

If you can get your hands on ripe, in-season peaches, do it. That’s when this recipe shines brightest. Look for firm-but-yielding peaches that smell fragrant. I gently press them with my thumb — if they give just a little, they’re perfect.

Avoid rock-hard peaches (they’ll stay bland in the oven) or overripe mushy ones that collapse into jam.

If it’s early or late in the season, I sometimes use a mix of ripe and slightly firmer peaches to get the best texture after baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make It on a Weeknight

Even if you’re not a big baker, this recipe is so simple you’ll be tempted to make it all the time. Here’s how I do it at home:

1. Prep the peaches. I slice them into wedges — usually 8 per peach — and toss them right in my cast iron skillet with a bit of brown sugar, salt, and cornstarch. This mix gets syrupy as it bakes, creating that jammy filling we all want.
2. Make the topping. In a bowl, I stir together flour, sugar, oats, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Then I rub in cold butter with my fingertips until it looks like coarse crumbs. There’s something old-fashioned and satisfying about making the topping by hand.
3. Add nuts if you want. I love chopped toasted walnuts for a bit of crunch. Pecans work too.
4. Assemble. Sprinkle the nutty crumble evenly over the peaches in the skillet. No precision needed — rustic is the goal.
5. Bake. It goes in the oven until the topping is deeply golden and the peaches are bubbling up the sides. That smell? Pure summer magic.
6. Serve. I bring the whole skillet to the table and scoop it out warm, usually with big clouds of whipped cream or melting vanilla ice cream. It’s never fancy, but it’s always a showstopper.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Cold butter matters. I cut mine into small cubes and work quickly so it doesn’t melt before baking. That’s how you get those lovely crisp crumbs.
• Don’t skip the salt. It’s such a small amount but it wakes up the sweet flavors.
• Oats are key. They give the topping more crunch and a homey vibe.
• Taste your peaches. If they’re very sweet, you can reduce the sugar a bit. If they’re a little tart, add a touch more.

A Few Variations I Love

This recipe is super flexible, and I rarely make it the exact same way twice. Some of my favorite twists:

• Add blueberries or blackberries for a mixed-fruit crumble.
• Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds.
• Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom with the cinnamon for warmth.
• Use a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
• Skip the oats if you want a more traditional crumble without the extra texture.

Common Questions From Friends

Can I use canned peaches?
Yes, just drain them well. I prefer fresh for the best texture, but canned works in a pinch.

Can I use frozen peaches?
Absolutely. Thaw and drain them first so you don’t end up with too much liquid.

Can I skip the nuts?
Of course. The crumble is still delicious without them.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. I often assemble it in the morning and refrigerate it unbaked, then pop it in the oven before dinner. Leftovers warm up beautifully too.

Why This Peach Crumble Is a Summer Staple

This crumble is a love letter to ripe summer fruit. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for guests. When peaches are cheap and overflowing at the farmers’ market, I make this weekly. Sometimes we have it after a cookout. Sometimes it is dinner.

If you try it, let me know how it turns out — and don’t be surprised if it becomes a family tradition.

Try other Cobbler recipes:

• Vegan Peach Cobbler
• Peach Cobbler Pie
• Oatmeal Peach Cobbler