If you’re searching for a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of summer fruit with a cozy, crunchy twist, this Strawberry Peach Crisp Recipe is exactly what you need. Combining juicy peaches, sweet strawberries, and a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumble topping, this dish offers a beautiful balance of tart and sweet flavors with textures that will make everyone ask for seconds. Whether it’s a warm afternoon treat or a festive dessert, this crisp is a delightful way to showcase fresh fruit while keeping things simple, satisfying, and oh-so-comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Peach Crisp Recipe relies on straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a delicious harmony of flavors and textures. Each element plays a vital role, from the oats giving a satisfying chew to the spices bringing an inviting warmth.
- Old fashioned oats: Provide a hearty texture that contrasts beautifully with the juicy fruit.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep sweetness and a slight molasses flavor for richness.
- Flour: Helps give the crumbly topping structure and binds the ingredients together.
- Salted butter, melted: Brings moisture and a luxurious richness to the crisp topping.
- Cinnamon: Offers warm, aromatic notes that complement the fruit’s natural sweetness.
- Peaches, peeled and sliced: The star fruit that lends juicy, fragrant sweetness and a tender bite.
- Strawberries, sliced: Add a colorful, tangy contrast that brightens the flavor profile.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the fruit filling to keep it perfectly luscious without being runny.
- Water: Helps dissolve the cornstarch and sugar into a silky sauce for the fruit.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors by balancing sweetness and adding depth.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the filling with sweet, floral undertones that round out the dish beautifully.
How to Make Strawberry Peach Crisp Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crisp Topping
Start by mixing the oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl until the mixture becomes crumbly. This combination creates a topping that’s buttery and delightfully crunchy. Then, press half of this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form the base crust.
Step 2: Layer the Fresh Fruit
Next, evenly layer the peeled and sliced peaches along with the sliced strawberries over the oat crust. This layering ensures each bite will have a juicy burst of fresh fruit nestled between the crispy topping and the sturdy base.
Step 3: Make the Fruit Sauce
In a small saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, and water. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens up to a syrupy consistency. Remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, then carefully pour this glossy sauce evenly over the fruit layer. This step gives the filling that perfect balance of thick syrup and vibrant fruit.
Step 4: Add the Remaining Crumble Topping
Sprinkle the remaining oat topping evenly over the fruit and syrup layer. This final layer will crisp up beautifully in the oven, adding a wonderful golden finish to your dessert.
Step 5: Bake the Crisp
Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 35 minutes. During this time, the fruit will soften and bubble, while the topping develops a lovely golden brown color and crunchy texture.
Step 6: Broil for a Golden Finish
To get that irresistible golden crust, switch your oven to broil and cook the crisp for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Watch it carefully to avoid burning—this step adds a perfect toasty edge that completes the dish.
How to Serve Strawberry Peach Crisp Recipe
Garnishes
This strawberry peach crisp is simply wonderful on its own, but adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it up a notch. Fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of powdered sugar also make for pretty, tasty finishing touches that add freshness and elegance.
Side Dishes
For a sweet treat paired with a savory meal, serve the crisp alongside lightly spiced grilled chicken or pork. It can also complement a casual brunch spread featuring yogurt and granola, balancing richness with its fruity brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive presentation, spoon the crisp into individual ramekins or mason jars. Layer a bit of granola or chopped nuts under the topping to add extra crunch. You might even use it as a filling for warm crepes or pancakes for a fruity surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover strawberry peach crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps beautifully for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to meld even more. To enjoy again, serve it chilled or warm it up gently.
Freezing
This crisp can be frozen before baking. Prepare the dish as usual, cover tightly with foil, and freeze. When ready to enjoy, bake it from frozen, adding some extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through and bubbly.
Reheating
Reheat servings in the microwave or oven until the filling is bubbly and the topping is crisp again. To restore some of the original crunch, briefly placing it under the broiler for a minute works wonders.
FAQs
Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh peaches and strawberries?
Yes, frozen fruit works well and can be used straight from the freezer. Just be mindful it may release extra liquid, so you might want to adjust the cornstarch slightly to keep the filling from becoming too watery.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the regular flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend, and use certified gluten-free oats. This simple swap will keep the texture and taste just as delicious.
Can I make the topping nutty?
Definitely. Adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble mix adds a wonderful layer of crunch and a toasty flavor that pairs beautifully with the fruit.
How ripe should the peaches be?
Choose peaches that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape after baking. Overly soft peaches may turn mushy, while underripe peaches may lack sweetness.
What’s the best way to peel peaches quickly?
Blanch the peaches in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer them immediately to ice water. The skins will slip right off, making peeling effortless and preserving the fruit’s texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that feels like a warm hug and bursts with fresh fruit goodness, this Strawberry Peach Crisp Recipe is a must-try. It’s simple to make, uses ingredients you likely have on hand, and delivers incredible flavor and texture that will brighten any gathering or quiet night in. Give it a go—you might just find your new favorite dessert to cherish year-round!
