20-Min Summer Peach Crumble Recipe for 2025

Peach crumble is the kind of dessert that sneaks up on you. You think you’re just making something simple with a few ingredients. Then boom, the smell hits you, the texture wows you, and before you know it, you’re making it every weekend.

That’s precisely what happened with this peach crumble pie. It’s sweet, warm, gooey in the middle, and topped with the most satisfying, buttery crunch.

This recipe works for everyone, whether you’re gluten-free or not. So, let’s walk through this peachy masterpiece together from the buttery base to the bubbling fruit and that irresistible crumble top.

🍑 Why You’ll Love This Peach Crumble

Why You'll Love This Peach Crumble

Most don’t want to spend hours baking, but we still crave something homemade, warm, and satisfying. That’s where this peach crumble comes in.

It’s simple, sweet, and addictive. And once you make it, you might make it repeatedly (just like we did).

Here’s exactly why this recipe will win your heart:

1. It’s Naturally Gluten-Free (or Not!)

If you’re avoiding gluten, this crumble has your back. The recipe uses a mix of gluten-free flours and oats.

However, you can easily substitute all-purpose flour if you’re not gluten-sensitive. That makes it super flexible and perfect for sharing with anyone.

2. One Bowl, No Fuss

You don’t need a fancy mixer, extra gadgets, or a dozen bowls. Everything comes together in just one bowl, making cleanup a breeze. This recipe lets you focus on the fun part—baking and eating.

3. Cozy, Crumbly, and Gooey All at Once

That sweet, cinnamon-kissed peach filling turns thick and jammy when cooked, like summer in a pan. Then the buttery crumble topping crisps up beautifully in the oven, giving you that perfect balance of soft and crunchy.

4. Customizable with Add-Ins

Want to toss in berries? Swap sugar types? Use margarine instead of butter? This recipe is super forgiving. You can tweak it based on your mood, pantry, or dietary needs.

5. Always Crowd-Pleasing

Whether it’s a Sunday family dinner, a potluck, or a random Tuesday night, this crumble brings smiles. It’s that kind of nostalgic dessert that feels both comforting and impressive.


📝 Ingredients You’ll Need

Peach Crumble Ingredients

Here’s your complete ingredient breakdown. This peach crumble keeps it simple, but every element adds flavor and texture.

IngredientAmountPurpose / Notes
Gluten-free flour1 ½ cupsUse all-purpose flour if not gluten-free
Rolled oats1 cupAdds texture to the crumble topping
Cane sugar½ cupOptional, adds a nutty crunch to the topping
Vegan butter½ cup (cold, cubed)Or use margarine or regular butter
Peaches4–5 medium (chopped)Fresh and ripe is best, but canned/frozen works too
Ground cinnamon1 tspOptional, adds warm spice
Cornstarch1 tbspThickens the peach filling
Lime juice1 tbspBrightens the peach flavor
Chopped pecans½ cupOptional: adds a nutty crunch to the topping

Tip: If you’re making this for someone with nut allergies, leave the pecans. It’s still amazing!


🥧 How to Make Peach Crumble (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Make Peach Crumble

Making peach crumble is easier than you’d think and oh-so rewarding. With just a few pantry staples and a handful of juicy peaches, you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Let’s break down every step so you feel confident from start to finish.

🥣 Step 1: Make the Crumble Base

This is the heart of the entire recipe. The crumble base doubles as the crust and the topping, keeping things simple and delicious.

Start by gathering the dry ingredients:

  • Flour (gluten-free or all-purpose)
  • Rolled oats
  • Cane sugar
  • A dash of cinnamon (optional, but highly encouraged)

Toss all these dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to mix them well. Be sure there are no lumps of sugar or flour. You want everything evenly combined before you add the butter.

Add the butter:

Next, it’s time to cut in the cold vegan butter (or regular butter, if you’re not dairy-free). Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the bowl.

Now, the fun part begins: get your hands in there! Use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry mix until it forms a crumbly texture. You’re aiming for a consistency where most pieces are pea-sized, and everything looks like coarse, buttery sand.

Pro Tip: The colder the butter, the better the crumble. If it’s too warm, pop the bowl in the fridge for a few minutes before mixing.

🥄 Step 2: Form the Crust

Now that your crumble dough is ready, set aside about one cup of the mixture. This portion will be used later for the topping.

The remaining crumble goes directly into your baking dish to form the base.

Line your baking dish with parchment paper so nothing sticks. Pour in the crumble and start pressing it down using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.

Don’t smash it in too hard. You want a firm base, but not a solid brick. It should hold together while staying a bit crumbly.

Once your crust is evenly spread and lightly packed, pop it into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Let it bake for 15–20 minutes until it lightly browns and firms up. This quick pre-bake keeps the crust from getting soggy once the peach filling is added.

🍑 Step 3: Cook the Peach Filling

While the crust bakes, turn your attention to the star of the show: the peaches.

Prep the peaches:

Wash, pit, and slice your peaches into small pieces. You can go rustic with thick slices or chop them into bite-sized chunks. There’s no wrong way to do it—go with what feels right!

If you’re using canned peaches, drain them well. For frozen peaches, thaw them first and pat off any extra moisture.

In a saucepan, combine:

  • Chopped peaches
  • Cane sugar (adjust based on your peaches’ sweetness)
  • Cornstarch (to help thicken the mixture)
  • A splash of lime juice (to balance the sweetness)

Turn the heat low and let it simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sugar will dissolve, the peaches will soften, and the cornstarch will thicken the juices into a syrupy, gooey filling.

You’ll know it’s done when the mixture becomes thick, glossy, and smells heavenly.

🧁 Step 4: Assemble the Crumble Pie

Time to bring all the layers together!

Step-by-step assembly:

  1. Remove your crust from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. It should feel slightly firm to the touch.
  2. Spoon the peach filling over the baked crust. Spread it evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Don’t worry if it’s still hot, it’ll all bake again.
  3. Add pecans now if you like. You can either:
    • Mix them directly into the filling before layering
    • Or sprinkle them on top of the peach layer like a garnish (ideal if someone in the house isn’t a nut fan)
  4. Sprinkle the reserved crumble topping all over the peaches. Try to cover most of the surface, especially the edges. Depending on your style, you can clump some pieces together for extra texture or spread them more evenly.

Note: If your baking dish is shallow or smaller than recommended, it might get a bit messy as this filling bubbles! Place your dish on a larger tray to catch any spills before baking again.

🔥 Step 5: Bake Again

Now it’s time for the final bake.

Return the assembled crumble to your 350°F oven and bake for 20–30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when:

  • The crumble topping is golden brown
  • You see bubbling juice peeking out from the edges
  • Your kitchen smells like the inside of a peach orchard 😍

If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil for 5–10 minutes to prevent burning.

⏲️ Cooling & Serving Tips

This might be the hardest part of the whole recipe—waiting.

Once the peach crumble is out of the oven, let it sit for at least 20–30 minutes. This allows the filling to firm up and gives the crust time to cool and crisp up.

You can serve it:

  • Warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (a classic combo)
  • Chilled, for a firmer texture that slices like pie
  • Or room temperature, with a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt

Bonus tip: If you want to reheat a slice the next day, pop it in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°F. It’ll taste just as fresh and even more caramelized.


🌟 Tips for the Perfect Peach Crumble

Tips for the Perfect Peach Crumble

Even though peach crumble is a simple dessert, a few small tips can take it from good to unforgettable. Whether baking for guests or satisfying a late-night craving, these expert tips will help you get that golden, gooey, and oh-so-satisfying result every time.

1. Use ripe, juicy peaches

Fresh, naturally sweet, soft peaches will give you the best flavor and texture. Underripe peaches may stay firm even after baking and not offer the same rich flavor. If you’re using canned or frozen peaches, drain them well and pat them dry to avoid a soggy filling.

2. Don’t skip the cornstarch

Cornstarch thickens the peach filling and gives it that luscious, jammy texture. Without it, your crumble might turn out watery. You can also use arrowroot or tapioca starch as substitutes.

3. Chill the butter before mixing

Cold butter creates those crumbly, buttery pockets that crisp up in the oven. If your kitchen is warm, pop the butter (or even the whole crumble mixture) into the fridge for a few minutes before pressing it into the pan.

4. Pre-bake the crust

This is the secret weapon to keeping your bottom layer crisp. A quick 15-minute pre-bake prevents the crust from turning soggy when adding the fruit layer.

5. Watch your oven

Baking times can vary based on your oven and pan depth. Start checking your crumble around the 20-minute mark during the final bake. If the top is browning too fast, cover it loosely with foil.

6. Let it rest before slicing

The hardest part—waiting! But letting the crumble cool for at least 20–30 minutes will help the filling set and the crust firm up. Plus, it’ll be easier to slice and serve.


🍓 Peach Crumble Variations You’ll Love

Peach Crumble Variations You'll Love

One of the best parts about a peach crumble? It’s super flexible. Once you’ve nailed the base recipe, you can start playing with flavors and ingredients to make it your own.

Here are some tasty variations to try:

1. Berry-Peach Crumble

Toss in a handful of blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries with the peaches. The combination of sweet and tart berries adds color and zing.

2. Apple-Peach Crumble

Mix in some thinly sliced apples for texture and a hint of tartness. Granny Smith works beautifully here.

3. Spiced Peach Crumble

Take up a notch with spices like nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom. Just a pinch can elevate the whole dessert.

4. Coconut-Peach Crumble

Add shredded coconut to the crumble topping for a tropical twist. It gets beautifully toasted in the oven.

5. Almond or Walnut Topping

Swap out pecans for chopped almonds or walnuts. Toasted nuts give extra crunch and nutty flavor.


🥄 What’s the Difference Between a Peach Crumble and a Peach Crisp?

They may sound interchangeable, and yes, they’re very similar, but there is a difference between a crumble and a crisp. Let’s break it down.

FeaturePeach CrumblePeach Crisp
ToppingMade from flour, sugar, butter, and oats (sometimes without oats)Always includes oats and sometimes nuts for extra crunch
TextureSofter, more cake-like or sandy in textureCrunchier, thanks to oats that toast up in the oven
OriginBritish originAmerican origin
Common Add-InsCinnamon, nutmeg, nutsOats, nuts, brown sugar

So, which one should you make?

  • If you love a buttery, soft, sweet topping, go with crumble.
  • If you want a crispier, more textured top with that signature oat crunch, try a crisp instead.

It comes down to personal preference. Some bakers even blur the lines and use both terms interchangeably (and toss oats into a crumble for good measure!). Whatever you call it, both desserts are comforting, crowd-pleasing, and delicious.


🔐 What Is the Secret to a Good Crumble?

What Is the Secret to a Good Crumble

A good crumble is more than just tossing fruit with sugar and scattering some oats. It’s a perfect balance of texture, flavor, and warmth. So, what’s the real secret?

1. Cold Butter is Key

Start with cold butter straight from the fridge. When cold butter is cut into the flour and sugar, it creates those irresistible buttery clumps that melt and crisp in the oven. If the butter is too soft, your crumble topping can turn greasy instead of golden.

2. Don’t Overmix

Once the butter is incorporated into the dry ingredients, stop mixing. You want that coarse, sandy texture with a few larger chunks. Overmixing creates a dense topping that loses its crumbliness.

3. The Right Ratio

A proper crumble topping needs a 1:1:1 feel, equal parts flour, sugar, and butter (with optional oats). With each bite, that balance gives you a mix of sweet, soft, and crisp.

4. Pre-bake the Base

If you’re making a peach crumble pie-style dessert (like this one), pre-bake the bottom crust for 15 minutes. This keeps the base from going soggy and ensures every layer has its own identity: crispy base, gooey filling, crunchy top.

5. Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

Color and smell will tell you when it’s done. The top should be deep golden, and peach juices will be bubbling around the edges. If it’s too pale, it won’t have that perfect crunch.


🍑 Can I Use Canned Peaches for Peach Crumble?

Absolutely! Canned peaches are a great alternative when fresh peaches are out of season or not ripe enough. Here’s how to make them work perfectly in your crumble:

1. Drain and Pat Dry

Most canned peaches come in syrup or juice. Drain them thoroughly and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Extra liquid can make your filling watery and prevent the crumble from setting properly.

2. Adjust the Sugar

Canned peaches are already sweetened, so reduce the sugar in your filling to half or even less, depending on your taste. Taste the peaches before adding sweeteners.

3. Skip the Cooking Step (Optional)

If you’re short on time, you can skip cooking the peach filling on the stove. Mix the drained peaches with cornstarch and lime juice and layer them directly into the pre-baked crust. The oven will do the rest.

Canned peaches make peach crumble a year-round dessert, and honestly? The results are still completely delicious.


🍽️ Final Thoughts

Peach crumble is the dessert that wraps you in warmth and comfort like a soft, sunlit blanket on a summer evening. It’s nostalgic, effortless, and adaptable to whatever you have in the pantry.

Whether working with gluten-free ingredients, swapping canned peaches, or trying new add-ins like berries or spices, this crumble always delivers.

From its crumbly topping to the juicy, sticky filling, every bite is the kind that makes you pause and smile.

Bake it once, and it’ll become a classic in your kitchen. You’ll keep returning to it because it’s just that good.


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