This Gluten Free Peach Crisp is a low sugar dessert that's perfect for serving during the warm, summer months. It's full of cinnamon flavor and includes a crispy granola topping that tastes amazing with a scoop of your favorite sugar free vanilla ice cream.
Peach crisp is traditionally made with an oat-based streusel, which contains flour and brown sugar for structure. The crisp topping bakes up golden brown and makes for a perfect bite, combined with the soft and juicy peaches in the lightly spiced filling.
You don't need oats, however, to make a delicious peach crisp. A generous sprinkle of granola adds just the right crunch to give you a nutritious, low carb dessert perfect for any occasion.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CRISP AND A CRUMBLE?
While crisps and crumbles are very similar desserts, they do have one key difference-the inclusion of oats! A crumble is typically made from flour, butter, and sugar, which forms a streusel-like topping with small and medium crumbs. A crisp, on the other hand, offers a topping with smaller crumbs, typically made from oats and nuts.
This recipe relates more closely to a crisp because the crunchy granola topping gives it a looser, more crumbly crust with a texture that mimics that of oats.
IS PEACH CRISP BETTER HOT OR COLD?
You can serve peach crisp hot or cold and enjoy an equally delicious dessert either way. Try it warm, with a delicious, contrasting scoop of your favorite sugar free vanilla ice cream, or dig into it chilled straight from the fridge with a spoonful of whipped cream.
CAN YOU USE FROZEN PEACHES IN PLACE OF FRESH ONES?
Canned or fresh peaches are ideal for this recipe, but you can use frozen peaches as long as they're properly defrosted and patted dry before you add them to the filling. Otherwise, the extra moisture from the frozen peaches will result in a soupy final dish. Previously frozen peaches also tend to be mushier than fresh or canned peaches, but they can still work.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT
Easy- This simple dessert comes together in less than 10 minutes. It only requires a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and uses simple and straightforward steps that any home baker can follow, regardless of your kitchen experience.
Seasonal- The fresh and juicy peach flavors in this crisp just scream Summer. This is the perfect light dessert for those warmer evenings and outdoor events.
Gluten Free- If you follow a gluten free diet or love someone who does, this dessert offers you an excellent way to treat them to something tasty. Traditionally, all purpose flour helps give a crisp its texture, but the replacement of almond flour in this recipe gets the job done without the need for any gluten.
INGREDIENTS
NuTrail Honey Nut Granola- This is a new flavor that's just as delicious as it is good for your body. Loaded with nutritious seeds and chopped pecans, this naturally sweetened nut granola includes only 1 gram of net carbs per serving.
Peaches- Peaches have a distinctly sweet taste that perfectly pairs with rich and warm flavors like cinnamon and brown sugar. Canned peaches provide the fruity goodness in this recipe, but if you can find fresh peaches at your local grocery store, you can easily swap them in its place.
Brown sugar alternative- Brown sugar has a pleasant, caramelized taste that gives the peach filling depth of flavor. You don't need a lot of it to enhance the flavor of the already sweet peaches, but it still offers a complementary taste that makes this peach crisp irresistible.
There are a variety of brown sugar alternatives to choose from, all made from different sweeteners. Be sure to pick one you're comfortable with based on your dietary preferences and lifestyle.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg are warm aromatics that offer the perfect finishing touch to the peach and brown sugar flavor combination.
Cornstarch- Cornstarch thickens the filling and turns the peaches' natural juices into a sauce. Cornstarch typically does not have gluten, but you should always check your products to be certain. You can omit this ingredient if you prefer, and alternatively use agar agar, xanthan gum or simply leave it out for a less thick peach sauce.
Almond flour- Blanched finely ground almond flour is ideal for this recipe. When paired with granola, it helps create the crunchy crust on top of the peaches, which establishes this dessert as a crisp.
Vanilla Extract- A little bit of pure vanilla extract goes a long way to enhance the flavors in the peach crisp's filling.
Salt- Salt balances the sweetness of the dish and adds flavor to the almond flour. You won't need much, but the small pinch used in this recipe really brings out all the flavors.
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE PEACH CRISP
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9-inch round baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix the peaches, brown sugar alternative, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla together until the peaches are well coated. Then, add the cornstarch and continue mixing until well combined. Next, scrape the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the NuTrail Honey Nut Granola, almond flour and remaining cinnamon together. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the peaches.
4. Place the peach crisp in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is browned and the peach mixture is bubbling around the sides of the dish.
5. Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then serve warm. Store leftover peach crisp in the refrigerator, covered tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
TIPS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- For a chunkier topping: add 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the granola, almond flour, and cinnamon mixture before sprinkling it on top of the peaches. Use your fingers to create chunks of the buttery crisp topping that can be scattered around the surface of the dish.
- Swap out peaches for sliced apples, blueberries, or blackberries to switch up the flavors.
- Get creative with the use of different granola flavors. Choose a flavor that complements your filling choice, such as Cinnamon Pecan or Blueberry Cinnamon.
- If oats fit into your lifestyle, feel free to swap out 1/4-1/2 cup of granola and replace it with oats. Alternatively, you can also replace a portion of the almond flour with oat flour.
Peach Crisp FAQ
Do you remove peach skin for a crisp?
If you're using canned peaches, the skins are already removed. However, if you're using fresh peaches, you'll want to use a paring knife to carefully remove the skins from the peaches before slicing them. The fibrous outer layer can be off-putting when baked.
How to serve peach crisp?
Peach crisp tastes delicious on its own or topped with vanilla ice cream. It also goes well with a couple of spoonfuls of whipped cream, which offers a light and creamy flair. Other tasty additions include a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or an additional sprinkle of cinnamon.
More gluten free desserts:
GLUTEN FREE PEACH CRISP
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 3 15-ounce can sliced peaches, drained
- 1/4 cup brown sugar alternative
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the crumble topping:
- 2/3 cups blanched finely ground almond flour
- 2/3 cups NuTrail Honey Nut Granola
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar alternative
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cooking Spray
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix the peaches, brown sugar alternative, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Then, mix in the cornstarch until well incorporated.
3. Scrape the mixture into a 9-inch round baking dish.
4. In a medium bowl, mix the almond flour, granola, brown sugar alternative, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the peaches and spray lightly with cooking spray.
5. Place into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until browned on top and the peaches are bubbling at the sides. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
