Brown Butter Peach Crisp Recipe | Easy Homemade Summer Dessert
This brown butter peach crisp is made with juicy fresh peaches and a buttery oat crumble that’s rich, crisp, and perfectly golden. The ultimate summer dessert for entertaining, especially topped with vanilla ice cream.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
There are certain recipes that instantly become part of a memory, and this is one of them. I made this brown butter peach crisp last weekend while we had friends over for dinner at our new house. We grilled steaks, piled our plates high with garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini, started the night with burrata and roasted tomatoes, and finished everything with warm peach crisp and melting vanilla ice cream.
It was one of those evenings I’ll always remember.
The house was full, everyone lingered around the table longer than usual, and this peach crisp disappeared almost as quickly as I set it down.
If you’ve never browned butter before, don’t skip it. It transforms an ordinary peach crisp into something that tastes like it came from your favorite little bakery. The butter develops a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet summer peaches and the buttery oat topping.
If you’re looking for the dessert to make while peaches are at their absolute best, this is it.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Peach Crisp
- Made with fresh summer peaches
- Brown butter adds incredible rich, nutty flavor
- Crispy oat topping with soft, juicy peaches
- Simple ingredients you probably already have
- Perfect for entertaining
- Easy to prep ahead
- Even better served warm with vanilla ice cream
The Secret Ingredient: Brown Butter
If you’ve only ever melted butter for a crisp before, this one extra step is completely worth it.
As the butter cooks, the milk solids toast and turn golden brown, creating a deep caramel-like, nutty flavor that makes this crisp taste incredibly rich without adding any extra ingredients.
Just keep a close eye on it. Once it starts browning, it can go from perfect to burnt pretty quickly.
The Best Peaches for Peach Crisp
Freestone peaches are my favorite because the pit removes easily and they’re naturally sweet.
Look for peaches that:
- Smell fragrant
- Give slightly when gently squeezed
- Have vibrant color
- Aren’t overly soft or bruised
If your peaches are especially sweet, you can slightly reduce the sugar.
Delicious Variations
Try adding:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Fresh raspberries or blueberries
- A pinch of cardamom
- Flaky sea salt over the top before serving
- Salted caramel drizzle
Make Ahead Instructions
This is one of my favorite desserts to prep before guests arrive.
Assemble the crisp a few hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When you’re ready for dessert, bake it while everyone finishes dinner. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and you’ll get to serve it warm straight from the oven.
Storage
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, or warm the entire dish in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Can You Freeze Peach Crisp?
Yes!
Freeze either before or after baking.
- Unbaked: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding about 15–20 minutes to the baking time.
- Baked: Cool completely before freezing. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to peel the peaches?
No, but I prefer peeling them for a softer filling. The skins soften while baking, so either works.
Can I use frozen peaches?
Yes. Thaw and drain them well before using to prevent excess liquid.
What’s the difference between a crisp and a crumble?
A crisp traditionally contains oats in the topping, while a crumble typically does not. The oats give this dessert its signature crunchy texture.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely. Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour and use certified gluten-free oats.
More Peach Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re anything like me, peach season means I’m finding every excuse to add peaches to dinner, appetizers, and dessert. Be sure to check out some of my other favorite peach recipes:
- Peach Hot Honey Chicken Kabobs
- Roasted Tomato Burrata Appetizer
- Peach Hot Honey Whipped Feta Dip
- Hot Honey Salmon with Fresh Peach Salsa
- Honey Mustard Peach Chicken Salad
Tips for the best peach crisp
- Peel the peaches for the smoothest filling.
- Let the crisp rest for 15–20 minutes before serving so the filling thickens.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch—it keeps the filling from becoming watery.
- Bake until the topping is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream for the best experience.
I hope this recipe helps you! Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!
Brown Butter Peach Crisp
Ingredients
Peach Filling
- 8 cups fresh peaches peeled and sliced (about 8–10 peaches)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Brown Butter Crisp Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Let's Make It
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring often, until it foams and the milk solids turn golden brown and smell nutty, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Toss until evenly coated, then pour into the prepared baking dish.
- Make the topping: In another bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the browned butter over the mixture and stir until large crumbles form.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the peaches, covering the entire dish.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the topping is deep golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Allow the crisp to rest for 15–20 minutes before serving so the filling can thicken.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimated Per Serving)
Calories: 415
Carbohydrates: 66g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 38mg
Sodium: 130mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 40g
Meal Prep in 1 Hour
You can use any two of the meals in this series to get your meal prep done in just about and hour, give or take!
Having your breakfast and lunch ready for the week helps you stay on track with your nutriton, saves you time and money! I truly beleive that meal prep does not need to be over complicated, take too much time or be boring!
I always get asked- “do you ever get tired of eating the same thing all week?” and the answer is, no! Not when the food taste good! I give plenty of variety in these preps and keep it simple!
As always, thanks for being here and remember, don’t over complicate the process! Take a deep breath, you got this!
