Peach crisp with brown butter crumble is rich and buttery while still tasting of fresh, juicy peaches. So much simpler than making a pie, and no special equipment is needed. Bring it to your next summer picnic or potluck!

I am a big lover of fruit crisps in the summer. They are much easier to make than pie since there is no dough involved.
And, speaking frankly, I think fruit crisps/crumbles can often times be tastier than fruit pies. The "crisp" part is typically made with oats, brown sugar, and butter, and I love the texture it provides.
This peach crisp is hands down one of the best things I've ever made. Plump peaches are tossed in sugar and thickened with the help of cornstarch. Nutty brown butter is added to an oats and brown sugar crumble where warm cinnamon adds subtle spice. Enjoy!
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⭐️ Why This Recipe Is The Best
- Plump peaches are paired with a rich and nutty brown butter crumble, making a mouth-watering summer treat.
- Juicy, crispy, and crunchy
- Not overly sweet. The crisp in this recipe is aptly named a crumble because that's exactly what it is: oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon are combined with nutty brown butter to create a topping that is rich and crumbly, and not too sweet.
- Make ahead options are given in the "Tips" section
- Perfect for a summer BBQ, picnic, or potluck
🍑 Ingredient Notes
- Ripe peaches - Make sure your peaches are ripe enough. It usually takes 3-5 days to ripen after purchasing from the market. They should be tender and very juicy when you cut into them.
- Cornstarch - Helps to thicken our peach filling.
- Light brown sugar - Adds deeper flavor than if we just used granulated sugar.
- Salt - We always need a bit of salt in our baked goods to help bring out the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon - Adds warm spice notes and complements the peaches.
- Unsalted butter - Using unsalted butter helps us control the amount of salt in our baking.
👩🏼🍳 Variations & Substitutions
- Add ¼ tsp. of ginger or cardamom to the crumble for a different flavor profile.
- Substitute ¼ cup of flour with whole-wheat flour for added nuttiness.
🔪 Recipe Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the sugar and lemon juice. Cover and let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the peaches have released some of their juices.
Drain the peaches in a colander set over a small saucepan, then return them to the bowl. Add ¼ cup of water and the cornstarch to the peach juices and bring to a simmer.
Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and translucent, about 1 minute. Add the thickened juices to the peaches and toss to coat. Scrape into the prepared baking dish.
In a small saucepan, cook the butter over low heat, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and nutty-smelling, about 8 minutes.
While the butter is browning, combine the flour, oats, sugars, salt and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Scrape the butter and any browned bits at the bottom of the pan into the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
Press the topping into small clumps and scatter over the peaches. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the crisp is golden and bubbling. Transfer to a rack and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
⏲ Expert Tips
- How to store: This crisp can be stored in the refrigerator (in an air-tight container) for up to 3 days.
- How to freeze: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Brown butter can be made ahead of time. Just store in the refrigerator and when you are ready to use it, melt the brown butter in the microwave.
- Use ripe peaches to ensure peak juiciness.
💬 What Is Brown Butter?
If you haven't had the pleasure of eating or making brown butter, you are in for a real treat with this crisp. Browning butter is the process of caramelizing the milk solids in butter, so it transforms the flavor into one that is more intense and slightly nutty.
If you think about the difference in taste between granulated sugar and caramel, it's similar with butter and brown butter in that you are changing the flavor by enhancing it and making it richer, with caramel-like flavor notes.
When you make it, your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible (don't miss my brown butter chocolate chip cookies)!
🍋 Related Recipes
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.
📖 Peach Crisp with Brown Butter Crumble Recipe
Ingredients
Peach Crisp
- Unsalted butter for greasing
- 2 pounds ripe peaches, pitted and cut into ¼-inch thick wedges
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Brown Butter Crumble
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 8x8" baking dish or 9" round cake pan.
- In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the sugar and lemon juice. Cover and let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the peaches have released some of their juices.
- Drain the peaches in a colander set over a small saucepan, then return them to the bowl. Add ¼ cup of water and the cornstarch to the peach juices and bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and translucent, about 1 minute. Add the thickened juices to the peaches and toss to coat. Scrape into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small saucepan, cook the butter over low heat, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and nutty-smelling, about 8 minutes.
- While the butter is browning, combine the flour, oats, sugars, salt and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Scrape the butter and any browned bits at the bottom of the pan into the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
- Press the topping into small clumps and scatter over the peaches. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the crisp is golden and bubbling. Transfer to a rack and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- How to store: This crisp can be stored in the refrigerator (in an air-tight container) for up to 3 days.
- How to freeze: Transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Brown butter can be made ahead of time. Just store in the refrigerator and when you are ready to use it, melt the brown butter in the microwave.
- Use ripe peaches to ensure peak juiciness.
- Adapted from Food & Wine.
Sisley White - Sew White
This is my idea of heaven on a plate! I absolutely love peaches and always want to use them in new ways so can't wait to try this x
Andrea
OH do I love a good crumble. This peach one is going on my "to make" list.
Gastronotherapy
Yay! Let me know how it turns out, Andrea!
Beth
This was such a delicious and very yummy dessert! Absolutely scrumptious and very loved here! Will be making this again very soon!
Gastronotherapy
So glad you enjoyed it, Beth! I make it every summer!
Tara
Oh yum! You had me at brown butter crumble! So many amazing flavors. Definitely the perfect summer dessert.
Kay
I love peach and this recipe is one of the best ways of cooking them! Thanks for introducing me to brown butter too!
Kay
So sorry I forgot to add the well deserved 5* to my review!
Gastronotherapy
Thanks so much! 🙂
Gastronotherapy
You are welcome, Kay! I hope you enjoy this recipe!