Mini Peach Crisps with Oat Crumble

Another heat wave is on the way, and while I am not thrilled about turning on the oven in hot weather, I am very happy about one thing: ripe, juicy late-summer peaches. When peaches are at their best, they do not need much help. Their natural sweetness, tender texture and bright flavor make them perfect for simple seasonal desserts. You can slice them into a salad, make peach ice cream, grill them until caramelized, or bake them into a warm fruit crisp with a buttery crumble topping.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh peaches is in individual peach crisps. Each serving has soft, sweet peaches underneath a golden, crunchy topping, and the contrast is exactly what makes this dessert so satisfying. Add a spoonful of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you have a simple peach dessert that feels special without requiring much work.

I also recently learned something about peaches that I probably should have known sooner. Have you ever cut a peach in half and tried to twist it apart, only to find that the fruit clings tightly to the pit? Other times, the two halves separate easily and the stone comes right out. I used to assume this had everything to do with ripeness, but that is not the whole story.

It turns out that peaches come in clingstone and freestone varieties. With clingstone peaches, the flesh holds tightly to the pit, which can make them harder to slice neatly. With freestone peaches, the pit releases much more easily, making them ideal for baking, slicing and preparing quick peach recipes like this one.

That explains why some beautiful peaches can become bruised or crushed when you try to pull them apart. If you are planning to make peach crisps, cobblers, pies or any recipe where clean slices are helpful, freestone peaches are worth asking for. You usually cannot tell just by looking at the fruit, so the best approach is to ask the farmer or produce expert when you are shopping.

Now, back to the peach crisps. A seasonal fruit crisp is one of the easiest desserts to make because it is flexible, quick to assemble and uses basic pantry ingredients. You only need ripe peaches, a little brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and a simple crumble made with flour, oats, butter and more brown sugar.

The process is straightforward. Toss the sliced peaches with the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, then divide them among individual ramekins. Mix the crumble topping in a separate bowl, spoon it over the fruit and bake until the peaches are bubbling and the topping is golden brown. If you put the ramekins in the oven when you sit down to dinner, dessert will be ready by the time everyone is finished eating.

On especially warm days, a countertop oven is a helpful option because it does not heat the kitchen as much as a full-size oven. It also preheats quickly and does a great job crisping the topping. Whether you use a countertop oven or a regular oven, these individual peach crisps are a great way to celebrate peach season.

If you love this individual peach crisp recipe, share it with someone who enjoys easy summer desserts.

More Dessert Recipes

• Grilled Peach-Bourbon Ice Cream
• Individual Berry Trifles
• Sous Vide Crème Brûlée
• Sous Vide Cheesecake
• Espresso Ice Cream Affogato

Special Equipment Used

Breville Smart Oven Air