Irresistible Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp: Your Perfect Summer Dessert

As summer graces us with its warmth, it brings forth a bounty of succulent fruits, and none are quite as anticipated as the juicy peach. While a classic peach crisp is always a welcome treat, this **Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp** elevates the experience with a delightful twist. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet summer raspberries and ripe, tender peaches, crowned with a buttery brown sugar oatmeal crumble that’s both gluten-free and utterly irresistible. This dessert isn’t just a recipe; it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors, perfect for any summer gathering, backyard BBQ, or a cozy evening indulgence.

Why This Raspberry Peach Crisp Will Be Your New Favorite

Imagine sinking your spoon into a warm, bubbling fruit filling, where the sweet, fragrant notes of peach intertwine with the bright, tangy burst of fresh raspberries. Now, add a crisp, golden-brown topping that’s rich with butter, brown sugar, and hearty gluten-free oats. That’s the magic of this raspberry peach crisp. It’s a dessert that perfectly balances sweet and tart, tender and crunchy, making every bite a memorable experience. And the best part? It’s completely gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic summer delight without compromise. Paired with a generous scoop of cold vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream, it transforms into an ethereal treat that’s simply heaven-sent.

This recipe is designed for simplicity and maximum flavor. We focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients that truly shine, requiring minimal effort for an exceptionally rewarding outcome. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to gluten-free cooking, you’ll find this peach crisp recipe straightforward and incredibly satisfying. Beyond its delightful taste, this crisp offers incredible versatility. While fresh summer peaches and raspberries are ideal, you can easily adapt this recipe using frozen fruits, allowing you to savor this comforting dessert all year long, not just during peach season. It’s a versatile dessert for family dinners, holiday celebrations like the 4th of July, or simply as a comforting end to a busy week.

Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Crisp

Creating an exceptional fruit crisp starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. This recipe relies on a thoughtful combination of fresh produce and pantry staples to deliver a dessert that’s both comforting and vibrant. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to gather:

For the Luscious Fruit Filling:

• Fresh Peaches: The undeniable star of this gluten-free peach crisp, fresh, ripe peaches bring unparalleled sweetness and juiciness. Their soft, aromatic flesh perfectly balances the tart burst of raspberries. Opt for freestone peaches if possible, as they are generally easier to peel and slice. If using frozen peaches, ensure they are fully thawed and excess liquid is drained to prevent a watery filling.
• Sweet Raspberries: These vibrant berries introduce a delightful tartness and a beautiful ruby hue to the filling. Their delicate flavor complements the peaches without overpowering them, adding complexity and a burst of fresh berry goodness. While fresh raspberries are recommended for their ideal texture, frozen raspberries can be used successfully (see the FAQ section for specific tips).
• Granulated Sugar: A modest amount of sugar is used to enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor without making the dessert overly cloying. The exact amount can be adjusted based on the ripeness of your peaches and your personal preference for sweetness.
• Bright Orange Juice (or Lemon Juice): A splash of citrus is essential for brightening the overall flavors of the juicy peach filling and adding a subtle tang. Orange juice offers a sweeter acidity that harmonizes beautifully with the fruit, while lemon juice provides a sharper, more classic tartness. Both options work wonderfully to elevate the peach and raspberry notes.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer, vanilla extract adds warmth, depth, and a comforting aroma to the fruit filling, tying all the vibrant flavors together beautifully.
• Fragrant Almond Extract (Optional): This optional but highly recommended ingredient elevates the peach flavor to new heights, bringing out its subtle nutty undertones and adding a gourmet touch. Even a small amount makes a noticeable difference, but feel free to omit if you prefer a pure peach-raspberry taste.
• Cornstarch: The key to achieving a perfectly set, glossy, and jammy fruit filling. Cornstarch effectively thickens the juices released by the fruit during baking, creating that irresistible, spoonable consistency. It works significantly better than gluten-free flour for thickening the filling, which can sometimes result in a gummy texture.
• A Pinch of Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness of the fruit and sugar, and enhancing all the other wonderful flavors. Don’t underestimate its power to make the crisp taste even more vibrant and complete!

For the Golden, Buttery Crumble Topping:

• Cold Butter (or Vegan Butter): Cut into small cubes, cold butter is crucial for creating that wonderfully crumbly, flaky, and golden topping. The coldness prevents it from melting too quickly, allowing for larger, more defined clumps. If you’re aiming for a vegan-friendly crisp, a good quality plant-based butter alternative works just as effectively.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, molasses-rich sweetness that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes. This contributes significantly to the golden-brown color, the rich flavor, and the irresistible chewy texture of the crumble topping.
• Gluten-Free 1:1 Flour Blend: For a truly gluten-free crisp, a reliable measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend (preferably one that includes xanthan gum) is vital. This type of blend ensures the topping holds its structure and achieves a texture similar to traditional crisps made with wheat flour. Avoid single-ingredient gluten-free flours like almond flour (which can burn easily) or coconut flour (which can make the topping overly dry).
• Gluten-Free Oats: Rolled or quick-cooking gluten-free oats add a delightful chewiness, a rustic appeal, and a satisfying texture to the topping. Always ensure your oats are certified gluten-free to avoid any potential cross-contamination for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vanilla Extract: Similar to its role in the filling, a touch of vanilla in the crumble complements the fruit flavors and adds a comforting, aromatic dimension to the entire dessert.
• Kosher Salt: A small amount of salt in the topping is crucial for balancing the sweetness from the brown sugar and enhancing the buttery richness, making the crumble taste even more irresistible and well-rounded.

Preparing Your Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp: Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting this delightful gluten-free raspberry peach crisp is a straightforward process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these simple steps to bring this comforting dessert to life:

1. Preheat The Oven & Prep The Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, retrieve a 2-quart baking dish. An 8-inch or 9-inch square pan is ideal, but any similar-sized oven-safe dish will work. Lightly grease it if desired, though often not strictly necessary for fruit crisps.
2. Craft the Fruit Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine your peeled and sliced peaches, fresh raspberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, orange juice (or lemon juice), vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and a pinch of salt. Gently stir all the ingredients together until the fruit is well coated, ensuring the cornstarch is evenly distributed. This step is crucial for the filling to thicken properly during baking.
3. Assemble the Base: Carefully pour the prepared fruit filling into your baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Set the dish aside while you prepare the irresistible crumble topping.
4. Create the Perfect Crumble: In the same large mixing bowl (to minimize dishwashing!) or a separate one, combine the cubed cold butter (or vegan butter), brown sugar, gluten-free 1:1 flour blend, gluten-free oats, vanilla extract, and kosher salt.
5. Achieve Crumble Perfection: Using a fork, a pastry blender, or even your clean fingertips, work the cold butter into the dry ingredients. Continue mixing until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms, with varying sizes of clusters. Some larger, pea-sized clumps and smaller crumbles are exactly what you’re looking for, as they create a wonderful textural contrast after baking.
6. Layer the Topping: Evenly sprinkle the glorious oat crumble mixture over the peach and raspberry filling in the baking dish. Don’t be too neat; aiming for a variety of shapes and sizes in the crumble will give your crisp a more rustic and appealing appearance.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-50 minutes. The crisp is ready when the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges (a sign that the cornstarch is actively thickening!) and the crumble topping is beautifully golden brown and fragrant. If you notice the topping browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning while the fruit cooks through.
8. Cool for Optimal Setting: Once baked, carefully remove the raspberry peach crisp from the oven. While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, it’s best to let it cool for at least 20-30 minutes before serving. This cooling period allows the fruit filling to set and thicken to its ideal jammy consistency. When hot, the filling will be much thinner and more liquid, but it will firm up wonderfully as it cools.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your warm, aromatic gluten-free raspberry peach crisp with a generous scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or simply on its own. It’s truly a delight in any form! Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, though it rarely lasts that long!

Expert Tips & Frequently Asked Questions for Your Best Crisp

To ensure your Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp turns out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips and answers to common questions:

Do I Need to Peel Peaches for Peach Crisp?

While not strictly mandatory, I generally recommend peeling peaches for crisps. The peach skins can become tough and chewy during baking, detracting from the otherwise smooth and tender fruit filling. Peeling creates a much more pleasant texture. You can easily peel peaches with a small paring knife, or for a quicker method, try blanching: briefly submerge the peaches in boiling water for about 1 minute, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should then slide right off with minimal effort.

Can I Use Frozen Fruit for This Recipe?

Absolutely! When fresh summer peaches and raspberries are out of season, or if you simply prefer the convenience, you can certainly make this gluten-free raspberry peach crisp with frozen peaches and frozen raspberries (or a combination of fresh and frozen). Frozen fruit works beautifully in this recipe. Just be sure to thaw the frozen fruit completely and drain any excess liquid before mixing it with the other filling ingredients. This prevents the crisp from becoming too watery. However, I strongly advise against using canned peaches, as they tend to be overly soft and their flavor can be too sweet and syrupy, overpowering the natural goodness of the crisp.

Choosing the Right Gluten-Free Flour Blend

For the best results in your crumble topping, this peach crisp recipe performs optimally with a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 (or “measure-for-measure”) flour blend that contains xanthan gum. These blends are specifically formulated to mimic the properties of wheat flour, ensuring your topping achieves that classic crisp texture. It’s important to avoid substituting single-ingredient gluten-free flours like almond flour, which has a low smoke point and can burn easily, or coconut flour, which is highly absorbent and will likely result in a very dry and crumbly (in a bad way!) topping.

Creative Variations: Try Different Berries!

While the peach and raspberry combination is incredibly delicious, don’t hesitate to get creative with your fruit choices! Feel free to swap the raspberries out for fresh blueberries to make a delightful peach blueberry crisp. Blueberries offer a slightly different sweetness and burst of flavor that pairs wonderfully with peaches. You could also experiment with blackberries or a mix of your favorite summer berries for a truly personalized crisp. The basic structure of this recipe is incredibly adaptable!

Discover More Delicious Gluten-Free Fruit Crisp Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with this Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp, you’ll be thrilled to know there are many other delightful fruit crisp variations to explore. These recipes are perfect for enjoying seasonal produce and satisfying your sweet tooth:

Recipe Card: Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp

Gluten-Free Raspberry Peach Crisp

Rating: 5 Stars (from 1 review)

• Author: Emily Dixon, Sweets & Thank You
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9-12 servings
• Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Sweet raspberries, juicy peaches & buttery oat crumble come together to make the perfect summer dessert!

Ingredients

For The Raspberry Peach Filling:

• 4 cups (about 2 pounds) fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups (8 oz.) fresh raspberries
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt (less than 1/8 teaspoon)

For The Crumble Topping:

• 6 Tbsp. cold or slightly softened butter, cut into small cubes
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
• 3/4 cup (45 grams) gluten-free oats (quick-cooking, rolled or a mix)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Preheat The Oven & Prep The Pan. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Set out a 2-quart baking dish (an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan works well).
2. Start The Filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine peaches, raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, orange juice, vanilla, almond extract (if using), and salt. Stir gently to coat the fruit well, ensuring the cornstarch is evenly distributed to prevent lumps.
3. Pour The Filling Into The Baking Dish and spread it evenly. Set aside while you mix up the crumble topping.
4. Start The Crumble Topping. In the same mixing bowl (or a new one), combine cubed cold butter, brown sugar, gluten-free flour blend, gluten-free oats, vanilla, and salt.
5. Mix Until Clusters Form. Using a fork, a pastry blender, or your clean hands, work the butter into the dry ingredients until a coarse, crumbly mixture with varying sizes of clusters forms.
6. Sprinkle Crumble Over The Peach Filling. Distribute the oat crumble mixture evenly over the peach and raspberry filling. Aim for a rustic look with some larger and some smaller pieces.
7. Bake The Crisp in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the filling is visibly bubbling on the sides (indicating the cornstarch is active) and the topping is golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the pan with foil.
8. Cool A Bit Before Serving. Remove the raspberry peach crisp from the oven and cool for 20-30 minutes before serving, if possible. This cooling time is crucial for the fruit filling to set and thicken properly.
9. Serve & Store. Enjoy your warm peach crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the best experience! Store any leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Notes

• Peel Peaches. For the best texture, I recommend peeling the peaches. Use a paring knife or the blanching method: briefly boil peaches for 1 minute, then transfer to an ice bath for easy skin removal.
• Can I Use Frozen Fruit? Yes! If fresh peaches and raspberries are not in season, you can use frozen fruit. Thaw the fruit completely and drain any excess liquid before mixing. Avoid canned peaches, as their soft texture and syrupy flavor are not suitable for this crisp.
• Stay Gluten-Free! To ensure this dessert is truly gluten-free, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats and a reliable gluten-free 1:1 measure-for-measure flour blend (preferably one that includes xanthan gum).

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American