Easy Peach Blackberry Crisp

This simple Peach Blackberry Crisp pairs seasonal fruit with a buttery oat crumble for a dessert that even a beginner baker will feel like a pro. You don’t need special tools to make this easy crisp that’s perfect for sharing with friends. You’ll have dessert ready in just under 1 hour.

During the summer, spending the day in a hot kitchen doesn’t sound enticing. I like to keep it simple with my easy peach blackberry crisp. It combines fresh peaches and blackberries with a buttery oat crumble topping with basic tools and prep time.

As a busy mom, I would rather spend the day at the pool and still have an easy but impressive dessert ready in under 1 hour, whether serving it to my family or entertaining a group of friends.

Depending on the fruit you have, you can easily switch up the flavors of crisp recipes. Some favorites include strawberry peach, cherry apple, and strawberry apple. It’s a stress-free recipe that you won’t want to miss!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Sweet and tart. Fresh, sweet peaches pair well with blackberries that have a hint of tartness. It’s a lovely combination during summer.
• Quick and easy dessert. All you need is 15 minutes to prepare this crisp. No baking experience is needed, just mix and bake!
• Delicious served warm. You know when you bake a dessert and have to be patient for it to cool to enjoy? Well, not necessary with this recipe. Enjoy peach blackberry crisp warm from the oven with a scoop of ice cream.

Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients for the Crisp Topping

• All-purpose flour. The key ingredient that holds everything together and gives crisp its crumbly texture.
• Brown sugar. Adds sweetness, and its higher moisture content compared to granulated sugar helps prevent the topping from drying out.  You can also use dark brown sugar.
• Oats. Adds a slightly chewy texture and nutty flavor. Old-fashioned oats provide the ideal texture, whereas quick oats produce a softener texture.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg. Adds a warm spiced flavor. Feel free to add more or less according to your preference.
• Salt. A pinch added to the topping enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. 
• Butter. Adds moisture and a delicious rich flavor to the topping. When mixed with the rest of the ingredients, butter brings everything together. Cold butter slows the melting process during baking, which helps keep a crisp texture while the filling bakes.

Ingredients for the Peach Blackberry Filling

• Peaches. Fresh seasonal peaches work best for this recipe (no need to peel them!). Select peaches that have some give when gently squeezed and have a sweet aroma. Ensure they are not overripe or mushy, or they can create a soggy crisp. If fresh peaches are unavailable, use frozen ones but completely thaw and strain excess liquid.
• Blackberries. Select plump blackberries that are dark in color (not reddish) and firm. Blackberries will not ripen after they are picked, so make sure to carefully choose your fruit.
• Granulated sugar. Adds sweetness to the fruit filling and helps to draw out the moisture from the peaches and blackberries for a delicious syrup-like consistency.
• Lemon juice and zest. Adds flavor to the filling. The juice balances out the sweetness.
• All-purpose flour. Acts as a thickening agent. Ensure your filling is bubbling for it to thicken properly.

Recipe Substitutions

• Stone-fruit. If you have plums, nectarines, or apricots, substitute them for the peaches. I love using a combination of fruit.
• Cornstarch. You can use cornstarch as the thickener for the fruit filling. Sometimes the flour can make the filling cloudy. It’s a personal preference. Substitute 3 tablespoons of cornstarch for the ¼ cup of flour.
• Berries. You can also mix and match the berries. I love the flavor of mixed berries (like in this berry pie). Whatever you have on hand will work!

Equipment & Tools

• Digital kitchen scale or measuring cups. Using a scale will give you the most accurate measurements.
• Measuring spoons.
• Food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients for the topping.
• Large bowl. To combine your filling ingredients.
• Rubber spatula. To mix your filling ingredients.
• 9-inch pie plate or 3-quart baking dish. An 8x11 baking dish will work. You can bake crisps in a glass, metal, or ceramic baking dish. If using glass, add extra baking time because it takes longer for the glass to heat.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Before you begin, read the directions on the recipe card from start to finish. Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C and set aside a deep pie dish or 3-quart baking dish.

Note: Keep the crisp topping in the refrigerator or freezer while preparing the filling to keep the butter cold! The colder the butter, the better for a crispy topping.

Recipes Tips & Tricks

As a trained pastry chef, I love elaborate desserts. But during the summer, I love making easy crisps that require minimal effort. You can use these tips to make this peach blackberry dessert foolproof.

• Use seasonal fruit. Fresh seasonal peaches and berries are packed with flavor and perfect for preparing a crisp. During the off-season, I recommend using frozen fruit that’s thawed and drained of liquid.
• Taste the filling. Before adding the fill to the baking dish, taste for sweetness and adjust with more sugar if needed. Some fruit is sweeter than others, depending on a variety of factors.
• Evenly distribute the filling. Spread the filling into an even layer and sprinkle the crumble topping in an even layer so the crisp can be cooked all the way through.

Recipe Variations

• Chopped nuts. Mix your favorite nuts into the toppings (up to ½ cup). Sliced almonds add a lovely texture like in rhubarb crumble.
• Make individual desserts. Like peach cherry crisps, divide the filling between eight 6-ounce ramekins and sprinkle each with the crumble topping.
• Top with ice cream. You can’t go wrong with warm crisp served à la mode with vanilla ice cream.
• Make it gluten-free. Replace the all-purpose flour in the topping with almond flour, and replace the flour in the filling with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch.

Storage & Freezing Tips

• In the refrigerator. Store leftover blackberry peach crumble in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• In the freezer. Place the leftovers into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• Make ahead. Make the crisp topping ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or store in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Add the topping to the filling and bake without thawing.

Reheat: Re-warm the peach blackberry crisp in a preheated 350°F/177°C oven to warm it and ensure the topping is crispy and not soggy. Bake until the peach filling is warmed through and bubbly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please leave a starred rating and comment below if you make this Easy Peach Blackberry Crisp. I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!

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