Vegan Peach Cobbler

This delicious vegan peach cobbler is richly filled with succulent fruits and nicely golden-brown. The reason this dessert is so loved is because of its simplicity and cocooning nature. In fact, a taste of this easy and healthy peach cobbler always feels like a warm and cozy hug. The recipe you’re about to discover is a celebration of the peach’s natural sweetness-a fruit that evokes summertime and freshness.

Jump to Recipe

I used fresh, juicy peaches, but the versatility of the dish means you can choose canned or frozen fruits. Additionally, I substitute the traditional biscuit dough made of sugar and butter with healthier ingredients. These are rolled oats, almond flour, agave syrup, peanut butter and coconut oil. Once baked, this topping becomes beautifully golden brown and crisp. The contrast with the softness of the filling creates an exquisite taste experience.

Peach cobbler is an American dessert, whose origins are linked to a mix of European culinary traditions. The concept of a fruit-based tart with a crust dates back to the medieval Europe, where pies were very popular. Later, the colonization brought this sweet recipe to the US, especially in the Southern states, a region known for its peach cultivation. Over time, variations of the peach cobbler have emerged, with apples or berries fillings and granola or crumbles covers.

As you will see in the recipe card below and the video above, I serve the peach cobbler with yogurt. This cold and creamy side adds a pleasing contrast to the warmth and crispiness of the cobbler. Ice cream is also a good option, especially vanilla, as it ehnances the overall taste without overpowering the peaches.

Ingredients for my peach cobbler

• Peaches: for me, yellow peaches are the best variety for making a cobbler due to their juiciness and softness. The fruits should be ripe but still firm. Overripe peaches can result in a mushy texture, while underripe fruits may lack sweetness and flavor.

• Cornstarch: this ingredient is crucial for the thickness of the filling. Cornstarch helps thicken the juices during baking, creating a cohesive and spoonable base. Without it, the vegan peach cobbler might be too watery and resemble a soup. Additionally, this thickening agent imparts a glossy and visually appealing appearance to the peach mixture.

• Lemon juice: this touch of acidity helps balance the sweetness, while its freshness enhances the flavors of the peaches. Lemon also prevents them from browning when exposed to air, like when you prepare the filling in advance.

• Maple and agave syrup: I like to find healthier alternatives to refined sugar, such as maple syrup and agave syrup. Firstly, they add a rich caramel flavor, and because of their liquid texture, they help incorporate moisture into the filling. The slightly darker color of the topping given by maple syrup creates a visually appealing contrast with the fruit.

• Nutmeg: it adds a warm and spicy note that balances the overall sweetness. Moreover, its aromatic qualities contribute to the dessert’s overall appeal.

• Rolled oats: baked oats create a crisp, golden-brown topping, which provides a pleasing contrast to the juicy, soft peaches base. Additionally, rolled oats help hold the crumble topping together, ensuring it doesn’t fall apart when you serve the peach cobbler. Finally, this ingredient adds fiber to the dish and is healthier than the top layer made of flour and sugar.

• Almond flour: when baked, almond flour releases a delightful aroma that enhances the tasting experience. Moreover, this type of flour has a finer texture, which creates a tender and moist crumble topping. Almond flour has a higher fat content than wheat flour, which prevents the top layer from drying out. Finally, this alternative makes this vegan peach cobbler suitable for a gluten-free diet.

• Cinnamon: this spice balances the overall taste by incorporating a warm note. Moreover, ground cinnamon releases a pleasant aroma in the kitchen, making the sweet dish even more appealing. Finally, this ingredient, evokes a nostalgia and cozy vibes when you enjoy the vegan peach cobbler.

• Peanut butter: its nutty flavor complements the sweetness of the fruits, creating a delicious twist on the traditional recipe. Additionally, peanut butter has a creamy texture, which adds a chewy mouthfeel, and acts as a binding agent. In fact, it helps to keep all the ingredients together. Lastly, it provides protein and healthy fats, increasing the nutritional value of the dessert and making it richer.

• Coconut oil: this substitute for butter adds an interesting, exotic touch to the classic peach cobbler recipe. Coconut oil provides moisture and, when used for the crumble topping, it contributes to the golden-brown texture. This butter substitute is ideal for those who are dairy-free or following a plant-based diet.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to prepare this healthy oats peach cobbler

Wash and slice peaches thinly

In a bowl mix sliced peaches, cornstarch, vanilla extract, lemon juice, maple syrup and nutmeg.

Prepare the crumble topping by mixing oats, almond flour, agave syrup, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Then, add peanut butter and coconut oil to the crumble mix, and use a fork to blend until the mixture begins to stick together.

Cover the baking dish, which has been lined with butter and flour or parchment paper, with sliced peaches, and then sprinkle the crumble mix on top.

Bake the peach cobbler at 170°C (350°F) for about 30-40 minutes until golden. Once fully cooked, let it rest before serving, and serve with ice cream of yogurt.

My tips for a plant-based peach dessert

• You can substitute cornstarch with all-purpose flour.

• Ripe peaches are ideal for this recipe because of their extremely sweet flavor and juiciness.

• I don’t peel the peaches because the skin adds a bit of texture and color, but you can remove it if you prefer.

• You can briefly pre-cook the peaches on the stove to thicken them before adding them to the cobbler.

• If the topping starts to brown too quickly before the baking time is up, cover the dish with foil and continue baking.

• Peach cobbler can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the oven to restore its original texture. Moreover, you can freeze the dessert in an airtight container or wrapping it well.

Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to share it with me tagging @nutritiouslysofia on Instagram!