I’m having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that summer is almost over. The temperatures have started cooling down a bit, and one of my fall courses kicks off today. I love all things fall, but I’m going to try to savor this last week of summer. Case in point: the fact that I’m clinging to one of my favorite summer desserts, this healthy peach blueberry crisp.
Made in my cast iron skillet (of course, I’m obsessed with this thing), this crisp recipe pairs sweet, juicy peaches alongside tart, tender blueberries; everything just bursting with color and flavor. An oat-based topping adds a lovely contrast of texture.
Rather than fill you up with 700+ calorie traditional recipe, I’ve made a few better-for-you changes to this healthy peach blueberry crisp:
- I reduced the amount of butter in the topping. Just two tablespoons provides enough to add a little rich flavor while not massively increasing the calorie count.
- I reduced the sugar across the board in both the filling and topping. The entire recipe uses less than a third a cup of sweetener.
- And instead of refined sugar, I switched to pure maple syrup. I just love the taste of it, and I know a lot of you prefer natural sweeteners compared to refined ones.
This brings the calorie count down to just 200 calories per serving – and most of that is coming from whole grain oats and fruit! If you want to get a little crazy, you can add on a half cup of vanilla ice cream which brings you to 340 – not bad at all for an indulgent dessert.
And the fact that this is a healthy version doesn’t mean this lacks any flavor. Just the contrary; with less processed sugar the crisp really allows the naturally sweet flavors of the fruit to shine through.
For those of you with dietary limitations, there are easy ways to adapt this to fit your needs:
- Gluten free – Switch from regular flour to a gluten free flour blend (I like Ryze but there are lots of other types too!), and be sure to use certified gluten free oats
- Vegan – Instead of butter, use either a vegan spread like Earth Balance or use coconut oil in the topping
And for my runners in the house? Ain’t no shame in building this baby into your meal plan, whether it’s for a portion controlled treat in your week – or to help you carb load for your next event. 😉
Give it a try soon and let me know what you think!
This healthy peach blueberry crisp is a skillet dessert that is sure to please! Made with no refined sugar (it’s sweetened with maple syrup!) and lightened up considerably from traditional versions for a 200 calorie treat.
- 4 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups blueberries (about 1 pint fresh)
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp flour (if gluten free use a gluten-free all purpose blend)
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (if gluten free use certified gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup flour (if gluten free use a gluten-free all purpose blend)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter, softened (if vegan use vegan spread or coconut oil)
- vanilla ice cream or coconut milk ice cream
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub a very small amount of cooking oil onto the cast iron skillet just to grease the skillet.
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Mix all filling ingredients in a bowl. Pour into the cast iron skillet.
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Wipe the bowl out and make the topping. First, combine the dry ingredients in the bowl: oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix together. Then add the wet ingredients: vanilla, maple syrup, and butter. Stir until well combined. Spread this topping on your filling in the cast iron skillet.
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Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until fruit is bubbly and topping is browned and slightly crisped. Serve as-is or add a scoop of ice cream. Enjoy!
Note:
This recipe makes 6-8 servings. Nutrition analysis is done based on 8 servings.
Nutrition analysis (approximate per serving, assumes 8 servings, crisp alone):
199 calories, 4 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 95 mg sodium, 37.5 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 18 g sugar, 3.5 g protein, Vitamin A: 7%, Vitamin C: 14%, Calcium: 3%, Iron: 8%
Nutrition analysis (approximate per serving, assumes 8 servings, crisp with ½ cup of ice cream):
339 calories, 11 g fat, 6 g sat fat, 145 mg sodium, 54.5 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 31 g sugar, 5.5 g protein, Vitamin A: 13%, Vitamin C: 14%, Calcium: 11%, Iron: 8%
This looks delicious!! I may have to go buy a cast iron skillet…
It is one of my very favorite kitchen tools. I got it for Christmas and use it all the time. Desserts, baked pancakes, cooking perfect steaks – I love it.
I LOVE any type of crisp recipe so definitely adding this one to the list!
Awesome! Crisps are always so tasty.
That looks so beautiful and delicious
Thank you! 🙂
now I know how to eat my farmers market peaches & blueberries! this looks so good! and even better, I’ll try my hand at a skillet cobbler. ugh can’t believe I haven’t made one yet-eek!
Yay! And skillet desserts are the best! I have a roundup somewhere on the blog of a bunch of them.
Cue the drooling! This sounds sooo good! I love a good crisp :). Oats are my favorite in desserts.
Thanks Emily! Hope you get a chance to give it a try soon 🙂
Love peach crisp so much! This looks amazing!!
Thanks Jessica!
I have an insatiable sweet tooth but always looking for healthy options. This looks right up my alley.
I’ve got that same sweet tooth problem. I love a good dessert. 🙂
Love that this is such a healthy version!! Looks delicious!
Thanks Mikki!
This looks delicious! I’ve been craving a crumble so I might give this a go!
Thanks Carmy! Definitely give it a try 🙂
I can imagine how tasty it could be! It is simple too. I can’t wait further to give it a try.
Awesome – hope you love it!!
Il making crisps. It’s so easy with a lot of different fruits. Peaches taste so good right now. Great choice!
Thanks Jill! Crisps are great that way that you can use whatever fruit you have on hand that’s in season – or even frozen stuff out of season!
This looks delicious! May be trying it this weekend to use up blueberries 🙂
Yesss! Hope you love it Sarah 🙂