Skillet Peach Cobbler {gluten-free}

This easy skillet peach cobbler is the ultimate summer treat, combining juicy yellow peaches with buttery gluten-free oat biscuits. It's an extra-comforting dessert that tastes best warm from the oven with a cold scoop of ice cream on top! Made with one bowl and less than 30 minutes of prep time.

this recipe

I truly believe that you should never let summer go by without baking some sort of fruit-laden dessert, and while I am a fan of pie, I am not a fan of making it. Fortunately there's another way to combine ripe and luscious summer fruit with a sweet layer of delicious carbs, and it's called a cobbler. It's relatively quick and easy to make, works with just about any fruit, and tastes best served fresh out of the oven, which means wait time is at a minimum. In fact, if you gather up the ingredients now, you could be digging your spoon into a skillet full of warm, juicy peach cobbler in just over an hour. Sound like a plan? Here's what you need to know:

What is cobbler?

Cobblers exist alongside a couple of very similar (but different!) desserts that often tend to be confused with one another: crisps and crumbles. All three desserts generally consist of a layer of fruit tossed in sugar, topped with some form of "crust", and baked until the fruit juices are bubbling and the crust is golden-brown. As you might expect, they also tend to follow very similar preparation methods, with the main variation being how the crust is made.

Generally speaking, crisps and crumbles tend to have more of a streusel-like crust. The difference is that one typically contains oats or nuts, and the other usually doesn't. Which is which honestly depends on who you ask.

Cobblers, on the other hand, tend to have a biscuit-like topping, although even here you'll see inconsistency. Some cobblers have a topping that more closely resembles pie, while others are more cakey. This recipe tends to follow the traditional route, with a drop biscuit-style "crust", using oats for added texture. Not only is it simple and rustic, but it also stands up well to the juicy filling beneath.

About this recipe

Here's what I love about this particular (gluten-free!) peach cobbler:

It's *very* easy to make. (You can have it prepped and in the oven in about 25 minutes, without dirtying more than one bowl.)

It showcases fresh summer peaches in all their sweet, juicy glory. Combined with a little bit of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, you get a warm, cozy fruit filling that's just begging for a scoop of ice cream on top.

Annnd it comes with a tender, buttery biscuit topping that you'd never believe was gluten-free. There's a little bit of oats in there for extra texture, and to give it a slightly more homestyle touch. Don't discount the magic of a good cobbler topping - I could and would eat this one on its own!

How to make an easy peach cobbler

There are three basic steps involved in making this skillet peach cobbler. I also have a few shortcuts I like to use along the way to keep things fast and simple:

Step One: Make the biscuit dough. This is a very basic biscuit recipe that's actually based off my favorite gluten-free buttermilk biscuits, with the addition of the rolled oats and a few other tweaks. To make it, you'll first whisk together your dry ingredients. Then, cut in cold butter (that's what makes the biscuits so tender and fluffy!). Finally, fold in buttermilk to form a soft dough. Place it in the fridge to chill while you move on to step two.

Step Two: Prep your filling. To do this, slice all your peaches and toss them with the other filling ingredients: sugar (to keep it sweet and syrupy), cornstarch (to thicken), lemon juice (to brighten the flavors), and cinnamon/nutmeg (for add warmth and depth). I like to do this directly in the skillet I'm baking in just because it saves me from washing another bowl.

Step Three: Add the biscuits on top. Cobblers are meant to look casual and homey, so don't feel like you need to put a ton of effort into this. Just use a spoon or ice cream/cookie scoop to dollop the biscuit dough on top.

Types of peaches to use

This recipe is best made with fresh yellow peaches. While I haven't tested it, you could likely use frozen peaches if you defrost and drain them first. I do not recommend using canned peaches.

Should you peel your peaches?

I rarely peel peaches for baking and I don't feel that it's necessary to do so for this recipe. They bake up so soft and juicy that any undesirable texture from the skin is unnoticeable. You're welcome to peel them if you prefer, but I'd suggest keeping things easy and skipping that step!

Choosing a baking vessel

Any oven-safe skillet that's 12" wide (or even slightly larger) should work well for this recipe. I love the cozy vibe that comes with baking a skillet cobbler (or really any skillet dessert!), but other large baking dishes will also work. The basic rule of thumb is that if you can fit all of the peaches in your dish of choice, it's likely big enough. Regardless of what you choose, one thing's for sure: this is a big cobbler - plentyyy to feed a crowd.

How to serve

This peach cobbler is best served warm from the oven - straight out of the skillet even! - alongside a scoop of homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Cold ice cream is especially dreamy melting into those sweet peach juices; it might sound like a splurge but I *highly* recommend it. If you're serving this cobbler a day or more after baking it, I'd suggest warming each serving in the microwave for about a minute.

Storage and shelf life

First things first: this cobbler is at its very best the day it's baked. That being said, you can cover any leftovers with plastic wrap (or transfer them to an airtight container) and refrigerate for up to a week. I promise you won't regret having leftovers!

Can I make this ahead?

While I would not recommend baking this ahead of time, you can make the biscuit dough ahead and keep covered and chilled until ready to bake.

More cobblers, crisps, and crumbles

Now that you know the difference between these three desserts, here are a few variations you can try!

Mixed Berry Cobblers {dairy-free}: In case you're not quite ready to take on a 12" cobbler, this recipe makes just four mini ones, and has a chewy, cookie-like topping.

Warm Pear Crumbles {dairy-free}: When fall comes around and peaches are out of season, you can make these cozy pear crumbles instead! This recipe is perfect for 2, baked in individual ramekins.

Healthy Raspberry Coconut Crisps {gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar free}: Another made-for-two recipe, with coconut flakes in the topping for extra flavor and texture.

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