Healthy Peach Crisp Bars are gluten-free and vegan, with only 10 ingredients, including hearty oats and chia seeds. They’re also sweetened with just maple syrup and coconut sugar, and packed with four cups of peaches!
While it’s late summer, I’m still hanging on to peach season. And if you are too, then you’re going to love these Healthy Peach Crisp Bars. They’re inspired by theseΒ Strawberry Chia Jam Oat Bars, which are always a hit around here during strawberry season.
This peach version is loaded with wholesome ingredients, and with a chewy base and crispy crumble topping, you’ll have a hard time saving these bars for dessert. In fact, you’ll probably be tempted to eat them for breakfast, and that’s totally okay because they have lots of breakfast-worthy ingredients!
What ingredients do you need to make Healthy Peach Crisp Bars?
- Peaches
- Chia seeds
- Gluten-free oats
- Almond flour
- Coconut sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Almond butter
- Maple syrup
- Coconut oil
How do you make these peach crisp bars?
These bars are super easy to assemble!
- First, make your peach filling, which requires just two ingredients – peaches and chia seeds. This will come together in about 40 minutes in a small sauce pan on your stove top (20 minutes to cook and 20 minutes for the chia seeds to plump).
- For the base and crisp topping, microwave your wet ingredients until they are melted together and runny. Mix in with the dry ingredients until a wet, crumbly mixture forms. Press about two-thirds of the mixture into a square (9×9″) pan and bake on 350F for 10 minutes.
- Add your peach filling and remaining crumble mixture to the top. Bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the topping starts to brown. Done!
How do you serve these gluten-free peach crisp bars?
Once the bars have cooled, I like to refrigerate them so they firm up fully. Then I cut them into squares and enjoy cold (they have an extra chewy texture when cold), or warmed in the microwave with some dairy-free ice cream.
You can also serve these bars fresh out of the oven like a crisp or crumble. Just cut into pieces or scoop out with a spoon and serve with ice cream.
How do you store peach bars? How long will they last?
Since the peach chia filling is perishable, these bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This also helps keep the bars firm. If you like them warm, you can just pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Or for an extra crispy topping, just re-heat them on a low heat in the oven.
These bars should last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Can you freeze peach crisp bars?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze these bars. Just let them firm up in the fridge and then cut into bars. Place in a single layer in an airtight container, or if storing in two layers, just make sure you have a sheet of wax paper in between the layers.
When you want to enjoy them, just de-frost in the refrigerator for a few hours, or overnight. Keep in mind that freezing the bars may cause the topping to lose some of its crunch. If this happens, you may want to warm them up on a low temperature in the oven to bring back some of the crunch. (I usually bake them for 10-12 minutes on 300F).
Can you use frozen peaches to make these peach crisp bars?
Absolutely! While I used fresh peaches in this recipe, if peaches are out of season, you can use frozen chunks or slices. If using slices, just let them thaw in the fridge for a bit, and then cut them into chunks before making the peach filling.
Can you make healthy peach crisp bars without oats?
Yes, if you’d like to make these bars grain-free, you can omit the oats and use buckwheat flakes instead.
Can these peach crisp bars be made ahead?
Yes, you can make these bars a day or two in advance and store them covered in the fridge. Then, just cut them out and serve cold, or re-heat individual slices in the microwave or on a low temperature in the oven.
Some additional tips for making Healthy Peach Crisp Bars:
- As mentioned above, you can use fresh or frozen peaches, just make sure they are peeled and chopped.
- I used white chia seeds in this recipe, but you can use black chia seeds. Just keep in mind that the peach filling will look darker if you use black chia seeds.
- To keep these bars gluten-free, make sure you use gluten-free oats. If you don’t need these bars to be gluten-free, regular rolled oats are fine.
- If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can use brown sugar as a substitute. Just note that brown sugar is more processed that coconut sugar.
- If you don’t have almond butter, you can use another type of nut butter, but keep in mind it will change the taste of the bars slightly. I usually use natural peanut butter as a substitute.
- To get these bars to cut out neatly, I recommend letting them cool fully and then placing them in the refrigerator to firm up.
If you love peaches, here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
- Peach Ricotta Skillet Cake is a super easy recipe, requiring just 10 ingredients and 10 minutes prep time.
- Dairy-Free Frozen Peach Cream PieΒ is no-bake and grain-free, and made with just seven ingredients.
- Chicken and Peach Quinoa Salad makes a hearty lunch or light dinner, and it’s topped with a simple and delicious homemade honey basil vinaigrette.
Pin these Healthy Peach Crisp Bars to make for dessert!
If you make these Healthy Peach Crisp Bars, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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PrintHealthy Peach Crisp Bars
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Gluten-Free
Description
Healthy Peach Crisp Bars are gluten-free and vegan, with only 10 ingredients, including hearty oats and chia seeds. They’re also sweetened with just maple syrup and coconut sugar, and packed with four cups of peaches!
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 4 cups chopped peaches (about 6–8 medium-sized peaches)
- 4 tablespoons white chia seeds
For the crisp:
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup natural almond butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, virgin, cold pressed
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Add the peaches to a medium-sized sauce pan and bring to a low boil. Let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until softened. Remove from heat and mash with a fork or potato masher just enough to break the peaches apart but leaving some chunks. Stir in chia seeds, cover and set aside for 20 minutes. (The chia seeds will plump up and thicken the filling).
- Prepare the crisp base and topping: In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a small microwave safe bowl, add the almond butter, maple syrup and coconut oil and microwave on two 30-second intervals, stirring after each one. Everything should be melted together and the mixture should be runny. If not, microwave for another few seconds. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir until wet and crumbly. You should be able to pinch the mixture together with your fingers.
- Assemble the bars: Pre-heat the oven to 350F and line a 9×9″ pan with parchment paper. Press about two-thirds of the crisp mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, spread on the peach filling and sprinkle the remaining crisp mixture on the top, patting it down slightly. Don’t worry if it doesn’t fully cover the top. Return to over and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the top starts to brown.
- Serve and store the bars:Β Serve the bars warm with dairy-free ice cream, or let them cool at room temperature and then place them in the refrigerator to firm up fully before cutting into squares. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-4 days, or freeze for later enjoyment.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen peaches, just make sure they are peeled and chopped.
- This recipe calls for white chia seeds, but you can use black chia seeds. Just keep in mind they will make the peach filling look darker.
- To keep these bars gluten-free, make sure you use gluten-free oats.
- If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can use brown sugar as a substitute.
- To make these bars grain-free, you can substitute buckwheat flakes for the oats.
- To cut these bars out neatly, I recommend placing them in the refrigerator for a few hours to firm up.
Denise@urbnspice says
These Peach Crisp Bars look wonderful, Leanne. The coconut oil and coconut sugar would be such a pleasing pairing with peaches. I love that your recipe is gluten and dairy free. Many thanks for sharing. ππ
Leanne says
Thanks Denise! They’ve been on repeat lately!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
Leanne, this peach crisp bars just look irresistible! I love that they are refined sugar free and LOADED with peaches! Totally my type of bar. I’ll be so very sad when peach season is gone!!
Leanne says
I’ll miss peaches too! Thanks Haylie!
Marissa says
I love the treats you come up with, Leanne! These peach crisp bars look delicious, nutritious and gorgeous!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Marissa! Very kind of you to say π
Aline says
These look super delicious and perfect for us right now (trying to avoid too much sugar) — grabbing some peaches at the market today! Thank you!
Leanne says
Hope you get a chance to make them! Thanks Aline!
Elaine says
Love that this is gluten-free! And I wouldn’t care if they crumbled. Eating them in a bowl would be just fine with me!! We had hundreds of peaches on our tree this year, most are tucked away in the freezer, but soon to come out to make these bars!
Leanne says
Peach trees! I wish we were neighbours Elaine! Hope you get a chance to make these bars! Thanks!
Bernice says
These bars look amazing! I love that they are vegan too. Pinning for when my daughter comes home for her birthday.
Leanne says
Thanks for pinning Bernice!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Oh my gosh, I love that there’s no refined sugar in here! This looks amazing, Leanne! I’m sending it to my mother, who loves peaches but avoids sugar (yeah–she and I really are related). She’ll go crazy for it!
Leanne says
I hope your mother gets a chance to make them! Thanks Kelsie!
Matt - Total Feasts says
I like almost anything that is a ‘crisp’, but when I saw the word healthy before it I had to do a double-take. These look so delicious, I can’t see them lasting in my household for more than a day!
Leanne says
Thanks Matt! I had to ration them out π
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I want to reach through my screen and grab a few of these Leanne! Peaches are one of my favorite things about summer! Delicious work!
Leanne says
So sweet of you to say! Thanks Mary Ann!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
It’s almost the end of August, but I just started hanging on to peach season – they’re just the best right now. These bars look fantastic! I actually never realized you could use chia seeds in making, but this totally makes sense as they perfectly “glue” the filling. Delightful!
Leanne says
The chia seeds really are the glue! Thanks for stopping by Ben!
Heidi ~ The Frugal Girls says
What a delicious peach treat… I NEED to make these!!
Leanne says
Thanks Heidi!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I love that you can use frozen peaches for these! And such simple ingredients. Good one, Leanne! I just want to eat these for breakfast every day for a week. Happy Monday!
Leanne says
Thanks Katherine! They’re great for breakfast! And frozen peaches mean we can enjoy them all year! π
marcie says
Peaches are one of my favorite summer fruits, so I’m in love with these crisp bars! I’m still dying to try your strawberry version and will add these to the list. These are full of ingredients that I love!
Leanne says
Thanks Marcie! I hope you get to try both some time!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Peaches are going strong here, right now. So beautiful this year and this is a perfect way to enjoy them!
Leanne says
Thanks Jennifer! Enjoy the rest of peach season!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Breakfast, dessert…no bad time for this delicious crisp! I just happen to have picked up some peaches yesterday! Bingo!
Leanne says
Thanks Annie! It was meant to be! π
Milena says
These bars are such a great idea. I’d bring them to a picnic any time during peach season. Thinking of the upcoming weekend:) Thank you for the detailed pictures! Pinned.
Leanne says
Thanks for pinning Milena and a picnic is a great idea!
Terry says
Another great recipe! I love the idea of having these for breakfast, although hard to pass up ice cream on these for desert!
Leanne says
You could have ice cream with them for breakfast! Balance, right!? π
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Can’t believe the filing has only two ingredients! That’s awesome! Every Monday should start with a dessert, don’t ya think? And since this one is on the healthier side, I wouldn’t mind enjoying a couple of pieces π Such a delicious use of one of summer’s best! Pinned! Happy Monday π
Leanne says
Dessert Monday! I like the sound of that Dawn! Thanks!