How to Make Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is the ultimate Southern dessert. It’s perfect for a Southern-style summer party! But if you or a guest is avoiding gluten, this gluten-free peach cobbler is the answer. Made with sweet peaches and an irresistible buttery crust, this cobbler is as easy and tasty as the one your grandma made.

How do you make cobbler without gluten?

Simply substitute gluten-free flour for regular flour. This recipe was tested using Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, which is a 1-to-1 substitution for regular all-purpose flour. There are several blends and brands available (we like Bob’s Red Mill, too). When shopping for gluten-free flour, look for one labeled “cup for cup” baking flour that doesn’t require any additional special ingredients, like gums or other binders.

Since this recipe uses less than half the bag of flour, try these gluten-free dessert ideas to use up the rest!

Is gluten-free cobbler healthy?

Well, using gluten-free flour doesn’t necessarily make this a healthy dessert. But there is one thing you can do to make a slightly better-for-you cobbler.

First, use the sweetest fruit you can find. Ripe, in-season peaches are often the sweetest. Taste your peaches first and adjust the sugar for your desired sweetness. Then, cut back on sugar in the original cobbler recipe by at least 25%. For the recipe below, that means using ¾ cup sugar instead of the original 1 cup. You might even be able to go lower! (Your taste buds will tell you.)

But remember that sugar is not just for sweetness. It also keeps the cobbler crust soft and moist and helps achieve that beautiful golden brown color thanks to caramelization.

How do I choose the best peaches for cobbler?

Look for tree-ripened peaches for the best flavor and texture. The tastiest peaches will have smooth skin with a vibrant deep yellow to red-orange color. Peaches are ready to eat when they have a fragrant peach aroma and are firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure.

If you end up with a few extra peaches this season, check out these delicious things to do with fresh peaches.

How to Make Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

For this gluten-free peach cobbler, we slightly modified this top-rated South Carolina Peach Cobbler recipe from South Carolina reader Mattie Carter.

Ingredients

4 cups sliced, peeled fresh or frozen, thawed and drained peaches
¾ cup sugar, divided
½ teaspoon almond extract
⅓ cup butter, melted
¾ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch salt
¾ cup milk
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Editor’s Tip: Frozen peaches will eliminate the need for peeling fresh ones. Thaw and drain the frozen peaches before starting the recipe and use them just as you would fresh.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the peach filling

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, toss peaches with ¼ cup sugar and almond extract; set aside. Pour the melted butter into a 2-quart baking dish.

Step 2: Mix the gluten-free batter

In a small bowl, whisk the gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar. Stir in milk, pressing out any lumps until smooth. In the baking dish, pour the batter evenly over the butter. Do not stir. Top with your peach mixture.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t worry about overwhisking—there’s no gluten here to make things too dense. Instead, whisk the batter until smooth, then let it rest before adding to the baking dish. Just 10-15 minutes allows the batter to thicken for a better rise.

Step 3: Bake and enjoy!

GF Peach Cobbler

Bake at 350°F for 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the juices bubble around the sides. For best results, let the cobbler stand for 20-30 minutes before serving. (That will make the dessert easier to cut.) Serve warm with ice cream or vanilla yogurt, if desired.

Love this gluten-free peach cobbler? Swap in blackberries or cherries for a different spin, or try one of these top Taste of Home cobbler recipes.

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