Peach Crumb Bars

Fresh Peach Crumb Bars are perfect for peach season, combining a buttery crust with a juicy peach filling, topped with a delicious crumble! It’s a delicious recipe that’s sure to impress at any gathering!

An image of peach crumb bars on white parchment paper.

Did you know that California and South Carolina both produce more peaches than Georgia each year? California actually produces a whopping 2/3 of all U.S. peaches! Georgia gets the credit for first starting commercial peach production in the U.S. though.

Peaches are my favorite fruit and I’m always finding new ways to enjoy them (besides just eating them out of hand!). These peach bars are a new favorite and have already been requested multiple times this peach season by my family members.

Like most of our peach recipes, we strongly prefer these peach crumb bars with fresh, ripe peaches from the farmers’ market or even Costco (the flats of Costco peaches have been unreal this year!). But using frozen peaches that have been thawed and drained and even canned peaches from the grocery store will work. The combination of a buttery crust, sweet peach filling, and crumbly topping is simply irresistible.

Whether you’re making it for a summer picnic, a family gathering, or just as a special treat for yourself, peach crumb bars are going to be a guaranteed hit.

If you’re looking for more easy recipes for peach desserts, check out my 10+ Best Peach Recipes roundup, featuring Homemade Peach Cobbler with Fresh Peaches, Fresh Peach Pie, Peach Ice Cream, Raspberry Peach Pie, and Homemade Southern Peach Pie!

Why We Love This Recipe

The combination of a shortbread-like crust, sweet peach filling, and crumbly topping creates a blend of textures and flavors that’s hard to resist.
This recipe is also versatile, allowing you to use fresh or canned peaches, making it a year-round favorite.
Making these bars is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment, just a few common kitchen tools like a pastry cutter and a baking dish.

An overhead image of peach crumb bars that have been cut into squares with fresh peaches among them.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

All-purpose flour – Provides the structure for the crust and crumb topping.
Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the crust and sweetens the peach filling.
Baking powder – Helps the crust rise slightly.
Table salt – Balances the sweetness.
Salted butter (softened) – Adds richness and moisture.
Large egg – Binds the dough together.
Vanilla extract – Adds flavor to the crust.
Peaches (peeled and diced) – The main ingredient, providing fresh, juicy flavor.
Cornstarch – Thickens the filling to prevent it from being too runny.
Ground cinnamon – Adds a warm, spicy note.
Lemon juice – Enhances the peach flavor and adds a bit of tartness.
Almond extract – Complements the peaches with a subtle nutty flavor and adds an extra layer of flavor to the glaze.
Powdered sugar – The base of the glaze, adding sweetness.
Milk – Thins the glaze to the right consistency.

Ingredients for making peach crumb bars.

How to Make Peach Crumb Bar Recipe

Prepare equipment. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with a parchment paper sling for easy removal.
Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add wet ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Then, in a separate small bowl, beat the egg and vanilla, then add to the dry ingredients, stirring until the mixture is evenly moistened and clumps together when squeezed.

Combining dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Adding wet ingredients to dry ingredients in a glass mixing bowl.

Make the sweet peach filling. In another large bowl, combine the diced peaches, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice, and almond extract. Toss everything together until the peaches are well coated.
Assemble the Bars. Press half of the dough into the prepared baking dish to form the bottom crust. Reserve about 2 cups of the dough for the crumb topping. Spread the peach mixture evenly over the bottom crust. Sprinkle the reserved dough over the peaches to create the crumb topping.

Combining chopped peaches, sugar, cornstarch, and spices in a glass mixing bowl.

A layer of peach filling spread into a 9x13-inch pan.

Bake and Cool. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top crust is a light golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack.

Crumb topping on peach pie bars before baking.

Baked peach pie bars in a metal baking dish.

Add the Glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract (if using) together in a bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars and let it set for about 30 minutes. Slice into squares and serve.

Adding a simple vanilla glaze to peach crumb bars.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I use canned peaches?

Yes, you can substitute fresh peaches with canned peaches. Make sure to drain them well to remove excess moisture.

Can I freeze these bars?

Absolutely! Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw on the counter before serving.

How long will these bars keep?

They will keep well at room temperature for 2-3 days or up to 1 week in the fridge. Chilling them is recommended for longer storage and better texture.

Can I add other fruits to the filling?

Yes, you can mix in other fruits like berries or apples for a different flavor combination.

Tips for Success

For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe peaches. They should be slightly soft to the touch, but not mushy, and fragrant. If peaches are out of season, you can use canned peaches, but make sure to drain them well to avoid excess moisture in the bars.
When mixing the dough, make sure it reaches the right consistency. It should resemble coarse sand and hold together when squeezed. This ensures that both the crust and the crumble topping will have the perfect texture.
Allow the bars to cool completely before adding the glaze. If the bars are still warm, the glaze will melt and not set properly. Cooling also helps the bars to firm up, making them easier to slice.
Keep an eye on the bars while baking. They should be light golden brown on top and set in the center. Overbaking can result in a dry crust and filling. If the edges start to brown too quickly, you can cover them with foil to prevent burning.

What to Serve with Peach Crumble Bars

One of the best accompaniments to peach crumb bars is a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creamy texture and vanilla flavor pair perfectly with the sweet and tart peach filling, making each bite a delight.

A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy contrast to the dense, crumbly bars. You can use store-bought whipped cream or make your own by whipping heavy cream with a bit of sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.

Substitutions and Variations

Fresh, canned, or even frozen peaches can be used.
If you only have unsalted butter, add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt to the dough.
Swap almond extract with vanilla extract if you prefer, or omit it altogether.
Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch can be used as alternatives to cornstarch for thickening the filling.
Feel free to add other spices like nutmeg or allspice for a more complex flavor profile.
Lime juice can be used in place of lemon juice for a slightly different citrus note. Mostly the lemon is just there to keep the color of the peaches bright instead of turning brown.
You can use almond milk or another non-dairy milk if needed.