Irresistible examples of summer desserts using peaches

Juicy, crowd-pleasing examples of summer desserts using peaches

Let’s start where it matters: what people are actually making and loving right now. When folks search for examples of summer desserts using peaches, they’re usually picturing something juicy, a little messy, and absolutely worth turning on the oven for.

Some of the best examples include old-school peach cobbler, skillet peach crisp, and peach ice cream that tastes like a scoop of August. But summer 2024 has also brought in air-fryer desserts, lighter yogurt-based treats, and frozen peach bars you can stash in the freezer for hot afternoons.

Below, you’ll find real examples of peach desserts that I’ve seen again and again at summer gatherings—each one explained in plain language so you can picture how it fits into your menu.

Classic baked examples of summer desserts using peaches

When people ask for the best examples of summer desserts using peaches, most of us think of something baked and bubbling. These are the dishes that make the whole house smell like butter and brown sugar.

Peach cobbler with biscuit or cake topping

If you want a textbook example of a summer dessert using peaches, this is it. Fresh peaches tossed with sugar, a squeeze of lemon, and a little cornstarch, then topped with either:

• A drop-style biscuit dough (soft, fluffy, slightly crisp on top), or
• A simple cake batter that bakes into a golden, almost pancake-like lid.

You bake it until the peaches are tender and the juices are thick and syrupy. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream that melts into the corners. This is the example of a dessert that shows up at every family reunion and never has leftovers.

Tip: Use ripe but still slightly firm peaches so they hold their shape. The USDA has a helpful guide on selecting and storing peaches in their fruit and veggie resources: https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/whats-season/fruits/peaches

Peach crisp with oats and brown sugar

If cobbler is a bit too doughy for you, peach crisp is another great example of a summer dessert using peaches that leans crunchier. You layer sliced peaches in a baking dish, then cover them with a mixture of oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter.

The topping bakes into a toasty, nutty crust while the peaches soften underneath. It’s lighter than cobbler but still cozy. This is one of the best examples of a peach dessert to bring to a potluck, because you can serve it warm, at room temperature, or even cold for breakfast the next day.

Flavor ideas: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the topping, or stir in a little ginger for a warmer spice profile.

Peach pie with lattice crust

If you’re in the mood to show off, a lattice-topped peach pie is the glamorous example of a summer dessert using peaches. The woven crust lets steam escape and creates those classic golden strips over a glossy peach filling.

You’ll need a double pie crust, plenty of sliced peaches, sugar, thickener (flour or cornstarch), and a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon. Brush the lattice with egg wash and bake until bubbly.

This one takes more effort, but it’s a perfect example of a dessert that can be made a day ahead and served at room temperature. It also travels well, which is handy if you’re heading to a picnic or cookout.

No-bake and chilled examples of summer peach desserts

Sometimes, the thought of turning on the oven in August feels like a bad life choice. That’s where no-bake and chilled desserts come in. These examples of summer desserts using peaches keep you cool and still feel special.

Peaches and cream parfaits

This is one of the easiest examples of a summer dessert using peaches, and it looks fancier than it is. You layer sliced or diced peaches with whipped cream, Greek yogurt, or a mix of both, plus something crunchy like granola or crushed cookies.

You can sweeten the yogurt with honey or maple syrup and add a splash of vanilla. Build the parfaits in glasses or jars so you can see the layers. They’re light, not too sweet, and can be made ahead.

Make it lighter: Use mostly yogurt with just a spoonful of whipped cream folded in. For general guidance on balancing sugar and fat in desserts, resources from sites like Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health can be helpful: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/added-sugar/

Peach freezer pops or yogurt popsicles

Frozen peach pops are one of the best examples of kid-friendly summer desserts using peaches. You blend ripe peaches with yogurt, a bit of honey, and maybe a splash of orange juice, then pour into molds and freeze.

You get a dessert that tastes like ice cream but leans more toward a snack. This is a great example of how to use peaches that are slightly overripe—they blend beautifully.

Variation: Swirl in a ribbon of pureed raspberries or strawberries for a pretty peach-berry pop.

No-bake peach cheesecake cups

If you like the idea of cheesecake but not the baking time, these little cups are a smart example of a summer dessert using peaches. You mix cream cheese with a bit of sugar and vanilla, then fold in whipped cream or whipped topping.

Crush graham crackers and spoon them into the bottom of cups or jars, add the cheesecake mixture, and top with sliced peaches or a quick peach compote (peaches simmered with sugar and lemon until syrupy). Chill until set.

These feel special enough for guests but don’t require a water bath or long bake time.

Grilled and air-fried examples of summer desserts using peaches

Outdoor cooking has had a serious glow-up lately, and peaches are right in the middle of it. In 2024, some of the most popular examples of summer desserts using peaches are coming off the grill—or out of the air fryer.

Grilled peaches with honey and mascarpone

If you’ve never grilled a peach, this is your sign. Cut peaches in half, remove the pits, brush lightly with oil, and grill cut-side down until char marks appear and the fruit softens.

Serve warm with a dollop of mascarpone or vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of honey, and maybe a sprinkle of chopped pistachios. This is a simple but impressive example of a summer dessert using peaches that works after a barbecue because the grill is already hot.

Health note: Grilling fruit is a way to add sweetness without piling on extra sugar. For general information on sugar intake and health, the NIH offers clear guidance: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/eat/calories.htm

Air-fryer peach hand pies

Air fryers have become a staple in many kitchens, and peach hand pies are one of the trendier examples of summer desserts using peaches in 2024–2025. You take store-bought or homemade pie dough, cut it into circles or rectangles, and fill with a spoonful of diced peaches tossed with sugar and cornstarch.

Seal, crimp, brush with a bit of egg or milk, and air fry until golden and flaky. They’re like mini portable peach pies—perfect for picnics or lunchboxes.

This is a great example of how to get that pie flavor without heating up the entire kitchen.

Grilled pound cake with peach topping

Here’s another real example of a dessert that feels restaurant-level but is easy at home. Lightly butter slices of store-bought or homemade pound cake and grill them until toasted.

Top with warm peaches sautéed in butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. Add whipped cream or ice cream on top. This is the example of a summer dessert using peaches that rescues a slightly stale loaf of pound cake and turns it into something people talk about.

Frozen and ice cream–style peach dessert examples

When the temperature climbs, frozen desserts become the best examples of summer desserts using peaches. They’re refreshing, easy to portion, and you can make them ahead.

Homemade peach ice cream

Classic peach ice cream is an old-fashioned example of summer desserts using peaches, but it’s still wildly popular. You can use an ice cream maker or a no-churn method.

With an ice cream maker, you’ll make a custard base (milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks) or a simpler cream-and-sugar mixture, then stir in chopped or pureed peaches before churning. For no-churn, you fold sweetened condensed milk into whipped cream and swirl in mashed peaches.

Either way, the result is creamy, fragrant, and tastes like peak summer in a bowl.

Peach sorbet or granita

If you want a dairy-free example of a summer dessert using peaches, sorbet and granita are your friends. For sorbet, you blend peaches with sugar and lemon juice, then churn. For granita, you pour the mixture into a shallow pan and scrape with a fork every 30–45 minutes as it freezes, creating icy crystals.

These desserts are bright, refreshing, and a nice option when you’re serving guests with different dietary needs.

Frozen peach crumble bars

These are a fun example of a layered summer dessert using peaches. You press an oat and nut mixture into a pan for the base, top with a thick peach layer (puree plus diced fruit), then add more crumb mixture on top.

Freeze until firm, then cut into bars. They’re cold, chewy, and a little bit like eating a peach crisp straight from the freezer.

Lighter, fruit-forward examples for everyday summer treats

Not every dessert has to be heavy. Some of the best examples of summer desserts using peaches are the ones you can enjoy on a random Tuesday night without needing a nap afterward.

Peach and berry skillet crumble (with less sugar)

This is a lighter example of a summer dessert using peaches that still feels comforting. You toss peaches with fresh berries—blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries—then add just enough sugar to make the fruit juicy.

Top with a modest amount of oat and nut crumble and bake until the fruit bubbles. Serve with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt instead of ice cream if you like. It’s still dessert, but you’re leaning into the natural sweetness of the fruit.

Peach yogurt bowls with crunchy toppings

This is almost breakfast, but it works beautifully as a light dessert. Think of it as a deconstructed parfait: thick Greek yogurt, sliced peaches, a drizzle of honey, and a handful of nuts or granola.

It’s a good example of how to turn peaches into a dessert that feels satisfying but not heavy. For overall guidance on building nutrient-dense meals and snacks, the USDA’s MyPlate site is a solid resource: https://www.myplate.gov/

FAQ: Real examples of summer desserts using peaches

Q: What are some easy examples of summer desserts using peaches for beginners?
A: Start with peach crisp, peaches and cream parfaits, grilled peaches with honey, or peach yogurt popsicles. Each example of a peach dessert uses simple techniques and short ingredient lists, so you can get comfortable without a lot of stress.

Q: Can you give an example of a no-bake peach dessert for hot days?
A: A great example of a no-bake option is peach cheesecake cups made with a graham cracker crumb base, a quick cream cheese filling, and fresh peach slices on top. Peach freezer pops and yogurt parfaits are also easy no-bake examples of summer desserts using peaches.

Q: What are healthier examples of peach desserts I can serve more often?
A: Lighter examples include grilled peaches with a small scoop of yogurt, peach and berry skillet crumbles with less sugar, peach sorbet, and simple yogurt bowls topped with peaches and nuts. These examples of peach desserts rely more on the fruit’s natural sweetness.

Q: Are there examples of summer desserts using peaches that travel well for picnics or potlucks?
A: Yes. Peach crisp (baked in a sturdy dish), peach pie, frozen peach bars, and air-fryer peach hand pies all travel nicely. These are practical examples of peach desserts that can handle a car ride and still look good on a buffet table.

Q: What’s an example of a make-ahead peach dessert for entertaining?
A: Homemade peach ice cream, no-bake peach cheesecake cups, and peach sorbet are all strong examples. You can prepare them a day or two ahead, keep them chilled or frozen, and focus on the rest of your menu when guests arrive.

Peaches are forgiving, versatile, and honestly, a little bit magical in dessert form. Whether you go for a bubbling cobbler, a frosty sorbet, or a simple grilled peach with honey, these examples of summer desserts using peaches prove you don’t need fancy techniques to turn ripe fruit into something everyone remembers.