Simply Swapped Recipe Makeover: Lightened Up Peach Cobbler

There’s no better way to use up sweet summer peaches than in a peach cobbler. But the traditional method isn’t the healthiest, and can leave you feeling like that last bite was one too many. This Lightened Up Peach Cobbler is inspired by a family recipe gone wrong, and is a healthier way to enjoy the decadence of America’s favorite peach dessert. 

Always up for a challenge, I asked my Instagram community recently if they have a favorite recipe that they would like swapped for a healthier version. One of the first submissions I received was for a family favorite recipe that all started as a peach cobbler recipe gone wrong. 

Here’s the backstory about the original peach cobbler recipe… 

“For my parents first wedding anniversary, my mom tried to make my dad a peach cobbler, and it came out ‘disastrous’. Ever since then, we’ve affectionately called it Peach Disaster, and she makes it every year. It’s sooooo delicious, but runny and soupy. When warmed up with a scoop of ice cream, it works! Here we are, fifty nine years later, and we need to revamp this recipe in a way that maintains the rich flavor and history, but is healthier for us to indulge in!” 

I love that this recipe brings the family together to celebrate milestones and memories every year. That’s what it’s all about, right? Gathering around the table with good food and the people you love to reminisce on your favorite memories while creating new ones. 

The Simply Swapped Process 

First, I had to make the original to know what I was up against. She was right. It was goupy, sweet, but yet I kept digging in for one last spoonful… multiple times. The peaches cooked down so that they were jam-like and the flour butter topping melted into the peaches so that you could taste all of the flavors at once in every bite. 

The original Peach Disaster recipe calls for: 

• Peaches
• Cane sugar
• Lemon juice
• Almond extract
• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Butter 
• Salt 

Next, I had to decide how I wanted to approach healthy swaps to this recipe to lighten it up a bit, but still achieve its decadent flavor. I tested it three different ways using some of my signature swaps.

Oat flour and almond flour in place of all-purpose flour for a boost in protein, fiber and to help lower the overall net carbohydrates. These two healthier flours are also a great gluten-free flour alternative. 

Coconut sugar in place of cane sugar and brown sugar for a low-glycemic alternative that won’t leave you with a sugar spike, then crash and burn. 

Coconut oil or a high-quality vegan butter made from coconut oil and cashews instead of dairy butter to replace the fat source from unhealthy saturated fats to health-boosting saturated fats (MCTs). 

Here’s what my new and improved ingredient list looked like with healthy swaps in the mix: 

• Peaches
• Coconut sugar (reduce by ½) 
• Lemon juice
• Almond extract
• Oat flour
• Almond flour 
• Coconut sugar (reduced amount) 
• Coconut oil (reduced amount) 
• Salt 

The Nutrition Breakdown: Before and After

Here’s where the fun part comes in. Once I’ve created a healthier alternative to a traditional recipe, I love to compare the nutrition facts to see just how much of an improvement was made. 

The original Peach Disaster recipe claims a total 334 calories, 11g Total Fat (6g Saturated from Animal Fat), 56g Net Carbohydrates (59g Total Carbohydrates – 3g Dietary Fiber), 45g Sugars and 3g Protein. 

The Lightened Up Peach Cobbler recipe claims 249 calories, 13g Total Fat (8g Saturated from MCTs), 29g Net Carbohydrates (33g Total Carbohydrate – 4g Dietary Fiber), 27g Sugars and 4g Protein. 

As you can see, by making a few simple and healthy swaps, the net carbohydrates and overall sugars are significantly reduced. When you look beyond the nutrition data, the type of sugar used in the healthier peach cobbler is low glycemic, meaning that it won’t spike your blood sugar. The type of saturated fat from coconut oil is vastly different than butter, and has been linked to heart health. 

The New and Improved Lightened Up Peach Cobbler 

Aside from a slightly darker appearance, the Lightened Up Peach Cobbler tastes strikingly similar to the original. In my opinion, maybe even better! 

The natural sweetness of the peaches shine through with an overall reduction of sugar, and there’s a depth of flavor that wasn’t there before thanks to the nuttiness of the almond flour and coconut sugar. Thanks to the healthy swaps, this healthy peach cobbler recipe is also vegan and gluten free. 

PRO TIP: To achieve the jam-like consistency of the peach cobbler, I recommend using only fresh peaches. Usually, I would advocate leaving the skin on, but for this recipe, it’s worth removing the skin and slicing thinly to get the texture we are looking for. 

Topped with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream, this Lightened Up Peach Cobbler Recipe is one that will stay in the family for decades!

Lightened Up Peach Cobbler (gluten free + vegan)

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

• Author: FitLiving Eats by Carly Paige
• Yield: Serves 6

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Description

This family favorite “Peach Disaster” recipe is transformed into a Lightened Up Peach Cobbler thanks to a few signature healthy swaps. On her parents’ first wedding anniversary, her mom made her dad a peach cobbler that came out ‘disastrous’. Now, 59 years later, she’s still making it every year, but the family is looking for a healthier way to enjoy this rich dessert that is full of family history. See how I conquered the challenge and created a recipe that even your family will enjoy for decades to come.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 peaches, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar 
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, solidified at room temperature 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. 
2. Arrange the peach slices in a greased 9×9 baking dish. Mix the coconut sugar, lemon juice and almond extract in a small bowl. Spoon over peaches. 
3. Combine the almond flour, oat flour, coconut sugar and salt to a small mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add the coconut oil, mixing it into the flour mixture with your fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the peaches. 
4. Bake for 50 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream, coconut whipped cream, or as is! 

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Nutrition

• Calories: 249
• Sugar: 27g
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 4g

Keywords: dessert, simply swapped, recipe makeover, peach, peach cobbler, gluten free, peach dessert, gluten free cobbler, healthy peach cobbler