📝 About This Recipe
Experience the soul-warming comfort of a classic Southern dessert reimagined for the modern kitchen. These individual peach cobblers feature jammy, bourbon-spiked freestone peaches nestled under a golden, buttery biscuit crust that achieves a perfect crunch thanks to the rapid air circulation of the air fryer. It's the ultimate shortcut to a sophisticated dessert that tastes like it spent all afternoon in a farmhouse oven.
🥗 Ingredients
The Peach Filling
- 4 large Fresh Peaches (peeled, pitted, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges)
- 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (to thicken the juices)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon Bourbon or Vanilla Extract (bourbon adds a lovely depth)
The Cobbler Topping
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (kosher salt preferred)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (cold and cubed)
- 1/3 cup Heavy Cream (cold, plus 1 tablespoon for brushing)
For Serving
- 1 pint Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (for topping)
- 4 sprigs Fresh Mint (for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
In a medium mixing bowl, toss the sliced peaches with brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and bourbon/vanilla until the fruit is evenly coated.
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2
Divide the peach mixture equally among four 6-ounce oven-safe ramekins, ensuring you include the liquid at the bottom of the bowl.
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3
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
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4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
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5
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter in until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
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6
Gently stir in the 1/3 cup of heavy cream until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix, or the topping will be tough.
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7
Divide the dough into four equal portions. Flatten each slightly with your hands and place one portion on top of the peaches in each ramekin.
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8
Brush the tops of the dough with the remaining tablespoon of heavy cream and sprinkle with a pinch of granulated sugar for a sparkly, crunchy finish.
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9
Carefully place the ramekins into the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.
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10
Air fry at 350°F for 15-18 minutes. Check at the 12-minute mark; if the tops are browning too quickly, cover loosely with a small piece of foil.
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11
The cobblers are done when the topping is deep golden brown and the peach juices are bubbling thick around the edges.
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12
Carefully remove the ramekins using oven mitts and let them cool for at least 5-10 minutes to allow the filling to set.
💡 Chef's Tips
Use ripe but firm peaches; if they are too soft, they will turn to mush during the high-heat air frying process. Keep your butter and cream as cold as possible to ensure a flaky, biscuit-like texture. If using frozen peaches, thaw and drain them well before mixing to prevent a watery filling. To make this vegan, swap the butter for chilled coconut oil (solid) and use oat milk instead of heavy cream. Check the height of your ramekins against your air fryer basket before starting to ensure they fit comfortably.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a generous scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. Drizzle a little salted caramel sauce over the top for an extra indulgent treat. Pair with a glass of chilled Moscato or a hot cup of Earl Grey tea. Add a dollop of bourbon-infused whipped cream for a sophisticated adult twist. Scatter a few toasted pecan halves on top for added texture and nuttiness.