Baked Peaches with Vanilla IceCream and Walnut Crunch
This one ridiculously ripe peach nearly got the better of me – so juicy and sweet that halving it, drizzling it with Manuka honey and sliding it into the oven felt like the only sensible move. Baked peaches with vanilla ice cream and walnut crunch is the recipe for exactly that moment: when late summer hands you the last really good peaches, but you're already craving something warm from the oven. UK peach season (imported and home-grown) runs roughly from July to September, with the best flavour right at the tail end – ideal for this late-summer-to-autumn handover. After 20 minutes in the oven, the peach turns soft, warm, almost melting. Add cold vanilla ice cream, crunchy walnuts and a hint of coconut, and you've got a dessert that leaves you feeling genuinely good afterwards.
Ingredients for Baked Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream and Walnut Crunch
for 2 servings
● 1 ripe peach
● 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
● 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
● 30 g walnuts
Instructions for Baked Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream and Walnut Crunch
1. Wash the peach, halve it and remove the stone.
2. Drizzle the cut sides with the Manuka honey.
3. Place the peach halves cut-side up on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes, until soft and slightly mushy. Short on time? In an air fryer at 180°C, the peaches are usually ready in just 12 to 15 minutes, soft and lightly caramelised. Prefer the grill? On a hot barbecue, peach halves cut-side down need just 4 to 5 minutes until soft, with a light char and extra smokiness.
4. Take the peaches out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes, until just warm.
5. Roughly crush the walnuts into coarse crumbs.
6. Arrange the peach halves on a plate and top each with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
7. Scatter the crushed walnuts and desiccated coconut over the ice cream and peaches, and serve straight away.
Résumé
Baked peaches with vanilla ice cream and walnut crunch are exactly the recipe for the moment when late summer tips over into autumn. The warm, slightly mushy peach meets cold, slowly melting vanilla ice cream, with walnut crunch and a little coconut holiday feeling on top – properly relaxed to make and genuinely delicious. As a flexitarian recipe, this dessert doesn't need any meat reduction to earn its place: it's naturally plant-forward and all about enjoyment without a guilty conscience. Why does it leave you feeling this good afterwards? Because one ripe piece of fruit, a little honey and some crunch are all it takes to feel properly satisfied, with nothing artificial and barely any effort.
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Flexi-Tipps
No walnuts on hand?
Almonds or pecans work just as well as a crunchy topping.
Why Manuka honey instead of regular honey?
It brings a richer, slightly earthy flavour that contrasts the peach's sweetness instead of just doubling down on it.
Short on time?
In an air fryer, the peaches are done in 12 to 15 minutes – ideal for a quick weeknight dessert.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How long do peaches take to bake in the oven?
At 180°C, halved peaches usually take about 20 minutes to turn soft and slightly mushy. In an air fryer, 12 to 15 minutes is often enough.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
Yes – swap in a plant-based vanilla ice cream made from oat or coconut milk, and the rest of the ingredients are already plant-based.
What makes Manuka honey different from regular honey?
Manuka honey comes from the manuka bush native to New Zealand and has a richer, slightly earthy flavour than standard honey, along with naturally high levels of methylglyoxal.
Can I use a different nut instead of walnuts?
Absolutely – almonds, pecans or hazelnuts all work well as a crunchy topping, just make sure they're roughly chopped rather than too fine.
Can this dessert be served cold?
It's best warm, straight from the oven, but leftovers taste great cold from the fridge the next day too.
Can I grill the peaches instead of baking them?
Yes – on a hot grill, halved peaches cut-side down need only 4 to 5 minutes until soft, a quick alternative to the oven or air fryer that's perfect for a summer barbecue.
What You'll Need
Manuka Honey from Artgerecht We work with Artgerecht because their Manuka honey brings exactly the depth this recipe needs – rich, slightly earthy, never just sweet. Use the code FLEXITARIANS10 for 10% off your order.
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