With 3 ingredient peach cobbler, peaches, quick tapioca, and dry cake mix team up for a warm, bubbling bake that hits the spot. It’s a simple weeknight dessert that fills the kitchen with sweet fruit and cinnamon aromas.
This recipe tackles issues of runny fillings and lengthy prep times, presenting a quick, thick cobbler that satisfies family dessert cravings effortlessly.
I used to end up with runny juice on the counter when kids wandered in, but this easy peach cobbler keeps filling thick without extra steps (I once skipped a stir). Now I can whip it out on busy nights.
A tip I learned is adding instant tapioca so the sauce isn’t runny and thickens fast. The dash of cinnamon rind makes it smell cozy. You just pop it in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, let it rest 10 minutes, and dig into warm, golden squares.
If you want another quick fruit bake that’s fun for kids or guests, check out Rhubarb and Strawberry Tart Recipe for fresh summer flavors.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is not gluten-free due to yellow cake mix containing wheat flour and no gluten-free substitute currently used here.
- This recipe is not dairy-free or vegan due to unsalted butter and yellow cake mix containing milk proteins and lactose.
- This recipe suits vegetarian diets since it contains no meat or animal flesh and uses peach slices, cake mix, butter.
- This recipe does not meet keto or low-carb diets due to high carbohydrate content from cake mix and heavy syrup.
- This recipe is nut-free and safe for those avoiding tree nuts or peanuts since no nut ingredients appear at all.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Buttery Crisp Top The melted butter melts into the dry cake mix, creating a golden crust that bakes up crisp in about 45 minutes, no fuss.
- Thick, Juicy Filling Instant tapioca absorbs excess syrup and holds the canned peaches’ juices, giving you a bubbly, spoonable center without any soggy spots.
- Bright Citrus Twist Lemon zest folded into the peach mixture cuts through sweetness with a fresh note, making each bite taste like a sunny afternoon.
- Almost Instant Prep This 3 ingredient peach cobbler goes from fridge to oven in under 5 minutes, then bakes about 45 minutes with almost no prep.
3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious 3 ingredient peach cobbler that is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight desserts.
Ingredients
- 2 (15-oz) cans peach slices in heavy syrup (do not drain)
- 1 cup quick-cooking tapioca
- 1 box (15.25-oz) yellow cake mix (dry)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Use nonstick spray to grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This initial step ensures your cobbler bakes evenly and prevents the edges from over-browning before the center bubbles.
- Pour the two cans of peach slices, syrup included, directly into the prepared baking dish. Add the quick-cooking tapioca, lemon zest, and ground cinnamon to the peaches. Mix gently with a rubber spatula to coat the peaches evenly. Properly coating the fruit with tapioca locks the syrup in place, keeping the filling thick and perfect.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the peach mixture. Do not stir. This helps create a delightful “self-saucing” effect while baking, where the juices from the peaches meld with the cake mix to form a delicious underlayer and a crisp topping.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the cake mix, ensuring coverage of all edges. This allows the topping to brown nicely and prevents any dry spots as it bakes.
- Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, watching for the top to become golden brown and bubbly around the edges. If the top starts to darken too much before it’s finished baking, tent it with a piece of foil after about 30 minutes. Let the cobbler rest for ten minutes before serving—this resting time thickens the filling for easier scooping.
Notes
- Tapioca: Instant tapioca helps achieve a clear, thick filling without clumping and without a lengthy soaking time.
- Lemon Zest and Cinnamon: These ingredients work together to balance the sweetness of the peaches and add an aromatic depth to the dish.
- Storage: Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to four days. To reheat individual portions, microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble the cobbler in a foil pan and refrigerate for up to four hours before baking. Just be aware that if baking from cold, you might need an additional 5–10 minutes in the oven.
- Variations: If you’d like, you can swap out the peaches for other fruits, like mixed berries. If you prefer, the lemon zest can be omitted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Ingredient Notes
- Canned peach slices in heavy syrup: grab two 15-oz cans with thick syrup to sweeten the filling—no draining needed; or swap fresh peaches tossed in sugar when in season.
- Yellow cake mix: use a 15.25-oz box of dry mix; sprinkle evenly for a crisp top layer; pick a gluten-free mix if you need an allergy-friendly treat.
- Unsalted butter: melt one stick gently to avoid burning; pour it over the cake mix so it soaks in and browns; sub vegan margarine if preferred.
Recipe Baking Tips
- If filling remains thin, stir in 1 tablespoon instant tapioca 5 minutes before sliding dish into oven to help thicken fruit juices.
- If top browns too fast, tent with foil 30 minutes into baking then bake 10 minutes to keep topping crisp, edges pale.
- If topping seems dry, drizzle 1 tablespoon melted butter evenly 10 minutes into baking to boost moisture and yield a golden crust.
- If tapioca clumps, use a rubber spatula to lift fruit gently 1 minute before adding cake mix to ensure even coating.
- If assembling ahead, cover and chill cobbler up to 4 hours then bake 45 minutes from cold to preserve topping moisture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve 3 ingredient peach cobbler alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Coconut Whipped Cream, Gluten Free Amaretti Cookies, and Jasmine Tea. Pair it with Fresh Mint Syrup, Lemon Basil Sorbet, Almond Biscotti, and Chamomile Infusion for crisp accents alongside cobbler slices.
Use 3 ingredient peach cobbler to make Peach Cobbler Parfait with Greek Yogurt, Granola Clusters, Honey Drizzle, and Chia Seeds. Add leftover cobbler into Creamy Peach Smoothie Base, Milk Bread Pudding Bake, Apple Spice Muffins, and Maple Cinnamon Oat Bars.
Top 3 ingredient peach cobbler with Honey Whipped Cream, Cinnamon Sugar Dust, Caramel Sea Salt Sauce, and Orange Zest Garnish. Drizzle with Bourbon Smoked Maple Syrup, Spoon Blueberry Coulis, Greek Yogurt Sauce, Cinnamon Brown Butter Sauce, and Toasted Almond Flakes.
Recipe variations
- You can use 2 cups fresh peach slices replacing canned syrup, while keeping 1 cup tapioca and one box yellow cake mix intact for simplicity.
- Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest and ½ teaspoon cinnamon to brighten peach flavor and moderate sweetness, mixing in the dish before sprinkling dry cake mix.
- Either swap lemon zest for grated orange peel or substitute cinnamon with nutmeg to change bold flavor profile while maintaining 3 ingredient peach cobbler simplicity.
- If using six 6-oz ramekins, divide 3 cups peach mixture evenly, top with ¼ cup cake mix and 2 tablespoons butter then serve alongside my Gluten-Free Almond Cake
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your 3 ingredient peach cobbler fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Airtight container stores cobbler at room temperature up to 2 days. Seal lid firmly to preserve cobbler moisture and flavor.
Refrigeration: Airtight container preserves cobbler in refrigerator up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain filling thickness and flavor.
Freezing: Freezer bag stores cobbler securely wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil up to 3 months. Thaw overnight refrigerated completely.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
A 3 ingredient peach dump cake is made of canned peach slices in heavy syrup, yellow cake mix, unsalted butter; baked until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients for peach cobbler: 8 peeled, pitted, sliced peaches; ¼c white & brown sugar; ¼tsp cinnamon; ⅛tsp nutmeg; 1tsp lemon juice; 2tsp cornstarch; 1c flour.
Peach crisp has a buttery, oat-based streusel topping, while peach cobbler uses a thicker, biscuit-style topping.
Cobbler crust is made by cutting shortening into flour, sugar, and salt, then binding with an egg and cold water into a dough ball.
If you enjoyed this 3 ingredient peach cobbler or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
