Vegan Nectarine Galette (no peeling necessary!)

This vegan nectarine galette is the ultimate easy summer dessert, featuring a flaky buttery crust and juicy, caramelized nectarines with warm hints of cinnamon. Rustic, simple, and naturally dairy-free, it's the perfect pastry without the fuss of a traditional pie.

I love that this recipe features nectarines...and I don't have to peel them! -Sharla

Galettes are one of my favorite things to bake! I love fruit, but don't always have the patience to make an entire pie. The galette saves me every single time.

This vegan nectarine galette is light and fresh with a rich, caramel-vanilla component that takes it to the next level.

If this recipe puts you into a galette-making frenzy, you'll also want to check out my vegan blueberry galette.

Serve any and all galettes with my no-churn vegan vanilla ice cream for extra points!

Jump to:

• ingredients you'll need
• what is a galette?
• how to make a vegan nectarine galette (with pictures!)
• Tips for Making a Vegan Nectarine Galette
• How to Keep your Galette from Getting Soggy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• make ahead tips
• nectarine galette recipe variations
• storage
• Vegan Nectarine Galette
• More Vegan Pie and Pastry Recipes

ingredients you'll need

Here is everything you'll need to make this incredible galette:

• All-purpose flour forms the foundation of the galette crust, providing structure while creating a tender pastry that's sturdy enough to hold the juicy fruit filling.
• Granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the dough and filling and helps the crust develop a lightly golden color as it bakes.
• Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor of the pastry, making the crust taste more rich and flavorful.
• Cold vegan butter creates flaky layers in the crust as it melts during baking, helping give the galette that classic buttery pastry texture.
• Cold non-hydrogenated shortening helps make the crust extra tender and flaky while improving structure and making the dough easier to work with.
• Ice water brings the dough together without warming the fat, which is important for keeping the butter and shortening cold so the crust stays flaky.
• Fresh nectarines are the star of the recipe, adding juicy sweetness and a naturally floral stone fruit flavor that becomes even sweeter as they bake.
• Light brown sugar adds deeper caramel-like sweetness that gives the filling extra richness and pairs beautifully with warm baked fruit.
• Ground cinnamon adds warmth and subtle spice that complements the natural sweetness of nectarines without overpowering the fruit.
• Lemon juice and zest add bright citrus flavor that makes the nectarines taste fresher and helps balance the sweetness of the filling.
• Vanilla extract rounds out the flavors and adds warm bakery-style sweetness that pairs beautifully with the baked fruit.

what is a galette?

A galette is a rustic French-style pastry made by layering fruit or savory fillings in the center of pastry dough, then folding the edges over and baking until golden and crisp.

Unlike a traditional pie, galettes are intentionally free-form, which means there's no pie dish, no fancy crimping, and no complicated shaping required.

When baked, the crust becomes flaky and buttery while the filling turns soft, juicy, and caramelized around the edges. Fruit galettes are an easy way to showcase fresh seasonal produce like peaches, nectarines, berries, or apples without the fuss of making an entire pie.

Think of it as all the cozy flavor of homemade pie, but way easier and much more relaxed.

Tips for Making a Vegan Nectarine Galette

While galettes are fairly easy to make overall, I have included a few extra, simple tips to make this recipe even more foolproof!

1. Keep the butter and shortening very cold: Cold fat is the secret to a flaky, tender crust. If the butter starts softening while making the dough, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before continuing.
2. Use ice water only as needed: Add the water one tablespoon at a time. Too much water can make the dough sticky and create a tougher crust.
3. Don't overwork the dough: Mix just until the dough comes together. Over-working develops gluten, which can make the crust less flaky.
4. Chill the dough before rolling: Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes helps firm up the butter and makes rolling much easier.
5. Slice the nectarines evenly: Try to keep slices roughly the same thickness so the fruit bakes evenly and softens at the same rate.
6. Use ripe but slightly firm nectarines: Very soft fruit can release too much juice while baking and make the crust soggy. Slightly firm nectarines hold their shape better.
7. Don't overfill the galette: Too much fruit can make folding difficult and cause excess juices to leak out while baking.
8. Bake until deeply golden: Don't pull it out too early. The crust should be nicely golden and the fruit filling should look bubbly and caramelized.
9. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
10. Serve warm for best flavor: A warm slice with vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped cream makes the whole dessert feel extra special.

How to Keep your Galette from Getting Soggy

Preventing a galette from getting soggy involves a few key steps to ensure that the crust remains crisp. Here are some tips to help you avoid a soggy galette:

1. Use slightly firm fruit: Overripe nectarines release a lot of juice while baking, which can soak into the crust. Choose ripe but still firm fruit for the best texture.
2. Don't overfill the galette: Too much fruit means too much liquid.
3. Add a little thickener if needed: A small amount of flour (as in this recipe), or even cornstarch, helps absorb fruit juices and keeps the filling from leaking into the crust.
4. Sprinkle sugar thoughtfully: Sugar draws out moisture from fruit, so avoid adding extra beyond what's in the recipe.
5. Let it cool before slicing: The filling continues to set as it cools, so cutting too early can make it seem wetter than it actually is.
6. Serve the same day for best texture: Galettes are best enjoyed fresh, when the crust is crisp and the filling is at its peak.
7. Optional crust barrier tip: Lightly brushing the crust with a thin layer of melted vegan butter before adding fruit can help create a moisture barrier.
8. Avoid watery fruit substitutions: If swapping nectarines for other fruit, be mindful that very juicy fruits may require extra thickener.

Frequently Asked Questions

make ahead tips

Here are a few make-ahead tips for your vegan nectarine galette if you are short on time:

1. Prepare the dough in advance: The galette dough can be made up to 2-3 days ahead and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. This actually helps the dough rest and makes it easier to roll out later.
2. Freeze the dough for longer storage: Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
3. Slice fruit ahead of time (with care): You can slice the nectarines a few hours in advance, but toss them with lemon juice to help prevent browning and excess juice buildup.
4. Assemble just before baking: For the best texture, it's ideal to assemble the galette shortly before baking so the crust doesn't get soggy.
5. Bake ahead option: You can fully bake the galette earlier in the day, then reheat it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes before serving to crisp the crust back up.
6. Cool completely before storing: If making ahead, let the galette cool fully so trapped steam doesn't soften the crust.

nectarine galette recipe variations

Here are a few ways you can modify this recipe to your tastes:

1. Peach Galette: Swap the nectarines for peaches for a classic summer version with a slightly softer, juicier filling.
2. Berry Nectarine Galette: Add blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the filling for a mixed berry twist with extra juiciness and color.
3. Plum Galette: Use sliced plums instead of nectarines for a deeper, slightly tart flavor and beautiful jewel-toned filling.
4. Peach Almond Galette: Add a few tablespoons of almond flour to the filling or sprinkle sliced almonds on top for extra nutty flavor and crunch.
5. Maple Nectarine Galette: Swap part of the sugar for maple syrup for a richer, caramel-like sweetness.
6. Ginger Nectarine Galette: Add a pinch of ground ginger or fresh grated ginger for a warm, slightly spicy kick that pairs beautifully with stone fruit.
7. Rustic Mini Galettes: Divide the dough into smaller portions to make individual galettes for personal-sized desserts.
8. Oat Crumble Galette: Sprinkle an oat-based crumble topping over the fruit before folding the edges for extra texture and a crisp finish.

storage

Room temperature: Store you vegan nectarine galette loosely covered at room temperature for up to 1 day. This helps maintain the crust's crisp texture.

Refrigerator: For longer storage, cover and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. The crust will soften slightly, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Reheating: Warm slices in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to help restore some crispness to the crust. You can also microwave briefly, but the crust will be softer.

Freezer: Wrap the fully cooled galette tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Best freshness tip: Galettes are best enjoyed within the first day or two when the crust is at its flakiest and the fruit is freshest.

Avoid sogginess: Always let the galette cool completely before storing so steam doesn't soften the crust

If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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