Here’s how to peel peaches: without a knife or peeler! This easy method makes the skin come off in sheets, perfect when you’re baking or freezing.

How to peel peaches

Making a recipe that calls for peeled peaches? Here’s the easy way to do it! Here’s the thing about peaches: if you try to peel them with a vegetable peeler, you end up with a mess. This fruit is so juicy and the skin so tough, it’s hard to make it work. So here’s a trick that works like a charm. I grew up eating my mom’s world’s best peach pie, and this is how she peeled the peaches every time. This method works whether you’re making pie, cobbler, or peach puree, or even for freezing your peaches. Ready to get started?

Here’s the trick: how to peel peaches!

The trick to how to peel peaches? Boiling water! Yes, a quick dunk in boiling hot water makes the peach skin release from the peach. It also barely cooks the peach, which makes it just the right texture for using in desserts and purees. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Boil the peaches for 45 seconds each. You can add them to a pan of boiling water in batches of 2 or 3.
  • Remove them to a bowl of ice water. After the 45 seconds, use a slotted spoon to place them in ice water. This cools them so you can easily handle them.
  • Remove the peel with your fingers. Use a knife to get it started by making a shallow slice just into the skin. Then use your fingers to pull off the skin in sheets. Voila!
How to peel peaches

Why do you need to peel peaches?

Good question! The peach skin is pretty thick and in some cases, fuzzy. For some recipes, this is ok and you can leave the skin on. Sliced peaches with the skin on work in a salad like this Easy Burrata & Peaches, or for Grilled Peaches or Roasted Peaches. You should also peel peaches if you’re planning to freeze peaches to preserve them for later.

But if you’re making a baked good like a pie or cobbler, or a peach puree or jam, peeled peaches are the way to go! They’re much easier to eat that way. Speaking of…

How to peel peaches

Recipes to use peeled peaches

So, what are the best recipes that use peeled peaches? We’re so glad you asked! We’ve got lots of favorites. Here are some top peach recipes and peach desserts to make:

Peach cobbler
Peach Cobbler requires peeled peaches!
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How to peel peaches

How to Peel Peaches


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 6 peaches 1x

Description

Here’s how to peel peaches: without a knife or peeler! This easy method makes the skin come off in sheets, perfect when you’re baking or freezing.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ripe peaches

Instructions

  1. Start a medium saucepan of water to boil. Once boiling, place the peaches in batches of 3 into the boiling water for 45 seconds.
  2. Remove the peaches with a slotted spoon and place them in a large bowl of ice water.
  3. After about a minute or so when the peaches are cool enough to handle, use a paring knife to make a small cut to puncture the skin. Then use your fingers to pull off the skin in sheets. The remaining peaches are perfect to use in peach pie, peach cobbler, or peach puree.
  • Category: How To
  • Method: Boiled
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: How to peel peaches

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About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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