Whichever way you slice it, you’ll be able to Peel and Cut a Kiwi in under a minute using one of these 3 easy methods! Whether peeling the skin with a knife, or removing the fruit with a spoon, you’ll be a kiwi cutting pro in no time! Plus, there’s a video below that will show you all of the steps in action!

A kiwi with the end cut off is set on the counter next to a knife.
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3 Easy Ways to Cut a Kiwi

Kiwi fruits are one of the most delightful tropical fruits out there! I can eat like 5 just sitting on my couch on a summer afternoon.

And while yes, you CAN just bite right in and eat the slightly fuzzy and tough skin, it does not have the best taste or texture.

So if you’d prefer to peel and remove the skin before enjoying a kiwi, there’s 3 different methods that can be used depending on what you need the kiwi for!

  • Want gorgeous slices? One of the spoon methods is great if you want to have style it for a fruit tray.
  • Just need a quick snack? Spoon method #2 is perfectfor cutting the kiwi fruit quickly.
  • Need to cut kiwi for a recipe? The knife method is the best to use as it preserves the most flesh! (Like this Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie.)

But of course, you’re the boss here- so I’ll let you choose your favorite way to cut this sweet, tart, and juicy fruit!

How to Cut a Kiwi (Step-by-step Video)

Four kiwi with skins are placed on the counter.

What is a Kiwi?

Kiwifruit, also known as Chinese gooseberry, are a large variety of edible berry native to China and New Zealand. Their numerous black seeds and vibrant green flesh are covered in a thin layer of brown skin, featuring their iconic fuzzy texture. 

Favored by soldiers stationed in New Zealand during World War II, they became popularized in Great Britain and America in the 1960s. Today, they make for a vibrant addition to smoothies, juices, baked goods, and much more.

Whether using a knife or a super simple spoon method, now I know how to peel and cut a kiwi in less than a minute. Which means I get to enjoy this sweet, tropical fruit any time I want – and you can, too!

How to Peel a Kiwi with a Spoon (Method 1)

1. Remove the Ends

Cut away both ends of the kiwi by ½ an inch, as noted above. This removes the stem, and makes accessing the inside of the fruit easier. 

A hand is used to hold the kiwi steady while a knife cuts off the end.

2. Scoop out the Flesh

Place a spoon with a relatively sharp edge where the flesh of the kiwi meets the skin.

Gently work your way into the fruit while also beginning to rotate the kiwi. Keep the spoon in close contact with the skin of the kiwi as you go around the fruit.

The fruit will eventually become completely separated from the skin.

The kiwi half is removed and peeled with spoon method.

How to Peel a Kiwi with a Spoon (Method 2)

1. Cut Kiwi in Half

Slice the kiwi in half widthwise with a sharp chef’s knife or small paring knife.

Do not cut through the stem end, you want to cut into the belly of the fruit, leaving the stem ends intact.

The kiwi is cut in half with a knife before peeling.

2. Scoop Out Kiwi Half with Spoon

Place a spoon with a relatively sharp edge into the kiwi where the flesh meets the skin. Once again, be careful not to poke all of the way through the skin.

Gently work your way into the fruit while also beginning to rotate the kiwi. Keep the spoon in close contact with the skin as you go around the edges.

Scoop out the kiwi once you get to the base of the fruit. This can be a little more challenging on the side with the stem, so this is where a spoon with a slightly sharp edge comes in handy.

How to Cut a Kiwi With a Knife

1. Remove the Ends

Slice off about ½ inch from each end using a sharp chef’s knife or small paring knife. (Like Spoon Method 1 above.)

A small paring knife is used to peel the kiwi.

2. Slice off Peel

Stand the fruit on a cutting board, cut-side down. Starting from the top, slice into the fruit to trim away the skin.

Cut in a downward motion along the curvature of the fruit while doing so. Discard the strip of kiwi skin, rotate the fruit slightly, and repeat.

Cut kiwi into slices or dice into small cubes.

A knife is used to create slices of kiwi.
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How to Store a Kiwi?

To store a kiwi whether peeled and/or cut, place it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.

Can I Freeze a Kiwi?

Yes, you can freeze kiwis in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4-6 months.

To thaw a kiwi, simply transfer from the freezer to the fridge overnight. Drain away any excess liquid once thawed.

How do you know when a kiwi is ripe?

A kiwi is ripe much like a peach or an avocado and you can test the ripeness of a kiwi by gently squeezing the fruit. It shouldn’t be rock hard, but rather have a slight give or softness to it. 

How do you ripen kiwi?

To ripen a kiwi, store them at room temperature in order to ripen them. To speed up the process, seal them in a paper bag along with a ripe banana or apple for a day or two.

FAQs

Can you eat the skin of a kiwi?

Yes, you can eat the skin of the kiwi as it’s actually very nutritious, packed with fiber and antioxidants! Because of its fuzzy texture, however, many people prefer not to eat it.

Do you have to wash a kiwi before cutting?

Yes, even when removing the skin it is always recommended to wash a kiwi before cutting it. This is because bacteria can be introduced to the inside of the fruit by the knife, when it slices through to the green flesh.

Are kiwis good for you?

Yes, kiwis are good fro you! They are very nutritious, relatively low in calories, and have many health benefits. The high amounts of fiber help to aid digestion, and vitamin C and antioxidants boost your immunity! The nutrition facts for a 2-inch kiwi include: 42 calories, 0.4 grams fat, 215 mg potassium, 10 grams carbs, 2.1 grams fiber, and 0.8 grams protein.

Recipes Tips

  • Trim the ends. You want to make sure all of the tough white pieces located at the stem end are cut away.
  • Use a spoon. Look for a spoon the same size as the kiwi, to remove all of the skin while saving the most flesh.
  • Ripen it quickly. Place the kiwi in a paper bag with a banana or apple in order to ripen it faster.
  • Keep them fresh. If your kiwi is nearly or as ripe as you want, store it in the fridge instead of at room temperature.
  • Identify ripeness level. A ripe kiwi will smell fruity and will have a slight give when squeezed.
Kiwi is sliced, diced, and left in half pieces.

Using Cut Kiwi

Once you have peeled your kiwi, it can easily be cut into rounds, wedges, or cubes as desired.

It can be served up as a healthy garnish to sweet treats like an oatmeal, a parfait, or a pavlova. It can even act as a bright pop of color on a fruit platter, or a fruit-topped custard tart!

The pieces of a peeled kiwi can also be frozen into ice cubes for drinks, or blended into a Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie. Diced up small, it looks and tastes amazing in a Very Berry Fruit Salsa.

For the simplest experience, enjoy it even as a snack on its own.

More How-To Fruit Guides

Learn how to easily prepare even more fruits for the recipes noted above, with these simple tutorials:

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5 from 4 votes

How to Cut a Kiwi

Learn How to Peel and Cut a Kiwi, using either a knife or a spoon, with one of these 3 quick and easy methods!
A kiwi with the end cut off is set on the counter next to a knife.
Yield 1 serving
Prep 2 minutes
Total 2 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 1 kiwi

Instructions 

Spoon Method #1:

  • Cut and remove ¼-½" from both ends of the kiwi.
    1 kiwi
  • Place a spoon with a relatively sharp edge where the flesh of the kiwi meets the skin. Gently work your way into the fruit while also beginning to rotate the kiwi. Keep the spoon in close contact with the skin of the kiwi as you go around the fruit.
  • Slice the kiwi into rounds, wedges, strips, or cubes.

Spoon Method #2:

  • Cut the kiwi in half widthwise. Avoid cutting through the stem end, you want to cut into the belly of the fruit.
    1 kiwi
  • Place a spoon with a relatively sharp edge into the kiwi where the flesh meets the skin. Gently work your way into the fruit while also beginning to rotate the kiwi. Keep the spoon in close contact with the skin of the kiwi as you go around the fruit.
  • Scoop out the kiwi once you get to the base of the fruit. Slice the kiwi into rounds, wedges, strips, or cubes.

Knife Method:

  • Cut and remove ¼-½" from both ends of the kiwi. Place the kiwi flat side down on a cutting board.
    1 kiwi
  • Starting from the top, place the knife into a piece of the kiwi flesh right next to the skin. Trim a piece of skin from the kiwi by cutting in a downward motion along the curvature of the fruit, making sure to keep your knife completely in the flesh. Rotate the kiwi and then repeat this around the entire kiwi until all of the skin is removed.
  • Slice the kiwi into rounds, wedges, strips, or cubes. Enjoy!
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 4 votes

Video

Notes

Storage Directions
Peeled and/or cut kiwis may be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4-6 months. To thaw, simply transfer from the freezer to the fridge overnight. Drain away any excess liquid once thawed.
Recipe Tips
  • Trim the ends. You want to make sure all of the tough white pieces located at the stem end are cut away.
  • Use a spoon. Look for a spoon the same size as the kiwi, to remove all of the skin while saving the most flesh.
  • Ripen it quickly. Place the kiwi in a paper bag with a banana or apple in order to ripen it faster.
  • Keep them fresh. If your kiwi is nearly or as ripe as you want, store it in the fridge instead of at room temperature.
  • Identify ripeness level. A ripe kiwi will smell fruity and will have a slight give when squeezed.

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 284mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 79IU, Vitamin C: 84mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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