Learn How to Peel Peaches quickly and easily by boiling and then dipping in an ice water bath. This simple process makes the peel slide right off so you can pit and slice the peaches to use in your favorite cobbler, pie, or jam recipes. You’ll also learn an alternative method to remove the peach peel using a vegetable peeler!
My first attempt to peel these tender stone fruits was not the tried and true method of boiling and blanching… but instead I thought I’d get creative and use a vegetable peeler. (You can read more about this below!)
While it did work, it was pretty laborious and took quite a bit of time.
I knew that you could boil the peaches and supposedly the skin fell right off, but I questioned this method.
That is, until I actually tried it. And boy was it a lifesaver!!
If you’ve never boiled peaches to peel them, then you are in for some kitchen magic.
When peach season rolls around, stock up on this delicious fruit to enjoy now. Or, learn how to freeze peaches to use later!
How to Peel Peaches by Boiling
Hands down the best, easiest, and quickest method to peel a lot of peaches at one time is by using the boiling method.
Seriously. You will be astonished by how easy it is to remove that seemingly stubborn peel in a matter of seconds.
So let’s take a look at this easy method for peeling a peach.
Step 1: Boil
Bring a pot of hot water to a boil and add peaches to the boiling water for 10-20 seconds. You want the pot to be big enough so that you canadd a few peaches in there at one time. Generally I like to boil about 2-3 peaches in one batch. More than that and there are too many to keep track of because the following steps happen pretty fast.
Remove the peaches with a slotted spoon once you see the skin beginning to break. It’s super important that you not boil the peaches for much longer than the recommended time. It shouldn’t take more than about 10-20 seconds before you see the peel break when touched lightly with your slotted spoon.
Step 2: Ice Bath
Immediately immerse the peaches in an ice water bath. Let soak until cool to the touch. Placing the peaches into an ice-cold bowl of water helps to stop the cooking process. This also speeds up the amount of time until you can safely touch the fruit to peel it.
Step 3: Peel
Make a small incision just into the peel of the peach using a paring knife and peel back the skin. Repeat this process until the entire peach is peeled. Sometimes this step will not be necessary because the peel has already broken enough that you can grab it with your fingers. However, if you’re having a hard time grasping the peel, placing a small paring knife just under the skin will help you to easily peel it back.
Alternative Method – Peeling Peaches with a Vegetable Peeler
This method is a bit slower and more tedious than the blanching process, but it does work quite well.
- First, wash peaches to remove dirt and debris.
- Place a sharp vegetable peeler towards the stem end, away from the bottom of each peach.
- Using light but firm pressure, press into the peach while pulling down to remove the peel. You can also rotate the peach and remove the peel in one piece, much like you would when peeling an apple. (Peaches bruise easily, so be sure not to apply too much pressure.)
- Repeat this process around the entire fruit until the peel is completely removed.
How to Pit and Slice Peaches
Once you have your peaches completely peeled, it’s time to start slicing them to use in your favorite recipes.
But wait! Isn’t there a stubborn pit right in the center of them?
Yup! There certainly is. And it’s actually pretty easy to remove it.
Step 1: Cut in half.
Locate the natural indentation along the midline of the peach. Cut it in half using this as your guide with a sharp knife. It’s OK if you’re not cutting it perfectly down the middle, but close enough is great.
Step 2: Remove the pit.
Place your thumbs in-between the two pieces and pull them apart. Remove the pit with your fingers, if possible, or use a small paring knife to cut around and remove it.
Step 3: Cut into slices.
Cut the peeled peach into ¼ – ½ inch slices to be used in a homemade peach cobbler or dice it for an overnight oats recipe. Be careful when doing this as the peeled peach is extremely slippery.
If you have a lot of sliced peaches you can also learn how to freeze peaches to use in recipes at a later time!
How to know if a peach is ripe?
Before you start peeling peaches, you’ll first want to make sure that you’ve selected the best and most ripe ones.
In order to do this, there are a few features you’ll want to look for:
- Color: Pick a peach with a reddish-yellow hue. If there is any green remaining it means the peach is not fully ripe yet.
- Shape. A round and symmetrical peach is best. Avoid peaches with wrinkles or bruises since they are either overripe or have been damaged.
- Softness. Much like when selecting an avocado, you’ll want the peach to give slightly when firm but gentle pressure is applied.
- Smell: A perfectly ripe peach will often emit a lovely aroma that lets you know it is ready to eat.
FAQs
Yes. The boiling and vegetable peeler methods both work equally as well with yellow or white peaches.
Yes. Nectarines, plums, and apricots can all be boiled and peeled in a similar manner to peaches.
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, the peel has a lot of dietary fiber. However, if making cobblers, jams, or other cooked peach recipes, you’ll want to remove the peel so it does not separate from the flesh.
While this delightful stone fruit makes an incredibly healthy snacking option, it’s also delicious when used in a Homemade Peach Cobbler, Peach Overnight Oats, or in a Peach Salsa recipe.
You can also grill them and serve with a bit of honey over ice cream, or make a Peach Banana Smoothie!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Feel to see if it’s ripe. You want the peach to give slightly when firm but gentle pressure is applied.
- Set a timer. The peaches do not need to be boiled for long at all, so set a timer and make sure you’re standing by ready to remove them!
- Have the ice bath ready. As soon as the peach skin begins to crack, you want to have the large bowl of ice water ready and waiting.
- Freeze for later. If you have a ton of fresh peaches in season, peel them and then freeze them to add to smoothies, peach pie, or cobblers later! Here are tips on how to freeze peaches.
- Get creative. You can use fresh peaches in a variety of ways, try them diced in a fruit salsa with these homemade tortilla chips.
What to Make with Fresh Peaches
Fresh peaches are absolutely delicious in so many recipes! Try one of these next:
- Peach Bellini
- Southern Peach Cobbler
- Peach Banana Smoothie
- Frozen Peach Sangria
- Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
- Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
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How to Peel Peaches
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Ingredients
- 4 peaches
Instructions
Peeling Peaches by boiling:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add peaches. Remove peaches using a slotted spoon after 10-20 seconds.
- Immediately immerse the peaches in an ice water water. Let soak until cool to the touch.
- Make a small incision just into the peel of the peach using a paring knife and peel back the skin. Repeat this process until the entire peach is peeled. (You can often just use your hands to peel once you get it started.)
Pitting and Slicing after Peeling:
- Locate the natural indentation along the midline of the peach. Cut it in half using this as your guide. Twist both halves in opposite directions to separate the pieces.
- Remove the pit with your fingers, if possible, or use a small paring knife to cut around and remove the pit. Cut the peeled peach into slices for peach cobbler or dice it for an overnight oats recipe.
Pitting and Slicing without Peeling:
- Locate the natural indentation along the midline of the peach. Cut it in half using this as your guide. Twist both halves in opposite directions to separate the pieces.
- Cut around and remove the pit using a small paring knife. Slice or dice the peach to your desired size and enjoy!
Peeling with a Vegetable Peeler:
- Place a vegetable peeler towards the stem end of the peach.
- Using light but firm pressure, press into the peach while pulling down to remove the peel. You can also rotate the peach and remove the peel in one piece, much like you would when peeling an apple. (Peaches bruise easily, so be sure not to apply too much pressure.)
- Repeat this process around the entire fruit until the peel is completely removed.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
