Want to make peach cobbler or peach pie but it calls for peeled peaches? Learn how to peel peaches easily and quickly without a peeler.


peeled peaches in a glass bowl
My favorite summer fruit has to be peaches. Nothing beats a cold, juicy peach with the juices running down your arm.

However, there’s also that one pesky question every time you go to bake a peach cobbler for two or peach pie filling – to peel or not to peel?

It amazes me a lot of people don’t eat peaches because of the skin. I mean, I can understand why. Eating something that’s fuzzy usually isn’t a good thing.

But peaches? I can’t imagine not eating the skin.

However, sometimes when you’re baking you want to get rid of the skin because it affects the overall texture of your dessert.

Usually when you peel apples or carrots, you use a hand peeler. But peaches are far too delicate for that. Plus peeling peaches can be time consuming.

If you’re reading this, then chances are you want to learn how to peel peaches quickly and easily. That’s why I wrote up this guide on the best way to peel peaches, complete with step by step photos.

You’re going to need a knife, a big pot of hot water, and a big bowl of ice water.


3 peeled peaches

What is blanching?

Blanching is a cooking process where you boil an ingredient for some time then immediately plunge under cold water.

Ideally it is used to enhance the color, flavor, and texture of vegetables. However, it is also used to peel ingredients with skin, such as peaches, tomatoes, and almonds.

The best way to peel peaches is by blanching them in hot water then immediately dunking them into an ice bath.

The immediate change in temperature shocks the peaches, loosening up the skin for easy peeling.

Can you eat peach skin?

Peach skins are 100 percent edible, so you don’t have to peel them.

However, sometimes if peaches are cooked down long enough, such as in a cobbler or crisp, or you’re making something smooth like peach curd or peach ice cream, then the skin may ruin the texture.

Sometimes you do leave the skin on, such as with this Peach Galette where the skin helps the peach slices keep their shape.


Glass bowl with 3 peeled peaches

How To Peel Peaches

The easy way to peel peaches requires the following equipment:

  • A knife
  • A large pot filled with water (I use a Dutch oven but any pan large enough to hold your peaches will do)
  • A slotted spoon
  • A large bowl filled with ice water


Peaches with an X cut into the bottom

First, cut an X into the bottom of each peach. This will give you a peeling point for later.


Large pot of water with peaches

Next, bring a large pot of unsalted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add the peaches. If you can’t fit them all at once, do them in batches.

Boil for 30-60 seconds. You don’t want to actually cook the peaches.


Peach in bowl of ice water

Once boiled, use a slotted spoon to transfer each peach to your bowl of ice water. Don’t turn your boiling water off just yet.

If you’re like me and forgot to make ice in your freezer, you can also run the peaches under cold water.


Peeling a peach with hands

When your peaches are cool enough to handle, remove from the ice bath and start peeling with your fingers.

If you forgot to cut an X earlier, don’t worry! You can still cut an X here to give yourself a peeling point.

Having trouble peeling? Place the peach back into your boiling water for another 30 seconds and repeat with the ice bath.

Once all of your peaches are peeled, you can turn off your boiling water.

This method also works great with tomatoes.


3 peeled peaches

What To Do With Peeled Peaches

Now that you are done peeling peaches, it’s time to get baking! Here are some peach recipes for you to make:

Peeling a peach with hands

How To Peel Peaches

Yield: Peeled Peaches
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 21 minutes

Looking to make peach cobbler or peach pie but it calls for peeled peaches? Learn how to peel peaches easily and quickly without a peeler.

Ingredients

  • Ripe peaches
  • Knife
  • Large pot of water
  • Bowl with ice water
  • Slotted spoon

Instructions

  1. Cut an X into the bottom of each peach. This will give you a
    peeling point for later.
  2. Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add the peaches. If you can't fit them all at once, do them in batches.
  3. Boil for 30-60 seconds. You don’t want to actually cook the
    peaches.
  4. Once boiled, use a slotted spoon to transfer each peach to
    a bowl of ice water. If you don't have ice, you can run the peaches under cold water.
  5. When your peaches are cool enough to handle, remove from the ice bath and start peeling with your fingers.

    Having trouble peeling? Place the peach back into your boiling water for another 30 seconds and repeat with the ice bath.

Notes

Recommended Products

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Originally published September 7, 2011