How to Peel Peaches

Learning How to Peel Peaches is essential for making peach pies, crisps, cobblers, and more! It also comes in handy when preparing peaches for freezing. Peeling peaches takes less than 10 minutes and is so easy to do! 

Why Peel Peaches?  

Peeling fresh peaches sounds like it’d be a huge pain, but it’s actually a simple process that takes just a few minutes to complete. 

Removing the peel from a peach creates smoother fillings in desserts like peach crisp and peach pie. The peel never cooks down or “disappears,” and it can even taste fairly bitter depending on the variety of peach.

If you’re looking for the easiest way to peel a peach, I’ve got you covered! My tried and true method for blanching and peeling peaches requires minimal prep, and at the end you can peel off the peach skins using just your fingers.

Whether you’re preparing the peaches for a sweet or savory recipe — or perhaps you’re freezing the peaches for later! — this straightforward tutorial is ideal for all home cooks. 

Tools You’ll Need

Peeling and pitting peaches is simple, but you’ll need the following tools: 

• Rimmed Baking Sheet: Is lined with paper towels and is what you’ll set the peaches on to dry off. 
• Paper Towels: Line the baking sheet to soak up any excess moisture from the blanching process. 
• Large Pot: Essential for blanching fruits and veggies. 
• Paring Knife: For cutting an X into the bottom of the peaches for easy peeling post-blanching. 
• Cutting Board: For slicing the peeled peaches. 
• Slotted Serving Spoon: Lets you remove the peaches from the boiling water more easily. 
• Large Bowl: Needed to create an ice bath. 

How to Peel Peaches

Full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. Below is simply an overview of the peach blanching and peeling process: 

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. 
2. Meanwhile, score the bottom of each peach with an “X” using a paring knife. 
3. Lower the prepared peaches into the boiling water. Let blanch for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the skins are loose. 
4. Immediately transfer the peaches from the boiling water to an ice bath. Let cool for about 2 minutes. 
5. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Use a paring knife (or your fingers!) to carefully peel the skin away from the flesh, starting at the “X” you scored into the bottom of the peach. 

Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

How long should you blanch peaches for peeling? 

Fresh peaches must be blanched for 30 seconds to 1 minute to loosen the skins. Blanching times will vary depending on the ripeness of the peaches. Less ripe peaches may need a slightly longer blanch time than very ripe peaches to loosen the skin. 

Can peaches be peeled without blanching them first? 

Yes, you can also use a sharp paring knife or vegetable peeler to peel peaches, but I don’t suggest those methods because they wind up removing a lot of the juicy flesh in addition to the skin. 

Blanching peaches first loosens the skin and ensures that only the skin comes off. All of the flesh remains and can be used in your favorite recipes! 

Why are my peaches hard to peel? 

If the skin isn’t coming off cleanly or easily, that usually means you need to blanch the peaches for longer. Less ripe peaches need more time in the boiling water to loosen the skin, so keep that in mind when blanching. 

Should you wash peaches before peeling? 

Definitely! The peaches are scored on the bottom before being blanched, so you don’t want any lingering dirt or debris sneaking into the water. 

How many peaches can I blanch and peel at once? 

As many as you have on hand! Using a slotted spoon lets you remove the peaches from the boiling water without having to drain them, so you can continually add fresh peaches to the pot until they’re all used up. 

Storage Instructions

Peeled peaches should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last 3 to 5 days. Note that they’ll oxidize (turn brown) over time; you can squeeze a little lemon juice over top to prevent this from happening. 

Once the peaches have been blanched and peeled, you can also freeze them for a few months. I have a full tutorial on How to Freeze Peaches if you’re looking to do that! 

Try Peeling Fresh at Home! 

Next time you have an abundance of fresh peaches that need peeling, give this easy tutorial a try!

Did you love how little effort the peeling process took? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see a photo of your peeled peaches!

Recipes Using Peeled Peaches: 

Peach Sangria is a delicious and flavorful cocktail that’s easy to make for a group, or just for yourself. The peach flavors combine perfectly with the Rosé for a delightful drink you are sure to enjoy, especially on those hot summer days! 

This Homemade Peach Syrup can be enjoyed atop pancake, waffles, ice cream, and more! It’s so easy to make and is a great way to use up fresh peaches.

This Peach and Mixed Berry Cobbler is topped with homemade sour cream biscuits. This is the ultimate end of summer dessert!

Fresh peaches are tossed with spices and sprinkled with a buttery oat topping before being baked until golden brown and bubbly. Make this old-fashioned Peach Crisp with Oat Topping with fresh or frozen peaches and enjoy all summer long!

This easy recipe for Avocado Peach Salsa is a delicious way to enjoy those juicy summer peaches! It makes a great appetizer or snack, and I’m including several other serving suggestions to incorporate it into a main dish.

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