How to Peel Peaches
Updated Jun 30, 2025
Learn how to peel peaches the easy way! A quick blanch and that stubborn skin will be a thing of the past! Works with any type of peach!
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My quick method for peeling peaches!
When a recipe calls for peeled peaches, this is the method I always use. I just drop the peaches into boiling water for a quick dunk, then move them straight into an ice bath. The skin basically slides right off, no knife, no peeler, and no losing half the fruit trying to peel the peaches by hand. It’s especially helpful with really ripe peaches, which are the hardest to peel but the best to eat.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
How to Peel Peaches
Hot water is used to encourage the skin to loosen from the peach flesh. You only need to cook the peaches for 30 seconds so all the flavor is preserved!
How to Peel Peaches
Ingredients
- 4 Peaches
- Water
- Ice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Cut an “X” in the bottom of each peach, just deep enough to penetrate the skin.
- Prepare a bowl of water with ice.
- Place the peaches carefully into the boiling water, without overcrowding the pot, and blanch for about 30 seconds until you notice the skin of the peaches start to peel back.
- Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the peaches from the pot, and place in the prepared ice bath.
- When cool enough to handle, peel the skin using your hands; it should remove very easily.
- Use a knife to cut the peach along its midline. Carefully twist both halves in opposite directions to separate the pieces. Pull apart and detach the pit. Cut as desired for recipe.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Tutorial Tips
- Use your pasta insert. If your stockpot comes with a pasta insert or colander, this is a good time to use it. You can easily remove all the peaches from the boiling water at one time. If you don’t have one, use a slotted spoon or spider strainer.
- Use a big pot. The peaches need to be fully submerged in boiling water and have enough room to roll around.
- Have a towel handy. You may find the slippery wet peaches easier to peel if you lightly dry them on a kitchen towel before peeling or even hold the wet peach in a kitchen towel.
Recipes to Make with Peeled Peaches
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze peaches after boiling and peeling them. For ease of packaging, it might be best to slice them, before freezing. Arrange the slices on a tray, freeze until hard, and pack tightly in freezer-safe containers. To keep them from browning you may want to sprinkle with lemon juice as well. For whole peaches, wrap tightly in freezer-proof material and store in freezer bags. Frozen peaches will stay at peak quality for about a year.
Your particular peaches probably need to be blanched in boiling water for a few more seconds to loosen the skin. To avoid this situation, try doing one test peach for the allotted amount of time and then adding or subtracting time-based on those results.
Plunging the blanched peaches into ice water cools off the peaches immediately. This makes the peaches easier to handle faster and stops the cooking process, so the peaches do not become mushy.
Comments
Wonderful trick among many others that you have provided in the past.
However, I have another problem with left over Rotisserie chicken from Costco. The problem is that the chicken is so huge and I don’t know what to do with the rest of the chicken,( (about 90% of it). Could you suggest a recipe, a possible healthy casserole dish??????
Love to hear from you and hopefully get a creative recipe.
Many thanks.
You can try my Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, Baked Chicken Tacos, and Asian Chicken Salad recipe!