Easy Way to Peel Peaches for Cobbler

It's easy once you know the trick! Here's how to peel peaches quickly (and neatly).

Here's an easy way to peel peaches: blanch in boiling water and then shock in ice water. This method works best for ripe peaches, which have an intense fragrance and give slightly to palm pressure.

How to Peel Peaches

Step 1: Soak

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Place peaches in a large pot of boiling water for 10-20 seconds or until the skin splits.

Step 2: Cool

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Remove with a slotted spoon. Immediately place in an ice water bath to cool the peaches and stop the cooking process.

Step 3: Peel

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Use a paring knife to peel the skin, which should easily peel off. If stubborn areas of skin won't peel off, just return fruit to the boiling water for a few more seconds.

Does This Method Work for Other Stone Fruit?

Yes, this same method of blanching in boiling water and shocking in ice water will work to peel other stone fruits like nectarines, plums and apricots.

How to Pit Peaches

Step 1: Cut

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Cut the peach in half, cutting around the pit and using the indentation as a guide.

Step 2: Twist

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Twist halves in opposite directions to separate. Using a sharp knife, loosen and remove pit. Treat cut surfaces with lemon juice to avoid discoloration.

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How Do I Know When a Peach Is Ripe?

Look for peaches that have the classic reddish-yellow hue and no green on the skin. It should have a peachy scent as well. A fresh peach should give just a little when you squeeze it. Avoid peaches with mushy spots or wrinkled skin, both signs that indicate they're overripe. And don't make the mistake of bringing home rock-hard peaches—unlike other fruits, they won't ripen further after picking.

Can You Eat Peach Skin?

Yes! Peach skin is perfectly safe to eat. Good thing because eating juicy, fresh peaches out of hand is a true pleasure. As with many fruits and vegetables, there are concerns that trace amounts of pesticides could be present on the skin of peaches. Always wash peaches well before eating them.

Can You Leave the Skin on Peaches for Cobbler?

Yes! Since the skins on the sliced peaches will soften during baking, they'll be very tender in the final dish. But if you'd rather not have them in your cobbler or other peach recipes, it's perfectly OK to peel the peaches first.

You can also leave the skin on for many savory peach recipes.

The Best Ways to Enjoy Fresh Peaches

Golden Peach Pie

Years ago, I entered this pie in the Park County Fair in Livingston. It won a first-place blue ribbon plus a purple ribbon for best all around! Family and friends agree with the judges—it's a perfectly peachy pie. —Shirley Olson, Polson, Montana

Iva's Peach Cobbler

My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho

Peach-Chipotle Baby Back Ribs

My son and I collaborated in the kitchen one day to put our own unique twist on classic baby back ribs. We added a sweet peachy glaze and a little heat with chipotle peppers. It was a great bonding experience, and now we have a keeper recipe for fall-off-the-bone ribs. —Rebecca Suaso, Weaverville, North Carolina

Juicy Peach & Strawberry Crumb Pie

You've had peach pie and strawberry pie, and maybe even peach-strawberry pie. But throw in some garden-fresh basil and you're in for a real treat. Try it. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana

Baked Peach Pancake

This dish makes for a dramatic presentation. I usually take it right from the oven to the table, fill it with peaches and sour cream and serve it with bacon or ham. Whenever I go home, my mom (the best cook I know) asks me to make this. —Nancy Wilkinson, Princeton, New Jersey

Sparkling Peach Bellinis

Folks will savor the subtle kiss of peach flavor in this elegant brunch beverage. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sunny Peaches & Cream Pie

This pie is as delicious as it is beautiful. It's not just a summer dessert, either. I also make it for the holidays, using strawberries and strawberry gelatin. —Lorraine Wright, Grand Forks, British Columbia

Caribbean-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa

I love this recipe because of the depth of flavors and burst of colors. It's quick and easy to make. It's best when peaches are in season, but you could try strawberries or pineapple instead. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin

Georgia Peach Ice Cream

My state is well known for growing good peaches. This delicious recipe has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia

Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa

To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

Grilled Peaches 'n' Berries

With only five ingredients, this delightful dessert is so easy to prepare. Just halve peaches and sprinkle with fresh blueberries and a brown sugar mixture. Because they're grilled in foil, there are no messy dishes to wash. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

Peach & Vidalia Burgers

Take one all-American patty and load it up Georgia-style with mayo, fresh sliced peaches and sauteed Vidalia onions.

Grilled Peach & Pineapple Sangria

Grill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland

Peach Blueberry Pie

"What a flavor!" That's what I hear most often when guests taste this peach blueberry pie. I invented it one day when I was short on peaches. —Sue Thumma, Shepherd, Michigan

Fruity Baked Oatmeal

This is my husband's favorite breakfast treat and the ultimate comfort food. It's warm, filling and always a hit when I serve it to guests. —Karen Schroeder, Kankakee, Illinois.

Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa

Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a winner over store-bought versions. As a treat, I give my coworkers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio

Peaches 'n' Cream Waffle Dippers

I've prepared these for many brunches—peaches are my favorite fruit to add, but you can use strawberries or blueberries. People of all ages enjoy dunking crispy waffle strips into creamy dip. —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Chandler, Arizona

Pork with Peach Picante Sauce

When fresh peaches are in season, I cook these pork ribs for family and friends. I love the recipe because I only need six ingredients, the slow cooker does the work for me and the ribs turn out tender and tasty. —Connie Jenista, Valrico, Florida

Strawberry Peach Jam

You'll definitely capture the flavors of summer with this chunky, luscious toast-topper. Best of all, this jam freezes well for up to a year, and it makes a great housewarming or hostess gift idea. —Gwen Frankhouser, El Cajon, California.

Curried Chicken & Peach Salad

This is a very healthy and simple salad to make; even my non-cooking husband can whip it together in minutes. We've served this to friends over the years, and they always ask for the recipe. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida

Three-Fruit Marmalade

I make all my own jams, and this marmalade is a favorite. It marries the warm flavors of peaches and pears with citrus. —Lorraine Wright, Grand Forks, British Columbia

Cucumber Fruit Salsa

Our garden always gives us way more cucumbers and tomatoes than we know what to do with. But we've learned how to handle the unexpected with a surprise of our own. This is our pretty, fresh way to use up the bounty. —Anna Davis, Springfield, Missouri

Mixed Fruit Shortcakes

This delightful downsized recipe makes just two biscuitlike shortcakes. Fill them with fresh fruit of your choice and top with whipped cream for an impressive dinner finale. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona

Golden Summer Peach Gazpacho

Because peaches and tomatoes are in season at the same time, I like to blend them into a cool, delicious soup. Leftovers keep well in the fridge—but they rarely last long enough to get there. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada

Peach Smoothie

Whip up this creamy concoction as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas

Smoky Gouda & Chicken Sandwiches

My whole family loves this, but especially my husband and I for the deep smoke and garlic flavors. The cheese combined with the savory garlic-herb mayo is simply mouthwatering. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont

Peach Melba Trifle

This dream of a dessert tastes extra good on a busy day—you can make it ahead of time! If you don't have fresh peaches handy, subbing three cups of the canned ones works, too. —Christina Moore, Casar, North Carolina

Fruit 'n' Cake Kabobs

A neighbor served these kabobs at a family picnic and brought some over for us to sample. I was pleasantly surprised at the tasty toasted cake and juicy grilled fruit. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Peach Chili Sauce

I've been eating and serving this tasty chili sauce since my childhood—it's always been a favorite. —Barb Townsend-Batten, Blenheim, Ontario

Spiced Peach Cobbler

When you tuck into this warm and comforting fresh peach cobbler, you won't miss the extra fat and calories a bit! —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York

Summer Harvest Tart

One of my favorite bakeries makes this scrumptious tart that uses fall and summer fruit, so I created my own version. I like to serve it warm with whipped cream or ice cream and with a cup of coffee on a cool autumn night. —Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana

Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed Fruit

One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington

Buttermilk Peach Ice Cream

My mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee

Chunky Peach Spread

Here's a fruit spread that captures the best tastes of late summer. I like that it's low in sugar and not overly sweet, which lets the fresh peach flavor shine right through. — Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah

Peachy Spiced Cider

Welcome guests with the inviting aroma of this warm beverage. I served this spiced cider at a cookie exchange and received so many compliments. Everyone enjoyed the subtle peach flavor. —Rose Harman, Hays, Kansas

Amaretto-Peach Preserves

Chock-full of peaches, raisins and pecans, this lovely conserve enhances ordinary slices of toast.—Redawna Kalynchuk, Sexsmith, Alberta

Spinach & Bacon Salad with Peaches

Peaches and bacon? Oh, yeah. I made this family favorite for a big summer party. It was so easy to prep the parts separately, then toss it all together right before chow time. —Megan Riofski, Frankfort, Illinois

Peach Praline Upside-Down Cake

This cake is filled with fresh peaches, roasted Saigon cinnamon, roasted ground ginger and toasted pecans – and that makes it different. — Jeanette Nelson, Sophia, West Virginia

Barbecued Shrimp & Peach Kabobs

Shrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia

Grilled Peaches & Pound Cake

Brush up on grilling dessert with fresh peaches and pound cake. Store-bought cake makes it quick to prepare, and the caramelized flavor will make it disappear fast! —Joy Pendley, Ortonville, Michigan

Ginger Peach Pies

I love ginger in any way, shape or form, so I always look for ways to include it in recipes, especially desserts. Peaches and ginger star in this mini pie that offers the right amount of sweetness and spice. —Rae Endicott, Branson, Missouri

Fruit & Granola Crisp with Yogurt

Here's an easy recipe you can feel good about. Blueberries and peaches are such a delightful flavor combination. —Sue Schmidtke, Oro Valley, Arizona

Baked Cranberry Peach Sauce

This ruby red peach sauce is just fantastic and so versatile. It would be great on ham, pork or turkey. Or as a topping on waffles, pound cake or ice cream. —Kimberly Swimmer, Phoenix, Arizona

Fresh Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Lime and basil really brighten the flavors in this colorful salsa. It's best when scooped up on a homemade cinnamon chip. —Navalee Hylton, Lauderhill, Florida

Chunky Cherry & Peach Preserves

Out of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother's favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I'll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma

Grilled Fruit Phyllo Tart

This tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loved the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina

Peachy Dessert Pizza

We make dessert pizza as a tribute to summer. Using the last peaches from our windowsill, we cook them at our farewell barbecue before school begins. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas

Grilled Peach Sundaes

These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That's jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina

Peaches & Cream Jelly Roll

Cake rolls make a lovely presentation for a party, and they are simple to cut into even slices. My father taught me how to make them, and sometimes we get together and make them for family and friends. —Malena Coleman, Rockville, Indiana

Peach Bavarian

Fruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey

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