This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
These peach recipes highlight the best of this juicy ripe fruit, from crumbles to cobblers and salsa to drinks. As cookbook authors, these are the best ways we’ve found to use peaches when they’re in season!

Got peaches? Peach season is short and sweet—just a few elusive months to cook with this juicy fruit. So once we get our hands on some, we’re giddy with possibility! As two cookbook authors, Alex and I have been testing recipes for over a decade to find the best ways to cook with this deliciously sweet stone fruit.
Peaches are extremely versatile, ideal in peach desserts like pie, cobbler, crisps and crumbles. You can also use it for savory recipes like peach salsa and peach burrata salad, or peach cocktails from the Bellini to the peach margarita. Below the recipes, we’ve got a few essential tips for working with peaches.
💡Can you use canned or frozen peaches in these recipes? Yes, but it depends on the recipe. Go to each recipe to see which alternatives are listed.
And now…our top fresh peach recipes to try!
Here's a star peach recipe: Peach Crumble! This nostalgic dessert is easy to whip up and full of bold flavor. Imagine: a layer of juicy, tender peaches seasoned with vanilla and lemon juice. It’s topped with a golden crumble layer spiced with cinnamon and ginger that’s got just the right amount of crispness and irregular crumble pieces. Top with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and it’s an incredible treat.
This peach burrata salad is one of the simplest, best ways to use this seasonal fruit! Juicy ripe peaches, creamy rich cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar make each bite a masterpiece. This one is a must-make summer recipe!
Got a load of ripe, juicy peaches? Here’s the ultimate summer treat: this Peach Galette recipe! Imagine, a filling of tender fruit flavored with brown sugar, nutty browned butter and a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. It’s all encased in a flaky, buttery pastry crust. A galette is a rustic tart: the perfect easy alternative to a pie.
The sweet and savory combination of chicken thighs with peaches makes an over-the-top delicious one pan meal! This easy dinner idea pairs rich, savory chicken with the juicy sweetness of peaches and sprinkle of fresh herbs for a bright, aromatic touch.
This delightful peach blueberry cobbler is a comforting, easy dessert that’s become a family favorite! It stars sweet summer peaches and juicy blueberries baked under a golden, buttery crust, flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. Frozen or canned fruit works, too!
When it’s the season, you’ve got to seize it: make all the peach recipes! Here’s the recipe we run to often: this fresh Peach Salad. This one is a standout, pairing juicy ripe peaches with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette, punches of creamy goat cheese and nutty toasted almonds. Add pops of sweet corn and savory red onion slivers and it’s a total treat.
These peach cobbler muffins are a delicious mashup of a muffin with everyone’s favorite summer dessert! Each fluffy bite is packed with juicy peaches and a sweet vanilla glaze, with the warm, comforting flavors of cobbler in every bite.
This easy peaches and cream oatmeal is a cozy, comforting breakfast that tastes like pie! It’s one of our favorite easy breakfast ideas, made with fresh or frozen peaches, maple, vanilla, and cinnamon. Peach oatmeal for the win!
This easy peach lemonade is a fun, unique drink that everyone will love! The simple recipe combines the sweetness of fresh peaches with zingy lemons for a delicious and refreshing drink. Our friends and family adore it!
This really is the best peach pie! It's our family's award winning recipe: and man, is it good. The filling is thick and creamy, flavored with sugar and lots of vanilla. Combine that with juicy peaches and a pastry crust and its...well, heavenly.
Peach recipes can be savory sweet, too! When peach season rolls around, you've got to make a batch of this peach salsa! The sweetness of the ripe fruit is ideal paired with red onion, jalapeno and cilantro. Use it to top tacos or as a dip for tortilla chips. It's also great with grilled fish.
Try this homemade Peach Ice Cream recipe! When summer hits, it’s time for all the peach recipes. And what better way to highlight their intoxicating flavor than ice cream? This recipe comes out lusciously creamy, vanilla-scented with chunks of sweet peaches throughout.
Another in the most peach recipes: peach cobbler! Those elusive days where peaches are ripe and juicy makes them all the more special. Why not use them to make an incredible peach cobbler? Imagine: cinnamon-spiced, ripe and tangy peaches, covered in delightfully flaky ricotta biscuits. It’s truly something special.
Got a few ripe peaches on the counter? Try this sweet and tasty Peach Compote! A compote is one of the best ways to use fruit that’s almost overripe, like peaches, berries, apples or pears. Cook the fruit with a little sugar and it reduces down into a glossy, fruity sauce that’s perfect for ice cream, oatmeal, pancakes, and more. Flavored with a bit of cinnamon and vanilla, it’s heaven in every bite.
At the top of our peach recipes every season is this Peach Crisp! This nostalgic dessert is pure summer bliss. Ripe, juicy peaches star in a vanilla-scented gooey filling that’s covered with just the right ratio of crunchy golden crumbles. Top with a dollop of melty vanilla ice cream and it’s summer dessert heaven.
Here’s a perfect peach recipe for when this juicy fruit collides with the heat of summer: Peach Sorbet! It’s a frosty dessert that accentuates the gentle sweetness of peaches simply with sugar and a pop of lemon juice. Churn it up and it’s the ideal refreshing dessert for a summer evening.
Got a bunch of ripe peaches and not sure how to use them? Try Peach Juice! It makes a vibrant, sweet and tangy healthy drink, that you won’t want to put down. Or, you can sweeten it to make peach nectar for use in cocktails. We’ll admit, when we think peaches we first think of peach desserts. But peach juice is a fun and healthy way to use this juicy fruit: it’s like simpler spin on a smoothie.
Here’s the peach smoothie recipe of your dreams! Really. You’ll be blown away by the creamy texture and bright peach flavor, accented with vanilla and cinnamon. It tastes more like a milkshake! But it’s made with healthy ingredients like peaches, banana and Greek yogurt. This one is a huge hit in our house. It’s even good enough to serve as a healthy dessert.
Here’s a sparkling peach recipe that’s full of beautiful fresh flavor: the Bellini! It's a classic cocktail that comes from Italy. The combination of bubbly Prosecco and sweet peach puree couldn’t be more refreshing! It’s ideal as a signature drink for cocktail hour or for brunch like its cousin the mimosa. (You can also use frozen peaches here, so it works anytime!)
Here’s another best peach recipe: grilled peaches! Throw these sweet, juicy fruits onto the grill and they get caramelized and lightly smoky. Then top them with vanilla ice cream and fresh mint, and it’s one of the best treats on the planet. This is a summer dessert that everyone raves about.
Ready for another peach drink recipe? The peach margarita. This one combines the sweetness of peaches, tart lime, and edge of tequila to make one fantastic cocktail. Even better: it you can use frozen peaches so you can make it any time of year! Not just that short window during peach season. Though, you can use fresh peaches if you have them!
There are so many uses for this sweet peach puree, an ideal way to use ripe summer peaches. The best use (we think) is for cocktails: bubbly peach bellinis, anyone? But you can use it for anything. Swirl it into yogurt, use it to top waffles or pancakes, or add a little sugar and pour it over ice cream.
Here's a spin on white sangria, using summer's favorite fruit: peaches! This easy peach sangria recipe is lightly sweet, refreshing, and full of beautiful peaches, raspberries, and fresh mint. The result is lightly sweet and highly drinkable, with a hint of fruitiness.
Here’s a peach recipe that’s summer in a tall, ice-cube-clinking glass—the Peach Mojito! Imagine: the juicy flavor of that ripe summer fruit, paired with hints of fresh mint, zingy lime, and white rum. It’s light, refreshing and altogether irresistible.
Here’s a cheater’s way to getting a peach pie flavor with none of the effort: this roasted peaches recipe! They take just a few minutes in the broiler, and they taste incredible. Top with melty vanilla ice cream, and it’s one of summer’s best taste treats.
How to peel peaches
Many of the peach recipes above require peeling peaches, like pie and crisp. But if you try using a vegetable peeler or knife on a peach, it disintegrates into a mushy mess. The secret? A quick pop into boiling water. Here’s our simple method for how to peel peaches:
- Boil the peaches for 45 seconds each. You can add them to a pan of boiling water in batches of 2 or 3.
- Remove them to a bowl of ice water. Use a slotted spoon to place the peaches into the ice water. This cools them so you can easily handle them.
- Remove the peel with your fingers. Use a knife to get it started by making a shallow slice just into the skin. Then use your fingers to pull off the skin in sheets!
I grew up watching my mom do this for her famous fresh peach pie. It works like a charm!

How to ripen peaches
We recommend buying peaches during peach season for the best quality! If you start with very hard peaches, you’ll need several days to ripen them. Gently squeeze the peach to see if the flesh is soft. If the peach feels like it’s almost ripe, you can place it on the counter or a window ledge and wait for it to ripen. Here’s how to quickly ripen peaches that feel very firm to the touch:
- Place the peaches in a paper bag. Leave space between each peach.
- Add a banana inside the bag. The banana emits ethylene gas, which helps the peaches ripen quicker.
- Gently fold over the top of the bag. This traps the gasses inside.
- Wait for 1 to 4 days, checking the ripeness each day. The time to ripen depends on the type of peach and how ripe it was when you purchased it.
How to freeze peaches
Got leftover ripe peaches? A great way to preserve them is freezing them! You can use them right from the freezer in peach crisp, peach cobbler, and peach smoothies. Here’s to How to Freeze Peaches.
Frequently asked questions
Freestone peaches are generally preferred for recipes as the pit easily separates from the flesh. Clingstone peaches, where the pit clings tightly to the flesh, can be used, but they require more effort to prepare.
Yes, frozen peaches can work when fresh peaches are not in season. Only use them in recipes that are baked like peach cobbler, peach crisp, or in a peach smoothie. Do not use frozen peaches in a salad.
Peach cobbler, peach pie, peach crisp, and peach crumble are all classic and easy peach dessert recipes. You can also try making grilled peaches, peach ice cream, or peach sorbet for a refreshing treat. See the recipes above!
Absolutely! Peaches pair surprisingly well with savory ingredients. Try adding them to salads, salsas, or grilled chicken, or use them to make a peach chutney or barbecue sauce.
25 Fresh Peach Recipes: Peach Crumble & More!
This peach crumble recipe is full of bold, juicy flavor! No one will be able to resist the sweet fruit and golden spiced topping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 5 cups sliced ripe peaches (2 pounds; about 6 medium or 2 16-ounce cans unsweetened peaches*)
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter)
- Vanilla ice cream, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peel the peaches (or skip if desired): Prepare a medium saucepan of boiling water. Drop 3 peaches into the pot so that the water fully covers them and boil for 45 seconds. Remove the peaches from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl of ice water. Drop in the next batch and repeat. Once the peaches are cooled, use a sharp knife to puncture the skin of the peach, then peel it off in large sheets with your fingers. Repeat until all peaches are peeled.
- Make the filling: Slice the peaches. In a medium bowl, mix them with ½ cup of the granulated sugar and the cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Then pour the filling into a round 9-inch pie pan, 9 x 9 inch baking dish or 7 x 11 baking dish.
- Make the topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the remaining ½ cup sugar and the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder and kosher salt with a fork. Pour in the melted butter while mixing with the fork until all the butter integrates and a crumbly mixture forms. Use your fingers to sprinkle the crumbles evenly over the peach filling.
- Bake: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is evenly golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool for 1 hour, then serve. You can leave it out on the counter for up to 1 day, with a loose cover of foil or a towel to allow for air flow. After 1 day, refrigerate any leftovers. It also freezes well for several months in a sealed container; reheat it in a 350 degree oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.
Notes
*This peach crumble is best with fresh peaches, but in the offseason you can use canned unsweetened peaches (no sugar added).
I’ve got a basket full of peaches here. But I can’t decide what peach recipe I should try first on the list. LOL I’m thinking about peach cobbler since everyone at home loves it. And well, it’s my favorite too.. Thanks for sharing these inspiring recipes Sonja and Alex!