Peach Recipes: Sweet, Savory, Food & Drink

Peach recipes are a summer mainstay. This collection of sweet and savory, food and drink recipes will help you enjoy peach season with flair!

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Peaches are a favorite summer fruit. Unlike many other fruits which are imported from warmer regions all year long, peaches typically are only available in the summer.

They are a ‘strike while the iron is hot’ fruit! Eat them up, can them, freeze them and savor every delicious bite!

Need some inspiration? I have a mouthwatering collection of sweet and savory peach recipes for food and drink!

Types of Peaches

There are three main types of peaches: yellow peaches, white peaches and flat or donut peaches. Each is easy to identify and has its own qualities.

Yellow Peaches

Yellow Peaches are identified from their yellow flesh. Their fuzzy skin tends to be darker in color than white peaches.

They have the classic ‘peach flavor’ most people associate with peaches.

White Peaches

White peaches have a lighter outer skin with a light pink or white flesh. They are less acidic than yellow peaches and they bruise more easily.

These peaches tend to taste sweet whether fully ripe or not. Unlike yellow peaches that taste quite different if unripened.

Flat Peaches

Also known as Donut peaches or Saturn Peaches, these peaches are unmistakable. They look as though someone sat on them.

They are less fuzzy that yellow or white peaches. Donut peaches have a soft yellow or white flesh and are sweeter than their plump peach counterparts.

Freestone vs Clingstone Peaches

The other terms relating to peaches is whether they are Freestone or Clingstone peaches.

This relates to the pit.

Freestone Peaches

Freestone peaches release the pit without effort. When sliced or eaten out of hand, the pit can easily pop off the sweet flesh.

They are perfect for slicing, canning and freezing.

This type of peach is generally available from mid-June through mid-September (in the U.S.).

Clingstone Peaches

Clingstone peaches ‘cling’ to the pit. They are delicious but you’ll work at freeing the pit. This effort can mangle the fruit so these are best eaten out of hand.

They taste delicious but the difficulty in freeing the pit does not make them the best choice for baking or canning.

These are early season peaches and are available (generally) mid-May through mid-June.

How to Identify Freestone vs Clingstone

This is tricky. Though there are subtle differences the best way to identify which type of peach is by the time of year.

Some grocery stores and Farmer’s Markets note the type on the peach label/sign.

Asking the grocer or famer is always a good idea too!

How to Ripen Peaches

Peaches often are not fully ripe when purchasing them from the store. It’s easy to ripen them at home.

Place them stem side down in a single layer (don’t stack them) on the counter top. Allow them to sit at room temperature until fully ripe.

PRO TIP: To speed up ripening, place the peaches in a brown paper bag, close and allow to site at room temperature. 

How to Store Peaches

Once peaches are ripened, and only then, place them in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Peach Recipes for Breakfast

The soft, sweetness of peaches makes them a perfect addition to breakfast recipes. They are low acidity so agreeable with even breakfast eaters who don’t love sweet foods first thing in the morning!

Peach Pie Overnight Oats

This summery recipe takes all of three minutes to put together and chilling overnight does the rest. Rolled oats (gluten-free or regular), vanilla almond milk, fresh peaches and a sprinkle of cinnamon bring dessert to the breakfast table in this easy recipe.

Nutrition label note: the nutrition information will vary depending on the brand of almond milk used.  Toppings not included in the nutrition data calculation.

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Banana-Peach Almond Smoothie

This summery smoothie is fresh, light and creamy thanks to the use of a frozen banana. In using a fully ripened (not over ripened), frozen banana, ripe peach and strawberries the fruit exclusively delivers the sweetener and no additional sweetening is required. Adding some chia seeds and/or hulled hemp seeds increases the protein, fiber, healthy fatty and amino acids without altering the flavor of the smoothie!

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Glazed Buttermilk Peach Donuts {gluten-free}

Inspired by the Donut or Saturn Peach, these baked gluten-free donuts are a nod to the relaxed spirit of summer. Light, airy and filled with peach and buttermilk flavors. Gluten option.

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Golden Oven-Baked Pancake Topped with Sauteed Peaches

Now that you are hooked I will confess, when I pulled the pancake out of the oven I thought it had a medical condition. It puffs way up in various spots, in my case enough to touch the oven grate shelf above. I couldn’t fathom how on earth peaches would be evenly distributed over its bulbous landscape. Out of the oven, within minutes the pancake relaxed into its final light form. I sautéed a mix of white and yellow peaches. Use what you love. This really is a perfect brunch dish as it takes little of your time but is unexpected and seasonal.

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Fresh Peach Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Fresh and summery sour cream coffee cake is a perfect breakfast!

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Breakfast Peach Yogurt Popsicles with Granola

The natural sweetness from the peaches and yogurt make these popsicles lightly sweet.  If using peaches that are not overly sweet a bit of honey can be added to the popsicle mix before freezing to suit your preference.

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Savory Peach Recipes

The delicious sweetness of a peach pairs well with smoky grilled foods as well as spicy foods to take the edge off the heat. A mouthwatering complement to savory or salty foods makes them a fun fruit to add to savory peach recipes.

Grilled Peach and Corn Salsa

The combination of caramelized grilled peaches with salty/sweet grilled corn in a spicy salsa is what summer is all about. Great for chip-dipping or as a relish on other grilled proteins.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups

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Peach Lemongrass Soup with Creme Fraiche

This unexpected peach soup is heightened by the addition of citrusy-tangy lemongrass and ginger. The flavor of the ripened peaches takes center stage and is complimented by a light addition of cream. It’s light, flavorful, using only the natural sweetness of the peaches. Since all peaches are not equally sweet, I recommend tasting the peaches used and if needed add a bit of sugar, agave or honey to the saute phase to ensure the soup meets your sweetness preferences.

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{Lemon-Pepper Brined} Boneless Pork Loin Roast with Peach-Moscato sauce

A peppery, slightly spice brine leaves this boneless pork loin roast moist, succulent and perfectly seasoned to compliment a simple fresh peach sauce sweetened with Moscato (dessert) wine. For those concerned about using alcohol, it evaporates during the preparation leaving behind sweet, fruity flavors but no intoxicating effects!

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Quick Fresh Peach Chutney

Chutney is a wonderful addition to flavorful meats, curries and crusty bread and cheese. This Fresh Peach Chutney is whipped up in less than an hour , making it a great unexpected addition to any meal.

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Smoked Chorizo Soft Tacos with Grilled Peach and Corn Salsa

These tacos are simple and casual but far from ordinary. The smoked heat of the chorizo coupled with the cool, sweet salsa makes for a flavorful summer celebration! Queso Fresco cheese is a light, mild Mexican cheese that blends perfectly with the flavors. It does not melt in the same way as traditional cheese but softens with the heat of the grill-smoked chorizo.

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Crunchy Confetti Slaw with Strawberry-Peach Balsamic Dressing

To keep the slaw crunchy, keep the slaw and dressing separate, mixing just before serving. If you have extra undressed slaw it can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for another use and dressed when needed. This ample dressing recipe will produce more dressing than is needed for the slaw recipe. Keep extra dressing sealed in a the refrigerator to use on other salads I used fresh fruit to make the dressing however if you desire to make it out of season it could be made with frozen, thawed fruit since it is pureed into the dressing.

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Dessert Peach Recipes

A summer classic, dessert peach recipes just taste like summer. From rustic baked dessert recipes to ice cream, peaches are fantastic anyway you eat them.

Strawberry Peach Fruit Crumble in Jars

Fruit Crumble Jars may be made with any fruit combination.  The key step is to ensure the filling when combined measures about 3 1/2 cups in order to fill the jars properly.  Ingredients may be increased maintaining the proportions to make a larger batch.

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Buttermilk Peach Buckle {gluten-free}

Classic Americana desserts such as a fruit Buckle as not only very easy to make but they showcase in season fruits with a rustic charm that not many can resist! This vintage recipe redo uses updated spices of freshly ground nutmeg and Chinese Five Spice as a nod to the original staple cinnamon but adding a fresh, citrusy twist to the peach flavor.

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Peach-Thyme Sorbet with Bourbon

Nothing screams summer louder than the flavor of juicy, ripe peaches. This sorbet recipe celebrates peaches with some added citrus, thyme and bourbon flavors making for an irresistible dessert. The alcohol from the bourbon evaporates leaving only the flavor however should you wish to omit that, substitute water for the amount of bourbon.

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Slow Cooker Peach-Blueberry Cobbler

Everyone loves a taste fruit cobbler especially in the summer when so many fruits are available. This peach blueberry cobbler doesn’t disappoint and has a slightly sweeter flavor with dry cake mix used for for the topping!

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Grilled Peach Mascarpone Ice Cream

Sweet smoky peaches combine with sweet mascarpone for a mind blowing ice cream!

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Olive Oil Ice Cream with Peach Ripple

This fruity ice cream tastes like summer. Using light flavored olive oil works best!

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Cocktail & Mocktail Peach Recipes 

From classic Bellinis to peach margaritas, there has not been a cocktail or mocktail that doesn’t work with peaches. Here are some favorites peach recipes to try…

Peach Julep cocktail

Flavors of peach and mint make this a refreshing cocktail for any season. From Matsuhisa restaurant in Vail Colorado.

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Colorado Peach Bellinis

Peach Bellini’s are a flavorful cocktail for brunch and a celebration of summer. Using ripe, juicy fresh peaches are the best! Multiple cocktails may be made by using the proportions in this recipe multiplies by the cocktail number desired.

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Fresh Peach Margarita and Fresh Peach Spritzer (non-alcoholic)

Peach Margaritas and Peach Spritzers (non-alcoholic) are perfect for refreshing summer sipping. Fresh peach purée gives them each a natural peach flavor and sweetness that’s absolutely delicious.

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Peach Green Tea infused with Fruit

This sweet, refreshing iced Peach Green Tea is a perfect summer twist on traditional iced tea. The infusion of summer berries or other favorite fruits creates a wonderful fruity flavor sure to become a favorite!

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