Hi! I’m popping in today to share a recent favorite way to enjoy peaches– cooked in a skillet with just a splash of water and some cinnamon. The fresh peach slices get caramelized and end up even juicier than before. Then, you can serve the warm cinnamon skillet peaches with a little bit of fresh whipped cream or coconut cream, or use them as a topping for vanilla ice cream.
The “technique” is so simple that I don’t know if I can even call this a recipe. But, it is a healthier way to satisfy that after-dinner sweet tooth when you’re in the mood for something fruity and healthy. I do something similar with apples in the fall and winter.
When it comes to desserts, I’m usually much more of a chocolate girl. I’ve never once called a chocolate mousse or cake or soufflé too rich, and the darker the chocolate, the better. But I think it’s a lot harder to make delicious, truly healthy chocolate desserts, so if I am trying to make a healthy option, I’ll make something with fruit instead. Still good, and maybe less likely to make your teeth hurt, although I think there’s a time and place for truly decadent desserts, too.
These skillet peaches taste a lot like peach cobbler or peach pie filling and are perfectly sweet even with no added sweeteners. There’s no crumbly topping involved, but if you wanted, you could substitute peaches in this healthy mixed berry crisp recipe and I bet it’d be delicious.
I was afraid I might be a little too late in the summer to post this peach recipe, but I read a New York Times article a few days ago (“When is Peach Season? It’s a Bit Fuzzy“– I had to include the cute title) in which one food writer recommended waiting to eat peaches until after the 4th of July. Starting then, she says, you have about 6 weeks of good peach-eating ahead of you.
That means we have at least 3 more weeks of delicious peach-eating in front of us, until mid-August or so. Thank goodness, because I’ve only eaten a few so far this summer, and I have a lot of catching up to do. How sad would it to have missed peach season all together? So, don’t let peach season pass you by– make your favorite cobbler or skillet peaches, or enjoy some fresh, whole peaches before it’s too late!
*Update 9/21/17 I’ve started buying my cinnamon in bulk because you can get an entire POUND of high-quality organic cinnamon for under $10!
If you try out the recipe, feel free to let me know in a comment or take a picture and tag me @livbane on Instagram. Hope you enjoy!
Easy Caramelized Skillet Peaches
Ingredients
- 6 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- For serving: fresh whipped cream, coconut cream, or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Heat medium skillet to medium low heat and add peaches, water, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-6 minutes or until peaches have begun to soften. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
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So tell me…
Have you had any extra delicious peaches this summer?
What’s your favorite summer fruit? What do you like to bake with it?
This looks so good Liv! I definitely need to start taking advantage of the fresh peaches available this summer. Topped with some coconutmilk ice cream, I would loooove this 🙂
Oooh I bet that’d be delicious!!
we LOVE each season, and these skillet peaches would be SO delicious on top of some pancakes this morning
Ooh yes! I didn’t even think about using these for pancakes/waffles/French toast toppings but you’re so right!
Love how simple this is! When you have good, fresh produce, all you really need is a simple preparation to really make it pop 🙂
So true, Ellen!
Yes, we are still eating peaches around here! this post made me want to go to the booth near our house and get more Colorado peaches. 🙂 My dad loves peaches, and I’m sure he would love this.
Fresh peaches from a stand beside the road always taste so great!
Sounds great Liv! Peach season is the besttt. Going to be so sad when it’s over!
I know…I love fall fruits like apples and pears but I’m going to miss peaches and all of the berries!
Liv! I’m been LOVING peaches this time of year!! This recipe is perfect! So summery and delicious!
xoxo Cailee!
YUM! the perfect summer snack. Peaches are my favorite!
Just looking at this gave me a sweet tooth! I am definitely going to try these!
xo, Milan
MilanDarling.com
This is such a delicious idea – and the perfect way to use up not so perfect peaches! We often buy really cheap organic peaches from the market that are a little bruised but no one would ever know
You’re right, this would be a great way to cover up those little bruises!
Do you think this would freeze well after cooking it? Would love to be able to take advantage of the peach season now but also enjoy them later. Looks delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Maria! I’m not sure since I haven’t tried it, but I think I’d freeze the fresh peaches raw and later, I’d heat the frozen ones up in the skillet with a little bit of cinnamon. You could leave out the water then since the frozen ones will release some water 🙂
I love how easy this is! i bet coconut cream goes so well with these! i have been wanting to make grilled peaches but these seem even easier!
They’re so easy! Give ’em a try some day when you don’t feel like grilling 🙂
Great idea! I did this but added some frozen blueberries and some sugars. Then starch to thicken tossed a pre-made pie crust on and turned out to be a good pie!
Sounds delicious, Angela! Thanks for sharing your version!
For the squirrels and other critters, you can use moth balls. When used before the peaches start to change colors, you can mask the scent of the peaches enough that the critters won’t be interested in your tree. We put three moth balls in nylon socks and tie about ten into the tree. You have to keep refreshing them until the peaches are ripe or it won’t be enough to keep them away. It works! We’ve done it for a few years and haven’t had any further issues with squirrels.
I’m going to make this recipe tonight for dessert and put it over fresh vanilla bean ice cream.
Thanks for the tip, Cynthia! And that fresh vanilla bean ice cream sounds amazing- hope you enjoyed these peaches!
Woooo!
Looking very delicious ! ???????????? This making me hungry so much! I can’t wait any more to try out to making caramelized skillet peaches !
Thank you many many Liv!
Hope you love the recipe, Mira!
Liv’s comment about when peaches ripen is so provencial . It is June and California has had peaches plums apriums etc ripe in the market for awhile now. A healthy cooking blog is great but remember that it is a big country . By the time you are talking about a fruit or veggie coming to market the season amy be over someplace else.
For the record, you can get peaches in Georgia from May to August. But I like the freestone varieties. Fireprince and Scarletprince are good after a year of waiting. But after about July 4, the Julyprince and Sunprince start coming in. And then in August, everyone’s favorite, the O’Henry peaches.
I drive from Atlanta down to Fort Valley several times each summer to pick up peaches by the bushel straight from the orchards. I do declare, I just love summer!
Will frozen peaches work for this recipe? I haven’t before attempted to caramelize thawed peaches and wondering if it would yield the same result.