How to Peel an Apple 3 Ways
Updated: Oct. 17, 2022
There are several different ways to peel an apple. Do you know how to peel an apple using the most efficient method?
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One of the first lessons I learned working in professional kitchens revolved around vegetable peelers. Working in restaurants that made mashed potatoes and glazed carrots meant lots and lots of time around the prep table, peeler in hand. The house peelers were always so dull, and using them made life significantly more difficult. I found it was easy enough to bring my own to guarantee that I’d have a good day.
But, inevitably, someone would borrow my peeler, and I’d never see it again. It always happened on a big prep day, too. I was left wondering how to peel an apple to make 100 apple pies for a catered event when my trusty peeler was nowhere to be found. Luckily, there are a few different ways to peel apples!
How to Peel an Apple with a Knife
In culinary school, we learned how to peel an apple with a knife before we were allowed to use a vegetable peeler. This taught us how to be resourceful if we didn’t have a kitchen full of tools, and it also helped us practice our dexterity. While it’s not my go-to method today, I will reach for a knife if I only have to peel one or two apples.
Technically, you can peel an apple with any knife, but we recommend using a straight paring knife instead of a larger chef’s knife. The smaller knife fits nicely in your hand and allows you to peel the apple above a sink, trash can or cutting board. Another good option is a curved paring knife or a tourne knife. This knife was designed to shape potatoes into a specific cut for presentation purposes, but the curve is helpful for peeling any round vegetables.
To peel the apple, hold the knife in your dominant hand and the apple in the other. Starting at the stem end, press the knife against the apple skin. Turn the apple slowly and steadily, and the skin will peel off like a ribbon. After the entire apple is peeled, use the knife to remove any spots that were missed in the peeling process.
How to Peel an Apple with a Vegetable Peeler
This is my favorite way to peel an apple because it’s quick and efficient. There are two types of vegetable peelers: y-peelers and swivel peelers. The general consent among my chef friends is that the y-peeler is the way to go. These peelers have a blade on both sides, allowing you to peel in both directions. They also tend to have a wider handle, making them more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Either peeler works for peeling an apple, so go with the one that suits your peeling style best. There are two peeling options here. The first is to peel the apple the same way you would with a knife—by holding the peeler in your dominant hand, the apple in the other and peeling in a circular motion (starting at the stem end) to create one large ribbon.
The second option is to set the apple down on a cutting board and run the peeler downward in straight strokes from the stem end to the blossom end. This creates several peels and tends to be faster, but it can leave ridged lines on the apple.
See which apple peeler earned top marks from our Test Kitchen.
How to Peel an Apple with an Apple Peeler
If you peel a lot of apples, you might want to invest in an apple peeler. This gadget clamps onto the side of a table or uses a suction base to stick to an edgeless table. Then, the apple is loaded onto the fork and a hand crank moves it in a circular motion around the peeler, removing the peel quickly and efficiently. As a bonus, it also cores the apple.
You can also purchase a KitchenAid attachment to peel apples, or you can hack the apple peeler idea using a regular drill. Simply skewer the apple on a drill bit and turn on the drill to spin the apple. Hold a vegetable peeler against the apple’s skin as it spins to remove the peels. Keep in mind this method is messy, so get ready for some cleanup!
How to Core an Apple
Once the apple is peeled, you’ll want to remove the core before cooking it. The quickest way is to use an apple corer. This handheld device plunges into the center of the apple and remove the entire core with a slight twist of the wrist. There are also apple corers that will slice the apple into eight slices. These are ideal if you want to core and slice at the same time.
Of course, if you don’t want another gadget cluttering up your kitchen drawers, you can also core an apple with a knife. This method is a little dangerous, but you can core a whole apple with a paring knife. Push the blade through the center of the apple and cut a circle around the core. This method requires a lot of dexterity, so cut with care!
If you’re peeling apples for apple pie and you don’t need to end up with a whole cored apple, we prefer another method. Place the apple on a cutting board with the stem end up. Cut it in half directly through the core before cutting each half again through the core, resulting in four quarters. Place the quarters cut-side down and make a diagonal cut on each quarter to remove the core piece.
The Best Apple Recipes to Make This Fall
Apple Spice WafflesThese apple waffles are cozy and comforting anytime—morning or evening. The smell of toasty waffles with apples is sure to warm you up on even the most blustery of winter days. —Jane Sims, De Leon, Texas
Banana ApplesauceThe recipe has evolved for the many years we have made it. This version has been a favorite at our Christmas dinners.—Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Sausage and Pancake CasseroleTrial and error made this pancake casserole recipe one that my family asks for time and time again. It's so easy and very good. —Ethel Sanders, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sage-Apple Cider BreadWho knew sage and apple cider would create such a fantastic bread? This versatile loaf that has just a hint of sweetness makes wonderful sandwiches or stuffing. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
Baked Apple SlicesNothing beats these tender baked apple slices over ice cream for satisfying harvest flavor. This old-fashioned treat gives a new twist to traditional baked apples. They are also excellent served over waffles or with ham. I make sure to save room for dessert! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Apple Pie Ricotta WafflesI had apples and ricotta cheese to use up, so instead of making a pie I decided to do something different. The result was these fluffy, tender waffles with just a hint of sweetness. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar FrostingI am a healthy eater most of the time, but this apple spice cake is worth the splurge! Every year I treasure the opportunity to make my own birthday cake, and I choose this. You can add a cup of raisins to the batter before baking if you'd like. —Jennifer Owen, Louisville, Kentucky
Apple Cranberry Upside-Down CakesCornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
Cranberry Apple CrispApple cranberry crisp is a wonderful dessert for fall, when both cranberries and apples are in season. The fruits are quite compatible in flavor and color, and they help make any table look festive and inviting. —Martha Sue Stroud, Clarksville, Texas
Winning Apple CrispI live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
Pressure-Cooker Pork with Apples and Dried PlumsThe classic flavors of herbes de Provence, apples and dried plums make this easy cooked pork taste like a hearty meal at a French country cafe. For a traditional pairing, serve the pork with braised lentils. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Apple Cider-Glazed HamWhen I wanted to try something new with our holiday ham, I created this cider glaze. It's slightly sweet but still has the spicy flavor my family craves. —Rebecca LaWare, Hilton, New York
Apple Salsa with Cinnamon ChipsBoth my husband and I were raised on farms, and we prefer home cooking to eating out. That works out fine since I love trying new recipes! I've served this apple salsa as an appetizer and a snack. Plus, it's sweet enough to be a dessert. It's easy to transport besides. —Carolyn Brinkmeyer, Golden, Colorado
Oatmeal Caramel Apple CookiesThis recipe for caramel apple cookies is a fun twist on traditional oatmeal raisin. These treats are hard to resist! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon ButtercreamThese apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Acorn Squash with Cranberry StuffingIf you have squash or cranberry lovers at the table, here’s your new go-to recipe. It’s colorful, the blend of flavors is delicious and it’s a fitting addition to a Thanksgiving menu. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
Upside-Down Apple PieThis pie has won eight ribbons at area fairs. People say it looks and tastes like a giant apple-cinnamon bun. I take time off from work around the holidays to fill pie requests from family and friends. The recipe has become everyone's favorite. —Susan Frisch, Germansville, Pennsylvania
Don't forget to check out this easy fried apple pie recipe.
Apple Chicken QuesadillasMy sister came up with an easy recipe that can be served as a main course or an appetizer. People are surprised by the combination of chicken, apples, tomatoes and corn inside the crispy tortillas, but they love it. —Stacia Slagle of Maysville, Missouri
Glazed Apple-Maple BlondiesMy 6-year-old son and I conjured up this recipe to use the last of the apples we picked from the local apple orchard. Each bar goes beautifully with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
German Red CabbageSunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee
Apple-Feta Tossed SaladA friend of mine shared this recipe with me after I raved about the delightful salad at dinner. I have served it for years now, and no matter where i take it, I have to bring along copies of the recipe to hand out.
-Marlene Clark
Apple Valley, California
Potluck German Apple CakeMy mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Golden Harvest Apple PieYou'll think Grandma was baking in the kitchen when you taste your first bite of this old-fashioned pie. The golden, tender crust holds a yummy apple filling with a hint of orange.—Drew Menne, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Apple Pear Coffee CakeA friend gave me this apple pear coffee cake recipe to make for a breakfast I was hosting. The pan was empty before the breakfast was over! It's one of my most-requested recipes, probably because it's a bit different. —Joanne Hoschette, Paxton, Massachusetts
Originally Published: August 19, 2022
