You can certainly snag a cheap toaster that burns bread and breaks down after a year of use. Orhear us outenjoy a perfectly even kiss of golden brown made by the Corvette of toasters. The SMEG toaster may be a bit pricey, but this stylish and durable gadget is truly worth the splurge. Here’s why our Product Testing Team gives this classy toaster three thumbs up.

What is the SMEG Toaster?

The SMEG toaster is a beautiful appliance with rounded corners and a shiny chrome finish. The top is brushed or satin, depending on the chosen color. It comes in 11 different shades, including light blue, pink, cream, chrome, gold, pastel green, champagne, red, black and slate gray. The cute rounded lever and mirror finish give this toaster a distinctive style that echos retro appliances.

In addition to its charming looks, each component is thoughtfully designed. The shade knob is substantial and easy to turn, and beneath the toaster are four very solid silicone feet that prevent it from slipping and sliding. Settings include a defrost and bagel button, plus a browning control knob with six darkness choices and a stop function.

It arrives in a secure brown shipping box. Inside is a branded box with a molded cardboard insert for security. The toaster is wrapped in a cloth-like branded bag for additional protection. Like the KitchenAid toaster, we love the overall vintage vibes of this stylish option.

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Our Product Testing Team was impressed by this pricey, retro-inspired pick.

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How We Testedthe SMEG Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find thebest toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options, from the aptly named Beautiful toaster to splurge-worthy finds like the Breville toaster. The SMEG toaster was voted the “most stylish” option, earning its place in the top six. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories (and looked good doing it):

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of test foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Ease of slice removal
• Any special settings and the performance of those settings
• How long the settings take
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

Before testing for our SMEG toaster review, we wondered how a toaster could possibly be worth $200. However, this appliance pleasantly surprised us with its aesthetics and overall performance against 12 competitors.

The settings offer toasting options for every breakfast eater, from no browning with a very light crisp to an impressively even browning with plenty of crunch. Toaster pastries also fared well on the lowest “defrost” setting, which, based on the icon, seems like a built-in reheat setting. It was perfectly heated through with an ooey, gooey center.

One-Month Update

Senior Video Producer Paul Klawien volunteered his kitchen to long-term test the SMEG toaster. So far, he is impressed with the glossy look and even results.

“Our family uses it about three to four times per week, and it does consistent toasting every time,” says Paul. “I really like the solid construction. Every piece on it feels sturdy and solid. The chrome and weight of it remind me of 1950s appliances that are durable and last forever.”

Regarding criticisms, Paul notes that the popping-up sound is rather quiet for his lifestyle. “My wife and I are running around in the morning with a family of young kids, so Ill often put breakfast in to get toasted and then multitask. I rarely notice when it pops, so toast often gets left in and cold. A louder pop would remind me to grab it right away,” he says.

Additionally, he finds the combination of small numbers and a chrome surface make the knob a bit difficult to read. He also notes that he must crank the dial to the sixth toast setting for bagels. That said, Paul mentions that the simplicity of the controls, the one-side toasting feature and a well-designed crumb tray balance out the negatives.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from thebest coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices.

FAQs

How much does a SMEG toaster cost?

At $200, the SMEG toaster isn’t cheap. However, it’s worth the splurge if you want an appliance that will last for years and offer perfectly even results.

How do you clean a SMEG toaster?

To clean the SMEG toaster, pour your preferred cleaning product onto a damp cloth, then wipe it thoroughly and dry it with a soft or microfiber cloth. Never use abrasive or chlorine-based acids. Also never submerge your toaster.

Where to Buy the SMEG Toaster

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The SMEG toaster is a splurge-worthy option that looks lovely and delivers delightfully even, crunchy slices.

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The SMEG toaster is available at several popular retailers, including Amazon, West Elm, Wayfair and Williams Sonoma. While it retails for around $200, the price depends on color. We tested the 2-slice model, but SMEG also makes a 4-slice toaster with two slots and a 4-slice toaster with four slots.

In line with the price, the overall build and performance of the appliance are top-notch, making this a worthwhile splurge for families who want a toaster that lasts through years of use.

The post We Tried the $200 Retro SMEG Toaster—Here’s How It Performed appeared first on Taste of Home.

In our recent hunt for the best toasters, the KitchenAid toaster impressed us with more than just its shining exterior (which, to be fair, is gorgeous). With a library of settings, even results and looks that befit a mid-century modern dream kitchen, it topped our list as the best all-purpose option. Here’s why we keep popping our bread into this gleaming, retro-style appliance.

What is the KitchenAid Toaster?

Are you nostalgic for the glossy, space-age designs of yesteryear? The KitchenAid Toaster is made for folks like you. It’s a retro-style toaster that calls to mind mid-century home appliances with a shiny chrome body and sleek, rounded corners. Available in brushed silver, red and black, the toaster embodies 50s aesthetics without feeling dated. There’s also a four-slice option that functions as two toasters in one for folks with larger families. For our tests, we chose the Empire Red two-slice version.

Like most KitchenAid appliances, it’s undeniable that this toaster looks chic on a counter. The sides are reflective red plastic, and the top band is a beautiful brushed stainless. The controls, logo and lower base are trimmed in black. Chrome vents on the side give it a retro automobile feel. A five-point shade dial, pull-down lever and buttons are all on one end, while the other boasts a generous 38-inch cord that ends in a three-prong plug.

There are thoughtful touches throughout, including a bagel symbol that indicates which way to insert halves for the best outcome. A rather loud bell sounds when each toast session is finished, so you never forget about your breakfast while distracted by the morning rush.

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The KitchenAid Toaster is a sleek, shiny retro-style toaster that delivers even browning and comes in several kitchen-complementing colors.

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How We Testedthe KitchenAid Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find the best toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options, from a high-quality Breville pick to practically-priced budget options like the Beautiful toaster. The KitchenAid toaster impressed with its sturdy components and sleek look, earning it the best all-purpose award. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories:

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of test foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Any special settings and the performance of those settings
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

Testing Team Analysis

The toaster truly is the perfect multipurpose pick, whether you prefer toaster pastries, English muffins or a slice of crispy, crunchy peanut butter toast. Five darkness settings and two “other” buttons (bagel and cancel) offer up a range of options for brunches, breakfasts and midday snacks. A simple control dial with an audible “click” ensures folks enjoy toast in the shade they expect.

While there are five darkness settings, we found the highest setting churned out smoking pieces that looked pretty inedible, and the medium setting was a bit more brown than wed like. That said, most folks will find that the sweet spot is the lowest setting, which churns out an even golden brown that extends the whole length of each bread slice.

Out of all the toasters we tested, the KitchenAid toaster’s bagel setting offered the most even browning. It is comparable, color-wise, to white bread we toasted on medium. It’s worth noting that the toaster does take a while to get there, opting for a “slow and steady” approach rather than a faster toast at higher temperatures. That said, we definitely prefer the accuracy of this toaster to the splotchy results from speedy competitors.

While it doesn’t offer a frozen setting or pastry buttons, both waffles and toaster pastries fared well on the first setting. The lever is a little bouncy, but other than that, it seems like it should last a long time. We’d love to see improvement in the lift function of the lever, which we needed to remove an English muffin. The edge of the muffin was barely above the opening of the slot, making it a bit awkward to retrieve. Other than that, we found few negatives to report.

One Month Update

After testing the toaster against 13 other options in our Testing Lab, Editorial Business Assistant Kari Kober volunteered to continue using it as her primary toaster in her own home. Regarding long-term performance, Kari is impressed with the sleek, retro look and the even kiss of brown on toast, bagels and English muffins.

“The toaster itself is very nice looking with the red. I feel that it looks good enough to leave out on the counter. I go just past the first setting, and it toasts my toast, bagels and English muffins perfectly,” says Kari. “One of my favorite features is the beep it makes just before it pops up because if I have started something else, its a nice reminder rather than getting too sidetracked.”

In terms of overall quality, KitchenAid gets a thumbs up from Kari. “You can tell the quality is there in the toaster, and it’s well made and built to last. I feel it’s worth the price for a better-quality toaster. I dont feel that it’s too expensive, either,” she says.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from thebest coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. Regardless of the brand’s popularity or size, we never recommend a product we dont love.

FAQ

How to clean a KitchenAid toaster?

First, unplug the toaster and let it cool. Second, grasp the center of the crumb tray and slide it out. Finally, simply shake the crumbs into a waste container. We recommend emptying the crumb tray after each use. The Crumb tray is hand-wash only.

Similarly, wipe the toaster with a soft, damp cotton cloth. Do not use paper towels, abrasive cleaners or liquid cleaning products. Do not immerse the toaster in water. Return the crumb tray to the toaster. Press it in firmly until it clicks into position. Never use a toaster without a crumb tray in the proper position!

How do I reset my KitchenAid toaster?

Press the “cancel” button to reset a KitchenAid toaster.

Why is my KitchenAid toaster not toasting evenly?

A full crumb tray is the number one reason your toaster might not be toasting evenly. Emptying the crumb tray after each use ensures you get a nice, all-over golden brown rather than a spotty piece of bread.

Where to Buy the KitchenAid Toaster

Apart from its impressive performance, the KitchenAid toaster comes very reasonably priced at under $60. In addition to its mid-tier price point, we love that it’s readily available at most stores, including Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair.

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The post The KitchenAid Toaster is the Perfect All-Purpose Appliance appeared first on Taste of Home.

Because of this, I used to consider toasters a necessary evil. No matter how I approach things, I always over-toast my gluten-free bread slices. Frankly, I’m tired of my breakfasts being last-minute bowls of cereal rather than the protein-packed peanut butter toast I dream of.

I would have laughed if you had told me last year that I’d be pining after a pretty, feature-packed smart toaster. That was before I heard about the Breville toasterand finally understood that owning one of the best toasters completely redefines breakfast.

What is the Breville Toaster?

The Breville toaster isn’t your grandma’s 1950s Toastmaster De Luxe. It’s sleek and futuristic and features simple, easy-to-understand settings and buttons. It doesn’t justlook nice, either. This impressive pick outperformed roughly seven other toasters in rigorous testing, earning it a spot alongside six other winners.

Noteworthy features include a “lift and look” lever for checking in on a piece’s progress and the “a bit more” button that adds just a touch of extra toastiness to slices. The toaster is compact and solid, offering a slip-free bottom that holds itself against aggressive lever-pullers (guilty!). Special settings include “bagel” and “frozen” buttons and a slider bar to indicate toast level. Additionally, the slider features an LED light that acts as a countdown. This handy visual reference makes it easy to see how much time is left at a glance.

Sure, it’s priced a bit higher than a traditional two-slice toaster. But the Breville toaster is well worth the splurge if you’re sick of badly burned toast or cold-in-the-middle pastries. Plus, the brand has a proven track record of putting out top-rated appliances. Our favorites include some of the best drip coffeemakers, indoor pizza ovens, and the famous Bambino Plus espresso machine, which impressed our deputy editor.

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How We Tested the Breville Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find the best toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options, from pretty Beautiful-branded picks to practically-priced budget options. The Breville was our favorite “smart” option, earning its place in the top six. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories:

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of test foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Ease of slice removal
• Any special settings and the performance of those settings
• How long the settings take
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

From the outside in, this toaster impressed with its high quality components and thoughtful touches. Remarkably, the luxe brushed aluminum Breville hides fingerprints very well, making it great for families. In addition, a bagel symbol indicates which way to insert halves, leading to perfectly crispy, indulgent lox bagels. Probably our favorite feature is that the interior levers are automated, so the bread descends and ascends on its own after you press “go.”

Regardless of the setting, the toaster offers quite an even amount of browning on both sides. We found that the first setting is ideal for most folks. It leaves bread pleasantly crunchy, pastries golden brown on the edges, and waffles crispy on one side while soft enough to soak in syrup on the other. If you trust any toaster with the spoils from your favorite bread delivery service, make it this one.

One Month Update

Team member Jessi Rhine has been testing the Breville toaster for about four weeks in her own home. Despite heavy use during breakfast, she comments that the toaster still looks brand new. She uses it alongside a Breville toaster oven. The two appliances form a classy duo that tackles everything from warming pastries to impeccably toasted slices ready for a smear of butter and jelly.

“We used only to use a toaster oven in the past. This new toaster seems faster and makes the toast brown on both sides, which is great,” she says. “I think this is a great toaster, and I would recommend it.”

So far, Jessi has only used the toaster on the first toast setting, which results in perfectly toasted bread. She notes that the ‘a bit more’ setting is a handy option to boost the darkness slightly without worrying about charring her breakfast. That said, she also finds the first setting dark enough, noting that she can’t imagine trying to enjoy a piece toasted on the fifth setting. In our tests, this produces a pretty blackened piece, which some folks may prefer.

Pros

• Has Lift and Look and A Bit More buttons
• Three-prong plug with a handy pull ring
• Very stable
• LED countdown
• Fits squatter slices at an angle

Cons

• No choice of color or finish
• Pricey

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from thebest coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. Regardless of how popular or big the brand is, we would never recommend a product we dont love.

FAQ

How do I clean the Breville toaster?

According to the Testing Team, cleanup is simple. Remove the crumb tray, empty it, and replace it before using the toaster again. To remove additional crumbs, turn the toaster upside down over the trash bin and shake the crumbs free. Wipe the outside of the toaster with a slightly dampened soft cloth, then polish with a soft, dry cloth to dry completely.

Where to Buy the Breville Toaster

The Breville toaster is available for purchase at major retailers, including the Breville site, Amazon and Walmart. While it’s pricier than other options, it’s as close to an heirloom toaster as possible, making it worth the splurge. With proper care and use, we expect this one to last through years of daily use.

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In fact, the Beautiful Toaster won the “best overall” honor during our toaster tests, coming out ahead of industry-leading brands like KitchenAid and Breville. It even earned a spot on our Product Testing Manager’s counter!

So what’s the deal with the Beautiful Toaster? If you expect just another piece of celebrity cookware, you’re mistaken. This sleek, colorful toaster offers optimum performance in a pretty package. Plus, it retails for less than $40. Here’s why we’re obsessed with this practical and lovely appliance.

What is the Beautiful Toaster?

The Beautiful Toaster from the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore kitchen line absolutely oozes style. Apart from offering a sleek matte body and silvery, shining accents, it also takes up just 11 inches of space. A lift function on the lever makes retrieving squatter slices of bread easy, and bagel and gluten-free settings round out its functionality.

Like the rest of the Beautiful line (including the Hero Pan), the toaster comes in seven pretty shades: black sesame, cornflower blue, lavender, oyster grey, rose, sage green and white icing. The toaster uses touchscreen technology rather than raised buttons, making it much easier to clean since there’s nowhere to trap crumbs.

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How We Testedthe Beautiful Toaster

Over the course of several days, our Product Testing Team dedicated their time and Testing Lab to find the best toasters for every budget and need. This endeavor introduced us to various options in various styles and price points. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Toaster immediately won us over, earning it the best overall award. It flawlessly tackled tests in the following categories:

• Size and unit of measurements
• Packaging and shipping quality
• The fit of foods, including thick-cut brioche, sourdough, English muffins, pastries, bagels and frozen waffles
• Ease of slice removal
• Performance of special settings
• Timing of each setting
• Appearance, material and overall quality
• Ease of care and cleaning
• Quality compared to price

The Beautiful by Drew Toaster is impressive with its sleek matte finish, on which we found fingerprints are nearly indetectable. A satin gold handle with a B monogram on the side and a futuristic touchscreen display round out this pretty pick. However, beauty isn’t the only thing going for this stylish option.

In terms of performance, it delivers as-expected darkness for each setting. The lowest option is one of the fastest of all the toasters we tested. It leaves a substantial crisp on both sides of the bread without browning. One setting up, and the bread gets pretty dark. A nice brownness all over the bread slices even reaches the edges. The upper quarter of each bread piece is ever-so-slightly darker than the rest. As for the darkest setting, an all-over even darkness covers the bread. While most folks will settle for the middle setting, it’s nice that the others offer even coverage.

We were most impressed with the waffle setting. During our tests, the toaster browned waffles all over and completely defrosted the waffles interiorsomething the other toasters we tested struggled with. The instructions note not to use it for toaster pastries with runny filling, but we found no issues toasting one up on low.

While it doesn’t offer the same smart features as our beloved Breville toaster, the LED touchscreen adds an additional layer of user-friendly elegance. It also comes in a wide range of shades that match the rest of the line, including the frozen margarita maker. Those seeking a toaster that flawlessly tackles the basics and looks good doing it, the Beautiful Toaster is exactly what you’re looking for.

Four-Month Update

Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley has regularly used this toaster at home since the end of March. Its operating just as well as it did months ago. Apart from being the overall best toaster winner, this was also Annamarie’s personal favorite toaster from the batch test.

“This toaster isnt perfect, but I quickly learned during batch testing that no toaster is (even the $300 ones!),” says Annamarie. “All things considered, this toaster produces a remarkably even toast. I appreciate that this toaster has a matte finish. Some of my other toasters have been chrome or stainless steel, and the finger prints are inevitable but insanely irksome, nonetheless. Not an issue with this one!”

One place where Annamarie notes the toaster could do better? Bagels. “It seems as though the heat intensity decreases when you hit the bagel button. For example, a level-three toast on a bagel with the bagel setting wont be as dark as a level-three toast on a regular piece of bread on the standard toast setting,” she says. “I havent quite honed how to best make bagels with it. It produces near-perfect English muffins, bread and frozen waffles, though.”

Ive used a few other Beautiful products, like the ceramic-coated skillet and stand mixer, and Im always astounded by the quality for the price. This toaster is no different. Its understated but still so stylish, toasts a mean slice of toast and costs only $40,” notes Annamarie. “I love for items in my home to have a little personality (but I dont want to sacrifice performance, obviously!). This toaster is perfect for me.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our testing and shopping teams have three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best coffee subscriptionsto thebest flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers, while others are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. We only recommend products we love.

FAQs

Where can I buy Beautiful by Drew Barrymore?

Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful kitchen line is available at Walmart, both in stores and online.

How to clean the Beautiful Toaster?

Cleaning is simple. First, push to release the crumb tray and wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Then, replace the tray and wipe the toaster’s stainless steel exterior with a clean damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or put the cord or plug in water.

Where to Buy the Beautiful Toaster

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Like the rest of Drew Barrymore’sappliances, the Beautiful Toaster is available at Walmart. While it looks luxe, it retails for less than $40, making it ultra-affordable for most shoppers. There’s also a 4-slice toaster if you have a big family to feed. Snag it in one of seven lovely shades and start making breakfast in style.

The post This Beautiful Toaster Is Our Product Testing Team’s Favorite Budget Appliance appeared first on Taste of Home.

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The Ooni Koda 16 is awarded the top spot for best Ooni pizza oven because of its versatility, durability and ease of use.

The sleek oven is constructed from carbon-coated steel, which plays a role in heat retention while the oven is on. That black powder coating on the exterior helps to protect the pizza oven from a variety of elements, making it very durable for years of outdoor use. It weighs just under 40 pounds, so it’s not the most portable of the Ooni ovens, but that extra weight is all worth it for the extra cooking space that comes with it. With 16 inches of cordierite pizza stone space and a wide opening, it’s easier to turn pizzas. It also means you can put larger cast iron pans in the oven, allowing you to cook everything from grilled veggies to meatballs or even nachos.

Once the oven is hooked up to a propane tank and the ignition switch on the side is turned on, it takes 20 minutes to preheat. That time brings the pizza stone and oven to about 800 degrees, though the oven can reach 950 degrees. I find that cooking pizzas between 750 to 850 degrees is my preferred temperature, which means I can cook pizzas in under two minutes. The oven has an L-shaped flame on the left side. It’s important to keep an eye and turn pizzas frequently in this oven to achieve even browning of the crust.

Thanks to its roomy design, I’ve found it simple to clean this oven. You can keep the oven on high to help cook off any burnt-on food remnants or use a pizza oven brush to help scrape things off. The stone is removable, so you can allow it to cool, take it out and easily clean out the back of the oven. While the Ooni Koda 16 is my top overall pick, the brand also makes the same oven in a smaller size. Our team also tested the Ooni Koda 12. It has all of the same features but comes with a smaller 12-inch cooking area at a lower price point.

The post The Best Ooni Pizza Ovens, Based on Our Expert Testing appeared first on Taste of Home.

Grand Prize: Sunrise Pancake Casserole

Check out ourcontest pageto learn more about our contests and submit your own recipes for consideration.

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Psst: Here’s how to freeze peaches, so you can enjoy ripe, juicy peaches all year.

Is peach skin safe to eat?

Peach skin is perfectly safe to eat. When shopping for peaches, look for ones that are bright and vibrant in color. They should feel slightly soft and already have that incredible peachy aroma.

Like other fruits and vegetables, be sure to wash peaches before eating them due to trace amounts of pesticides that could be present on the skin. I suggest running water over the peaches and gently rubbing the skin. It’s best to use your hands when washing peaches since their skin is so delicate. Another option is to spritz with homemade produce wash before rinsing.

Pros and Cons of Eating Peach Skin

According to the American Heart Association, peach skin is a source of many antioxidants and vitamins. Peaches are a rich source of fiber, which improves digestion and helps you feel fuller for longer. Vitamin A is good for your eyesight and immune system. Vitamin C is great for improving skin and can also fight free radicals that cause cancer. Learn more about the health benefits of peaches.

The downside of eating peach skin is that it could contain pesticide residue, so it’s important to wash peaches before eating. Additionally, avoid eating peach skins if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive issues.

Ways to Eat Peach Skin

If you want to save time baking, don’t worry about peeling the peaches for popular desserts like peach cobbler or peach pie. For more unique ideas, toss skin-on peaches in a blender with peach nectar, yogurt and ice cubes for a creamy peach smoothie or infuse homemade simple syrup with peeled peach skins. Just remember to wash the fruit first!

Up Next: Here are the fruits and vegetables you shouldn’t peel.

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