If you have a soft spot for nostalgic candies and fresh fruit flavors, making Homemade Peach Rings is an absolute delight you’ll want to try right away. These chewy, fruity rings capture the essence of ripe peaches with a natural sweetness and a tender texture that feels almost magical to bite into. Unlike store-bought treats filled with artificial ingredients, this recipe celebrates the juicy freshness of peaches with just a handful of simple ingredients—resulting in a candy that feels both wholesome and indulgent. Whether you want a fun snack, a vibrant gift, or just a creative kitchen project, these Homemade Peach Rings will quickly become a favorite go-to.

Homemade Peach Rings Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how just a few straightforward ingredients can come together to create such a luscious and vibrant treat. Each item brings something essential—peaches for that juicy freshness, gelatin for that perfect chew, and a touch of honey for natural sweetness that balances the flavor beautifully.

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen peaches (peeled and chopped): Fresh peaches add juicy sweetness and a delicate peach flavor; frozen works great too when fresh aren’t in season.
1/2 cup apple juice or water: Apple juice adds subtle sweetness and helps blend the peaches smoothly; water is a great neutral alternative.
2 tbsp lemon juice: Adds a subtle tang that brightens the peach flavor and balances the sweetness.
2–3 tbsp honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste): Sweetens naturally and complements the fruit perfectly—feel free to tweak based on peach ripeness.
3 tbsp unflavored gelatin: This is what gives your peach rings that irresistible chewy texture that holds everything together.
Optional: natural food coloring for brightness: A few drops can enhance the peachy hue if you’re aiming for that classic candy look.

How to Make Homemade Peach Rings

Step 1: Blend the Peaches and Juices

Start by tossing your peeled and chopped peaches into a blender along with the apple juice (or water), lemon juice, and honey. Blend everything until completely smooth, creating a vibrant peach puree that’s bursting with fresh flavor. This smooth base ensures your rings have that beautifully consistent texture throughout.

Step 2: Heat and Dissolve Gelatin

Pour the ripe peach mixture into a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Sprinkle your unflavored gelatin evenly over the warm liquid, stirring continuously to avoid clumps. Within 3 to 5 minutes, the gelatin will dissolve completely, transforming your peach mixture into a silky, thickened blend that’s ready to set.

Step 3: Add Color (Optional)

If you want your Homemade Peach Rings to have an eye-catching, bright peach hue similar to your favorite store-bought candies, now’s the time to add a few drops of natural orange or red food coloring. Only a tiny bit is needed to really enhance the visual appeal without overpowering the natural peach flavor.

Step 4: Pour into Molds

Carefully pour the gelatin-infused peach mixture into silicone donut or ring molds. Silicone molds are ideal because they allow you to gently pop out your peach rings without losing their perfect shape, making the final presentation effortless and professional-looking.

Step 5: Chill Until Firm

Place your molds in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, or until the peach rings are completely set and firm to the touch. This chilling step is crucial as it lets the gelatin work its magic, bringing that wonderfully chewy bite to your Homemade Peach Rings.

Step 6: Unmold and Store

Once set, gently remove the peach rings from the molds with care. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they will keep beautifully for up to one week, giving you plenty of time to enjoy small bites of peachy joy whenever you want.

How to Serve Homemade Peach Rings

Garnishes

Want to upgrade your presentation? Lightly dust the Homemade Peach Rings with a little granulated sugar or a natural fruit powder for extra sparkle and texture. You can also roll them gently in finely chopped dried peaches or edible flower petals to add a sophisticated flair that’s sure to impress guests.

Side Dishes

These peach rings pair wonderfully with simple snacks that highlight their fruity sweetness. Try serving alongside a creamy vanilla yogurt dip or a tangy citrus cream cheese spread. They also brighten up a cheese and charcuterie board, bringing a playful contrast of sweet to savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Beyond eating them as candy, Homemade Peach Rings make fantastic edible garnishes for cocktails, cupcakes, or homemade ice cream sundaes. You could string them on twine for a charming edible garland at parties or package them in small, colorful boxes as delightful homemade gifts that show you care.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Homemade Peach Rings fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. Their chewy texture holds up well for up to a week, making them perfect for prepping ahead and enjoying throughout the week as a quick treat.

Freezing

If you want to store your peach rings longer, freezing is an option. Lay them out on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually until solid, then transfer them into a zipped freezer bag. Thaw gently in the fridge when ready to eat; the texture remains delightfully close to fresh.

Reheating

Since these are gelatin-based candies, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. Just let frozen peach rings thaw gradually in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor. They’re best enjoyed cold or at room temperature for that perfect chewy bite.

FAQs

Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh or frozen?

Canned peaches have extra syrup and moisture, which can affect the texture and sweetness. If you use them, drain well and adjust the amount of honey to balance the sweetness, but fresh or frozen peaches yield the best results.

Is there a vegan alternative to gelatin?

Yes! You can substitute gelatin with agar-agar powder, though the setting time and texture might vary slightly. Agar-agar tends to set firmer and less chewy, so you may want to experiment with quantities for your preferred consistency.

How do I make sure the peach rings don’t stick to the molds?

Silicone molds work best since they’re naturally non-stick. If you’re using other molds, lightly grease them with a neutral oil or dust with cornstarch beforehand to ensure easy removal.

Can I make other fruit rings using this recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe adapts wonderfully to fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or mangoes. Just swap out peaches for an equal amount of your chosen fruit and adjust sweetness accordingly for delicious variety.

What texture should the Homemade Peach Rings have?

The ideal texture is soft but pleasantly chewy—not too firm or brittle. The gelatin provides that classic gummy feel with a tender bite that makes these peach rings so addictive.

Final Thoughts

Whipping up Homemade Peach Rings is such a rewarding experience that combines fresh fruit flavor with the fun of making candy right in your own kitchen. Whether it’s a simple snack or a creative gift, these peach rings bring a bit of sunshine and sweetness wherever you share them. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll find it hard to go back to store-bought anytime soon!