This southern peach pie recipe features sweet, juicy peaches baked in a flaky pie crust with warm cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a classic homemade peach pie that captures the flavor of summer in every bite.

Why This Southern Peach Pie Works
Peach lovers rejoice, because there is nothing better than a slice of fresh peach pie on a warm summer day,
- Fresh peach flavor – This southern peach pie recipe focuses on highlighting the natural sweetness of fresh peaches.
- Balanced warm spices – The filling is thickened with cornstarch and lightly seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg so the fruit remains the star of the dessert.
- Flaky crust – Using a simple double pie crust also helps seal in the juices while creating a flaky golden crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender fruit filling.

Ingredients for Fresh Peach Pie
To make the best peach pie recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients- some you probably already have on hand. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Peaches – I like to use fresh ripe peaches and I do peel them before adding. If you don’t want to use the boil/steam method, use a sharp paring knife to cut off the skins. If they are ultra juicy, I’ll place them in a colander to drain for about an hour before tossing with other ingredients.
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Lemon juice
- Unsalted butter
- Pie crusts
- Egg

How to Make Peach Pie (Step-by-Step)
Your new favorite summer dessert will be ready in no time once you follow these simple steps.
- Prepare oven and peel peaches. Preheat the oven and if using fresh peaches, follow these directions to peel your peaches. If your pie plate is shallow, use five peaches. For a deep pie plate, use six.
- Prepare peaches. Cut the peaches into wedges, discard the pit, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Make pie filling. Toss the cut peaches with the sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and lemon juice. The cornstarch will vary based on how many peaches you use.
- Add crust to pie plate with filling. Unroll one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Fill the crust with the peaches mixture.
- Top filling with butter. Cut the butter into small pieces and dot on the top of the peach pie filling.
- Add top crust. Either unroll the whole pie crust on top of the filling, pinching edges to seal and cutting a few slits in the top OR create a lattice pattern using strips.
- Brush with egg wash. Brush the top of your pie crust with the lightly beaten egg. Discard the rest.
- Bake, checking about halfway in to make sure the top crust isn’t burning. If it is browning too fast, loosely over with a piece of aluminum foil.
- Cool. Remove and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 3 hours before serving.

Chef Tips for the Best Fresh Peach Pie
Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure you do have the best summer dessert ever.
- Ripe peaches. Make sure your peaches are ripe, but not too ripe. Look for peaches that are about a day or two away from being good to eat. These are easier to peel and also don’t have as much liquid. I’ve heard many folks complain about their peach pie being too watery and this is one of the culprits.
- Don’t skip the thickener. Most southern peach pies have either cornstarch or flour, I’ve even seen some with both. That seems like overkill to me, but whatever- either way, you need a binder and something to soak up the extra peachy liquid and cornstarch seems to work the best in my opinion.
- Peel those peaches! This step will actually be the longest in your peach pie making journey, but have no fear, it is super easy.
- Use a baking sheet. Place your pie on a baking sheet to get it in and out of the oven. One reason only- to prevent the pie filling from bubbly over. It is a sugary mess and will burn. It is also just easier and your oven mitt won’t end up covered in peach pie filling and your golden crust won’t get messed up.
- Let the pie cool. I know it is tempting. The bubbly, sweet fragrance is intoxicating, but let it cool. This goes for all fruit pies. They need to settle and set. The pie filling will be liquidy and HOT. Cooling allows it to thicken so your pie doesn’t just blob all over the place.

Fresh Peach Pie FAQs
Using enough cornstarch will make the filling thick. Also making sure there are vents to allow steam to release is paramount. This is achieved by making a lattice crust or slits in the top crust.
Slices should be a quarter inch to a half an inch thick. Try to make them uniform in thickness so they all cook at the same rate.
No, peach pies typically have the skins removed. This done easily after being dropped into boiling water for a few seconds and then easily peeling them off.

More Delicious Pie Recipes
Whether fruity, chocolatey or even savory, I’m a big pie girl! Here are some of my favorites.
Southern Peach Pie Recipe with Fresh Peaches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5-6 peaches , peeled
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 premade pie crusts
- 1 egg , lightly beaten
- raspberry sauce , for serving, optional
- vanilla bean ice cream , for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- If using fresh peaches, follow these directions to peel your peaches. If your pie plate is shallow, use 5 peaches. For a deep pie plate, use 6.
- Cu the peaches into wedges, discard the pit, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss the cut peaches with the sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and lemon juice. The cornstarch will vary based on how many peaches you use. Four to five peaches, use 3 tablespoons and five to six, use 4 tablespoons.
- Unroll one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Fill the crust with the peaches mixture.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and dot on the top of the peach pie filling.
- Either unroll the whole pie crust on top of the filling, pinching edges to seal and cutting a few slits in the top OR create a lattice pattern using strips.
- Brush the top of your pie crust with the lightly beaten egg. Discard the rest.
- Bake for 45 minutes, checking about 20-25 in to make sure the top crust isn’t burning. If it is browning too fast, loosely over with a piece of aluminum foil.
- Remove and allow to sit at room temperture for at least 3 hours before serving.
- Serve with vanilla bean ice cream, fresh raspberries or raspberry sauce.
- If you've tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how you liked it in the comments or star ratings!
Notes
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I love the honesty about hating to make pie crusts, lol. I actually love making pies and peach pie is my favorite! Definitely trying mine with raspberry sauce because that fruit combo sounds delicious!
This was truly Southern-style and much like the one my granny used to make! Can’t wait to make again!!
Hi! Love this recipe. Can I make it ahead of time, and keep the unbaked pie in the fridge for a few hours until ready to bake?
You sure can!
Ty ty ty,this is the best peach pie ever.we all loved it
Thank you for coming back to let us know!
This is a delicious recipe. Used frozen peaches and it worked great.
I made your southern peach pie recipe this weekend. So easy and so yummy. The recipe was easy to follow and will be a family favorite for sure.
Thank you, Erin! One of our favorites too!
This was so delicious! Easy to follow recipe. The pie came out as expected – which is awesome. Will definitely make this again!
Awesome!!! Thank you for coming back to let us know!
Amazing! I am so proud of my pie. Thank you for this delicious filling. I used seven peaches and 4 TB cornstarch (deep dish). I made my own crust following the King Arthur YouTube video. So happy I chose your recipe????
Yay!!! We love to hear that and thank you for taking the time to come back and let us know!
The recipe calls for 2 TBSP butter but I don’t see it in the directions. Where does it go?
Hi Cathy! Thanks for catching that! I just added it, step #6. 🙂
In the recipe for the southern peach pie, there is an egg slightly beaten, in the ingredients list. in the instructions there is no mention of the egg. is it used in the pie filling or is it used as an egg wash on the top crust?
Hi Marg! Yes, it is for the crust and my mistake. Thank you for pointing that out. All fixed.