How to Peel a Kiwi (the Easy Way)

Name: How to Peel a Kiwi
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 kiwi

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Kiwi is the kind of fruit that feels like a mini tropical getaway, sweet, tangy, and bursting with nutrients in every bite. It’s perfect for smoothies, yogurt bowls, or a quick snack on its own. But here’s the thing: many people avoid this vibrant fruit because they’re unsure of the best way to prep it. Learning how to peel a kiwi is a game-changer—it’s simple, quick, and keeps all that juicy goodness intact. Once you know the trick, you’ll never skip out on this nutrient-packed snack again.

How to Peel a Kiwi (Without Losing Half the Fruit)
Kiwi Peeling Tips
Kiwi Pairings to Try
Should You Eat the Kiwi Skin?
More Fruit Cutting Guides
Common Questions

Fresh kiwis on a kitchen counter with a knife and cutting board

How to Peel a Kiwi (Without Losing Half the Fruit)

Kiwi may be small, but it can be surprisingly tricky to peel. With just a knife and a spoon, you can peel it perfectly in seconds. Here’s how to peel a kiwi fruit:

A person slicing kiwi on a cutting board

A person uses a spoon to peel the skin off a fresh kiwi

Place the kiwi on a cutting board and slice off both ends with a small knife.
Hold the kiwi in one hand and slide a spoon between the skin and the fruit. Work the spoon around the kiwi until the skin separates completely.

Slices of kiwi and pineapple in a blender container

Kiwi Peeling Tips

Chill kiwi in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before peeling. The firmer texture makes it easier to slice and scoop without squishing.

A ripe kiwi should give slightly when pressed. If it feels hard, let it ripen at room temperature; if it’s very soft, it may be overripe.

Kiwi Pairings to Try

Now that your kiwi’s peeled, here are a few simple and delicious ways to enjoy it:

In smoothies: My kiwi smoothie with citrus highlights kiwi’s tangy-sweet flavor with mango and citrus for a tropical boost of vitamin C.
In smoothie bowls: Add kiwi slices as a topping on my pineapple smoothie bowl—a creamy, sweet blend that’s perfect for scooping. Kiwi also makes a colorful, juicy topping on my tropical smoothie bowl, loaded with mango, strawberries, and orange.
In salads: Strawberry arugula salad layers juicy strawberries, crisp fennel, and peppery arugula. Try adding Kiwi slices for a tart-sweet contrast that enhances the freshness.
As snacks: Enjoy kiwi all on its own, or slice it over yogurt and granola for a quick, nourishing snack.

Should You Eat the Kiwi Skin?

Yes, you can eat kiwi skin and it’s actually packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Most people peel it (because, let’s be honest, the fuzz feels a little weird at first), but leaving it on is totally safe and adds extra nutrition. Peeled kiwi is smooth, juicy, and sweet-tart, while skin-on kiwi has a slightly earthy edge. Either way, you get that tropical, tangy-sweet flavor—it’s just about the texture you prefer.

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More Fruit Cutting Guides

Now that you’ve mastered peeling kiwi, why not sharpen your fruit-cutting skills even more? These step-by-step guides make prep quick, easy, and stress-free:

How to cut a pineapple turns this spiky tropical fruit into juicy golden slices without the mess.
How to cut melon gives you perfect cubes or wedges for snacking, salads, or smoothies.
How to cut an avocado shows you the safest way to scoop out creamy halves or slice for toast.
How to cut a mango unlocks all that sweet, tropical flavor without the sticky struggle.

If you’re trying out my guide on how to peel a kiwi, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.

5 from 1 vote

How to Peel a Kiwi

Kiwi looks fancy in fruit bowls and smoothies, but the real secret is knowing how to peel a kiwi without the fuss. In just a couple of minutes, you’ll have the fuzzy skin removed and the bright green fruit ready to enjoy. Each kiwi makes a naturally sweet snack that works beautifully on its own, tossed into yogurt, or blended into smoothies.

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Prep: 5

Total: 5

Serves: 1

Author: Jen Hansard

Ingredients

▢ 1 kiwi

Instructions

Set the kiwi on a cutting board and cut off both ends with a paring knife to create 2 flat ends.
Take the spoon in one hand and the kiwi in the other and carefully slide the spoon just inside the hairy peel. Work the spoon around the skin until the green fruit is completely separated from the peel.
Cut the fruit into thin slices and enjoy!

Helpful Tools

high-carbon steel knife

acacia wood board

Notes

Choose ripe kiwis: A perfectly ripe kiwi should give slightly when pressed. If it’s too firm, let it sit at room temperature for a couple of days before peeling.
Use the spoon method: Cutting off the ends and sliding a spoon between the skin and flesh is the easiest, least-wasteful way to peel.
Peeling for kids: If serving to little ones, slice the kiwi into rounds or small cubes for safer, bite-sized portions.
Chill first: Cold kiwis are easier to peel and hold their shape better when cutting.

Nutrition

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Common Questions

What is the easiest way to cut a kiwi?

The easiest way to cut a kiwi is to slice off both ends, then use a spoon to slide between the skin and flesh, scooping the fruit out in one piece. From there, you can cut it into rounds, wedges, or cubes depending on how you’d like to serve it. This method keeps things simple, mess-free, and avoids wasting any of that juicy green goodness!

Can you use a potato peeler to peel a kiwi?

Technically, yes, you can use a potato peeler to remove kiwi skin. But since the fruit is soft and slippery, it’s not the easiest method. You’ll likely lose some of the juicy green flesh in the process. Using a spoon is much quicker and helps you keep more of the fruit intact.

Is it better to eat kiwi with or without peel?

Both ways are fine, it depends on your preference! Eating kiwi with the peel gives you extra fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, but some people don’t like the fuzzy texture. If you’d rather skip the skin, peeling it won’t take away from the fruit’s main nutritional benefits.

How to peel a kiwi without a knife?

If you don’t have a knife handy, you can still peel a kiwi. Just cut it in half with whatever tool you do have (even breaking it apart works) and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Another option is rubbing the kiwi between your palms to loosen the skin, then peeling it off with your fingers.

Can we use kiwi in a smoothie?

Yes, you can definitely use kiwi in a smoothie—and it’s a fantastic choice! Kiwi blends beautifully into smoothies because it adds natural sweetness, a tropical tang, and a big boost of vitamin C. The bright, slightly tart flavor pairs especially well with bananas, mangoes, berries, or even leafy greens like spinach and kale.