The Blue Toon turned on the style in the second half as they maintained their unbeaten record and stayed clear of free scoring Gretna.
Craig Tully put down an early marker for Peterhead with a rocket shot from distance but Scott Morrison made the save.
The league leaders probed the opening and Martin Bavidge almost caught the keeper cold with a hook shot from the byline.
East Fife turned it round and Steven Nicholas streaked away only to be felled by an unfair challenge.
Tully was booked for the challenge but Brain Fairburn's swift free-kick was easily saved.
The Peterhead fans let their frustration show after East Fife almost scored in 32 minute but Fairburn missed from just yards out.
Things got worse when Nichols was booked for a daft hand ball and then missed a sitter in the 35 minute.
Gary Kelly split the defence for him but the defence was high and wide Peterhead stopper Robby Raeside showed his strikers the way to go when he stole in on a cross to net the opener on 50 minutes.
James Herkes almost hauled East Fife level after a great run but Paul Mathers got a glove to his shot.
Stephen Tarditi then came closer still when he forced Mathers into a top class save in the 73rd minute.
But Peterhead were out of site on 80 minutes when sub Bobby Linn found David Hagen all alone at the back post and he beat the keeper from four yards out.