How to Freeze Peaches

Why Freeze Peaches?

Freezing peaches is a great way to preserve them for later use. When peaches are in season, it’s a good idea to freeze some so you can enjoy them year-round. Some of the reasons for freezing peaches include:

• Convenience: Freezing peaches allows you to have them on hand whenever you want without worrying about them going bad.
• Taste: Freezing preserves the taste and texture of peaches, allowing you to enjoy them even when they are not in season.
• Nutrients: Freezing peaches locks in the nutrients, providing you with a healthy and tasty snack or ingredient for cooking and baking.
• Cost-effective: Freezing peaches when in season and on sale can be a cost-effective way to save money on your grocery bill.
• Variety: You can use frozen peaches in various ways, like smoothies, pies, jams, sauces, and more.

What Should You Consider When Freezing Peaches?

When freezing peaches, there are a few things to consider to ensure that you end up with high-quality fruit. We have outlined eight steps to take below.  

1. Choose High-Quality Peaches

When choosing peaches, it’s important to look for high-quality fruit that will freeze well. Here are a few things to consider:

• Color: Choose peaches that are a deep, consistent color. Peaches that are pale or have green spots will not be ripe and may not freeze well.
• Firmness: Peaches should be firm but not hard. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure. Overripe peaches will be mushy and will not freeze well.
• Scent: Peaches should have a sweet, fruity aroma. Peaches that do not have a strong scent are not fully ripe and may not freeze well.
• Size and Shape: Peaches should be well-shaped and free from bruises and soft spots.
• Seasonality: Peaches in season tend to be fresher, sweeter, and will freeze better than out-of-season peaches.
• Variety: Some varieties of peaches are better for freezing than others. Ask the farmer or the store assistant for recommendations on the best variety for freezing.

2. Blanch the Peaches

Blanching peaches before freezing is a simple process that helps preserve the fruit’s color, texture, and nutrients and makes removing the skin easier. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare a large pot of boiling water and a bowl of ice water.
2. Place the peaches in the boiling water for about 1 to 2 minutes or until the skin starts to separate from the flesh.
3. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the peaches from the boiling water and immediately submerge them in the bowl of ice water.
4. Leave the peaches in the ice water for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they are cool. 
5. As you remove them, rub them gently to remove any remaining skin.

3. Slice the Peaches

Depending on what you plan on using the peaches for, you can either leave them whole, slice them into large slices or dice them. Note that the larger the pieces are, the longer they will tend to last in the freezer, as larger pieces are less prone to freezer burn.

4. Make Sure the Peaches Are Dry

After blanching and removing the skins, it’s important to dry the peaches before freezing, as any water on the surface can cause ice crystals to form, damaging the fruit’s texture. You can use paper towels to pat them dry gently. This is easier if you are freezing whole peaches or large slices. If you are freezing finely diced peaches, you can skip this step.

5. Ensure the Peaches Are Cool

It’s important to cool peaches before freezing because it helps preserve the fruit’s quality. When peaches are placed in the freezer while still warm, it can cause the formation of large ice crystals, which can damage the texture of the fruit. These ice crystals form when the water in the fruit expands as it freezes, which causes the cells to rupture.

When peaches are cooled before freezing, the ice crystals that form are smaller, which means they cause less damage to the cells of the fruit. This results in higher-quality peaches that retain their texture and flavor better when they are thawed.

6. Choose Your Packaging Carefully

When freezing peaches, the best packaging options are airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

Airtight containers

Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are an excellent option for freezing peaches. These containers provide an airtight seal, which helps to protect the peaches from freezer burn and oxidation. It’s also easy to remove the number of peaches you want to use.

Heavy-Duty Freezer Bags

These bags are specifically designed to be used in the freezer, they are thicker and stronger than regular plastic bags, and they prevent air and moisture from getting in, which helps to preserve the texture and flavor of the peaches.

Both options are good, but removing as much air as possible is important before sealing the containers or bags; this will prevent freezer burn and oxidation.

7. Take Care with Labeling

Label the containers or bags with the name and date of freezing to make sure you use them in a timely manner.

8. Thaw the Peaches Slowly

When ready to use, thaw frozen peaches in the refrigerator. Peaches should not be thawed at room temperature as this can cause the fruit to become mushy.

How Long Do Frozen Peaches Keep?

If properly stored, frozen peaches can retain their quality for up to 12 months. However, it’s important to note that the quality of the fruit will start to degrade after a certain period of time and that the color, texture, and flavor may change. While still safe to eat, the fruit may not be as desirable as when it was first frozen. Therefore, to ensure the best quality, it is recommended to consume frozen peaches within a year.