How to Freeze Peaches in 4 Easy Ways

Learning how to freeze peaches is a must, especially once summer season rolls around. Fresh peaches are harvested during this time of the year, and they are the best fruit to beat the hot, summer heat. 

These sweet and juicy fruits are healthy real foods that are low in calories and rich in vitamins. While peach season lasts only for a short while, you can still enjoy peaches and their benefits by extending their shelf life through freezing! 

Peaches can last three to four days on the counter, but freezing them can guarantee their freshness for up to a year. And if you try our freezing methods, you can make delicious servings of scrumptious peach cobbler all year round!

Freezing is one of the many ways you can preserve peaches. Read on to learn four easy ways on how to freeze peaches to extend their freshness! 

What To Consider Before Freezing

Before we proceed to the different methods of freezing, it’s important to first know the basics of finding the right kind of peach to be used. We’re talking about the taste, texture, and overall appearance of your peaches. You can group peaches into two main categories: freestone and clingstone.

• Freestone peaches have flesh that easily falls off the pit or is not strongly attached to it. This kind of peach is perfect for eating, canning, baking, and cooking, which makes it easy to prepare. 
• Clingstone peaches have flesh that clings strongly to the pit. This kind of peach is sweeter and juicier than freestone.

While you can freeze either type of peach, we recommend using freestone since it makes preparation quicker because it’s easier to remove the flesh from the pit than clingstone peaches.

Aside from the kinds of peaches, you also have to consider the seasonal peak maturity of a peach. When freezing for longer shelf life, choose ripe peaches. They have a distinct aroma, are heavier than unripe ones, and are slightly soft near the stem area. 

Now that you understand more about peaches, it’s time to preserve their sweet and juicy flavor with our helpful tips.

The flash freeze method is convenient for freezing small amounts of food. Instead of cooking or thawing in huge quantities, the flash freeze method only freezes the amount of food you need. It also prevents your food from sticking together while freezing. This method is more suitable for peach slices.

1. Begin by soaking the peach slices in fresh lemon juice with water or Fruit Fresh for five minutes. This is to keep fresh peaches from turning brown when freezing. 
2. Next, line up the first batch of peaches on a baking tray with parchment paper, then place it inside the freezer until frozen. Make sure that the edges do not touch each other to avoid clumping.
3. When the peaches are frozen, remove from the tray and seal them inside an airtight container. Remember to label the container with the name, the date it was frozen, and the amount inside, so that it’s easier to keep track of. Then, place it back inside the freezer. Your frozen peaches can last up to a year using this flash freeze method.

Quick Tips on How to Cut a Peach

As previously stated, it’s easier to do the flash freeze method for peaches that have been cut into slices. So, here are some quick tips to help you do just that:

• Cut lengthwise until the blade of the knife hits the pit. Keep the knife steady against the pit and turn the peach to slice it until it reaches the first cut.
• Twist the peach to break in half using your hands.
• Remove the pit either with your hands or knife depending on how strong the pit will cling. 
• Slice the peaches in wedges. Adjust the thickness or thinness to your liking.

If you want your peaches to be extra sweet, try freezing it with a layer of sugar coating. This method sweetens and preserves your peach slices well in the freezer. You can opt to freeze peaches with sugar, syrup (sweetened), or with just water (unsweetened). It’s up to you and your taste buds to decide on the flavor of your peach. Either way you’ll get a delicious slice of peach. 

1. Place the first layer of peach slices inside an airtight container. 
2. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of sugar and a bit of fresh lemon juice on top. 
3. Repeat this for every layer of peach slices that you add. 
4. Then, seal or cover the container and wait for about 15 minutes before placing inside the freezer. 

Aside from soaking your peaches in sugar, you can also use syrup for sweetened peaches. It’s made from boiling sugar in water. This is a thicker version of the sugar method which also sweetens the peaches. Of course, the amount of sugar you add in this method will affect the consistency of the syrup. 

1. Make the syrup in a saucepan. For a thin syrup consistency, take 4 cups of water and 1⅔ cups of sugar. If you want a thicker syrup, then adjust the amount of sugar only. 
2. Stir the mixture until sugar is dissolved then allow syrup to cool down or chill. Place the peach slices inside an airtight container then pour the chilled syrup over. Make sure not to overflow the syrup. Maintain at least an inch of space. 
3. Then, seal the container with a lid or a wrap before placing it inside the freezer. 

This method lets you learn how to freeze fresh peaches without sugar by just using water. It’s the unsweetened alternative and the easiest method out of all four. This method also allows one to freeze fresh peaches in freezer bags or plastic containers, as using glass jars is ill-advised since these can crack when frozen. 

1. Place the peach slices inside a freezer bag or plastic container then pour water over the peaches. Don’t fill the container to the point that it’s overflowing. Maintain at least an inch of space. 
2. Then, place it inside the freezer.

If you’re wondering how to freeze peaches whole, then you can also use this method. Use a larger jar instead to fit the whole peach. 

Can You Freeze Peaches with the Skin On?

Yes, you can also freeze unpeeled peaches. Majority enjoy their peaches unpeeled since the skin is filled with antioxidants and Vitamin C. However, if the recipe requires frozen peeled peaches then we got you covered. 

Here’s how to peel peaches for easier freezing:

• Boiling and blanching peaches: Begin by boiling water in a large pot then add the whole peaches. Add only what can fit inside the pot. Boil for a few minutes then reduce the heat to simmer. Proceed to blanch the peaches in the water for 30 seconds. Next, use a slotted spoon to scoop out the peaches. Place them in an ice bath then wait for a few seconds before peeling the peaches carefully.
• How to freeze peaches without blanching: Soak the peaches in an ice water bath for a few minutes then transfer to a plate. Wait for a few minutes then peel. Make a small slit with a knife to peel easily. 

How To Thaw Frozen Peaches

It’s important that you thaw the frozen peaches first before eating them or using them for cooking dishes. However, if your recipe requires you to use frozen peaches, then make sure to just drain the remaining water. Thawing frozen peaches removes the accumulated moisture and helps regain their soft texture. 

There are various methods to thaw frozen peaches:

• Refrigerator – You can thaw them overnight or up to 6 hours in the refrigerator. Thaw them inside the airtight container that you used. 
• Cold water or running water – For smaller portions, place them inside a bowl and use cold water to defrost for up to 2 hours. 
• Microwave – A faster defrosting method includes the use of a microwave. Place the frozen peaches inside a microwave-safe container. Set the microwave for 30 seconds on the defrost setting. This works for both whole and sliced peaches. Make sure not to go over 30 seconds as it can burn the fruit.

With your thawed peaches, you’re now ready to enjoy a wide variety of delicious peach recipes. Indulge in some of our quick and easy peach dishes that are perfect not just for summer, but all year round too. 

Best Containers for Freezing Peaches

Proper storing, especially related to food and kitchen storing, requires thoughtful consideration to prevent food spoilage and health risks. Hence, when freezing your whole peaches or peach slices you need to have the essential kitchen containers which can range from plastic and glass to reusable and space-saving containers. It’s never too late to invest in some high-quality food containers!

That’s why we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of how to store peaches with the best freezer storage containers you’ll need for proper and effective freezing. 

• Plastic container

Plastic containers are the go-to and typical containers for any food storage. It’s multifunctional and the most accessible. Most plastic containers are freezer-safe, which makes them effective for storing and freezing your peaches. Lastly, make sure that your plastic containers are airtight to prevent any microbes and moisture from entering.

• Glass containers

Next to plastic containers, glass containers are the next common as they are reusable and have thicker material. You can use this for storing frozen peaches since it comes with an airtight lid. However, make sure that these containers are freezer-safe as well, since glass containers have the tendency to crack or break when frozen.  

• Glass Jars for Canning

Canning peach slices inside glass jars are also a popular storing technique. Jars are effective in portioning the amount of peaches that you need. It’s also an airtight, space-saving container. Remember that not all glass jars are suitable for freezing. Use jars that have straight sides only. 

• Freezer bags

Freezer bags are also airtight and space-saving. These are your usual resealable storage bags which are convenient for storing and freezing your peaches. They’re also perfect for the flash freeze method. 

• Vacuum-sealing bags

These are another type of zip-top freezer storage bags which is a vacuum-sealing bag. These bags prevent any moisture and air from entering your food since it’s tightly sealed. It’s not ideal for freezing fresh peaches with liquid involved. Instead, use it for flash freezing method as well. 

With the variety of freezer storage options available, it’s now easier to enjoy your peaches all-year long. You can buy more peaches or other fruits in season at your local farmers market, then freeze some of the fruits for future use. Make sure to freeze in bulks (about two to three pounds will do) for a more effective freezing and storing process. 

So, if you have lots of peaches and don’t know what to do with them, try freezing these juicy summer fruits so you can savor them for later.

Where To Use Frozen Peaches

Our summer fruit is perfect for a lot of sweet dessert recipes and even refreshing cool beverages. We recommend you try some of our simple and delicious frozen peach dishes and drinks. These recipes are easy to make and fun to prepare!

Drinks and Ice Cream

• Peach Smoothie – You can make a whole lot of thirst-quenching peach smoothies with your well-preserved batches of frozen peaches.
• Mango Peach Smoothie – Try mixing it up with other fruit slices like mangoes to create a fruity variation. Try making a smoothie with a serving of Greek yogurt and coconut water to make creamy and flavorful beverages.
• Peach Cobbler Ice Cream – of course, a peach ice cream recipe is another delicious dessert that you can easily make. Combine condensed milk, peaches, and other sweeteners to make a batch of this wonderful ice cream. 

Pie, Cobbler, and Crisps

• Southern Peach Pie – A simple yet classic peach pie dessert recipe that you can make at home. It also has raspberries, nutmeg, lemon juice, and other seasonings to create a sweet-tasting pie. 
• Blueberry Peach Cobbler – Indulge in another variation of your favorite peach cobbler recipe by adding equally tasty and juicy blueberries, complete with a cinnamon twist. 
• Rhubarb-Peach Crisp– Use your thawed or defrosted peaches to create a serving of this crunchy and creamy crisp dessert.

Oatmeal

• Peaches and Cream Oatmeal – It’s a simple yet delicious dessert that you can make in under 10 minutes! Combine your thawed or defrosted peaches with yogurt and oats to create a fruity and creamy oatmeal for breakfast! Enjoy!

Learning How to Freeze Peaches Effectively Guarantees Its Freshness

With our helpful tips and guides, you can now enjoy wonderful peaches all-year-round. Whether it’s a dessert or a beverage, your frozen yet juicy peaches will remain delightfully sweet and flavorful. So don’t let your fresh peaches go to waste and try these four easy methods!