Learn the easiest method for how to freeze blueberries to use later in baked goods, smoothies, oatmeal, and more. Save money by stocking up when the berries on sale and preserve the best flavor!
How to Freeze Blueberries
There’s typically a time in the summer when blueberries are on super sale at the grocery store, so I like to stock the freezer for future months. And freezing blueberries is a great way to extend the life of fruit with hardly any effort and preserve both the nutrients and peak flavor.
You can use this method with one pint of extra berries or a whole flat if you pick or buy a bunch!
TIP: This method can be used all year long, though blueberries are often on sale in North America in the summer when they are at their peak and in abundant supply.
Ingredients You Need
To freeze blueberries, all you need are fresh blueberries—of any variety including regular, wild, or jumbo blueberries. Then, grab a freezer bag (or a few) depending on how many berries you have to freeze.
You can use plastic freezer bags or the reusable kind from a brand like Stasher.
How to Freeze Blueberries, Step-by-Step
Here’s a look at the simple process involved in freezing fresh blueberries. Scroll down for the full info and tips.
- Sort your berries and discard any that are blemished.
- Wash them gently.
- Dry them on a clean kitchen towel. You can let them sit on the towel for an hour or so to fully air dry.
- Fill a freezer bag half way, seal, remove as much air as possible, and press into a flat layer. The flat layer helps prevent the berries from freezing together, which makes it easier to measure out later.
TIP: You can freeze berries for 6-12 months.
What do I need to freeze blueberries?
You just need berries and freezer bags. If you have just one pint, you can use quart-size freezer bags. If you have more than that, opt for a gallon size.
You’ll need to leave some space in the bags so you can freeze the berries flat in an even layer, which helps prevent them from freezing together.
Recipes for Frozen Blueberries
Here are some kid-friendly blueberry recipes that we love and recommend for ways to use your frozen blueberry stash:
TIP: You can also use them in a blueberry pie if that’s more appealing to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
To be able to use them directly from frozen in baked goods and other recipes, yes, you should wash them first so that they’re ready to use.
Thawed frozen blueberries will never have the same texture as fresh ones, but if you plan to use them in baked goods or smoothies, you don’t need to worry about the texture!
Yes, I prefer to add the berries to a bag about half full, gently press the berries flat into an even layer, and remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing. Freezing them in a single layer helps prevent the berries from freezing together so you can easily measure them out to use in recipes.
You an add frozen blueberries directly to recipes including muffins, breads, oatmeals, and smoothies. So in most cases, you don’t have to defrost them before using.
Does freezing blueberries destroy their antioxidants?
No, there is no significant difference in the antioxidant levels of fresh, frozen, or dried blueberries.
How to Store
Freeze berries in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for 6-12 months. Add them directly (still frozen) to recipes.
product we love
Stasher Reusable Bags
These silicone bags freeze produce wonderfully.
Best Tips for Success
- Do as few or as many berries as you like. Use a quart-size freezer bag for one pint and a gallon size for two pints.
- Fill bags halfway to avoid overfilling and to allow them to freeze in a flat layer.
- Aim to have the berries totally dry to reduce the chances of them freezing together.
- Freeze in one, flat even layer to avoid them freezing together.
- Use in smoothies, muffins, oatmeal, jam, crisp, or any other favorite blueberry recipe.
Related Recipes
If you have questions or want to share a way that you use frozen blueberries, please comment below. I love hearing from you guys!
How to Freeze Blueberries
Ingredients
- 1 pint blueberries (Or up to as many as you have!)
Instructions
- Sort your berries and remove any that are blemished.
- Wash the berries gently.
- Spread on a clean kitchen towel and pat gently to dry. You can also let them sit at room temperature to dry further for 30-60 minutes.
- Add to a zip top freezer bag, filling about half full. Lay flat, spread the berries out into one even layer, and press out as much air as possible.
- Freeze flat so the berries don’t stick together. Once fully frozen, you can reposition the bag upright if you want.
Notes
- Freeze for 6-12 months.
- Do as few or as many berries as you like. Use a pint-size freezer bag for one pint and a gallon size for two pints.
- Fill bags halfway to avoid overfilling and to allow them to freeze in a flat layer.
- Aim to have the berries totally dry to reduce the chances of them freezing together.
- Freeze in one flat even layer to avoid them freezing together.
- Use in smoothies, muffins, oatmeal, jam, crisp or any other favorite blueberry recipe.
Nutrition
This post was first published July 2020.
