Learn the easiest way to freeze in-season peaches to use later in smoothies, baked goods, oatmeal, and more. It’s an easy way to save money, have fruit with the best flavor, and have a freezer stocked with easy-to-use fruit!
How to Freeze Peaches
The next time you see peaches on sale at the store or farmer’s market, or you find them at peak flavor, pick up a few extra to stock the freezer for future use. This is one of my favorite ways to have the best flavor and lowest cost for fresh fruit throughout the year.
And I love that it means I have a stash of fruit on hand to use easily, even when we’re out of fresh fruit.
I also freeze a few slices here and there when the kids have some left over at meals or snacks. I just stash them into a freezer bag to use in future Peach Smoothies, Peach Yogurt, Fruit Popsicles, or Peach Sauce.
It’s such an easy way to reduce food waste!
Ingredients You Need
You just need fresh, ripe peaches for this! For the best flavor, use ripe peaches that give just a little to the touch and smell like a peach. Rock-hard peaches won’t have the best flavor.
If they are hard when you bring them home, let them sit at room temperature for a few days until they hit that point of just giving slightly to the touch and are fragrant.
I like to buy a flat of peaches from the store when local ones are in stock in the summer since they tend to be the best flavor and the lowest cost.
(I usually also can peaches once a summer if we find them for a great price.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the simple process of freezing peaches so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.
- Wash and dry the fruit.
- Cut in half and remove the pit.
- Slice into evenly sized peach slices.
- Add to a freezer bag. Remove as much air as you can, lay flat, and seal.
You don’t have to use a baking sheet to thaw the fruit first if you simply lay it flat in one single layer in the freezer bag. That method ensures that the fruit doesn’t freeze together. And removing the air reduces the potential for freezer burn.
How can I use frozen peaches?
You can use them in so many ways. Here are some of my favorite peach recipes that you can use the frozen peaches for, whether you thaw first or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to freeze peaches is to cut them in half with a paring knife, remove the pits, and slice. Then you can add to a freezer bag, press flat into an even layer, and remove as much air as possible. This allows the peaches to freeze without freezing into a solid block so you can remove as many as you need when you want.
Yes, you don’t need to blanch your peaches in boiling water before freezing them. Simply use the method listed above to freeze your peaches.
If you remove as much air as you can from the bag, they should not turn brown. You can toss in a little lemon juice, if desired, as extra assurance.
Best Tips for Freezing Peaches
- If adding to a muffin recipe, cut them up (while still frozen) with kitchen shears to make smaller pieces.
- You don’t have to peel or blanch the peaches, though you could if you want to.
- Increase or decrease the amount of peaches as desired.
- Remove as much air from the bag as you can before freezing to limit ice crystals from forming.
- You can also just freeze a few leftover slices here or there to preserve leftovers from kids’ meals.
- Use plastic freezer bags, either gallon- or quart-sized, or a reusable silicone freezer bag from Stasher bag.
- This works with freestone peaches, clingstone peaches, peeled peaches, or leftover peaches.
- You may prefer to preserve peaches by canning peaches.
Related Recipes
Cooking Tips
How to Freeze Rhubarb
Preserving
How to Freeze Blueberries
Breakfast
Easy Peach Muffins (with Banana)
I’d love to hear if you try this and have feedback or if you have any questions, so please comment and rate the method below.
How to Freeze Peaches
Ingredients
- 6-12 ripe peaches
Instructions
- Wash and dry the peaches.
- Cut in half and remove the pit. Cut into slices.
- Place into a gallon-size zip-top freezer bag and spread and move so they're all in one layer. Remove as much air as possible and seal.
- Freeze for 6-12 months. Use frozen in smoothies, oatmeal, muffins, or crisps.
Notes
- If adding to a muffin recipe, cut them up (while still frozen) with kitchen shears to make smaller pieces.
- Try adding frozen peaches to my Peach-Banana Smoothie, Peach Puree, Oatmeal with Fruit, Peach Muffins, and Easy Peach Crisp.
- You don’t have to peel the peaches, though you could if you want to.
- Increase or decrease the amount of peaches as desired. You can also just freeze a few leftover slices here or there to preserve uneaten pieces from kids meals.
Nutrition
This post was first published July 2020.
Great recipe ideas and great advice!
I love your spaghetti sauce recipe!