How to Freeze Peaches
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Published Aug 04, 2021, Updated Jun 12, 2023
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Don’t let fresh peaches go to waste! Here’s a step by step guide for how to freeze peaches while they’re perfectly ripe so you can use them all year long in your favorite peach recipes.
It’s one of my favorite seasons of the year… peach season! The only bad part about this season is that it seems to speed by in the blink of an eye and I never feel like I’ve eaten enough peaches.
This year, I decided to freeze fresh peaches so I can enjoy peach treats year round! Before we dive into the recipe, I wanted to answer some FAQs so you can tackle freezing peaches with confidence. Don’t be intimidated! It’s an easy process and 100% worth it for peaches all year.
Yes! I’m sharing two options for freezing below – one with blanching and one without. Blanching is a super easy way to remove the skin prior to freezing. If you don’t mind the skin, you can slice and freeze your peaches.
It’s up to you! You can freeze peaches with the skin on but some prefer to remove it for more versatility after freezing – for example, if you’re planning on making a recipe that uses peeled peaches! I’m sharing a method for removing the skin and one for keeping the skin on. You get to choose your own adventure.
Just like avocados, peaches can turn brown when exposed to the air. But don’t worry, I have a super easy fix for this: lemon juice! Toss 1 lb of peaches in 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice to prevent browning. The ascorbic acid in the lemon juice acts as a barrier between the air and the peaches.
How to Freeze Peaches
Option 1: With the Skin
This option is my favorite because I’m a mama with limited time and I’m mostly using frozen peaches for smoothies and I don’t mind having the peel on them. Here’s how easy this three-step process is:
Step 1: You can freeze the peaches (with the skin) whole, halved or sliced! Just wash the peaches well and then pat to dry. If you’re using halves or slices, pit the peaches and cut into halves or slices. I personally like freezing peaches in slices because I usually use 1-2 cups at a time and when they’re cut into slices it’s easier to pull out a small portion at a time. Plus, with halves or slices the peaches are already pitted, which can be helpful for certain uses.
Step 2: Lay the peaches out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 4-8 hours. 4 hours for slices, 6 hours for halves and around 8 hours for whole peaches.
Step 2: Transfer the frozen peaches to a freezer-safe half gallon bag labeled with the date. I like using my reusable Stasher bags for this. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Return to the freezer.
Option 2: Blanched + Peeled
This option is best of you want the peaches peeled so you can use them for a variety of recipes in the future. It does involve a few extra steps but it’s still pretty easy.
Step 1: Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat and preparing an ice water bath. Using a paring knife, make a small, shallow X in the bottom end of each peach. Lower the peaches into the boiling water and leave them there for 30 seconds.
Step 2: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peaches to the ice water bath.
Step 3: Gently rub the skin from the peaches and peel it off with your hands.
Step 4: You can freeze the peaches whole, halved or sliced. If you’re using halves or slices, pit the peaches and cut into halves or slices.
Step 5: Lay the peaches out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 4-8 hours. 4 hours for slices, 6 hours for halves and around 8 hours for whole peaches.
Step 6: Transfer the frozen peaches to a freezer-safe half gallon bag labeled with the date. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Return to the freezer.
Freezing Peach Puree
Another option for freezing fresh peaches is to make peach puree and then freeze the puree in an ice cube tray. This is the method I use when I’m making peach baby food.
How to Use Frozen Peaches
There are so many ways to use frozen peaches! Here are a few ideas:
- Smoothies – don’t worry about peeling your peaches for smoothies! Just pop the sliced frozen peaches right in a high powered blender with your favorite smoothie ingredients for a refreshing snack. Try my creamy peach smoothie.
- Peach oatmeal – mix it into traditional hot oatmeal or into overnight oats!
- Peach jam – I’m already dreaming about making peach jam this fall and winter! Add 1 1/2 cups of frozen peaches to a saucepan with 1 Tablespoon of coconut sugar and simmer while breaking up the peaches.
- Peach crisp – craving peach crisp in the off season? Not a problem this year! Here’s my go-to peach crisp recipe.
- Add to wine or cocktails – pop a couple frozen peaches into a glass of white wine or make a tasty peach cocktail.
How Long Do Frozen Peaches Last?
Peaches will keep in your freezer for 6 months to a year! Check them occasionally to make sure the peaches don’t have freezer burn on them… when this happens the peaches will lose their flavor.
How to Thaw Frozen Peaches
Okay, so you’ve frozen your peaches, but what happens when you’re ready to use them? I found that a lot of recipes actually call for frozen peaches (like my peach smoothie recipe), but if you need thawed peaches for a recipe you have a couple options!
One option is to thaw the frozen peaches in the refrigerator. Place the frozen peaches that you want to thaw in dish and let them sit in the fridge until they defrost. If you need your peaches to thaw quickly you can use a water bath. Simply add the frozen peaches to a sealed bag and submerge the bag in cool water. Check the peaches and change the water every so often until the peaches have defrosted.
More How to Recipes
More Peach Recipes to Try
- Peach Baked Oatmeal
- Blueberry Peach Greek Yogurt Bowl
- Blueberry Peach Oatmeal
- Healthy Peach Crisp
- Peaches and Cream Oatmeal
- Peach Overnight Oats
Love peaches? Be sure to check out my full collection of peach recipes!
How to Freeze Peaches
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh peaches (or as many as you have)
Instructions
Option 1: With the Skin
- You can freeze the peaches (with the skin) whole, halved or sliced! Just wash the peaches well and then pat to dry. If you're using halves or slices, pit the peaches and cut into halves or slices. I personally like freezing peaches in slices because I usually use 1-2 cups at a time and when they're cut into slices it's easier to pull out a small portion at a time. Plus, with halves or slices the peaches are already pitted, which can be helpful for certain uses.
- Lay the peaches out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 4-8 hours. 4 hours for slices, 6 hours for halves and around 8 hours for whole peaches.
- Transfer the frozen peaches to a freezer-safe half gallon bag labeled with the date. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Return to the freezer.
Option 2: Blanched + Peeled
- Wash the peaches well with water.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat and preparing an ice water bath. Using a paring knife, make a small, shallow X in the bottom end of each peach. Lower the peaches into the boiling water and leave them there for 30 seconds.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peaches to the ice water bath.
- Gently rub the skin from the peaches and peel it off with your hands.
- You can freeze the peaches whole, halved or sliced. If you're using halves or slices, pit the peaches and cut into halves or slices.
- Lay the peaches out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 4-8 hours. 4 hours for slices, 6 hours for halves and around 8 hours for whole peaches.
- Transfer the frozen peaches to a freezer-safe half gallon bag labeled with the date. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Return to the freezer.
Notes
- Lemon juice: I haven’t found this necessary but if you’re worried about the peaches browning while they freeze you can add lemon juice to the peaches before freezing. Just do 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice per pound of peaches.Â
- Sugar: I’ve seen some recommendations to add a sugar to peaches to help release the juices before freezing peaches, but I don’t add any sugar when I freeze peaches.Â
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very informative. Keep up the good efforts.