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!
Contents hide 1 How to Freeze Peaches 2 Ingredients You Need 3 Step-by-Step Instructions 4 How can I use frozen peaches? 5 Best Tips for Freezing Peaches 6 Related Recipes 7 How to Freeze Peaches
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.
Easy Peach Sauce Transform fresh (or frozen) peaches into the most delicious peach sauce with this simple method. It’s a delicious fruit puree to share with a baby or toddler that you can serve on its own or mixed with yogurt or oatmeal. Get the recipe
5-Minute Peach Puree (Fresh and Easy) You can use either fresh peaches or thawed frozen slices to make this recipe. Serve it as a baby food or use it to add flavor to yogurt, oatmeal, or even vanilla ice cream. Get the recipe
Easy Peach Muffins (with Banana) You can use fresh or frozen peaches in this recipe. Reduce the honey or maple syrup to 2 tablespoons or omit it all together if desired. (The resulting muffins will be a little less moist, but still very moist!) Get the recipe
Easy Stewed Peaches You can make these with slightly underripe peaches (which is handy if you happen to have a lot of them). Get the recipe
Peach Banana Smoothie (with Cottage Cheese) This simple smoothie is easy to make and is super creamy without many ingredients. You can even share it with your kiddo! Be sure to blend it very well to ensure the best creamy texture. Get the recipe
Easy Peach Ice Cream Pops Blend together these refreshing and creamy peach pops for a simple summer dessert. Get the recipe
Favorite Peach Crisp Recipe This crisp recipe feeds a crowd and it’s one of my go-to party desserts. You can always cut the amounts in half and use a 9-inch pie plate to make a crisp that serves about 6. Get the recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to freeze fresh peaches?
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.
Can I freeze peaches without blanching?
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.
How do you freeze fresh peaches without them turning brown?
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