How to Freeze Peaches

With its sweet, juicy flesh and heavenly aroma, peaches make for a delightful treat on hot summer days. However, wouldn’t it be fantastic to enjoy them all year round?

Well, we have great news! By freezing peaches, you can capture that summertime sweetness to indulge in any time you, please.

This post will guide you through the easy, foolproof process of freezing peaches to help you extend your peachy pleasure beyond the fleeting summer months.

Jump to Recipe

Picking and Preparing Your Peaches

Before we dive into the freezing process, it’s crucial to ensure your peaches are prime for preserving. Picking and prepping your peaches correctly will make all the difference in your final result.

Selecting Your Peaches

When choosing peaches for freezing, always go for fully ripe, unbruised fruits. Here are some pointers:

• Smell: Ripe peaches have a strong, sweet smell.
• Touch: They should give slightly when gently pressed.
• Look: Look for a creamy, golden-yellow color. Avoid greenish peaches, as they aren’t ripe yet.

It’s crucial to ensure your peaches are perfectly ripe before freezing- to find out more on how to choose the best ones, take a look at our comprehensive guide on how to tell if a peach is ripe.

Washing and Peeling

Once you’ve selected your peaches, it’s time to get them prepped.

1. Rinse your peaches under cold running water to remove any dirt or residues.
2. To peel your peaches, make a small “X” incision on the bottom of each peach. Place them in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then transfer them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. The skin should slide right off!

Cutting and Freezing Your Peaches

Now that your peaches are clean and peeled, let’s get them ready for the freezer!

Cutting Your Peaches

Carefully slice your peaches into halves, quarters, or slices, depending on your preference. Don’t forget to remove and discard the pit!

Preventing Browning

Peaches, like many fruits, can brown when exposed to air. To prevent this, toss your sliced peaches with lemon juice. Use about one tablespoon of lemon juice for every two cups of sliced peaches.

Flash Freezing

Arrange your peach slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in your freezer until the peaches are frozen solid, typically around 2-3 hours.

Packaging and Storing Your Peaches

Once your peaches are fully frozen, it’s time to pack them away for future use.

Packing Your Peaches

Transfer the frozen peach slices to freezer-safe bags or containers. Remember to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Storing Your Peaches

Store your bags of frozen peaches in the freezer. They’ll keep for up to a year, maintaining most of their flavor and nutritional value. Always mark each bag with the date for easy reference.

Using Your Frozen Peaches

One of the best things about frozen peaches is their versatility. You can use them in a variety of dishes, such as:

• Smoothies
• Pies and crumbles
• Jams and jellies
• Ice creams and sorbets

Use	Defrosting Method
Smoothies	Use directly from the freezer
Pies and Crumbles	Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature
Jams and Jellies	Thaw in a saucepan over low heat
Ice creams and Sorbets	Use directly from the freezer

While we’re on the topic of preserving fruits, you might be interested to learn more about different methods of fruit preservation.

Take a look at our informative post exploring the difference between jelly and jam. This will give you even more delicious ways to enjoy your summer bounty throughout the year!

Try this peach cobbler recipe that calls specifically for frozen peaches!

Conclusion

Freezing peaches is a fantastic way to savor the delightful flavor and aroma of summer all year round. The process is straightforward and the result is worth every bit of effort.

Next time you find yourself with a surplus of ripe peaches, don’t let them go to waste. Follow these simple steps, freeze them, and relish the taste of summer anytime you fancy.

If you’ve enjoyed our guide on how to freeze peaches, you’ll also love our post on preserving other fruits. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to freeze strawberries and bananas to enjoy a variety of frozen fruits all year round!