How to freeze blueberries
This recipe walks you through the straightforward process of freezing blueberries, preserving their flavor and nutritional value for future use. With just fresh blueberries and a bit of time, you can have a stash of these tasty fruits ready for smoothies, baking, or snacking, any time of the year.
Ingredients
- Fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Choose high-quality, ripe blueberries for freezing. They should be plump, firm, and have a vibrant blue color.
- Rinse your blueberries under cold water to remove any dirt or residue.
- Pat the blueberries dry with a clean kitchen towel or let them air dry. It's crucial to remove as much moisture as possible before freezing to prevent ice crystal formation.
- Spread the dried blueberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are in a single layer and not touching each other. This step ensures the blueberries freeze individually and don't clump together.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the blueberries freeze for about 2 hours or until they're fully frozen.
- Once the blueberries are fully frozen, quickly transfer them to airtight, freezer-safe bags or containers.
- Label the bags or containers with the date of freezing. Frozen blueberries are usually best used within six months for optimal quality, but they're safe to consume indefinitely if kept at 0°F.