Can You Freeze Kiwi Fruit?
Kiwi fruit is packed with vitamins and has that perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavour. It’s delicious eaten on its own, sliced into fruit salads, piled onto a pavlova or blended into smoothies.
If you’ve bought more than you can use before it starts to soften, the good news is that kiwi fruit freezes surprisingly well.
Kiwis usually keep for 7-14 days in the fridge, so I don’t often need to freeze them.
That said, there are definitely times when it comes in handy – whether I’m heading away for a few days or I’ve bought a big pack only for someone in the house to suddenly decide they don’t like kiwi anymore!
Anything that helps reduce food waste gets my vote, so freezing kiwi is well worth doing.
Can You Freeze Kiwi Fruit?
Yes, you can freeze kiwi fruit.
Like most fruits with a high water content, freezing changes the texture a little. Once thawed, kiwi becomes much softer than when it’s fresh.
That doesn’t affect the flavour though, so frozen kiwi is still brilliant for smoothies, desserts and baking.
Does Kiwi Fruit Freeze Well?
Yes, although it’s best suited to recipes rather than eating on its own after thawing.
I find frozen kiwi works particularly well in:
- Smoothies
- Fruit purees
- Fruit sauces
- Ice lollies
- Fruit salads mixed with other fruits
- Baking
Can You Freeze Whole Kiwi Fruit?
Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Whole kiwis take much longer to freeze, use up more freezer space and are awkward to peel once thawed.
Peeling and slicing them first gives much better results.
How To Freeze Kiwi Fruit
Freezing kiwi is quick and easy.
- Peel the kiwi fruit.
- Cut it into slices or chunks.
- Arrange the pieces on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Freeze for around 2 hours until the pieces are firm.
- Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Label and date before returning to the freezer.
Flash freezing stops the pieces sticking together so you can remove exactly the amount you need.
Freezing Kiwi Puree
Kiwi puree freezes just as well.
Simply pour it into an ice cube tray or silicone baby food tray and freeze until solid before transferring the cubes to a freezer bag.
This is perfect if you only need small portions for smoothies or baby food.
How Long Can You Freeze Kiwi Fruit?
For the best quality, use frozen kiwi within 12 months.
Kiwi puree is best used within 3 months to maintain its fresh flavour.
How To Defrost Kiwi Fruit
The easiest method is to thaw kiwi overnight in the fridge.
If you’re using it in a smoothie, there’s usually no need to defrost it at all. I simply throw the frozen pieces straight into the blender.
If you need it more quickly, placing the sealed freezer bag into a bowl of cold water will speed things up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Kiwi For Smoothies?
Absolutely.
In fact, smoothies are probably my favourite use for frozen kiwi because you don’t notice the softer texture at all.
Can You Buy Frozen Kiwi?
Yes.
Some supermarkets sell frozen kiwi, although it’s much less common than frozen berries or mango. It’s also sometimes included in frozen tropical fruit mixes.
Can You Freeze Kiwi Slices?
Yes.
Sliced kiwi is actually the best way to freeze it because the pieces freeze quickly and thaw much faster than whole fruit.
Can You Freeze Kiwi Puree?
Yes.
Kiwi puree freezes brilliantly in ice cube trays and is ideal for smoothies, desserts or homemade baby food.
Final Thoughts
Although kiwi becomes a little softer after freezing, it’s still well worth doing if it means avoiding food waste.
I usually freeze mine in slices so I can grab a handful whenever I’m making a smoothie or fruit dessert. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and saves perfectly good fruit from ending up in the bin.
Looking for more ways to make fruit last longer?
Browse our Can You Freeze It? hub for hundreds of freezing guides covering fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish and everyday leftovers.
