How To Freeze Peaches (The Best Ways To Freeze Fresh Peaches)

Are you wondering how to freeze peaches?

The good news is that peaches freeze really well, making them a fantastic way to enjoy this delicious summer fruit long after peach season has finished.

Peaches are one of my favourite fruits and this summer I’ve been making all sorts of recipes with them, including a delicious peach and burrata salad which I spotted on Instagram.

The problem is they seem to go from perfectly ripe to overripe almost overnight, and sadly I’m the only person in my household who eats them.

After a week I typically end up with peaches that are starting to look rather sorry for themselves!

Rather than letting them go to waste, I simply pop them in the freezer.

Whether you want to freeze fresh peaches for smoothies, pies, baking or simply to enjoy later, this guide covers all the best methods to use.

Can You Freeze Peaches?

Yes, you can freeze peaches.

Fresh peaches freeze well, although like many fruits with a high water content, they do become softer once defrosted.

That doesn’t mean they’re ruined though. Peaches that have been frozen are still perfect for smoothies, crumbles, pies, cakes, sauces, compotes and purees.

The best freezing method depends on how you plan to use them later.

Freezing Method Best For Freezer Life
Flash-frozen slices Smoothies, baking, snacks 10-12 months
Peaches with sugar Pies and desserts 10-12 months
Peach puree Baby food, smoothies, baking 4 months
Cooked peaches Crumbles and desserts 6 months
Tinned peaches (opened) Smoothies and baking 3 months

The Best Way To Freeze Peaches

Personally, I think flash freezing sliced peaches is the easiest and most versatile method of freezing peaches.

Freezing the slices individually means they don’t freeze into one huge lump, so you can simply grab a handful whenever you need them.

It’s perfect if you like adding frozen peaches to smoothies or baking with them throughout the year.

How To Freeze Fresh Peaches

1. Wash and prepare the peaches

Wash the peaches thoroughly and remove any dirt from the skin.

Cut each peach in half, remove the stone and slice or quarter the fruit, depending on how you plan to use it later.

2. Stop the peaches turning brown

Just like apples peaches naturally begin to turn brown once they’ve been cut open.

To help prevent this, gently toss the slices in a little lemon juice or lime juice before freezing. You only need a very light coating, just enough to slow down the oxidation without affecting the flavour.

3. Flash freeze the peaches

Line a baking tray or chopping board with baking paper.

Arrange the peach slices in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching.

Freeze for two or three hours until frozen completely solid.

4. Store for long-term freezing

Transfer the frozen peach slices to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

Label and date the container before returning it to the freezer.

Because the peaches were frozen individually first, you’ll be able to remove exactly the amount you need each time.

How To Freeze Peaches Without Blanching

One of the most common questions people ask is whether peaches need blanching before freezing.

In my opinion, no, they don’t.

The main reasons we blanche peaches is that it makes the skins easier to remove.

It doesn’t stop peaches becoming softer after freezing, so unless you particularly want skinless peaches, I don’t think it’s worth the extra effort pre freezing.

Simply slice the peaches, treat them with a little lemon juice and freeze.

How To Freeze Peaches Without Them Turning Brown

Peaches begin to oxidise when they’re exposed to air.

The easiest way to prevent browning is to toss the peaches slices or halves in a little lemon juice before freezing.

If you don’t have lemons, lime juice or a commercial fruit protector containing ascorbic acid will do the job just as well.

How To Freeze Peaches With Sugar

If you’re planning to make sweet dishes such as cobblers, pies or other desserts, freezing peaches with sugar is another excellent option.

After slicing the peaches, coat them very lightly with lemon juice before sprinkling over a little sugar.

You then need to leave them to stand for around 15 minutes. The sugar will draw out some of the juices and create a light syrup.

Transfer everything, including the juices, into a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room for expansion, before placing into the freezer.

How To Freeze Peaches Without Sugar

If you’d rather avoid adding sugar, simply follow the flash freezing method above.

Frozen peaches without sugar are perfect for smoothies, savoury dishes and healthier desserts.

How To Freeze Peaches For Smoothies

Freezing peaches for smoothies couldn’t be easier.

Slice the peaches, toss with a little lemon juice and flash freeze them before transferring them to freezer bags.

This means you can grab a handful straight from the freezer without needing to defrost them first – simply pop them into your blender with the other smoothie ingredients.

How To Freeze Peach Puree

If your peaches are already very ripe, turning them into a puree before freezing is often the best option.

Simply peel the peaches if you wish, blend until smooth and stir in a little lemon juice to help preserve the colour.

Pour the puree into silicone ice cube trays for small portions or into larger freezer-safe containers if you’ll be using bigger quantities.

Peach puree freezes particularly well and is perfect for:

  • Smoothies
  • Cake fillings
  • Cheesecakes
  • Homemade ice cream
  • Baby food
  • Yogurt toppings

Can You Freeze Whole Peaches?

Technically yes, but personally I wouldn’t recommend it.

Whole peaches take much longer to freeze and defrost, are awkward to peel afterwards and take up far more space in the freezer.

Slicing them first gives much better results.

Can You Freeze White Peaches?

Yes.

White peaches can be frozen exactly the same way as yellow peaches using any of the methods above.

Can You Freeze Tinned Peaches?

Yes.

Once a tin has been opened, the peaches will only keep for a few days in the fridge, so freezing them is a great way to avoid waste.

Drain away the syrup and give the peaches a rinse before freezing if you’re planning to use them in savoury dishes or smoothies.

If you’re freezing them for desserts, you can leave a little of the syrup with them, which also helps protect their colour.

Can You Freeze Cooked Peaches?

Yes.

Cooked peaches freeze very well and are ideal if you’ve already made pie filling, stewed peaches or a peach compote.

Allow them to cool completely before transferring them to freezer-safe containers.

How Long Can You Freeze Peaches?

For the best quality, frozen peaches should be used within 10 to 12 months.

Although they’ll remain safe to eat beyond this if they’ve stayed continuously frozen, their flavour and texture will gradually begin to deteriorate and they might become susceptible to freezer burn.

How To Defrost Frozen Peaches

The best way to defrost peaches is overnight in the fridge.

If you’re using them in smoothies, there’s no need to defrost them at all, simply add the frozen slices straight to the blender.

For baking, many recipes can also be made using frozen peaches directly from the freezer.

My Top Tips For Freezing Peaches

  • Freeze peaches while they’re perfectly ripe rather than waiting until they’ve become very soft.
  • Flash freeze slices so they don’t stick together.
  • Toss cut peaches in lemon juice to help prevent browning.
  • Freeze in portion sizes you’ll actually use.
  • Label everything with the freezing date and the date it needs to be used by.
  • If your peaches are already very ripe, consider making peach puree instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze peaches with the skin on?

Yes. The skin is perfectly safe to freeze. Whether you remove it is entirely down to personal preference.

Do you need to blanch peaches before freezing?

No. Blanching makes peeling easier but isn’t essential.

Can you freeze peaches for pie?

Absolutely. Either flash freeze slices or freeze them with sugar if you’re planning to make sweet pies or cobblers.

Can you freeze peaches without sugar?

Yes. Most people freeze peaches without sugar using the flash freezing method.

Can you freeze peaches for jam later?

Yes. Frozen peaches work well for making jam once defrosted. Jam is another great way to preserve peaches.

How long do peaches last in the freezer?

For the best quality, use frozen peaches within 10 to 12 months.

More Fruit Freezing Guides

Looking for more ways to reduce food waste? Browse the Frozen Food Hub for all of my freezing guides, or take a look at these popular articles:

If you’re looking for more freezing advice, you’ll find lots of similar guides in my Frozen Food Hub.

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