How To Freeze Peaches: 4 Ways to Use Frozen Peaches

Freezing peaches is a simple way to make it peach season all year round. This frozen fruit is best when kept in the freezer for up to a year, but you can keep them in there for longer if needed. You can freeze a whole peach simply by wrapping it in parchment paper, sealing it in a freezer bag, and sticking it in the freezer. However, pre-cut slices will make the fruit easier to work with later. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to freeze sliced, peeled peaches that you can use in a number of dishes—from peach cobbler, to bellini mix, to peach pie.

1. 1. Choose ripened peaches. Make sure the peaches you choose to freeze are properly ripe. Ripe peaches will smell sweet and have a little give to the skin. Ripened peaches have the most flavor, and will taste the best after freezing.
2. 2. Wash the peaches. Always rinse your fruit before consuming, preparing, or storing it to eliminate any lingering bacteria or pesticides.
3. 3. Blanch and peel peaches. If you want to remove the skin from your peaches before freezing and storing them, you can do so by blanching them. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the whole fruit into the pot of boiling water and cook for around 30 seconds (or up to 60 seconds if your peaches are less ripe). Carefully remove the peaches from the boiling water and immediately place them in an ice bath for another 60 seconds to stop them from cooking. You should now be able to simply peel the skin off of the fruit.
4. 4. Cut peach slices. Use a paring knife to slice the peach in half along its crease and remove the pit. Cut the rest of the peach into slice sizes, wedges, or cubes.
5. 5. Give your peach slices a lemon juice bath. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice into a bowl and soak your peach slices for a few minutes. The ascorbic acid in the lemon juice will prevent the fruit from turning brown. You can sprinkle some sugar into the lemon juice bath for some sweetness, but that is optional.
6. 6. Freeze your slices individually. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out your sliced peaches in a single layer, making sure there’s a bit of space between all the slices. This step allows you to use your peach slices individually, rather than freezing them in a clump. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and freeze them for at least four hours.
7. 7. Transfer to a freezer bag. Once your frozen peach slices have solidified, transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag. To prevent freezer burn, remove as much air from the bag as you can either by using a vacuum sealer or straw. Place your peaches in the freezer, and store until you’re ready to use.

You often don’t need to thaw frozen peaches before use, making them a convenient ingredient to have in your kitchen. Here are just a few of the ways you can use frozen peaches.

1. 1. In a smoothie. You can toss frozen peaches directly into a blender with other ingredients or even on their own to make a cold, refreshing smoothie.
2. 2. In a cocktail. You can use frozen peaches for a number of cocktails simply by pairing with your favorite liquor. Peach bellinis are a cocktail made with Champagne, Italian prosecco (or sparkling wine), and white peach purée.
3. 3. As a dessert. Frozen peaches can be made into ice cream or cooked into a peach pie. You can also use them to make peach cobbler, which is a freeform dessert with a peach base and buttery biscuit topping.
4. 4. As a sauce. You can cook frozen peaches into a syrupy sauce by mixing the fruit with other ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla, and cornstarch and simmering over low heat on the stove.

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