You can successfully freeze fresh peaches for enjoyment year-round. There are several options for freezing peaches, depending on the results you want. You may choose to slice, peel or puree peaches before freezing. You can also freeze them with or without a sugar syrup. Here's a look at how to freeze peaches so you can preserve their delicious flavor for year-round use.
How to Freeze Fresh Peaches
Freezing peaches allows you to experience their delectable flavor any time of year in muffins, cakes, cobblers, pies and other recipes.
1. Prepare Peaches
Before you begin the freezing process, wash and cut your peaches. You can cut peaches in half, remove the pit and store them as-is. Alternatively, cut peach slices are generally more usable in various desserts.
If you prefer to remove the skin before freezing, blanch the peaches. Cut a small “X” in the skins and place peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds. After boiling, put the peaches in an ice bath to make removing the skin easier. After blanching, you can slice peaches as desired, whether in halves or smaller pieces.
You can also remove the skin with a paring knife, but you may lose more of the peach this way. It also creates visible cut marks, altering the peaches' appearance.
2. Add Sugar and Lemon Juice as Desired
Once you prepare peaches, they are ready to be frozen. Although this method may not last as long, it's great for those in a rush and can work well as a simple addition to smoothies and other foods.
If you want longer preservation, add lemon juice. Use a tablespoon of lemon juice per pound of peaches. If you desire a bit of extra syrup, create one using sugar and water. Dissolve sugar in water until clear, then add it to your container of peaches. Add 10% to 50% sugar in water, depending on the level of sweetness you want.
3. Package and Label
Now, you're ready to freeze the peaches, and flash freezing is a common method. Lay out the peach halves or slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, place the pan in the freezer for several hours, until the peaches are frozen solid.
Once the peaches are fully frozen, transfer them to a bag or container and place them back in the freezer. Flash freezing makes it easier to separate the peaches later. It's the best way to freeze peaches if you want to use small portions in recipes or smoothies.
If you want a shorter process, skip the flash freezing and place the prepared peaches directly into a container or bag. Whichever freezing method you choose, label your peaches with the contents and year. This step helps you find the peaches again when you need them. The date also helps you use peaches before they go bad. Frozen peaches in sugar or lemon juice can last about a year in the freezer. Those without syrup or juice will last several months.
Buy Peaches in Season
Frozen peaches are a great way to preserve excess fruit to enjoy throughout the year. The best frozen peaches start with in-season fruit, so order fresh Georgia peaches online or stop by Dickey Farms. Grab some peaches to enjoy fresh and some extras to freeze for later use.