Freezing Peaches Without Sugar
Freezing Peaches is the perfect way to preserve your favorite stone fruit during the peak season so you can enjoy it all year. I’ll show you How To Freeze Peaches Without Sugar and keep that summer feeling alive and the sweet juiciness intact.
Discover how to store this delicious fruit for months so you can use it in all sorts of tasty treats like smoothies, jams, and baked goods such as cobblers. This easy method will allow you to enjoy frozen peaches with a freshly picked taste all year long.
How To Freeze Peaches Without Sugar—This summer, I have been lucky enough to have a nice man bring me peaches every Monday. My husband and I own a retail store, and this fellow gets up early on Monday mornings, picks peaches, and then drops them off at our business. Isn’t that a great way to start off the week?
After a few weeks, I began to have more peaches than my family could eat. I could not let these little babies go to waste, so I began to freeze them.
Why Should I Freeze Peaches
Freezing peaches offers a convenient option for having peaches on hand all year long. The best time to freeze peaches is during peach season, when ripe peaches are plentiful and full of flavor. It’s a practical and delicious way to ensure you have fresh fruit whenever you crave it.
Year-Round Enjoyment: Freezing peaches allows you to extend the peach season and enjoy the sweet and flavorful fresh fruit for later use.
Versatility: Frozen peaches can be used in a variety of ways, such as smoothies, jams, cobblers, pies, and baked goods. Their versatility makes them a handy ingredient to have on hand.
Convenience: With this easy process of freezing peaches, you can enjoy juicy peaches any time of the year. This is the easiest method for preserving fresh fruit.
If done correctly, frozen peaches can taste just like fresh peaches when you are ready to use them. I prefer to use them in peach cobbler, but they are also great in smoothies and homemade ice cream.
When Is The Best Time To Get Fresh Peaches
The best time to get fresh peaches depends on your location and the variety of peaches you prefer. The peak season varies by region but typically falls during the summer months. I live in the south, so peach season usually starts in May and extends through the summer months. To get the most flavorful and best peaches, get them and freeze them during the growing season. Look for firm peaches that yield slightly to gentle pressure, are fragrant, and have a vibrant color. Visit your local farmers’ market for the freshest peaches. Some states and counties may have you pick your own peaches, and you can harvest them from the peach tree.
How Long Will Peaches Last In The Freezer
When properly stored, peaches can last in the freezer for 8-12 months. I have used them after 18 months, and they were fine in my peach cobbler. The key to preserving their quality is to follow proper freezing techniques but always keep a check for freezer burn, which can affect the texture and flavor of the peaches. Frozen peaches are fabulous in your favorite peach recipes.
Ingredients Needed
These ingredients are essential for preparing fresh peaches for the freezer. Please see the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredient amounts.
Fresh Peaches – Select ripe, firm peaches for the best results. Look for peaches that are bright, fragrant, and yield slightly to pressure.
Water – Water is used with the lemon juice to coat the peaches before freezing. It helps dilute the lemon juice and provides even distribution.
Lemon Juice – Lemon juice is added to the water and helps coat the peaches. The acidity in the lemon juice helps prevent the peaches from browning.
Make sure to try this Peach Cobbler. It is absolutely delicious and so easy to make!
How to Freeze Peaches Without Sugar
Following these step-by-step instructions will help you efficiently freeze peaches for use later on. This is an easy way to freeze fresh fruit and my favorite method for enjoying out-of-season peaches whenever the craving strikes. These easy steps will ensure you have peaches for future use. Be sure to wash peaches before beginning.
- Prepare Lemon Juice Mixture: Combine lemon juice and cool water in a large bowl.
- Peel and Slice Peaches: Peel and slice the peaches and add them to the bowl with the lemon juice mixture. Toss the peaches to ensure they are well coated with the liquid.
- Drain and Arrange on Parchment or Freezer Paper: Drain any excess juice from the bowl and arrange the coated peaches on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Flash Freeze for an Hour or Two: Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for an hour or two or until they are frozen.
- Transfer to Zip-Top Bag: Once the peaches are frozen, carefully remove them from the baking sheet and place the peaches in a zip-top labeled bag. Remove as much air as possible from the plastic bag.
- Freeze: Seal the bag and remove any excess air to prevent freezer burn. Return the bag to the freezer until you are ready for the peaches.
How To Flash Freeze Peaches
Line a baking sheet/cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Slice the peaches and mix with the lemon juice and water. Drain the excess liquid and place the peach slices on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze the peaches for one to two hours or until frozen. This method allows you to have individually frozen peach slices to use in recipes as you desire. The flash-freezing process allows you to maintain the quality of the peaches and take out what is needed for the recipe without dealing with a block of frozen fruit.
How To Thaw Peaches
The method for thawing peaches completely depends on how you plan to use them. If I am using them for smoothies or cobblers, I don’t thaw them. I use them frozen in my cobblers, and they thaw as they cook. I use frozen peaches in my smoothies for a nice cold and refreshing drink.
You can also use the cold water method by submerging the bag of frozen peaches in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes or until thawed, or you may decide to thaw in the refrigerator. Drain any excess liquid from thawing before incorporating the peaches into your recipes. Additionally, the choice between thawing or partially frozen is completely up to you and your recipe.
How To Store Frozen Peaches
Frozen peaches are the next best thing to enjoying fresh summer fruit. This is my preferred method and the only method I use to preserve peaches. You can store the peaches in a gallon or quart-size freezer container or bag(s). I like to measure out the amount of peaches I will use for certain recipes and freeze them in bags with the cup amount listed on the bag. This makes retrieving the peaches from the freezer effortless and speeds up recipe preparation. Remember to label the freezer bag with the date and contents, then freeze them in a flat single layer for efficient storage.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, lemon juice can help peaches from turning brown due to its acidic nature. Lemon juice slows down the browning process. Be sure to toss the peaches with the lemon juice before freezing.
Here are several containers I recommend for freezing peaches. The best containers are airtight and freezer-safe. Freezer-safe bags, freezer airtight containers, or vacuum-sealed bags are the containers I recommend using.
This is completely up to you and optional. I always peel my peaches with a paring knife before slicing them and putting them into the freezer. This is the easiest way to have peeled peaches on hand for recipes.
Recipes Using Frozen Fruit
How To Freeze Foods From The Garden
How To Freeze Peaches Without Sugar
Ingredients
- Fresh Peaches
- ⅓ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Juice lemons. Combine lemon juice and cool water in a large bowl.
- Peel and slice the peaches and add them to the bowl with the lemon juice mixture. Toss the peaches to ensure they are well coated with the liquid.
- Drain any excess juice from the bowl and arrange the coated peaches on the prepared baking sheet, ensure they are not touching.
- See notes below: Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for an hour or two or until they are frozen.
- Once the peaches are frozen, carefully remove them from the baking sheet and place the peaches in a zip-top labeled bag. Remove as much air as possible from the plastic bag. Freeze: Seal the bag and remove any excess air to prevent freezer burn. Return the bag to the freezer until you are ready for the peaches.
Notes
