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My step-by-step guide on How to Freeze Peaches is just what you need for preserving fresh, juicy peaches to use year-round! Use your peaches whenever you want in pies, smoothies, and even salads. Why wait for summer?
Jump to:
- Freezing Peaches
- When is peach season?
- How to Pick Peaches at the Store
- Freezing Peaches FAQ
- Peeling Fresh Peaches to Freeze
- How to Cut Peaches for Freezing
- How to Freeze Peaches Fresh
- How long do peaches last in the freezer?
- Easy Peach Recipes
- How can I thaw frozen peaches?
- Easy Cooking Guides
- Pin it for later!
- Recipe
- Reviews
Freezing Peaches
Freezing peaches is simple: you can peel them if you want, then cut them into slices, place them on a baking tray, and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Add them to an airtight container labeled with the date, and you’re good to go.
But there are so many more steps and tips you can follow to make the most out of your frozen peaches. Keep reading for my expert tips and more, including easy peach recipes!
When is peach season?
Peach season varies from state-to-state, but generally, peak peach season is from June to August. This is when fresh peaches are at their best, and when I recommend you buy fresh peaches to freeze!
How to Pick Peaches at the Store
- Look for peaches that are heavy for their size. This means they’re extra juicy.
- If the peach has a strong, peachy smell, it will taste good, too!
- Good ripe peaches should have a little bit of give and not be too firm.
- If the peach is overripe, it will have wrinkles and soft spots. Avoid those.
Whenever you’re buying peaches, whether you plan to use them the same day or save them to freeze, these are the traits you should look for so you’ll have the best peaches to enjoy later.
Isabel’s Top Tip
Peaches ripen after being picked, just like avocados and bananas, so make sure to use them not too long after you buy them!
Freezing Peaches FAQ
Fresh peaches last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Wait until they’re fully ripe to store them for the best results, and keep them in the crisper drawer or in plastic bags.
You should refrigerate peaches if they are fully ripe. If you have peaches that are not quite ripe yet, then you can leave them out to ripen at room temperature.
If you follow our steps to peel and cut peaches, you will not need to do any extra washing before you freeze them. However, if you’re storing fresh peaches to enjoy without freezing, you don’t want to wash them until just before you eat them, as the moisture can make them spoil more quickly.
Yes, you can freeze peaches whole with the skin on. Wash them first, let them dry, then place them on a tray in the freezer. Once they’re frozen solid, you can add them to freezer bags and label them with the current date. That said, I highly recommend you peel (optional) and cut the peaches before freezing them to make it easier on yourself later.
Peeling Fresh Peaches to Freeze
While it’s not strictly necessary to peel peaches before freezing them, peaches freeze more easily and are easier to use fresh out of the freezer if they are peeled. This is up to your personal preference.
I have a full guide on Peeling Peaches, where you can find all the tips you need to easily peeling peaches without any hassle. It involves scoring the bottom of each peach and then blanching them in an ice water bath, so I recommend checking it out for the full steps!
How to Cut Peaches for Freezing
Peaches are much easier to freeze once they have been cut. I don’t recommend freezing peaches whole. You can see my full guide on How to Cut Peaches for tips, but I’ll also explain here how to cut them:
- Wash the peach directly under cold running water to remove any dirt or germs, even if you think the store already washed it. Use your clean hands, rather than a scrub brush, to gently rub away anything stuck onto the skin. Peach skin is sensitive, and if you’re too rough with it it will tear.
- Using a paring knife, cut from the top of the peach until you hit the peach pit in the center. Carefully move the knife down and around the peach, cutting in a straight line until you can separate the two halves.
- Separate the two halves of the peach by gently pulling them apart. You may need to use a gentle twist motion to separate them.
- Remove the peach pit once the halves are separated. You can do this by holding the peach half with the pit in one hand and gently removing the pit with your other hand. Cut away the center of the peach where the pit was – it’s usually hard and undesirable to eat.
- From here, you can slice or dice your peaches. Cut the peach halves into slices with your paring knife or a sharp chef’s knife. Feel free to dice them if you need smaller size peaches for your recipe plans.
How to Freeze Peaches Fresh
1: Cut Peaches
Begin by cutting your peaches following the above instructions. Cut your peaches into thin slices, wedges, or diced chunks according to your preferences. Make sure to use a nicely sharp knife. Once cut, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2: Flash-Freezing Peaches
Make sure none of the pieces are touching each other, then place the parchment-lined sheet of peaches in the freezer for about one hour until frozen solid. Once they’re frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container, such as a freezer bag with as much air as possible pushed out to avoid freezer burn. Label with the date.
How long do peaches last in the freezer?
Properly frozen peaches will last up to a year in the freezer, so you can enjoy them even when peaches aren’t at their peak season! I know I do!
Easy Peach Recipes
Fresh frozen peaches are also great in peach crisp, peach pie, peach jam, or as an addition to oatmeal. I love adding them to my overnight oats!
How can I thaw frozen peaches?
Thaw frozen peaches by adding the container to the refrigerator overnight or by adding them to cold water if you need them more quickly.
Easy Cooking Guides
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Recipe
How to Freeze Peaches Fresh
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 peach
Instructions
(Optional) Peel Peaches
- To peel peaches, score them by cutting an "x" shape into the skin of the peach, then dip them in boiling water for 40 seconds.
- Immediately add them to an ice bath.
- Let them cool for about 1 minute in the ice water, then peel with your fingers. For a full guide, see How to Peel Peaches.
(Optional, but Recommended) Cut Peaches
- To cut peaches, gently work your knife all the way around the peach from the top of the peach down to the peach pit.
- Separate the peach halves by gently pulling and twisting your hands.
- Remove the peach pit from the center of the peach and cut away the hard part surrounding the pit.
- Lay each half on a cutting board and cut into slices using a sharp knife. Dice if desired. For a full guide, see How to Cut Peaches.
Freezing Peaches
- Once your peaches are prepped, place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the peaches are in a single layer, but not touching each other or overlapping. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour, until frozen solid.1 peach
- After freezing, transfer the peach slices to a freezer-safe airtight container, such as freezer bags. Label with the freezing date, and enjoy!
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