One of the best things about Michigan in the summer is all the fresh, local produce. We have summer for such a short time, and I do my best to take advantage of it. This week it’s all about peaches. I’m sharing How To Freeze Peaches the easiest way, and, without sugar!
How to freeze peaches
Whenever the local produce is out, we just eat gobs of it and enjoy it as much as we can. I only wish the season was longer. But, to ensure that awesome taste of summer, we load tons of produce in the freezer. You may remember this post during cherry season. We also freeze about 40 pounds of blueberries to enjoy throughout the year.
To can or not to can?
Not a canner? Then this post is for you! All you canners out there~ you are my heroes!! Every year, I dream about canning. I’m going to can tomatoes and peaches and everything! Yes, these are my ambitious thoughts. The reality is, it just doesn’t happen.
So, I’m not saying “I’m going to can” anymore. Just like I quit picking strawberries and started buying them instead. It’s okay. I think there will be a season when I’ll be able to do it and love it. No one does it all people. No. One. I find comfort in this. 🙂
Freezing is my answer to the canning dilemma! Yes, it’s different. But the point is, it’s another way to preserve your food. And in my opinion it’s easier and faster. And for now, it just works for me! To clarify, I’m not saying one is better than the other. But you canners–I love ya!!! If any of you would can for me? Let me know!
Let’s Freeze!
Okay, not literally. Winter is my least favorite because I’m always so cold!! Let’s freeze peaches! Here are some tips, but check out the whole list of instructions in the recipe card below.
Tips & Tricks
- Line your pans with wax paper so the peaches don’t stick to the pan. I do about 4 rimmed baking sheets at a time. That’s what fits in my deep freezer.
- Freezing with the skin on is optional. If you want to peel them, feel free, but that is another (long) step.
- You can freeze halves, quarters, or slices.
- For a stubborn pit, slice the peach in half around the pit and pull apart. Then slice the half, with the pit in it, in half again and pull off one piece. Now you should be able to pull even a stubborn pit right out.
- Flash freezing is simply freezing items individually so that when you place them in a bag, they are easy to use as much or as little as you want.
And… Action!
Here’s a quick video demonstrating these tips. Please don’t judge me, I didn’t get fixed up all pretty for this one. 🙂
How To Freeze Peaches
Equipment
- sheet pans
- wax paper or parchment paper
- chef's knife
Ingredients
- 1/2 bushel of peaches I used red haven
Instructions
- Pit and cut peaches in halves, quarters or slices.
- Lay peaches out on a wax paper lined baking sheet(s). Peaches should be close togethr, but not touching.
- Flash freeze for a couple of hours or until frozen.
- Remove peaches from baking sheets and store in an airtight sealed freezer bag.
Notes
- Flash freezing is simply freezing the fruit in individual pieces, then transferring it to freezer bags to be stored in the freezer. This allows you to use exactly how much you need for a recipe because the peaches are not sticking together in a big clump
- Taking the skins off is not necessary. I never do it and I don't notice them in smoothies or crisps or in any of the ways I use them. However, if you want to, here's how:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil
- Prepare an ice bath-- a large bowl of water with ice cubes
- Score the bottom of the peaches with an X
- Place 3-4 at a time in the boiling water for 2 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon to the ice bath to stop the cooking
- Skin will slide right off
- slice and start instructions at step 1.
- To keep them from turning brown in the freezer: Personally, I haven't had an issue with this, but if you want insurance, toss the slices with fresh lemon juice. About a tablespoon per pound of peaches. Then continue with the instructions at step 2.
Nutrition
The time it takes to prep these depends on how many peaches you do. I used 1/2 bushel of Red Haven peaches. I did 4 trays at once, 2 times, and I yielded about 6 (1) gallon size freezer bags of peaches.
Here’s one of my favorite recipes that includes both peaches and blueberries!
What’s your favorite way to preserve fresh summer produce?
So by doing this – I don’t need to put lemon juice in to keep them from turning color? AWESOME!!!!!
I think it really depends on what you plan to use them on. Mine don’t discolor much. I use mine in smoothies, and also in desserts where they are cooked. If retaining the color is important to you, then you can certainly add some lemon juice. 🙂
How ripe off a peach can I use. Should they be firm and slightly pliable? Yours have good color and look slightly ripe. Do they have a crunch to them?
Mine are ripe, no crunch. You want to freeze them when they are ripe and perfect for eating. If they are a little over-ripe, that is okay, it still will work, especially if you’ll use in smoothies, but when they are really soft, they are just plain hard to work with. So, aim for peak ripe-ness. You can quicken the ripening by placing them in a brown paper bag with a banana. Or just let them be on the counter top, it usually doesn’t take too long.
Whats flash freezing?? I was pumped up with the idea of not having to blanch (😳😳😳😳) until I read ‘flash freezing’!!! I just have regular freezers. Thanks for any help! Steve
Hi, flash freezing is simply laying the peach slices out on the tray, and putting them in the freezer, until they are frozen. Then transfer to a freezer bag. This makes it so the slices are frozen individually, and not sticking together. That way you can pull out exactly the amount that you need. 🙂 You can still be pumped about no blanching. 😀
Sorry for the delayed response, I usually get notified, but it didn’t for some reason.
Can you just eat the frozen peaches after they throw out
Yes, you absolutely can! They will have a different texture than a fresh peach, less firm, softer. Still great for enjoying!
Will the texture of the peaches be similar to fresh? I’d like to freeze, then use in salads or grill them throughout the summer.
The texture will be softer than a fresh peach. It doesn’t hold it’s shape as well after freezing, but it’s just as delicious. Might be harder to grill because of that, but will work great for salads. Give it a try and let me know. I know Panera Bread uses thawed frozen fruit on their summer salads, mostly berries (not the apples) and it works just fine.
Sounds awesome…going to try this tomorrow.
Can you do the same for nectarines?
Any suggestions for Granny Smith apples?
Tess, you can use the same method for nectarines and even the apples if you like (peeling the apples is optional, core and then slice or chunk). You can freeze fresh apples, of course the texture won’t be the same when you thaw them, but they work great for smoothies, apple sauce, or any baked goods. I don’t typically freeze fresh apples, but I do make apple sauce and freeze that. Here’s how I do it: https://www.artfrommytable.com/sugarless-3-step-applesauce/ Let me know how it all goes!
I’m a canner from Australia and can peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, apricots, apples and tomatoes. I have loads of stone fruit at the moment that we are enjoying fresh from our trees but have never thought of freezing them. So today I cut up 200 peaches straight from our yard to the freezer can’t wait to enjoy them in a different way this winter.
Thanks so much.
You are a rockstar!! You must have the best pantry ever! 🙂 I’m so glad you were inspired to try some something different. It’s winter here now, so I’m getting a taste of summer in my smoothies etc. A full pantry and freezer– that’s the best of both worlds!
Yah…. now I know! 🙂
Can I drizzle lemon juice on the slices before putting the trays in the freezer?
Julia, you sure can!
Hi,
Can you use these peaches for pork dinners?
You mean you like to put bake it with the peaches? I’m sure you could!
I peeled and chunked mine…added lemon juice…but I did not dry them…is that ok? can I steel freeze the chunks?
Absolutely!
Thanks! We’re from West Michigan as well, and the fruit is so wonderful. We just came home with lots of pounds of peaches and I’m going to use your method.
Oh yum! I’ve been making all kinds of peach yumminess lately! Enjoy!
Can I blanch the peaches and use the flash freeze method?
I don’t see why not. Let us know how it works out.????
This is helpful since I just picked peaches from my two trees
Oh how awesome you have your own peach trees!
I assume you wash peaches, let them dry and then pit and freeze them. I would not want to wash the peach quarters or halves after they are frozen. Just want to throw them in a smoothy.
Yes Robin, that’s exactly right. And if you’re leaving the skins on the water kind of just rolls off of them so it doesn’t take too long to dry.
This is what I wanted to ask! So wash and then get them dried as much as possible?
That’s right Mary! Wash them whole, they dry really quick because the water doesn’t really stay on the skins. Then you can slice and lay them out. Make sure you use wax paper so it doesn’t stick and don’t let them touch each other. 🙂
Do you ever have issues with the peaches turning brown?
I haven’t. I did just find a bag from last year as I was making room for our beef and they were definitely not as bright, but not brown either. Are they turning brown for you or were you just wondering?
Hey Chellie! This would be way easier than canning for sure. Perfect for frozen drinks and smoothies. Doubt you would need any ice either. Thank you for linking up at Funtastic Friday!
Yes, Lacie, great tip! I typically don’t need ice when I’m using frozen fruit. 🙂
Great way to save seasonal produce for later in the year. Thanks for sharing on Creative k Kids #TastyTuesdays
This is the way I freeze my peaches too. I love grabbing a handful and tossing them into a breakfast smoothie.