Ten Fruits That Last A Long Time In The Freezer

Fruits always taste best when they are fresh and perfectly ripe. Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to buy your favorite fruits at peak ripeness, and sometimes certain fruits are only available on a seasonal basis. This may have you wondering what fruits you can freeze and how long they last in the freezer.

Fruit can stay fresh in the freezer for up to six months if you properly store it. Some of the best and most popular fruits to freeze for a long time include bananas, pineapple, peaches and other stone fruits like apricots and nectarines. Several berries can hold up in the freezer, including strawberries and blackberries. Oranges can be frozen, but other citrus should be juiced first and then frozen.

There are all sorts of reasons why you should freeze your fruit. For one, it reduces how much rotten fruit you end up throwing out. Frozen fruit is also great in smoothies, as it allows you to use less (or no) ice. It’s even a great way to lower your grocery bill, as it allows you to buy more fruit when it’s on sale. Keep reading to learn all the best fruits to freeze, as well as tips on how to freeze them.

10 Fruits That Can Last In The Freezer For Months

1. Bananas

Bananas are one of the best and most popular fruits to freeze. This yellow fruit is usually cheap and sold in bunches. Bananas are also a fruit that should not be put in the refrigerator, as this allows bananas to ripen naturally and quickly.

If you find you don’t finish eating all your quickly ripening bananas before they go bad, then start freezing them. First, peel the bananas, cut them into pieces slightly smaller than ice cubes, and put them in an air-tight freezer bag or container. 

Bananas will last several months in the freezer and maintain their flavor. They are great when added to smoothies, and are also fantastic to use in baking.

2. Pineapple

Pineapple is a tasty, exotic fruit that is often seasonal. Due to its irregular availability, it’s a good idea to purchase them whenever they’re on sale, although in many regions, pineapples rarely go on sale.  

To freeze a ripe pineapple, remove the outer rind to save only the juicy flesh you plan to eat, and discard the rest. Cut it into bite-sized pieces before freezing. This way, you can use it in smoothies if you want. It will stay fresh for four to six months if properly stored.

3. Watermelon

Watermelon is a fruit that is everywhere in the summer months, but much harder to find in the coldest months of winter. If you like to enjoy the taste of watermelon year round, consider freezing some.

Seedless watermelon is preferable, as you can freeze it without having to worry about getting rid of seeds later on. Frozen watermelon can be blended into cocktails, and makes a fantastic agua fresca, and it keeps its unique taste for several months after you freeze it.

4. Blackberries, Strawberries

Berries aren’t cheap, and some berries can get moldy quickly after you buy them. Blackberries and strawberries are two types of berries that freeze exceptionally well. Blackberries are very easy to freeze. All you need to do is wash them, allow them to dry, and place them in an air-tight container.

For strawberries, it’s best to remove the leafy green stems. Many people also prefer to cut them in half, as this makes them an ideal size to add to a blender when still frozen. You can also place them in the freezer without cutting them in half, if you prefer.

5. Kiwi

Kiwi is a unique fruit loaded with vitamin C and other nutrients. While you might not think of this fruit as one you would save for later, it actually freezes quite well. For best results, slice your kiwi into circular disks and place them on parchment or wax paper. 

Flash freeze these slices for two hours or until completely frozen. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to an airtight freezer bag or container. This will help them keep their shape and prevent them from sticking together.

6. Apples

Apples can last several weeks in the fridge, which is pretty impressive. But if you want to save the last of your favorite fall apples to eat months later, then you should freeze them. When properly frozen, apples can last upwards of six months in the freezer.

To freeze apples, you must peel, cut, and core them. Next, wash them in a water and lemon juice bath, as this will prevent them from turning brown. Once dry, place them immediately in an airtight container and then put them in the freezer.

7. Peaches And Other Stone Fruit

Peaches are juicy and delicious fresh, and if frozen properly, they can maintain their amazing flavor and sweetness for months. To freeze peaches, first you should peel them and remove the pit.

You can also freeze other popular stone fruits, including apricots and nectarines. The key is to allow these fruits to ripen, so you freeze them when their flavors have peaked but they haven’t yet turned to mush.

8. Tomatoes

While many think of tomatoes as a vegetable, it is technically a fruit. Not only are tomatoes a fruit, but they are ideal for freezing, especially if you have a bumper crop in your summer vegetable garden.

The best way to freeze tomatoes is to blanch them and peel off the skin. You can then slice up the tomatoes to your liking. They will last for up to ten months in the freezer and can be used to make soups, stews, and pasta sauce.

9. Grapes

Frozen grapes are a fantastic treat on a hot summer day. If you have particularly sweet and tasty grapes, but have too many of them to eat, consider freezing some. Ensure you wash and dry them and remove them from their stems. They can last more than eight months in the freezer if stored properly.

10. Oranges And Other Citrus

If you have a citrus tree, you may wonder what to do with your harvest. When it comes to oranges, you can peel and segment them, and then place them in the freezer.

Alternatively, consider juicing your citrus and then freezing it for up to six months. This is ideal for lemons and limes, since the odds are you are planning on only using the juice anyway.

Tips for Freezing Fruit For Best Results

1. Freeze Fruit When It’s Ripe (But Not Too Ripe)

Remember to freeze fruit when it is at peak ripeness. This will ensure it has the most sugar and flavor when you freeze it. Don’t wait too long, as over-ripe fruit can quickly turn mushy, and it won’t freeze as well.

2. Peel And Remove The Rind So It’s Ready To Eat

Don’t be lazy when you freeze your fruit. Always take the time to properly peel and cut it. As a rule, you should put fruit in the freezer the way you want to consume it when it comes out. This means no rind, no stem, and it should be cut up into bite-sized pieces.

3. Some Fruit Is Better Blanched

Remember that not all fruits are frozen the same way. Some, like tomatoes, are better when blanched. Kiwi and other fruit are best flash-frozen in separate slices and then all placed together in a bag in the freezer. Take the time to properly freeze each fruit the best way you know how.

4. Consider Juicing Instead

While fruit is great whole and in chunks, sometimes it tastes better and saves a lot of space to simply juice it. Limes, lemons, and other citrus varieties are all great examples of fruit you can juice and then freeze the juice. Juice can sometimes last even longer than the fruit itself, as there is usually less air and empty space in the container.

5. Remove All Air From The Bag Before Freezing

The less air in the container, the less moisture that will escape, and the less likely your fruit will develop freezer burn. Opt for reliable airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

6. Label With The Date 

Some fruit can stay fresh in the freezer for six months, but the only way of knowing how long it’s been in the freezer is if you date it. Label all your fruit with the date it was frozen to ensure you use it up before it starts losing its flavor.

Summing Up Fruits That Last A Long Time In The Freezer

While nothing beats fresh fruit, frozen fruit can come in a close second if you know which fruits to freeze and how to freeze them. Bananas, pineapple, apples, stone fruit, and berries like strawberries and blackberries are all great fruits to freeze for a long time. Remember to peel and wash fruit before freezing, and use airtight containers with labels that have dates on them.

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