Best Fruits to Freeze - hammer & spoons

14 Fruits You Can Freeze to Save Money

In this article, you’ll learn about the 14 best fruits to freeze, how to freeze fruit without sticking together, and tips for successfully storing them in your freezer. So if you’re looking for a simple and healthy way to have a quick snack at hand, this is the article for you!

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy eating better while spending less – it’s possible with a little frugal food know-how. In addition, having a tasty and satisfying snack on hand is essential for staying energized throughout the day. I love adding frozen fruit to my overnight oats!

Contrary to popular belief, not all fruits are suitable for freezing – however, the ones that are can remain fresh and flavorful for up to a year.

This post is all about fruits that freeze and thaw well.

Fruits that freeze well:

Avocado
Bananas
Berries
Cherries
Citrus Fruits
Figs
Grapes
Kiwi
Mangoes
Melons
Pineapple
Pomegranates
Rhubarb
Strawberries

Avocados

Yes, avocado is a fruit and if you want to freeze avocados, here’s how. Avocados freeze best as a puree. Wash the avocado, cut it in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the pulp and mash. Place the mashed avocados in a freezer safe bag and be sure to remove the air. Lay the bag flat in the freezer for easy storage. If you’re using a reusable freezer container, place wax paper or plastic wrap directly on top of the avocado, make sure to release any air pockets, then add the lid.

TIP: you can freeze each avocado using this method separately for easy measurement later. Mashed avocados will last in the freezer from 2 weeks to 1 months and can be used in recipes like avocado smoothies, avocado spread, avocado sauces, and guacamole.

Can you freeze a whole avocado?

Yes. No need to wrap or treat the avocado before putting them in the freezer. Just keep in your freezer and when you’re ready to use, take the avocado out and let it thaw. Place the frozen avocado in a food safe plastic container or bag and then set that in cool water. Be sure to use the avocado immediately because once it is thawed it can get mushy and brown if left for too long. A frozen whole avocado can last in the freezer from 2 weeks to 1 month.

Bananas

You can freeze leftover bananas that have turned brown and use them for cakes and breads. A whole banana will hold its shape even when it’s sliced, but it will darken when frozen. Peel and slice the banana. Slice into coin shapes and place them individually, lying flat on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Place in the freezer until they are firm and frozen enough to remove and place in a freezer safe container together.

Can you freeze a banana unpeeled?

Yes. If you freeze a banana with the peel on, allow it to thaw for 15 minutes before peeling. Another method is puree. Use a blender, food processor, or fork to mash the bananas and store in a freezer safe bag or container. Bananas will last in the freezer for 4-6 months and can be used in recipes like fruit smoothies, breads, and cake.

My favorite method was how my grandma used to freeze bananas. She would peel the bananas, wrap them in plastic wrap (whole) and then freeze. These were excellent for a summer treat or a healthy sweet dessert after dinner on a warm evening.

Berries

Berries are the most one of the most economical fruits to freeze as most areas can only obtain berries seasonally. In this article, berries will include blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, dewberries, elderberries, huckleberries, loganberries, mulberries, raspberries, and youngberries (read further below on how to freeze strawberries). Frozen berries will last up to 3 months in the freezer and can be used in recipes like fruit smoothies, jellies, jams, sauces, pies and drinks.

Wash the berries in cold water and pat dry with a clean cloth. Follow the cookie sheet method mentioned above to freeze and then transfer them into a freezer bag or container. Alternatively, you can use a blender, food processor, or a potato masher and freeze as a puree.

I love using fresh berries as a sauce over pancakes and waffles. Just place the frozen berries with some sugar (optional) in a small saucepan and heat until bubbly. It’s also great over ice cream!

Cherries

Both sweet and sour cherries will freeze well wash the cherries in cold water and remove the pit if you leave the pit in the fruit it will be more difficult to remove after it is frozen use the tray method mentioned above to freeze the cherries and then transfer them into a plastic freezer safe bag or container. Frozen cherries can be used in recipes like fruit smoothies, pies, sauces, and drinks. Cherries will last in the freezer for up to 6 months.

My favorite use for frozen cherries is in overnight oats. I add about 5-6 frozen cherries to my favorite overnight oat recipe. It adds great flavor! You can also add some sugar (optional) and a little water in a saucepan and heat until bubbly for a quick dessert served over ice cream or yogurt.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits will freeze very well and in this article I’m including grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes. There’s a couple of methods you can use when freezing citrus fruits. One method requires you to peel and remove the membranes and white skin surrounding the sections and place between layers of wax paper for easy removal. Freeze in a freezer safe bag or container.

Another method (and what I would recommend) to freeze citrus fruits, is you can freeze the fruit whole and unpeeled. Similar to the avocado and banana methods mentioned above, however, you’re going to wash your fruit and pat dry before freezing. Remove from freezer when you’re ready to use. Frozen whole and unpeeled these citrus fruits are best used for their juices in recipes like smoothies, sauces, dressings, marinades, and they’re excellent for zesting! Citrus fruits will last 3-4 months in the freezer.

Figs

Figs will freeze very well. Wash the fruit and remove the stems. Be very careful as figs bruise easily. Peel the fig, keeping them whole or cutting them in half. Figs can also be frozen into even smaller pieces, quarters, or slices. Place the figs in a freezer safe bag or container. You can also use a food processor, blender, or potato masher and freeze figs as a puree.

I’ve learned that the best method for freezing figs is to freeze them whole. Wash the fruit and following the tray method mentioned above. Freeze the figs first in a single layer and then transfer them into a freezer safe bag or container. Figs will last in the freezer for 3-6 months. Note, they will be softer once thawed. Frozen figs can be used later in recipes like syrups, jams, sauces, and breads.

Grapes

Frozen grapes will thaw to a slightly soft and limp texture, but it will not affect their flavor. Freezing grapes is also a great way to preserve seasonal fruit. To prepare grapes for freezing, wash grapes, remove from stems, and pat dry. You can freeze seedless grapes whole but if the grapes have seeds, you will need to pit the grapes first before freezing. You can do this by just slicing in halves. Use the tray-freeze method to freeze them first then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.

Frozen grapes can be used in salads when they are still slightly frozen and still holding their shape. Frozen grapes also peel much more easily than fresh ones. Just dip the frozen grapes in cool water and the skin will slip right off. Grapes will last in the freezer for 10-12 months and can be used in recipes like fruit smoothies and salads, and also make an excellent healthy snack.

Kiwi

Kiwi fruit will freeze very well, but unlike the fruits mentioned above Kiwis freeze best when treated with a dash of lemon juice before freezing. To prepare Kiwi fruit to freeze, first wash and peel your fruit. Cut the kiwi into the shapes preferred. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fruit freeze and use the tray method to freeze first. Transfer the frozen kiwi to a freezer safe bag or container. Frozen kiwi fruit will last in the freezer for 10-12 months and can be used in recipes like fruit smoothies and cold salads.

Frozen Kiwi will give the best flavor if it is frozen when it is at its ripest. You can still freeze kiwi fruit when it is fresh, but if you like a sweeter flavor wait until it is at its ripest before freezing.

Mangoes

Mangoes will freeze well and will retain their shape if served partially frozen. To prepare them for freezing, wash and peel away the skin. Cut off the stem end and trim away the fruit near the seed. Cut the fruit into 1/4 inch slices. You can add lemon juice to prevent darkening, but this is optional. Follow the tray-method to freeze first then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.

Frozen mango will last 10-12 months in the freezer and can be used later for recipes like fruit smoothies, mango puree, mango salsa, and cold salads.

Melons

For this section the melons include: cantaloupe, Casaba, Crenshaw, honeydew, and Persian. The only melon that doesn’t freeze well is watermelon as it becomes mushy after thawed out. If frozen, it should be eaten while still partially frozen and used in recipes like fruit smoothies, purees, or a refreshing summer drink. The other melons hold their shape and will freeze well.

To freeze a melon slice in half and remove the seeds. Peel or slice away the skin and cut the fruit into slices or cubes. An alternative method is to slice the fruit in half, remove the seeds and use a melon baller to freeze melon balls (which make excellent additions to sangrias and other drinks). Use the tray method to freeze first and then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.

Frozen melons will last up to 12 months in the freezer and can be used later in recipes like fruit smoothies, melon puree, and cold fruit salads.

Pineapple

Pineapple freezes well if it is peeled and cut. There are several ways to peel and cut a pineapple. The best way to cut pineapple for freezing are in rings or chunks packed in its own juice. You can also use the tray-method by placing the pieces of fruit individually on a tray to freeze and then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container. Either method will work.

Pineapple is tricky. You can use a pineapple peeler that is made specifically for a pineapple. I’ve also included an excerpt from a pineapple cutting tutorial I found.

Frozen pineapple will last 6 to 12 months in the freezer and can be used later in recipes like fruit smoothies, cakes, and cold salads.

Three methods to cut a pineapple:

Cut half inch slices across the pineapple then peel the slices. To make pineapple rings from the slices remove the fibrous core with a small round cookie cutter or with a knife.
Cut the pineapple in quarters lengthwise slice along the outside of the fruit to remove the rind cut away the core and then cut the edges into chunks.
If you want to freeze a whole pineapple, cut off its top and bottom and then run the knife around the edge of the fruit and lift out the contents.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates will freeze best when it is sliced and seeded as the seeds preserve best when not frozen inside the fruit. To prepare pomegranate seeds for freezing, cut the pomegranate partially in half and gently break it open. Pop out the seeds being careful not to bruise them. Freeze the seeds flat on a tray and then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.

Frozen pomegranate seeds will last in the freezer for up to 12 months and can be used later for recipes like fruit smoothies, fruit bowls, or sprinkled on top of salads, applesauce, pear sauce, or alone as a healthy snack. Note, the seeds will thaw very quickly.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb freezes well but with a little bit more preparation than the other fruits. Use stocks that are red and crisp. Remove the leaves and cut off any woody ends. Wash the stalks thoroughly under cold water and cut into 1/2 to 1 inch chunks. Tray freeze the chunks then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.

Another method would be to blanch the chunks over steam or in water for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge the rhubarb into ice water to stop the cooking process. Then follow the tray freeze method mentioned above.

To make a puree, combine one pound of rhubarb 1/3 cup honey and the grated rind of half a lemon into a pot cover and cook over low heat until rhubarb is soft. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Puree the mixture in a blender or food processor and pack and freeze in a freezer safe bag or container. Frozen rhubarb will last in the freezer for up to 12 months and can be used later in recipes like sauces, pies, and crumbles.

Strawberries

Strawberries will freeze very well. Wash and remove the hulls and let the berries dry. You can freeze small berries whole but you’ll want to halve, quarter, or slice larger strawberries. Tray freeze the strawberries and then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.

Strawberries can be pureed first before frozen, however you’ll want to use a sieve. Don’t use a blender for this step as it will add too much air to the puree. Freeze the puree with honey to taste (this is optional).

Serve strawberries while they are still a little frozen and they will retain their shape. Frozen strawberries can also be pureed. Frozen strawberries will last in the freezer for 8-12 months for recipes like fruit smoothies, sauces, pies, and other desserts.