Introduction
There’s nothing quite like a perfectly ripe peach in the summertime—juicy, sweet, and bursting with flavor. But since peach season is short, learning how to freeze peaches is the best way to enjoy them year-round. Freezing peaches lets you keep that fresh-picked taste alive for smoothies, pies, cobblers, and baking projects deep into winter.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the best way to freeze peaches to alternative methods like freezing with sugar, in syrup, in jars, or in Ziploc bags. We’ll also tackle questions like can you freeze peaches without blanching, how to peel peaches easily, and the difference between frozen peaches vs fresh peaches.
By the end, you’ll have multiple methods to choose from, so you can pick the one that fits your kitchen routine best.
How to freeze peaches: the basics
The first step to freezing peaches is selecting fruit that’s ripe but still firm. Overripe peaches will turn mushy when thawed. Wash them thoroughly, remove the pits, and decide if you want to peel them. Many guides, like The Kitchn, suggest blanching to remove skins easily.
You can freeze peaches with several “packs”:
Dry pack (just slices, no sugar or syrup)
Sugar pack (fruit layered with sugar)
Syrup pack (fruit covered in sugar syrup)
Which one you choose depends on how you’ll use the peaches later. For example, freezing peaches for smoothies is easiest with dry packs, while preserving peaches long term works best with syrup or sugar packs.
How to freeze peaches without blanching
One of the biggest questions people ask is, can you freeze peaches without blanching? The answer is yes. While blanching helps loosen skins and prevents browning, you can skip it if you don’t mind leaving the skins on or using them in smoothies or baked goods.
To do this, wash, slice, and pit the peaches. To prevent browning, soak them in a lemon water bath (1 tablespoon lemon juice per quart of water). Lay slices on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer them to freezer bags or containers.
This method, also recommended by New Mexico State University Extension, is faster and great for freezing peaches for baking or blending into drinks.
How to freeze peaches in a jar
Some people prefer to freeze peaches in glass jars, especially if they’re already using them for canning. It is possible, but you must use freezer-safe jars and leave enough headspace to allow expansion.
Peel, slice, and pit the peaches, then pack them loosely in the jar. Cover with syrup, juice, or water, leaving at least one inch of headspace. Seal and freeze. According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, leaving headspace is essential to prevent jars from breaking in the freezer.
This method works best when you want to store peaches for months while maintaining texture.
How to freeze fresh peaches in Ziploc bags
If you want a quick and easy method, learning how to freeze fresh peaches in Ziploc bags is perfect. This method saves space and is excellent for freezing peaches for smoothies.
After peeling and slicing (or leaving skins on if you like), flash freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them into Ziploc bags, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Label with the date and store flat in the freezer.
As Glad notes, Ziploc bags are best for short- to medium-term storage (up to 6 months), and freezing fruit in a single layer first prevents clumping.
Pioneer Woman: how to freeze peaches
Food blogger Pioneer Woman offers a popular guide on how to freeze peaches. Her method starts by blanching peaches—cutting an “X” at the bottom, dipping them briefly in boiling water, then cooling in ice water—to loosen the skins. After peeling, she slices the peaches and chooses between sugar, syrup, or water pack before freezing.
Her tutorial on The Pioneer Woman explains that sugar or syrup packs preserve peaches for up to 10 months while retaining the most flavor.
This approach is family-friendly and ideal if you want to stock peaches for holiday pies or desserts.
How to freeze peaches with sugar
One of the oldest methods is freezing peaches with sugar. The sugar draws out natural juices, creating a syrupy texture that protects the fruit from freezer burn.
To make a sugar pack, mix 2/3 cup sugar with about 1⅓ pounds of sliced peaches. Let the fruit stand for 15 minutes until syrup forms, then pack into containers leaving headspace. The UGA Extension recommends adding ascorbic acid or lemon juice to preserve color.
This method is perfect for freezing peaches for pies and cobblers, as the fruit thaws juicy and sweet.
How to freeze peaches without sugar
If you want a healthier option, you may wonder how to freeze peaches without sugar. The good news is, you can. Simply prepare a dry pack by flash freezing peach slices before storing them in bags or containers.
You can also use water or juice pack instead of sugar. Serious Eats notes that peaches frozen without sugar won’t stay as firm after thawing, but they’re still excellent for smoothies, jams, and baking.
How to freeze peaches in the fridge
Technically, you can’t freeze peaches in the refrigerator, since fridge temps aren’t low enough. However, you can refrigerate them temporarily before freezing if you’re not ready to prep immediately.
Ripe peaches last up to 5 days in the fridge, giving you time to prepare them for freezing. According to Glad, refrigeration can be a holding step, but peaches must be moved to the freezer for long-term storage.
How to freeze peaches whole
Sometimes, the simplest way is freezing peaches whole. While it saves prep time, the texture may suffer after thawing. Whole frozen peaches often turn soft, making them better suited for baked recipes than eating raw.
To freeze them whole, wash peaches, pat them dry, and place them in freezer bags. For best results, peel them first, as skins become tough after freezing. Better Homes & Gardens advises that while it works, sliced peaches usually hold up better.
This is a good choice when you need quick storage and plan to use peaches in cooked dishes later.
How to freeze peaches in syrup
Freezing peaches in syrup is one of the best ways to freeze peaches if you want long-lasting quality. The syrup coats the fruit, preventing freezer burn and maintaining a soft, juicy texture.
Prepare a light syrup by dissolving 2 cups sugar in 5 cups water. Chill it, then pour over sliced peaches packed in containers, leaving headspace. The National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests adding ascorbic acid for color protection.
This method is ideal for preserving peaches long term, with fruit staying high-quality for up to a year.
Freezing peaches with skin on
If you don’t mind skins, you can skip peeling altogether. Simply wash peaches thoroughly, slice, and freeze as you would normally. The skins soften after freezing and can easily be removed when thawed.
According to Healthline, peach skins are rich in fiber and antioxidants, so leaving them on boosts nutrition. This is especially helpful when freezing peaches for smoothies, where the skins will be blended anyway.
Frozen peaches vs fresh peaches
You might wonder about frozen peaches vs fresh peaches. While fresh peaches win for texture when eaten raw, frozen peaches have advantages. They’re more convenient, available year-round, and often picked at peak ripeness before freezing, which locks in nutrients.
A comparison by EatingWell notes that frozen fruit can be just as healthy—or even healthier—than fresh fruit that’s traveled long distances and spent days in storage.
So, while you’ll want fresh for snacking, frozen peaches are perfect for baking, cooking, and smoothies.
Benefits of frozen peaches
The benefits of frozen peaches go beyond convenience. Freezing prevents waste, saves money, and gives you versatile fruit for recipes. Frozen peaches are also great for portion control, since you can thaw exactly what you need.
Nutritionally, frozen peaches retain most vitamins and minerals, especially when frozen shortly after harvest. According to USDA research, frozen fruits can be just as nutritious as fresh.
Thawing frozen peaches
When you’re ready to use your peaches, proper thawing matters. The safest way is to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. For faster use, place the sealed bag in cold water. Avoid thawing at room temperature, which encourages bacteria growth.
Montana State University Extension advises using thawed fruit within a few days. For pies and baked goods, you can often use peaches straight from frozen.
FAQs
How long do frozen peaches last?
Properly frozen peaches last 8 to 12 months at 0°F, according to Montana State University Extension.
How to peel peaches easily?
The easiest way is blanching: dip peaches in boiling water for 30–60 seconds, then plunge into ice water. Skins slip off easily, as shown in The Kitchn’s guide.
Can you refreeze thawed peaches?
It’s not recommended, as refreezing worsens texture and flavor. Use thawed peaches promptly.
What’s the best way to freeze peaches for pies?
Sugar or syrup pack methods preserve texture and flavor, making them best for pies and cobblers.
Conclusion
Freezing peaches is the ultimate way to extend summer’s sweetness into the colder months. From freezing peaches for smoothies in Ziploc bags to preserving peaches long term in syrup, you have options for every use.