Can you freeze peaches?

What freezing does to peaches

Freezing causes the water inside peach cells to expand and rupture the cell walls, which destroys the firm texture upon thawing. While the flavor remains good, the structural integrity is lost, so they will not hold their shape like fresh peaches do.

How to freeze it

1. Wash and peel the peaches, then slice them into desired pieces.
2. Toss the slices with a little lemon juice or ascorbic acid to prevent browning.
3. Lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
4. Transfer the frozen slices into airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
5. Label the package with the date and return to the freezer.

Thawing and using it

Thaw peaches in the refrigerator or at room temperature; they will release a lot of juice and become very soft. Use thawed peaches immediately in smoothies, pies, cobblers, or sauces where texture is less critical.

Depends on the form

• syrup-packed vs. dry pack (syrup helps retain some texture)
• very ripe vs. firm-ripe (firm peaches freeze better)
• sliced vs. whole (whole peaches take much longer to freeze and thaw)