Can you freeze watermelon?

What freezing does to watermelon

Freezing causes the high water content in watermelon to form ice crystals that rupture the cell walls, leading to a loss of crispness. When thawed, the fruit releases a lot of liquid and loses its firm texture, so it is no longer suitable for fresh fruit salads.

How to freeze it

1. Cut the watermelon into cubes or balls and remove any rind.
2. Place the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Freeze the pieces for 2-3 hours until solid.
4. Transfer the frozen cubes into an airtight freezer bag or container, removing as much air as possible.
5. Label the container with the date before returning it to the freezer.

Thawing and using it

The watermelon will be very soft and watery after thawing; for best results, use it directly from the freezer in smoothies, frozen drinks, or blended soups without thawing first.

Depends on the form

• seedless vs seeded varieties (seedless is easier to eat after freezing)
• ripe vs underripe (underripe fruit may taste bland after freezing)
• pre-cut vs whole melon (pre-cut freezes faster and more evenly)