Do you have some berries to save? How to freeze blueberries so you can use them in smoothies, muffins, pancakes and more!
Have you ever eaten so many blueberries that you can’t eat them all? We just went to Michigan and picked 5 pounds of blueberries. 5 pounds! We went to work and ate all the blueberry pancakes and blueberry waffles, but we still had a huge mountain of berries. So why not freeze them? It turns out that freezing fresh blueberries is the best way to preserve them. And in many blueberry recipes, you can just use them straight from the freezer!
How to freeze blueberries
Whether you’re going to a U Pick or simply have more blueberries in your fridge than you can eat, freezing blueberries is the best way to preserve them before they become overripe or moldy. Here’s an easy way to freeze blueberries.
- Place blueberries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
- Transfer to a freezer container or grocery bag and store for up to 6 months.
- Use directly in smoothies, fries, crumbles, pies and pancakes (dripped directly into cakes on the griddle). If using them in a baked recipe, see below.
How to use frozen blueberries
Now that you know how to freeze blueberries, keep this in mind Frozen berries have a wetter consistency than fresh ones and can even add a purple hue to baked goods! When using it, be sure to note the following:
- Muffins or Scones: Frozen blueberries can turn baked goods like muffins purple. You can still use frozen berries, but do this important step first. Rinse under cold water several times, then pat dry on top and bottom with a paper towel. (See King Arthur Baking for more information.)
- Shoemaker: In a Blueberry Cobbler, we recommend rinsing the berries as above.
- Chips, crumbles, pancakes and pies: With something like a blueberry crisp or galette, the color issue doesn’t apply: frozen works just as well as fresh.
- Crepes: Simply add the berries directly to the pancakes, which will cook like fresh berries on the griddle (but don’t mix them into the batter).
Frozen blueberry recipes
Frozen berries work well in all kinds of recipes, some better than others! Here’s where we suggest using them:
- Blueberry Smoothie: Frozen berries are perfect for smoothies! They form an icy purple base in this smoothie. Or try: Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie
- Banana Berry Ice Cream: Another place where ice cream shines: this banana berry ice cream! It’s a delicious sweet treat that’s a healthy version of ice cream.
- Blueberry crisp: Blueberry chips or crumble are great for frozen berries as they can break down into a thick, gooey filling.
- blueberry sauce Where blueberry Dessert: Another fabulous use for frozen berries is in this sauce for topping pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream.
- Classic blueberry muffins, blueberry lemon muffins, or healthy blueberry muffins Muffins work too: just follow the rinsing advice above.
- Classic Blueberry Pancakes or Lemon Blueberry Pancakes Toss them in pies while they sizzle on the griddle.
- Blueberry galette Make a free form cake with these sweet berries.
- Place blueberries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
- Transfer to a freezer container or grocery bag and store for up to 6 months.
- Use directly in smoothies, fries, crumbles, pies and pancakes (dripped directly into cakes on the griddle). However, frozen blueberries can turn baked goods like scones and muffins purple. You can still use frozen berries, but do it first: rinse them several times in cold water, then blot top and bottom with a paper towel.
- Category: Frozen
- Method: Frozen
- Kitchen: fruit
- Diet: vegan
Keywords: How to freeze blueberries
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