How to Freeze Raspberries for Smoothies and Desserts

Raspberries, with their vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor, are a delightful addition to smoothies, desserts, and baked goods.

Freezing raspberries allows you to enjoy their freshness and nutritional benefits long after the harvest season has ended.

Selecting and Preparing Raspberries

Choose Ripe Raspberries

Select plump, firm raspberries that are fully ripe. Ripe raspberries are deep in color and have the perfect texture – they are firm on the outside, yet juicy, and don’t squish too easily.

To Wash or Not to Wash

Just like with blueberries, opinions vary on whether to wash raspberries before freezing. Washing can remove any dirt, debris, or pesticide residues, but it may also cause the berries to absorb excess moisture that can cause ice to form on them.

If you choose to wash them, rinse the berries under cool water in a colander, and be sure to dry them thoroughly before freezing them. 

Gently pat the berries with a paper towel to remove excess water and spread them out on a clean dish towel until they are completely dry.

Spread on a Baking Sheet

After washing and drying, spread the raspberries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents the raspberries from sticking together during the freezing process.

How to Freeze Fresh Raspberries

Flash Freeze

Place the baking sheet of raspberries in the freezer and allow them to freeze for about 1-2 hours, or until they are firm to the touch and frozen solid.

Transfer to Ziplock Bags

Once the raspberries are frozen, transfer them from the tray into resealable plastic ziplock bags or reusable storage bags.

Consider portioning them into smaller, measured batches so they are easy to grab for baking.

Squeeze Out Air

Press out excess air from the plastic freezer bags before sealing them tightly. This helps prevent freezer burn and preserves the quality of the raspberries. (I would not vacuum seal raspberries as they crumble easily, but you can suck the air out of your bags with a straw.)

Label and Date

Don’t forget to label the bag or container with the date of freezing. This ensures you can keep track of their freshness and use them within a reasonable time frame.

Storage and Shelf Life

Frozen raspberries can be stored in the freezer for up to 10-12 months. Properly stored raspberries maintain their flavor and texture, allowing you to enjoy them in various recipes throughout the year.

Ways to Use Frozen Raspberries

Frozen Berries in Smoothies

Frozen raspberries add a burst of fruity flavor and vibrant color to smoothies.

Triple Berry Smoothies and Berry Banana Smoothies Bowls are some of my favorite ways to use frozen berries. Simply add them directly to the blender along with other ingredients for a refreshing and nutritious drink.

Baking and Cooking

Frozen raspberries are perfect for baking Chocolate Raspberry Banana Bread, Chocolate Raspberry Muffins, Triple Berry Muffins, cakes, Raspberry Jam, tarts, and crumbles.

Frozen berries retain their shape and flavor when baked, making them an excellent addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

Sugar Pack Raspberries: Freezing Raspberries with Sugar

I normally freeze fruit without sugar, but if you intend to make jam with some of your berries, you can sugar pack some of the berries by measuring out about 1 quart of raspberries and sprinkling 3/4 of a cup of sugar over them.  (I use these 16-ounce freezer-safe containers – they look like Chinese food containers but the plastic doesn’t get brittle when frozen.)

Toss and gently mash until the berries start to release some juice and the sugar is dissolved, then freeze the mixture in a bag or container. Label and use these berries for making jam, pie, or preserves later in the year when you can’t get fresh berries.

You can also pack crushed raspberries without sweetener in small containers to use for making jam or pie filling.

Freezing raspberries is a simple and effective way to preserve their freshness and enjoy them in your favorite recipes year-round.

Whether you’re blending them into a delicious smoothie or incorporating them into a mouthwatering dessert, frozen raspberries add a burst of flavor and nutritional value to any dish.

You can use the raspberries right from the freezer – there’s no need to wait for them to thaw. (And if you let them thaw, they will be mushy!)

Freezing raspberries is the perfect way to enjoy the taste of fresh fruit whenever you desire.

Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating below. I love hearing from you.