How to Freeze Blueberries for Smoothies and Baking
Learn how to freeze blueberries for smoothies and baked goods all year long. Get tips and tricks to store your blueberries so they last in the freezer for months.
Servings: 24
Equipment
- parchment paper
- baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4-6 quarts fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Choose ripe blueberries and rinse them gently in a colander with cold water, then spread them out on a towel. Pat dry with paper towels and make sure to let them dry completely before freezing.4-6 quarts fresh blueberries
- While the berries dry, line a baking sheet that will fit in your freezer with parchment paper.
- Spread the dry blueberries in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze overnight. Label and date the bag and gently squeeze out excess air.
- When you're ready to bake with the blueberries or make a smoothie, use them directly from the freezer - there's no need to thaw.
- Store frozen blueberries for 10-12 months.
Notes
Sugar Pack Blueberries: Freezing Blueberries 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 fruit by measuring out about 1 quart of blueberries 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 the berries and gently mash them until they 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, preserves, or pie later in the year when you can't get fresh berries. You can also pack crushed blueberries without sweetener in small containers to use for making jam or pie filling.Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.4mg
