Can You Freeze Apricots? How?

If you are looking to make the most out of some delicious apricots, here is the ultimate guide to help you. 

These methods and tips have worked like a charm for me. 

Let’s get right into it

How to Freeze Apricots?

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This is the simplest and most hassle-free way of freezing fresh apricots for the long term. 

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Materials

• Apricots
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper

Tools

• Ziploc Bags

Instructions

1. Wash and Pit: Thoroughly wash and dry the apricots. Then cut them open and pit them.
   
   
2. Lay Out: Spread the apricots out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You could also use a muffin tray to separate small portions. Make sure that the apricots are not clumped together and are evenly spaced.
   
   
3. Flash Freeze: Leave the tray of apricots in the freezer for a couple of hours and let them freeze solid.
   
   
4. Pack and Seal: Transfer the frozen apricots into a Ziploc bag and seal them in after you have squeezed out all the excess air in the bag.
   
   
5. Label and Freeze: Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are all set to freeze the apricots till you need them next.
   
   Here is a video guide on how to make the most of your apricots by “TheGoodLife” on YouTube -
   

Freezing Apricots in Sugar Syrup or Juice

Freezing apricots in sugar syrup is a great way to store the apricots for a much longer period in the freezer and is perfect for jams and sweet treats.

Clean and Blanch

After thoroughly washing the apricots, drop them into a pot of boiling water and blanch them for 20 to 30 seconds.Then transfer them into an ice bath to stop any further cooking.

Peel and Pit

Remove the peel of the apricot, which should easily slide off now. Then cut and pit them.

Stop the Browning

Treat the fruits by stirring them around in a bowl with some lemon juice. You could also use some Fruit-Fresh instead.

Soak It

Mix the apricots thoroughly with fruit juice or sugar syrup in a large mixing bowl.

Portion and Pack

Divide the sweet apricots into portions you can easily manage to eat in one go and pack them into Ziploc bags.You can spoon in some of the juice or syrup into the bag before sealing it.

Make sure to leave some headspace in the bag because the apricots can expand once it freezes.

Label and Freeze

After squeezing out all the air in the Ziploc bag, seal it and add a label on it with the best before date. Noe, you are all set to freeze the apricots.

Freezing Dried-Apricots in Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Containers

The key to freezing dried apricots is to make sure that it is kept in air-tight containers completely free of moisture. 

Dry and Portion

Make sure that there is no trace of moisture on the apricots or the container you plan to pack it in.Then portion the apricots into quantities you can easily use up in one go.

Pack and Seal

Transfer the portioned apricots into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them in.If you are using a Ziploc bag, make sure to squeeze out all the excess air.

Label and Freeze

Add a label on the container or bag with the best before date and you are all set.

How Long Can You Freeze Apricots? 

You can freeze apricots for 4 to 6 months.Although you can freeze it for longer and make it last for a whole year in the freezer, it is best to use it within the 6-month mark to get the most out of its quality and taste.

Dried apricots can last for 6 to 12 months in the freezer without much change to their taste or texture.It could last for longer, but it is best to use it up sooner rather than later.

The key to freezing apricots for long is to make sure that it is thoroughly covered from being exposed to air or freezer burns.

If you are worried about the fruit turning brown as it stays in the freezer, you can treat it with some lemon juice or Fruit-Fresh, and it should stay as good as new.

How to Store Frozen Apricots? 

You can store frozen apricots in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. The key is to keep the apricots protected from being exposed to air.

If you are pressed for freezer space, the Ziploc bags are the better alternative to freezer-safe containers.

The containers will be bulky and will only allow you to store a small portion without taking up all the freezer space.Ziploc bags, on the other hand, can store even big batches compactly.

How to Defrost Frozen Apricots? 

If you are in a hurry, you can immerse the portion you need, into a bowl of cold water and let it thaw over an hour or two.

You could thaw the apricots in the microwave, but keep in mind that the apricots can get mushy and should be consumed immediately.

In recipes like smoothies and juices, you can simply add the apricots right out of the freezer without thawing it first.

Can You Refreeze Apricots? 

Although you can safely refreeze apricots (if they had been defrosted slowly in the fridge), it is best advised not to.

The apricots can get mushy and soggy after repeated freezing and thawing. So, it is best to use them up in one go.

If you wish to avoid having to refreeze or waste the apricots once they thaw, you can portion them beforehand into small and easy-to-manage quantities that you can eat in one go.

Or you can flash freeze the apricots and pull out just the right amount and tightly seal the rest.

Do Apricots Freeze Well? 

Yes, apricots freeze well and is a great way to extend their shelf life. If done right, you can have this summer fruit lasting all year long. It freezes better and for longer if you are freezing the dried version.

The key to freezing apricots well is to make sure that you don’t skip out on the steps of pitting it first and flash freezing it before long-term storage.

FAQs

Bottom Line 

I hope this article helped you freeze and store apricots for the long term.

If you have any doubts or would like to share some tips and tricks of your own, it would be lovely to hear from you.

Feel free to share this article with your family and friends.