Can You Freeze Figs? How?

Here is the ultimate guide on how to freeze and store figs with ease at home!

So, let’s get started. 

How to Freeze Figs?

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

If you are in a hurry and want to freeze a big batch of figs, this quick and hassle-free method is the best bet for you. 

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Materials

• Figs

Tools

• Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bags

Instructions

1. Wash and Cut: Thoroughly wash the figs. Then you can peel, remove the stems, and cut them up into quarters or halves as you prefer.
   
   
2. Portion and Pack: Divide the figs into portions you can easily use in one go and then pack the portions into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags.
   
   
3. Seal Them: Seal the container or Ziploc bag. If you are using the Ziploc bag, make sure to squeeze out all the air before sealing it shut. You can use a straw to make this step easier.
   
   
4. Label and Freeze: Add a label with the best before date, and you are all set to freeze the figs.
   
   Here is a tutorial by “Expert Village Leaf Group” on YouTube -
   

Freezing Figs after Flash Freezing

This is the most recommended way of freezing figs for the long term. It also makes taking out a couple of figs much easier later on. 

Wash and Cut

Thoroughly wash the figs and then peel them. After removing the stems, cut them up into halves or smaller pieces based on your preference. 

Lay Out

Line up the pieces of figs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure that they are evenly spaced and don’t clump together. 

Flash Freeze

Leave the tray of figs in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight, till it freezes solid. 

Pack and Seal

Pack the frozen figs into a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and then seal them. Make sure to squeeze out all the excess air before sealing the Ziploc bag. 

Label and Freeze

Add a label on the bag or container with the date, and you are good to go. 

Freezing Figs in Sugar Syrup

If you like to have sweetened figs in your smoothies or as dessert, this is a great method to opt for.

Wash and Cut

After washing the figs thoroughly and peeling them, remove the stem and cut them into halves or quarters.

Coat in Sugar

To every 5 cups of fruit mix in 1 cup of sugar and coat the figs generously with sugar.

Portion and Pack

Divide the figs into easy to manage portions and then pack them into freezer-safe air-tight containers.

Cover and Seal

Add a layer of parchment paper at the top of the container, making sure that the paper touches the figs. Then seal the container.

Label, and Freeze

Add a label on it with the best before date. Then you can freeze the sugar-coated figs till you need them next.

Freezing Figs after Cooking Them

If you plan to make fig newtons or such recipes, this is the best way to prep and freeze figs for later. 

Wash and Boil

Thoroughly wash the figs and boil them to get rid of any mildew on them. Boil the figs for 5 to 6 minutes

Cook the Figs

Put the figs on a baking sheet and then toss it in the oven at 300 degrees for about an hour. This helps to dehydrate the figs thoroughly.

Cool and Pack

Let the figs cool down to room temperature then pack them into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags.

Seal Them In

Seal the container or Ziploc bag. Make sure to remove all the extra air, if you are using a Ziploc bag.

Label and Freeze

Add a label with the date on the container or bag, and you can freeze the figs till you need it next.

Here is a video by “Phyllis Stokes and Sons” on YouTube to show you how it is done –

How Long Can You Freeze Figs? 

Figs can last well in the freezer for 6 to 8 months. But keep in mind that they will get mushy and won’t be as appealing as fresh figs.

But they are perfectly safe to eat and taste great. Dried figs last fresher for longer. 

If the fig has been in the freezer for long, you might notice a white powdery substance forming on its surface, which is its natural sugars coming out.

It is perfectly safe to eat these figs. But be sure to check if it is mold before eating them.

How to Store Frozen Figs? 

You can store frozen figs in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. The key is to make sure that the figs are well protected from being exposed to air or freezer burns.

If it is stored well, at a steady temperature, the figs should last well in the freezer. 

If you are wondering whether to choose Ziploc bags or freezer-safe containers, the answer depends on your freezer space.

While containers are sturdy, they can take up a lot of freezer space while Ziploc bags allow you to freeze big batches with space to spare. 

How to Defrost Figs? 

The best method to defrost figs is to leave them in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and let them thaw gradually.

You could also leave the bag or container of the portion you need in a bowl of lukewarm water and let it thaw for a while if you want to get it done faster. 

But if you plan to use it in smoothies or even for cooking, you can skip the thawing process and use them right out of the freezer.

Can You Refreeze Figs? 

No, it is best recommended not to refreeze figs. Once they thaw the figs can get mushy and soggy. This condition will only worsen after repeated freezing and thawing.

If you wish to avoid having to waste the figs once they thaw, you can portion them beforehand into quantities that you are confident you can use up in one recipe or in one meal time.

You could also flash freeze the pieces which makes it easy for you to grab just a few out of a big batch. 

Do Figs Freeze Well? 

Though figs can last quite well in the freezer, they won’t be as appealing or great as fresh figs. They change in texture and taste once they freeze and are best used in smoothies or cooking recipes. 

Figs go brown once they freeze. You could stop this process slightly by washing the figs in some lemon juice before freezing them.

FAQs

Bottom Line

I hope this article helped you make the most out of the figs in your pantry by freezing them. 

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

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