Enjoy delicious, seasonal berries well after the summer months. Here’s the best way to freeze blueberries! This easy freezing process takes 5 minutes and keeps fresh blueberries good for up to 6 months in the freezer (without freezer burn or a big clump).
Pro Tip: Use this method with other fresh fruits (peaches, bananas, avocados) and berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries).
Want to Save This Article?
Enter your email & I’ll send it straight to your inbox. And you’ll get new recipes & tips each week.
Unlike other preservation methods, the good thing about freezing is you don’t need fancy tools or a lot of time.
What You’ll Need to Freeze Fresh Berries
How to Freeze Blueberries in 3 Easy Steps
Below, you’ll find both a video guide and step-by-step instructions with photos.
This simple process works with a handful of berries or a large excess of blueberries. For a large blueberry harvest, work in batches or use multiple sheet pans.
Video Guide: How to Freeze Fresh Berries
The video tutorial demonstrates the freezing process using fresh strawberries, but the same method is used for blueberries (along with blackberries and raspberries). The only difference with blueberries is you don’t need to remove the green tops or cut the berries.
Step by Step Instructions With Photos
Step 1: Wash and Dry
- Wash the fresh berries and dry thoroughly in a single layer on a clean dish towel. Discard any defective berries (rotten or moldy berries).
Washing Blueberries Before Freezing: Wash berries in a vinegar bath or in a sink/bowl filled with cold water. (Or use a salad spinner: soak berries in the basket/ bowl, remove the basket with berries inside, and rinse under fresh water.) Berries must be fully dry before freezing. Water (excess moisture) left on the berries will cause the berries to suffer freezer burn and clump.
Step 2: Spread on a Sheet Pan
- Spread the dry blueberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet pan (or cookie sheet) in a single layer.
- For a large blueberry haul, use multiple sheet pans or work in batches with one sheet pan.
- Place blueberries in the freezer for 1 hour (or more), until fully frozen.
Flash Freezing: This method is known as flash freezing. Why do this? This is the best method to preserve fresh fruit for a later date and avoid freezer burn (ice crystals forming on the fruit). I do the same with other berries, like strawberries, as well as sliced bananas.
Step 3: Store in Freezer-Friendly Containers or Bags
- Once the berries are frozen, remove the sheet pan/cookie sheet from the freezer.
- Place the frozen berries in a plastic freezer bag or reusable bag (or multiple bags, depending on quantity) or freezer-safe containers.
- Seal the bag, removing excess air from the bag as you press down on the bag and seal.
How Long Do Frozen Blueberries Last in the Freezer?
Berries may be safely stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Fresh Blueberries (and Other Berries)
Equipment
- 1 rimmed sheet pan or cookie sheet
- 1 sheet of parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh blueberries or strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries. Freeze as many berries as will fit on your sheet pan.
Instructions
- Wash the berries and pick out any moldy or rotten berries. Dry the berries thoroughly on a clean towel.
- Once fully dry, spread the berries on a sheet pan/cookie sheet. I like to line my sheet pan with parchment paper to keep the berries from sticking to the pan once frozen. The berries should be in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan.
- Place the sheet pan in the freezer and freeze for about an hour (time will vary depending on amount and size of berries, may take anywhere from 30 minutes-3 hours). This method is known as "flash freezing."
- Once the berries are completely frozen, spoon or dump the berries into an airtight container: a plastic freezer bag, silicone bag, or tempered glass container. If using a bag, remove extra air from the bag before sealing–this will prevent freezer burn issues.
- Store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Use the frozen berries to make blueberry muffins, smoothies, overnight oats, yogurt bowls, baked blueberry oatmeal, and other delicious meals.
Notes
Don’t let it rot!
FREE PRODUCE GUIDE
21 Storage Hacks to Keep Your Produce Fresh
How to Use Frozen Berries
- For baking (i.e. muffins, baked oatmeal, scones) use berries in their frozen state. Do NOT defrost before using.
- Or, defrost the berries in the fridge and add to yogurt for fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, warm oatmeal, or frozen fruit overnight oats. Mushy (defrosted) berries can be so delicious!
How to freeze blueberries without getting mushy?
Frozen berries will always be mushy when defrosted. This is due to the extra water content of berries. Either use the berries in their frozen state (for baking or snacking) or take advantage of the delicious mushy texture for yogurt bowls and oatmeal dishes.
Why Freeze Fresh Berries?
Produce Storage Tricks
13 Frozen Blueberry Recipes
- Chia Jam: A quick berry jam for toast, sandwiches, and biscuits. Cookie and Kate has a great berry chia jam recipe.
- Baked Blueberry Oatmeal: A healthy meal-prep breakfast with frozen berries and oats.
- Pancakes: Make baked sheet pan pancakes or oatmeal pancakes with a blueberry filling.
- Blueberry Muffins: Use my master einkorn muffin recipe to make frozen blueberry muffins. If you’re gluten-free, go with almond flour blueberry muffins.
- Blueberry Smoothie: Add 1 cup frozen berries to a blender jar, along with 1/2-1 cup of milk or yogurt, and a banana for a simple smoothie. I also love this blueberry smoothie with avocado.
- Popsicles: Blend berries with yogurt and some water, then pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
- Scones: Add frozen blueberries to this scone recipe.
- Berry Frozen Yogurt (Froyo): Blend frozen blueberries to make homemade frozen yogurt.
- Yogurt Bowls: Top plain yogurt with frozen berries and honey or granola.
- Fruit-on-the-Bottom Yogurt: Add frozen berries (or any frozen fruit) to the bottom of a mason jar, top with yogurt and place in the fridge. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Frozen fruit slowly melts, creating the best fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt. Stir the fruit into the yogurt before serving. Top with granola.
- Straight From the Freezer: The perfect frozen snack or treat.
- Smoothie Packs: Package frozen fruit into individual bags or containers so the fruit is ready to blend for smoothies.
- Frozen Fruit Overnight Oats: Add frozen berries to overnight oats for a macro-friendly breakfast or snack.
MY TOP FROZEN BERRY RECIPES
OVERNIGHT OATS: Perfect for busy mornings
YOGURT BOWLS: Top yogurt with the frozen berries
BAKED BLUEBERRY OATMEAL: A healthy make-ahead breakfast
EINKORN BLUEBERRY MUFFINS: Who doesn’t love a blueberry muffin? Made with easier-to-digest ancient grains.
Save Money With Food Storage Hacks
I love to freeze fresh berries when they go on sale during the summer months. Always around when they’re more expensive in the winter. The blueberry baked oatmeal is my favorite way to use frozen berries. Let me know how you use frozen berries.