Did you know you can freeze avocado? Follow these simple methods and you’ll always have this creamy fruit on hand for all your recipes!
Why Freeze Avocado?
Avocados are chock full of flavor and nutrients but it can sometimes be a guessing game whether the fruit is ripe but not too ripe, soft but not mushy. Now you can pop them in the freezer in various forms and have them on hand for all kinds of recipes. Guacamole, smoothies, dressings and spreads can come together in no time when you have a stash of frozen avocado. So if you find a good deal on avocados, snatch them up, then use the following tips to freeze them for later.
Freezing Avocado Whole
You can freeze the entire fruit, skin and all! This is the easiest way, and it works great. Here’s all you do:
- Wash the entire fruit and dry.
- Wrap each piece tightly with plastic wrap.
- Place each piece of fruit into a Ziploc freezer bag and seal tight.
- Keep in the freezer for 3-6 months for optimum freshness.
Freezing Avocado Halves
Avocado halves freeze well too. You’re doing a little bit more work on the front end, but having avocado halves on hand are great for when you only need a little bit at a time, and don’t want to use an entire fruit.
- Wash the avocado with the skin on.
- Cut in half and peel (no need to remove the pit).
- Sprinkle lemon juice on each half.
- Wrap each avocado half in plastic wrap.
- Then place them all in a freezer safe bag.
- Press out all the air, zip closed then freeze.
Freezing Avocado Sliced or Diced
Having frozen slices of avocado on hand are perfect for smoothies! Just grab a few at a time and toss in with fruit and veggies and you have a creamy, healthy snack or meal.
- Wash and peel the avocado.
- Slice in half, remove the pit.
- Slice the fruit into wedges or dice.
- Sprinkle lemon or lime juice on each slice.
- Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about an hour.
- Then transfer the frozen slices into a Ziploc bag and seal tight, removing all the air.
Freezing Mashed Avocado
Mashed avocado can stay in the freezer for six months or longer, and works perfectly for guacamole, baby food, salad dressings or spreads.
- Wash, peel and remove pit.
- Mash the avocados with a fork or in a food processor with a little bit of lemon or lime juice.
- Store in individual serving sizes in Ziploc freezer bags or freezer-safe container, with all the air removed.
Tips for Freezing and Thawing
- Make sure your avocados are ripe. Don’t try to freeze super green avocados or they won’t be soft enough even after they thaw.
- Get a cheap spray bottle from the dollar store and fill with lemon juice. Then you can spray your avocado pieces evenly with lemon juice before freezing so they don’t brown.
- Make sure to use airtight containers or Ziploc bags when storing avocado in the freezer.
- Avocado may be brown after thawing, so use them right away or toss with lemon or lime juice before freezing.
- To thaw, place the frozen avocado in a bowl of cold water for about thirty minutes or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- You can make guacamole and freeze it too! Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Avocados are full of healthy fats and vitamins so they’re a terrific source of nutrients for your family.
- Freezing allows you to salvage all your ripe fruit to use for later.
- It’s perfect to throw into smoothies, make salad dressings or spreading on sandwiches, burritos or tacos.
- Frozen mashed avocado makes perfect baby food or guacamole.
Cons:
- Avocados contain a lot of water causing ice crystals can form. This can cause a little mushiness when the avocado is thawed.
- Freezing can take away the avocado’s signature creamy texture so you may want to opt for fresh instead of frozen avocado for slicing on salad or avocado toast.
Recipes that Use Frozen Avocado
Once you have a stock pile of frozen fruit in your arsenal, you can make many different recipes! Try a few of our favorites:
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