Can You Freeze Whole Avocados?

Avocados are rich in nutrients and you can use them in various dishes. We've researched the best way to preserve these fruits. Since they go bad so fast, a lot of people are wondering if they can store these superfoods in the freezer so they can use them later on.

Unfortunately, you cannot freeze whole avocados. Avocados contain lots of water which causes them to expand when frozen. This alters their cell structure. As a result, they become watery, slimy, and mushy once thawed. They lose the creamy and rich texture that we've come to expect from these delicious fruits.

But don't be sad because there are ways to freeze your avocados properly so that you can enjoy these nutrient-dense fruits even when they are not in season. Continue reading to find out how and we'll also share with you how to use your frozen avocados and answer other questions you may have about freezing these fruits.

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Piled up avocado, Can You Freeze Whole Avocados?

What is the best way to freeze avocados?

Series of avocado isolated on reflective white background

Avocados are considered superfoods. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats. Some of their health benefits include improving digestion, stabilizing blood pressure, and are good for the heart. It is no wonder then why this fruit is a favorite in the produce section. Many people stock up on these fruits thinking that they can freeze them so they use these avocados for their favorite dishes whenever they want. These would be a great addition to your dips, spreads, and smoothies.

Since you cannot freeze whole avocados, what then is the best way for us to preserve the life of this fruit? There are different ways to store your ripe avocados in the freezer. You can freeze them in halves, sliced or diced, or mashed or pureed. Here are the steps you need to follow so that you can preserve these fruits in your freezer for a long time.

But first of all, make sure your avocado is already ripe. You can tell this by its color, texture, and firmness. Ripe avocados are usually dark green to almost black in color. Their skin is a little bumpy and when you give it a gentle squeeze, it will yield to the applied pressure but shouldn't be overly soft. That's how you'll know you've got a perfectly ripe avocado in your hands.

Freezing avocados in half

  1. Wash the fruit thoroughly. This is good practice to prevent foodborne diseases.
  2. Cut it in half.
  3. Use a spoon to scoop out the pit and throw it away.
  4. Using the same spoon, you can scoop out the avocado halves from the skin.
  5. Brush some lemon juice on each half to keep it from turning brown. You can also use lime or vinegar instead of lemon juice.
  6. Put a plastic wrap around each half of the fruit.
  7. Place all of them in a freezer bag. Make sure there's no air inside before you zip it closed.
  8. Store the bag in the freezer.

Freezing sliced or diced avocados

  1. Wash the fruit and peel off its skin.
  2. Cut it in half.
  3. Remove the pit.
  4. Slice the fruit according to your desired size.
  5. Brush each slice with some lemon juice, lime, or vinegar.
  6. Place them on a cookie sheet that's lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer for an hour.
  7. Transfer the frozen slices into a freezer bag and seal it tightly.

Freezing mashed or pureed avocados

  1. Wash the fruit and peel off the skin.
  2. Cut it in half and remove the pit.
  3. Brush some lemon juice, lime, or vinegar on the avocado then mash it using a fork or a food processor.
  4. Put them in separate containers according to the serving sizes that you need. Make sure that you use airtight containers.

Experts say that mashed avocados are the best way to freeze them so that they'll last longer. Many people also prefer slicing or dicing their avocados before freezing so that they can just get the right proportion that they need for cooking and avoid wasting such good fruit.

Does pureed avocado freeze well?

We've talked about mashed avocados being the best state for freezing but how about if the fruit is pureed? This will also do well in the freezer. You can put your pureed avocado in the freezer and it'll last for 4 to 6 months when stored properly. Make sure you place them in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed plastic to maintain their good quality. It'll also help if you squeeze some lemon juice, lime, or vinegar into your puree to prevent browning.

You can also put your pureed avocados in ice cube trays so that they're just the perfect size for your smoothies, sandwich spread, or baby food. It is also recommended that you freeze them according to the proportions that you need for cooking. This way, you can just get the amount that your recipe asks for to make your food and drinks richer and creamier.

How long do frozen avocados last?

Avocados can last in the freezer for 4 to 6 months as long as they are stored properly. Experts say that mashed or pureed avocados can even last longer than 6 months and you can still enjoy these fruits in their optimum quality. Some commercially produced frozen avocados also have a longer shelf life because they use preservatives.

Does frozen avocado taste the same?

Freezing your avocado won't have any significant effect on its taste. But to manage your expectations, a frozen avocado won't taste the same as fresh ones. It is like eating a watered-down version of the fruit. This is likely to happen since freezing causes the formation of ice crystals in the avocado which alters its texture once thawed. The additives used, such as lemon or vinegar, can also have a slight effect on its flavor but don't worry, they're not too noticeable when you already mix these frozen delights with other ingredients.

How to thaw a frozen avocado?

Avocado halves on a wooden board

When the time comes that you want to enjoy its delicious flavor, you can thaw this frozen fruit 2 ways. You can defrost it in the fridge or place it on the counter at room temperature. It usually takes an hour to thaw a frozen avocado at room temperature while it takes 6 hours or overnight in the fridge. Don't take it out of its container while thawing. Consume it within one day to relish its succulent taste.

How do you use frozen avocado?

You can do many things with your frozen avocado. Aside from making delectable guacamole, you can use them to make nutritious and delicious smoothies. You can also add them to your sandwich spread or salad dressing. Some add defrosted frozen avocados to their soups and pasta. Or you can use them to make mouth-watering desserts such as avocado ice cream and avocado chocolate pudding. This superfood will definitely make your dishes richer, creamier, and best of all, healthier.

Can you put frozen avocado in a smoothie?

One of the best ways to use frozen avocados is by adding them to your smoothie. Just add them to your mix of milk, ice, and sweetener and you can enjoy a delicious and healthy drink. You can also combine it with other fruits such as bananas and blueberries, yum!

Can you freeze unripe avocado?

It is not advisable to freeze an unripe avocado. Freezing will stop the ripening process and unripe avocados aren't exactly delectable so it would just be a waste of such good fruit. A user in a popular social sharing website experimented on this to find out what would happen. He tried thawing the frozen fruit 2 ways by placing it on the counter and another by putting it in the fridge. But it didn't matter which method he used as he got the same outcome. The core was still firm and rubbery even after he gave them sufficient time to ripen.

Can you freeze avocado with the skin on?

Peeling the avocado skin is a crucial step if you want to freeze and preserve its quality. You cannot freeze this superfood with its skin on because it will turn watery, slimy, and mushy. Almost 80 percent of this superfood is water that's why ice crystals will likely form when they are frozen which causes them to become mushy once thawed.

Final Thoughts

While you can't freeze a whole avocado because it'll turn out to be too mushy to use, there are other ways for you to preserve this superfood in your freezer. You can cut them in half or slices. You can also mash or puree this fruit before keeping it in the freezer so you can enjoy its buttery goodness whenever you want.

Jeanette
Jeanette
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