Dates are delicious, sticky sweet fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or dried. They’re also a great addition to baked goods and smoothies. But what happens if you have leftover dates? Can you freeze them? And what happens when you freeze dates? Keep reading to find out!
Can you freeze dates? You can freeze dates if you store them in an airtight container. Frozen dates can last for up to 12 months, and don’t lose any sweetness! To defrost them simply place them in the fridge overnight.
How to Freeze Dates? Useful Tips For Freezing Dates
Dates are a delicious and nutritious snack, but sometimes you might end up with more than you can eat. That is when you start asking yourself if you can freeze dates without them losing their flavor and texture. Yes, you can! And we are going to show you how!
How to freeze dates? To freeze dates simply place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag and place them in your freezer. Try your best to remove as much air as possible and do not overstuff the bag.
When you want to eat your dates, place them in the fridge overnight to let them slowly thaw. Then in the morning, you can start devouring your ultra-sweet dates.
Remember, if you are freezing dates with pits you should remove the pit prior to freezing the dates. Just take a knife and make a small slit down the center of the date and remove the pit.
How Long Do Dates Last In Freezer?
Dates can last up to 1 year in your freezer. Frozen dates are still edible up to 3 years after they have been frozen but their flavor profile and texture will be affected. That is why we recommend consuming frozen dates within 12 months.
Frozen dates taste just as good as fresh dates and retain their amazing sweetness as long as you consume them within 12 months. While you can safely eat them for 3 years after freezing them, they won’t be as sweet!
If you notice the dates are moldy, have a strange smell, or are discolored, then they should be thrown out immediately. This typically only happens if you have not frozen the dates correctly or they were already in poor condition prior to freezing.
Freezing Medjool Dates
Medjool dates are from Morocco and are known for their rich sweet flavor and caramel taste. They are even dubbed as the fruit of kings! We can’t get enough of Medjool dates smoothies but be warned they are ultra sweet.
Can you freeze Medjool dates? You can freeze Medjool dates. To ensure your Medjool dates stay sweet and tasty, place them in an airtight freezer-safe container and then put them in your freezer. When it is time to thaw them, place your dates in the fridge overnight!
Frozen Medjool dates taste almost as good as fresh ones. You will barely be able to notice the difference. Frozen Medjool dates are still incredibly sweet and have that amazing distinct caramel flavor!
Freezing Dried Dates
Dried dates are heated up for hours until all of the moisture is removed. They can be dried naturally via the sun or placed in a dehydrator. Dried dates are known for being super sweet, even sweeter than regular dates.
Can you freeze dried dates? You can freeze dried dates. Just remember to place them in an airtight container and don’t place too many in the same bag. Also if they have pits, you will need to remove them prior to freezing!
Frozen dried dates don’t lose any of their sweetness. Just eat them within 12 months, and you will swear they are fresh!
Freezing Pitted Dates
What are pitted dates? Pitted dates are dates that have had their stone removed. You can tuck into them without having to worry about digging out the pit.
But can you freeze pitted dates? You can freeze pitted dates! Even better, you can throw them directly into a freezer storage container without having to spend hours removing pits! Just make sure the container is extra airtight.
If you freeze pitted dates correctly, they can last for up to 12 months and even longer. When you thaw them, they will retain their lovely sweet flavor, and their texture will be almost the same as fresh ones!
Freezing Date Paste
What is date paste? Date paste is an all-natural sweetener that is made from ground dates. It is very sticky, thick, and oh so sweet. Date paste is used in oatmeal, smoothies, salads, and even stews that need a bit of sweetness.
Can you freeze date paste? You can freeze date paste. Place your date paste in an airtight container, and then put it in your freezer. Frozen date paste will last for up to 6 months!
When it is time to use your date paste, simply move your date paste from the freezer to the fridge and leave it for 8 to 12 hours. We recommend leaving it overnight and then using your freshly thawed date paste the next day!
Defrosting Dates – How to Thaw Dates?
Dates can be frozen, but they may become mushy if thawed incorrectly. It is essential to thaw your frozen dates correctly; otherwise, they will be soggy and lose their sweetness.
To defrost frozen dates, all you need to do is take your airtight freezer-safe bag, which is housing your frozen dates and place it in your fridge. We recommend leaving your frozen dates in the fridge overnight.
By letting the frozen dates slowly thaw out over a number of hours, they will retain their lovely texture and will still be firm and oh so sweet!
Conclusion
Dates are perfectly fine to freeze. All you need to do is place them in a freezer-safe bag, and then to thaw them, place the dates overnight in the fridge. Frozen dates are ultra sweet and taste just as good as fresh ones!
Freezing Dates FAQ
Can you freeze bacon-wrapped dates?
You can freeze bacon-wrapped dates and when frozen properly can last for up to 1 month. Place your bacon-wrapped dates on a baking sheet and then place them in an airtight freezer storage bag.
Can you freeze stuffed dates?
Stuffed dates can be frozen. Just make sure you place them on a baking sheet and then put them in an airtight freezer storage bag. They are safe to eat for up to 1 month.
Are dates good frozen?
Frozen dates taste amazing as long as you freeze and thaw them correctly! Place them in an airtight freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible. To thaw them, put them in your fridge overnight or for at least 8 hours.