Grapes freeze exceptionally well, and frozen grapes are the perfect refreshing, cool-you-down, good-for-you summertime snack. Here’s how to freeze grapes!
It has been a HOT summer so far, and there’s no end in sight (#lovingeveryminuteofit). When I want a healthy snack that also helps cool me off on these hot and humid days, I reach for my bag of frozen grapes. They’re icy, sweet, and so delicious!!
Okay. First of all, I know you’re probably saying something like, “Really, girl? A post about freezing grapes?”
YES!!! Why? Because, to be honest with you, until a few weeks ago, I never had them! I love grapes, but I never actually thought about freezing them or eating them frozen, and so I thought maybe some of you all haven’t either!
And my entire goal here is to turn people on to good food…even if it’s so simple it seems ridiculous!
My newfound love of frozen grapes began with my recent post on Ambrosia Salad. I bought way too many grapes and didn’t want them to go to waste, so I decided to try freezing some of them.
I figured I would just throw them into smoothies, but while I was doing the research on freezing grapes, I noticed people talking about eating them as a frozen treat.
WOW and YUM!! Frozen grapes are so delicious and refreshing! They are my new favorite guilt-free summer snack!
Ingredients you need:
- Seedless grapes (any kind)
You can really freeze any kind of grapes, but I highly recommend sticking with seedless grapes for easy eating. It’s just no fun biting into a seed.
Red, purple and other dark-colored grapes are usually on the sweeter side, while green grapes tend to be a bit more tart.
By the way, have you tried cotton candy grapes yet? If not, do so soon! They’re big and green, and they really do taste like cotton candy! They make an awesome frozen treat!
How to freeze grapes:
Tips & Tidbits:
- When drying the grapes, you likely won’t get them totally dry, and that’s okay. Just remove as much of the water as you can. This will prevent chunks of ice from forming on the grapes.
- Using parchment paper (or wax paper) to line the pan keeps the grapes from freezing to the pan and makes it much easier to remove the grapes later without damaging them.
- Place the grapes on the pan in a single layer and spread them out as much as possible. The less they touch, the less they will stick together.
- Freezing the grapes on the pan before putting them in a freezer bag will help keep them separate rather than sticking together in one large clump.
- Try to get as much air out of the bag as possible when freezing. If you have a vacuum sealer, that’s the way to go. If not, put a straw in one end of the bag, seal the bag as tightly as you can around the straw, suck out the air, and then quickly remove the straw and seal the bag.
- Grapes freeze so well that even fully-thawed grapes are pretty darn close to a fresh grape!
My favorite way to enjoy frozen grapes is straight from the freezer. They don’t get totally rock-hard like an ice cube, so you can eat them right away. Of course, if you want or need them a little softer, just let them thaw for a few minutes.
You can also use your frozen grapes as “ice cubes” in your water or other drinks. They won’t water it down, and you get to have some yummy grapes too. Win-win!
I hope you try freezing some grapes and love them as much as I do. Thanks for visiting today!
- Ambrosia Salad
- Vanilla and Chocolate Homemade Ice Cream Bars
- Pistachio Pudding Homemade Ice Cream
- Cold Brew Iced Tea
- Easy Homemade Lime Lemonade
How To Freeze Grapes
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless grapes, red or green, removed from stems (or as many as you would like to freeze)
Instructions
- Place the grapes in a colander and rinse well; gently shake and allow the excess water to drain off.
- Line a large baking pan or rimmed tray with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Spread the grapes out on the pan and pat dry with additional paper towels or another clean kitchen towel. It is okay if you don't get them completely dry. Just remove as much of the moisture as you can. The drier they are, the less chunks of ice you will get on your frozen grapes and the less likely they will be to stick together.
- Place the grapes back in the colander or a bowl while you remove the wet paper towels from the pan and dry the pan.
- Line the pan with parchment paper or wax paper (I don't recommend putting them directly on the pan, as they can get stuck to the pan and get damaged when you try to remove them). Place the grapes on the pan in one layer and spread them out as much as possible to keep them from sticking together.
- Place the pan in the freezer and freeze for 4 to 5 hours or until the grapes are frozen solid.
- Remove the grapes from the pan and place in a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible from the bag, and store in the freezer.
Notes
- Try to get as much air out of the bag as possible when freezing. If you have a vacuum sealer, that’s the way to go. If not, put a straw in one end of the bag, seal the bag as tightly as you can around the straw, suck out the air, and then quickly remove the straw and seal the bag.
- Frozen grapes will last for many months in the freezer, but I recommend enjoying them sooner rather than later for the best quality.
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