How To Freeze Avocados

Do you love the taste of avocado, but hate the fruit’s short shelf life? Instead of feeling pressure to finish them within a few days, you can freeze–yes, freeze–avocados. If you didn’t know that freezing avocado is possible, then have we got the scoop for you!

We’ll tell you how to freeze avocados to prevent waste of fruit (and money) and to keep the avocado goodness going in your kitchen for longer. Keep reading to learn 4 different methods for how to freeze avocados!

Why Would I Want to Freeze Avocados?

If you are an avocado enthusiast, finding good ones at the farmer’s market can be incredibly exciting. You imagine different scenarios for delicious and healthy meals that you can make throughout the week: avocado toast, smoothies, salads, bowls, tacos, and a great big batch of guacamole.

But when you get home, you may be dismayed to find out that you bought too many avocados to finish within their ripeness window of three to five days. No one wants to eat browned, mushy guacamole!

Luckily, there’s a way to store avocados that prevents them from spoiling and browning too quickly: freezing.

How to Freeze Avocados — 4 Methods

Avocados are very forgiving in terms of long-term preservation—you can freeze them whole, sliced, or even mashed. This way, you can have them ready to use for different recipes whenever you feel like it.

1. Freezing Avocado Whole

Freezing avocado in whole form—with the seed, skin, and stem—is the easiest method.

Storing a whole, ripe avocado is pretty simple. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Wash the avocado thoroughly and let it dry.
2. Wrap the avocado tightly in plastic wrap.
3. Put each of the pieces in a freezer bag and seal it tight. Remove all the air as best you can.
4. Store the bag in the freezer. Frozen avocado will keep for as long as three to six months.

2. Freezing Mashed Avocado

You can do a bit of prep before freezing your avocado. The best part about freezing mashed avocado is that you can take it out whenever you want to make guacamole, salad dressings, dips, or spreads.

For mashed avocados, the process of storing them in the freezer is slightly different. Follow these simple steps:

1. Wash and peel the avocado. Slice it in half and remove the pit.
2. Scoop the flesh out and mash it in your preferred manner, with a fork or in a food processor.
3. Drizzle a bit of lemon or lime juice as you mash and mix.
4. You can also incorporate your choice of guacamole ingredients (peppers, cilantro, onions) to reduce prep time in the future.
5. Divide mashed avocado into individual servings. Seal them tightly and store them separately in freezer bags.

3. Freezing Sliced Or Diced Avocado

Sliced or diced avocados are perfect for smoothies and ice cream. When you freeze avocado this way, all you need to do is thaw and chuck the pieces into your blender.

You can have a variety of avocado recipes ready in an instant when you have sliced avocados handy!

To freeze sliced or diced avocado, follow these steps:

1. Wash, peel, and slice the avocado in half. Remove the seed.
2. Cut the avocado into your preferred slices, or dice them into smaller pieces.
3. Drizzle lemon or lime juice on the cut avocado pieces.
4. Place all the slices on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
5. Put the sheet in the freezer for an hour.
6. Transfer the frozen slices into freezer bags and arrange them according to your serving sizes. Frozen avocado slices can keep for six months.

4. Freezing Avocado Halves

Freezing avocado halves is incredibly easy, and one half is the perfect serving to enjoy as a healthy snack or topping.

1. Wash the avocado and peel it.
2. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit.
3. Drizzle lemon or lime juice on each half to prevent browning.
4. Wrap the halves in cling wrap and place in freezer bags.
5. Remember to remove all air from the bag before storing it.

Is There a Best Method for Freezing Avocados?

The best freezing method primarily depends on how your household utilizes avocados in your recipes. If you want to enjoy fresh guacamole year-round, you can store tubs of mashed avocados in your freezer.

If you regularly integrate avocados in your spreads, soups, and salads, portions of sliced avocados will make meal prep a breeze in the future.

Things to Remember When Freezing Avocados

No matter which method you choose, there are some things to keep in mind for best results when freezing avocado.

Choosing Avocados at the Proper Stage of Ripeness

You must pick avocados that have just ripened and are still a bit firm when you press them gently. Do not freeze unripe or too-ripe avocados.

Peel & Cut the Avocado

If you aren’t freezing the whole avocado, you can start by washing and peeling it. Cut the avocado in half and always remove the pit.

Lemon Juice

Squeezing lemon juice over cut avocado flesh helps keep it from browning, so that it comes out of the freezer looking fresh.

Freeze for 1 Hour

If you prefer to freeze avocado in slices or in diced form, this step is vital to keep them from clumping together in the freezer bag.

Place the avocado slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for about an hour until the slices are frozen.

Transfer to an Airtight Container

Finally, transfer the avocado pieces into a freezer bag. Make sure to remove any air pockets before sealing the bag.

You can also store mashed avocado in individual serving-sized packets before placing them in a freezer bag.

How to Thaw Frozen Avocados

To thaw frozen avocado, transfer it to the refrigerator for an hour or two before using it for meal prep. Freshly thawed avocado will brown quicker than a fresh one, so make sure to use it right away.

Effects of Freezing Avocados

Frozen avocados are delicious and perfectly safe to eat. But while the nutritional value doesn’t decrease when frozen, they won’t retain the creamy, smooth texture they are loved for once thawed.

Advantages of Freezing Avocados

Avocados are one of the healthiest fruits to include in your diet as they are packed with nutrients, fiber, and essential antioxidants. Freezing them gives you a seemingly never-ending stock of these wholesome fruits that you can enjoy anytime!

Here are some advantages of freezing avocados:

• Frozen avocados are ready to use whenever you need them. There is no need to go to the grocery store just for avocados or wait for one to ripen on your counter. All you have to do is open your freezer.
• Frozen avocados are perfect for smoothies, salad dressings, toast, or as a spread for sandwiches, tacos, or burritos. They are also perfect as baby food or to make guacamole.
• You can avoid overeating or waste if you can’t finish a whole avocado in one sitting. You can enjoy a small portion and save the rest for the next time you decide to have avocado.
• Freezing avocados bought during the on-season means you save them for the off-season. The best-quality fruits are only available during certain seasons, so you can buy them in bulk and freeze them for later.

Recipe Ideas for Frozen Avocados

Frozen and thawed avocados are best for smoothies, guacamole, hummus, and other recipes wherein they are blended or mashed.

Here are some recipe ideas:

• Guacamole
• Vegan seven-layer dip
• Chicken or vegetarian tacos
• Guacamole and chicken sandwich
• Baked avocado egg rolls
• Avocado quesadillas
• Avocado smoothies
• Avocado hummus

Final Words on Freezing Avocados

Freezing avocados in different ways is a great choice whether you want to reduce food waste or just want to have avocados available for your family’s recipes year-round.

Freezing will not have an impact on the fruit’s nutritional value, but it will definitely affect its texture. The best option is to use frozen avocado for guacamole, smoothies, or a healthy dip.

Excited for more avocado content? Then check out my avocado page for more growing tips, info guides, and great recipes!