Got a big pack of dates that you want to store for later? Wondering- can you freeze dates? Here’s answering your question and much more!
Incredibly sweet and packed with nutritional benefits, dates can be a great addition to your meals, and can act as a wonderful natural sweetener for all your homemade sweet treats thanks to their high sugar content.
Best of all, dates actually freeze well - whether you have fresh dates or the dried ones- they are all freezer friendly.
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Why Freeze Dates?
Freezing is a great way to store dried dates or any other type of date for that matter.
They are popular as a healthy snack, and are often used as a natural sweetener in a variety of recipes- from smoothies to desserts.
Freezing dates allows you to preserve their freshness and keep them from spoiling.
Another big plus is that it allows you to buy dates in bulk when they are in season and cheaper, and use them throughout the year, whenever you want to.
Can You Freeze Dates?
Yes, you can freeze dates.
Dates freeze well, and freezing them is a great way to extend their shelf life and make them last longer than they would when stored at room temperature.
Freezing is actually a great way to hoard your favorite fruit and enjoy them whenever you want to.
While you can always store them in the refrigerator, freezing can go a step beyond that and can help you make dates last even longer.
If you’re not a fan of the sticky texture dates usually have, you’ll find that freezing actually improves their texture.
Can You Refreeze Dates?
Sure, you can!
Getting your frozen dates to thaw and then refreezing them is perfectly fine too.
Just remember to refreeze them within a day or two, and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to freeze them again.
Also make sure you store the dates in an airtight container to preserve their taste and texture.
Do Frozen Dates Lose Their Nutrition?
One of the biggest pros of freezing dates is the fact that you’ll actually be able to retain their nutritional benefits even if you freeze them.
And that’s true for most other foods too- not just dates.
When you freeze them properly, they are able to offer you the same health benefits, and you’ll also be able to use the frozen fruit in lots of unique ways.
This dried fruit is chock full of essential minerals including magnesium, potassium and iron and also contains small amounts of vitamins like vitamin A, B complex and vitamin K.
When you freeze your dates, you’ll actually be able to preserve these nutrients and enjoy them whenever you want to.
How to Freeze Dates
Now that you know the answer to your most pressing question- can you freeze dates, it is time to dig a bit deeper and understand the correct way to do it.
The best way to freeze dates is to start off with whole dates, and make a slit down the center of the fruit, removing the pit. You can also use pitted dates if you want to.
Once you remove the pits, it is time to freeze them solid separately. To do this, you’ll need to arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper, and place the dates in the freezer for a few hours.
Once the dates are frozen solid, you can get them out and transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container and pop them in the freezer again. At this point, you may want to label the container too, especially if you love meal prepping and freezing food and have your freezer stocked.
How to Freeze Medjool Dates
There’s no specific process you’ll need to follow to freeze Medjool dates.
They may have a slightly higher water content than other varieties of dates, but Medjool dates freeze just as beautifully.
Their high sugar content and low water content makes them one of the best date varieties out there- albeit the most expensive one too!
Tips & Tricks to Freeze Dates
Ready to freeze your dates? Here are some tips and tricks to help you do it the right way.
- To speed up the process of freezing the dates, you can also chop them up into smaller pieces instead of freezing them whole.
- Another great idea is to make a date syrup or a date paste, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it. You can easily puree dates in a food processor.
- These date cubes taste exactly like caramel, and when stored properly, they can last months.
- You can let them stay in the ice cube tray or move them into a freezer safe bag.
How to Make Date Paste
Freezing date paste is super easy. All you need to do is soak the dates in some water for about 30 minutes
Then, add them to a food processor or blender, making sure you add some and reserve the soaking water.
Blitz them in the food processor until they form a smooth paste. I’ve outlined a detailed post about making date puree.
How Else Can I Store Dates?
If you’re not a fan of freezing dates, you can also choose to refrigerate the dates.
This can work exceptionally well if you’re planning to use them up in a few months.
How to Thaw and Use Frozen Dates
Frozen dates will last for months when stored and used correctly. It is important to note that you’ll need to first defrost dates before you’re ready to use them for your recipes.
The easiest way to thaw dates is to transfer them to the refrigerator and let them stay there overnight.
Another quick way to thaw frozen dates is to pop them in the microwave for a few minutes until they soften. Just make sure you stop at every 30 second interval.
Once you freeze and thaw dates, you’re ready to put them to use.
How Long Can I Store Frozen Dates?
Dates can last for up to a year when stored in the freezer.
That said, you’ll need to make sure that you use a good quality freezer bag or a freezer safe container to store them, and remove as much air as possible before you pop them in.
Doing this will keep the freezer burn away, and you’ll be ready to use your frozen dates whenever you want to.
FAQs
How Long Can You Freeze Dates?
You can freeze dates for up to 12 months, when you store it in a freezer-safe container.
How Can You Use Frozen Dates?
You can use frozen dates in recipes that need a bit of sweetness. You can add them to your smoothies, desserts, or even as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt.
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