Freezing Cherries: Homemade Frozen Cherries

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My husband is a big fan of freezing cherries. He and my sons eat them like popsicles. I like them too, and the plus is…they are much better for you than popsicles. Freezing is so easy too.

Can you freeze fresh cherries? Yes! This method of freezing cherries makes it so you can also just pull a few cherries from the freezer and pop them in your mouth. YUM! Cold and icy.

Freezing Cherries: Step-By-Step Instructions

You will need:

  • freezer paper
  • large cookie sheet or shallow pan
  • fruit preserver
  • freezer bags or other freezer container
  • cherries
  • sugar – optional
Boxes of freezer paper and parchment paper.

Pitting Cherries

Do You Have to Pit Cherries Before Freezing?

Pitting your cherries is an optional step. If you know for sure you’ll just be eating them, then you can just leave the pits in and spit them out when you eat them. Just like fresh!

However, frozen cherries are more versatile if you get them pitted now. Recipes call for pitted cherries, and pitting thawed out cherries is more difficult. I can be done, but it’s so much easier if you pit them while they’re fresh. Check out our cherry pitter of choice here: Cherry Pitter.

How to Freeze Cherries

After you have decided whether or not you are going to pit your cherries, follow the same procedures for freezing.

You can soak your cherries in a fruit preserver if you wish. There are several varieties available at Amazon. Mine was Fruit Fresh.

Following directions on the package, soak cherries in fruit preserver.

Lay freezer paper on your cookie sheet or pan.

Cherries soaking in the fruit preserver mixture.

Drain cherries well.

Optional – You can sugar coat cherries by sprinkling with sugar.

Spread cherries out in a single layer on freezer paper. Lay another sheet of freezer paper on top of the cherries.

Spread more cherries out on top of that sheet.

I have done up to 3 layers and had no problem. I don’t know if I would go too much deeper than that.

A freezer paper lined cookie sheet with deep red cherries spread all over the top of it.

Place this pan with all the layers of cherries in the freezer. When frozen, remove cherries from the freezer and place in freezer bags or containers.

Packing frozen cherries into freezer bags.

Here’s a tip: When you remove the cherries from the freezer, lift the top layer of cherries by the freezer paper. Use it like a funnel to dump the cherries into your freezer container or bag.

Lifting freezer paper layers of frozen cherries off of the trays.

Don’t forget to label and date.

A labeled freezer bag of frozen cherries.

Recipe Card

Freezing Cherries

My husband is a big fan of freezing cherries. He and my sons eat them like popsicles. I like them too, and the plus is…they are much better for you than popsicles. Learn how to freeze cherries here (hint: super easy).
Print Recipe
A freezer paper lined tray with pitted red cherries spread over it.
Prep Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pit cherries if desired.
  • Soak cherries in fruit preserver if desired.
  • Lay freezer paper on cookie sheet or pan.
  • Drain cherries well.
  • Coat cherries with a sprinkling of sugar if desired.
  • Spread cherries on a single layer of freezer paper, then repeat.
  • Place in the freezer.
  • Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags/containers.
  • Remove air, seal, and label.
  • Freeze.

Related Pages

Cherry Pie Filling

Canning Cherry Pie Filling

Cherry pie filling, canned in batches, gives you the freedom to make a cherry pie or cobbler on the fly! Just pop open a jar and pour into a pie crust.

Canning Cherries

Canning Cherries

Canning cherries is a good alternative to freezing and adds some bright color to any pantry. Use them for making quick cobblers, pies, or candied cherries.

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Freezing Cherries

Page last updated: 6/3/2021

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