When avocados are over-ripe, they tend to soften and lose their green colour, turning yellow or brown. This can happen if you freeze fresh avocados, even when they're at perfect ripeness. Learn how to freeze avocados the right way, ensuring they remain usable for any avocado recipe when it comes time to defrost them.
How to freeze avocado
For those wondering can you freeze avocado, the key to freezing them is to do so when the avocado is still ripe.
- Place the avocado into a sealable freezer bag with its skin still on.
- If you're freezing more than one avocado, stick to one fruit per bag to avoid any cross-contamination from one to the other.
- Expel air from the bag and seal it, placing the fruit into the freezer with nothing weighing down on top of the bag.
- Whole avocados are best consumed one month after freezing, but they can last longer.
How to freeze avocado for smoothies
To freeze an avocado for later use in a smoothie:
- Cut the avocado in half, from the top to the bottom.
- Remove the kernel from whichever half it has been left in.
- Scoop out the fleshy part of the fruit and put it into a bowl.
- Add a little lemon juice to help prevent it from going brown.
- Mash and scoop portions of the mashed avocado into an ice-cube tray and place it in the freezer.
- Remove portions of frozen avocado cubes as you need.
How to store half an avocado
Half an avocado can be frozen in a similar way to a whole one. If you have used one half, brush some lemon juice over the top of the flesh of the remaining half and put it into a freezer bag on its own. Seal the bag and place it in the freezer for later use.
Cooking with frozen avocado
Any recipe that calls for fresh avocado can be prepared just as well by substituting the fresh fruit for frozen. It is important not to add frozen avocado to any dish you are cooking because this delicate fruit needs to be defrosted first. This means thinking ahead a little. Avocados take about an hour to defrost at room temperature. Use them as soon as they've defrosted before they start to brown. Consider grocery delivery to get fresh ingredients at your door.
How to make smoothies with avocado
- Put half a defrosted avocado into a food blender along with other green ingredients, such as kale, spinach and cucumber.
- Add half a banana for some sweetness.
- Pour in 300 ml of coconut water and blend all the ingredients together for 30 to 40 seconds.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass containing ice and serve.
How to make guacamole with avocado
To make a guacamole dip, you will need three avocados. Take the fruit out of the freezer and leave it to thaw for an hour. In the meantime:
- Mash a large, fresh tomato into a pulp.
- Next, chop half a red onion finely and combine with the tomato, adding the juice of a whole lime, plus some freshly chopped coriander leaves.
- As soon as the avocados have thawed, scoop out the flesh and add it to the mixture – the lime juice will help prevent it from browning.
- Mash the ingredients together to form a smooth paste using a fork or food blender.
- Finally, season the guacamole with salt and pepper, then add a few freeze-dried chilli flakes according to your preferred flavour.
Avocado recipes
There are so many quick and easy recipes that you can prepare with avocado! They are perfect for salads, for example, such as this crispy chorizo and avocado salad with fresh feta cheese that melts in your mouth.
If you're in the mood for fast food but want to keep it reasonably healthy, try this easy veggie avocado burger or Tex-Mex pork tacos with avocado recipe.
FAQs
How do avocados taste after freezing?
Avocados taste much the same once they've been defrosted after freezing. The texture can alter, but other than that, there's very little difference in flavour.
How do you prepare frozen avocado?
Allow frozen avocado to thaw gently. Avoid placing it in the sun or microwaving the avocado on the defrost setting. Put the fruit somewhere cool and dry, and then use it as you would a fresh one after it has completely thawed.
How to defrost an avocado?
Defrosting a small avocado at room temperature takes about an hour, but you may need to leave it longer for a larger one. Avoid direct sunlight, or put your frozen fruit into the fridge, which will take several hours to defrost.
Can you make avocado toast with frozen avocado?
Yes, you can prepare avocado toast with frozen fruit. Make sure the avocado is fully thawed out and at room temperature before you mash it onto your toast.
Can you freeze avocado in guacamole?
Yes, you can freeze avocado in guacamole for a few months, but after this point, it will begin to lose some of its rich, intense flavour. So, don't forget the guacamole is in your freezer, and find a great avocado recipe before time runs out.