How To Freeze Figs – Preparation & Storage Guide

It is very handy to know how to freeze figs because once they’ve ripened, they don’t have a long shelf life at all. Has your fig tree produced an exceptional amount of fruit this season?

Or perhaps they were on offer at your local shop and you just couldn’t resist that bargain? Whatever the reason for your excess figs, you can rest easy knowing you can freeze them to stop them being wasted.

fig waiting to be frozen.

Figs are such a versatile fruit and as such they can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. As a main meal, they are very nice roasted with honey chicken or wrapped in bacon and cheese.

For a delicious sweet treat, they are delightful in cookies, cereal bars, jam, and of course, figgy pudding. If you have a glut of figs to deal with, there are a whole host of dishes that can be made with them. Don’t have time? Our guide on freezing figs will he


Preparing Fresh Figs For The Freezer

You will need to choose fresh figs for freezing that are ripe and not soft or squishy. Wash the figs well and let dry. You can remove the stems and peel too if you wish.



Top Tip – Can You Freeze Figs Whole?

You can opt to freeze figs whole – great for time saving if you have the room in your freezer to do so.

Figs do tend to lose their texture a little once they’ve been frozen so don’t expect the same look and feel once it’s defrosted. To freeze whole, you can leave the peel on or opt to peel them first. Remove the stems and pop in a freezer bag and into the freezer.

Please Note: Once you’ve frozen your figs they will not look or feel quite the same once they’ve been defrosted. This being said, you probably won’t want to eat them on their own as a snack as they’ll have lost their firmness.

However, they will be great in jam, in baked goods, or whizzed up in a smoothie recipe.


How Should Figs Be Frozen?

Figs can be frozen in a variety of ways to suit you and your preferences. Keep reading as we talk you through your options for freezing your figs.


Freezing Sliced Figs

This method is handy for quickening the time it’ll take to defrost them. It also means you’ve done the prep before freezing so they will be ready to use once they’ve thawed.

  • Wash and dry your figs.
  • Peel them and remove all stems too.
  • Cut them into quarters.
  • Prepare a tray with some baking paper.
  • Spread the fog quarters out evenly on the tray.
  • Pop in the freezer overnight to flash freeze.
  • In the morning transfer the frozen figs to sealed bags or containers.
  • Pop back in the freezer ready for your convenience.

Freezing Figs In Syrup

You can opt to freeze your figs in a syrup or sugar – this has the benefit of retaining some of the texture.

  • Prepare your figs for the freezer as above.
  • Sprinkle some sugar over the slices.
  • Make sure the sugar has evenly coated the figs and leave to sit for 15 minutes.
  • Pop the sugared figs into a suitable container and freeze.

How To Defrost Figs Before Use

It couldn’t be easier to defrost figs before use. Simply take them out of the freezer the night before you need them and put them in the fridge. They will thaw nicely overnight ready to be used the following day.



Freezing Figs – FAQs

Can you freeze roasted figs?

Figs do not last long in the home so it’s great to know that you can freeze roasted figs to use later. One thing to consider once freezing your figs is that the texture will change and they won’t be ideal as a snack. They will, however, be just fine to use in pies, smoothies, or other baked goods.

Can you freeze fig leaves?

Fig leaves are edible and often used in salads or to make tea so it’s useful to know you can actually freeze them too. They will be ok in the freezer for around 6 months, you shouldn’t leave them frozen for much longer than that. They freeze well in bags that are suitable for freezing.

Can you freeze fig paste?

Fig paste can be frozen and this is an ideal way to preserve them. The texture of figs can change quite dramatically once they’ve thawed so freezing the paste will be more practical. Once it’s been defrosted, you can use it in your favourite recipe or as part of a wholesome smoothie.

Can you freeze figs off the tree?

Figs can be frozen straight off the tree, so if you have a glut of them, don’t despair. Freezing them ensures nothing will go to waste and they can be used later in jams or smoothies. You can pop them on a tray to flash freeze in the first instance and then pop them into handy portion sizes in ziplock bags.

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