Yes, you can freeze cantaloupe. In fact, you can freeze it whole or as a puree to use in a wide variety of different ways, like a healthy snack or in smoothies. Frozen cantaloupe can last up to a year in your freezer without losing too much of it's taste, texture, and quality.
Keep reading to find out all details and methods.
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Why Freeze Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe is a bright orange, juicy and delicious fruit. It is a type of melon. It is full of lots of vitamins, minerals and water content (to help keep you hydrated).
Unfortunately, this yummy fruit is seasonal. That means it is usually only available during certain months. Depending on the climate, peak season can be from May through September.
So, if cantaloupe is one of your favorite snacks, then you would probably like to have access to it year round. Fresh cantaloupe uncut can only last for 3 weeks in cold storage, and for one week in the refrigerator.
Therefore, in order to have access to cantaloupe at all times, you will need to find a way to store it long term. The best way to do this is by freezing your cantaloupe.
Freezing slices or cubes
Freezing cantaloupe is pretty simple when you get right down to it. Just like when freezing blackberries, freezing blueberries, freezing strawberries, freezing raspberries (and most other fruits) you don't have to bother with blanching first.
The simplest way to freeze cantaloupe is to just cut it, bag it, and freeze it.
Step One: Make sure you have chosen a ripe cantaloupe and washed the rind first.
Using a knife or your melon peeler you will want to cut your cantaloupe in half. Once you do that you can pull all of the seeds from the core and scrape it clean. Don't throw away your seeds either. They make a fantastic roasted snack.
Step Two: Decide if you want slices or balls. If you want slices you can use your melon peeler and simply cut out the slices. If you want bite sized balls just use your melon baller and scoop them out of the center.
Step Three: Now lay your slices or melon balls on your cookie sheet in a single layer (just like when freezing bananas or freezing asparagus slices). Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for a few hours or overnight to flash freeze. This will give them time to freeze completely and not stick together which can be a real hassle when you want to use them later.
Step Four: Once the cantaloupe has completely frozen, take the pieces from the cookie sheet and place them in freezer safe ziplock bags. Make sure you write the contents, quantity, and date on the outside of the bag before putting it back into the freezer.
Cantaloupe puree
This is our favorite method because it is so versatile. As we mentioned earlier, you can use these in smoothies, sorbets, or just eat it as a cold snack.
First, repeat steps one and two above. In step two, make sure to cut it into chunks and not just slices.
Step three: Place your chunks into a blender or food processor. Turn it on for a few minutes at high or until the chunks are a consistent puree.
Step four: Pour the pureed cantaloupe into the compartments of an ice cube tray and pop it into the freezer for a few hours.
Step five: Once the cubes of puree are frozen, pop them out of the ice cube tray and place them into freezer bags. Make sure to squeeze all of the air from the bag before sealing and labeling it.
Need to get all your food preserved easily? Check out the Ultimate Guide To Freezing Food so that you can fill your freezer without in minimal time.
Top Tips
- Make sure you use a ripe cantaloupe.
- Don't skip the flash freezing if freezing in slices or chunks.
- Label the freezer bag or container with the contents, quantity and date.
- Freeze in amounts that you will use later. Ie: freeze enough for a smoothie in each bag.
How to Defrost Cantaloupe
Defrosting or thawing cantaloupe is quite easy. The absolute best and safest way to do it is by placing it into the refrigerator overnight.
It usually takes several hours for it to completely thaw, so overnight works best. However, do be aware that if you are looking to snack on it, the texture will be a little mushy if it is completely thawed.
So, if you are just using it for regular snacking, you may want to just defrost it for an hour or two in the fridge. Then, take it out to eat while it is still a little frozen.
Of note, for many of the uses listed below (like smoothies) you don't need to thaw it at all. You can simply pull it out of the freezer and use it.
How to Use Frozen or Thawed Cantaloupe
- Smoothies
- Juices
- Sorbet
- Snack
- Fruit Salad
- Muffins, breads or other baked goods
Freezing Cantaloupe FAQs
Yes, when you freeze and completely thaw cantaloupe it will be a little mushier than it is when fresh.
Cantaloupe will stay good in the freezer for about 10 to 12 months. It may still be edible after this but eventually it will begin to suffer from freezer burn and the taste, texture, and quality will decline
The best way to defrost cantaloupe is in the refrigerator overnight. If you want to snack on it plain, you may want to only defrost for a few hours so it is not totally thawed.
If you need more help getting your foods frozen, check out the Ultimate Freezing Food Guide for a complete quick start reference so that you can have a well-stocked freezer.
How to Freeze Cantaloupe
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Cookie Sheet
- Freezer Bags
Ingredients
- 1 whole Cantaloupe ripe
Instructions
- Wash off your ripe cantaloupe.
- Cut the cantaloupe in half and scoop out the seeds.
Freezing in slices or chunks
- Cut it into slices and then cut the rind off of each slice.
- If you want to freeze as chunks, cut each slice into chunks a few inches in size.
- Place the slices or chunks on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer to flash freeze. This takes an hour or so.
- Once they are hard, remove from the freezer and package into a freezer bag or an airtight container and place back into the freezer.
As a puree
- Take your halved cantaloupe with the seeds removed and cut it into slices or chunks.
- Place it into a food processor and process until it is a mushy consistency like a smoothie.
- Pour the puree into ice cube trays and place into the freezer.
- After an hour or two, once the cubes are frozen, remove and package into a freezer bag or an airtight container and place back into the freezer.
Notes
- Use a fresh, ripe cantaloupe
- Package it in amounts that will be how much you want to use when thawed.
- Puree is best for juices, smoothies and cooking; slices are best for fruit salads and snacking.
- Freezes well for up to one year.
