How to Freeze Grapes for Snacks and Smoothies
Can you freeze grapes? Absolutely! And it’s easier than you might think. Freezing grapes is a simple way to cut back on waste and stock your freezer with healthy snacks for hot days or smoothie prep. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to freeze grapes the right way so they stay sweet, smooth, and ready to use.
Why You’ll Love this Tutorial
✔ Quick and Easy – No fancy tools or complicated steps required.
✔ Perfect for Smoothies and Snacks – Frozen grapes add sweetness without added sugar.
✔ Great for Reducing Food Waste – A simple way to save grapes before they go bad.
✔ Kid-Friendly – Sweet, icy, and fun to eat straight from the freezer.
Freezing grapes is super simple. And they’re great for tossing into smoothies.
The first time I tried it, I didn’t want to deal with any prep, so I just threw the grapes (stems and all) into a gallon-sized freezer bag and stuck the whole thing in the freezer.
It wasn’t terrible, but it did mean an extra step in the morning: pulling grapes off the stems and rinsing them before blending. (We like a combo of green grapes, frozen peaches or mango, fresh spinach, and orange juice.)
The next week, green grapes were on sale, so I grabbed a couple more bags and actually followed the method I’ve shared below. It’s just as easy, way more convenient for smoothies, and honestly? Tastes better too.
Katie’s Tip: Frozen grapes also make a great, cold snack on a hot day. Kids love them!
Tools Needed
You’ll need a few kitchen tools to freeze grapes. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:
- Colander – For rinsing and draining the grapes.
- Paper Towels or a Clean Kitchen Towel – To dry the grapes completely after washing.
- Baking Sheet – Used to freeze the grapes in a single layer.
- Parchment Paper – Helps prevent sticking on the baking sheet.
- Freezer Bag or Airtight Container – For storing the frozen grapes long-term.
How to Freeze Grapes
I’m almost embarrassed to tell you how to freeze grapes, because it’s so easy! But, it makes a big difference when you prep them the right way. Here’s how to freeze grapes:
- Remove the grapes from their stems and discard the stems.
- Rinse the grapes in a colander, then pat dry thoroughly with a towel.
- Spread the grapes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze until solid—this usually takes a few hours.
- Transfer to a freezer bag or container, label with the date, and store.
That’s it! They’ll be ready to toss into smoothies, serve as a snack, or pop into drinks when you need them.
The above is simply a quick summary of this tutorial. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
FAQs About Freezing Grapes
Got any questions about freezing grapes? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.
Can I Use Any Type of Grape?
Yes! You can freeze any variety of grape. Green grapes tend to be more tart, while red grapes are usually sweeter. You can even freeze just a handful at a time if you have extras on the verge of going bad.
Can I Freeze Grapes with Seeds?
Seedless grapes are easiest (and safest!) to snack on straight from the freezer. But if you only have grapes with seeds in them, you can always cut the seeds out before placing them in the freezer.
If you’re blending them into smoothies, seeded grapes work too, but you might notice a slight bitter taste from the seeds unless you remove them first.
Can I just rinse grapes and toss them into a freezer bag?
You can, but I don’t recommend it. When you skip drying, that leftover moisture turns to ice and creates a frosty coating. I prefer to rinse and dry them first so the texture stays smooth and not icy.
Ways to Use Frozen Grapes
Looking for more ways to enjoy your frozen grapes? Here are a few of my favorites:
- Smoothies – Naturally sweet and icy—no need for added sugar.
- Slushies – Blend frozen grapes with juice or water for a quick summer treat.
- Snack straight from the freezer – Especially refreshing on hot days.
- Frozen yogurt topping – A little crunch, a lot of flavor.
- As ice cubes – Great in sparkling water, white wine, or lemonade (they chill without diluting).
Try Freezing Grapes at Home
Have extra grapes on hand? This simple method is a great way to reduce waste and stock your freezer with something sweet and snackable.
If you try this tutorial, I’d love to hear how it went! Your comments help others and make my day!
Leave a comment and let me know, or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @goodlifeeats with #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I always enjoy seeing what you make!
More Fruit Freezing Tutorials
Freezing grapes is just one of many easy ways to stretch fresh fruit a little further. If you’ve got extra produce on hand, these simple how-to guides walk you through the best methods for freezing and storing fruit the right way.
Who doesn’t love a good kitchen tip? Looking for more kitchen tutorials? Check out the full Kitchen Tips and Tricks archive for lots of helpful ideas.
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How to Freeze Grapes for Snacks and Smoothies
Learn how to freeze grapes the easy way! This quick kitchen tip is perfect for smoothies, snacks, or saving fruit before it goes bad. Just rinse, dry, freeze, and store. No fancy tools needed.
Instructions
Prepare the Grapes
- Remove the grapes from their stems. Discard stems.
- Place grapes in a colander. Rinse well.
- Line a large baking tray with an absorbent towel.
- Lay the grapes on top of the towel and allow to dry.
Freezing the Grapes
- When the grapes are completely dry, transfer to another baking sheet.
- Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until the grapes are solid.
- Transfer the frozen grapes to a large gallon sized freezer bag.
Notes
FAQs Covered in the Post:
Got questions about freezing grapes? These questions and answers are covered in the blog post:
- Can I use any type of grape?
- Can I freeze grapes with seeds?
- Can I just rinse grapes and toss them into a freezer bag?
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 78Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 1g
Judy says
Can you just rinse grapes then place in freezer baggies to put in the freezer?
Katie says
You can if you would like, but I don’t like to do it that way because the water surrounding the grapes will freeze and coat the grapes in ice. I like to rinse them and dry them first.
Jo Skidmore says
Freeze loads of fruits, that are about to spoil, in this manner. Chop them up, spread them out on a parchment lined roasting pan and freeze. Once frozen, place in a freezer bag and toss back in the freezer.
This evening I had some beets, carrots and cucumber that I puréed and then portioned out in ice cube trays (2 for $1 @ DollarTree) once frozen, I’ll pop the veggie cubes out of the trays, place in a freezer bag and put back in the freezer.
I will use these cubes in smoothies – hides a healthy veggie serving in my smoothie and won’t make it green :-P. Cauliflower is another good veggie to hide in fruit smoothies.