Can You Freeze Papaya?

Last updated on September 5th, 2022 at 08:41 pm

Papay is a tropical fruit that tastes sweet when it is ripe. Native to Mexico, papayas can also grow naturally in the Caribbean and Florida. 

This fruit can be eaten alone or added to salad, smoothies or other dishes. When you eat papaya, it not only tastes yummy but also has some amazing health benefits. 

The exotic fruit is even available most times of the year. 

If you enjoy papaya you may pick up several when you go to the store. After using some of it, you may decide to store it for later. Can you freeze papaya?

When you have a lot of papaya and want to save it, freeze it. You can freeze papaya to help preserve it for later. When you freeze papaya you should do it the right way to keep its quality good.

Freezing papaya will help to preserve it for future use. It can slow down the process of the fruit going bad so you can enjoy it weeks or even months later. 

It can be easy to pull out some papaya and throw in a blender for a smoothie. Or you can let it sit and thaw (partially or fully) for a delicious snack.

Papaya typically lasts for about a week once it is ripe. To prevent the fruit from going bad and keep it for longer you can freeze it. 

Just be sure to prepare it properly and it will still taste good even after being frozen. This way you can save the sweet fruit to eat later on when you are craving some papaya. 

How Long Can Papaya Be Frozen?

I already mentioned that papaya will last for about a week once it is ripe. When storing a papaya, you will want to keep it in the fridge whether it is cut or uncut to keep it good. 

Stored in the fridge, papaya will last for 5 to 7 days. How long can papaya be frozen?

Papaya can be frozen for 10 to 12 months. Over time, frozen papaya will start to lose some of its texture and taste. After a year the fruit will start to decrease in quality so it is best to eat it before then.

If you love papaya you may end up purchasing many during your grocery shopping trip. Knowing you won’t eat it all up before it goes bad, you decide to store it in the freezer. 

You can keep the papaya in the freezer for 10 to 12 months. Over time the quality of the fruit will decrease so be sure to eat it up within the next year after freezing it.

Once papaya is thawed it won’t be as firm as when it was fresh but it will still taste good in smoothies, salad or even raw. When you prepare the papaya to be frozen, there are some important tips to follow. 

Keep reading to discover how to properly freeze the fruit. Then you can keep the papaya for up to a year.

What Is The Best Way To Freeze Papaya?

Freezing papaya can help to keep it good for weeks or months. It is easy to do but you will want to follow some simple steps to do it right so the papaya will taste great when you are ready to eat it. 

What is the best way to freeze papaya?

The best way to freeze papaya is to cut the fruit, remove all the seeds. Then place it in freezer containers for freezer bags. It will still taste just as yummy after it has been frozen and can be stored for months.

First you will want to wash the papaya. Then cut it in half longways and remove the seeds. 

Remove the outer skin and cut the fruit into cubes. Place these cubes onto a plate or tray and flash freeze them. 

Once frozen, transfer the papaya to freezer bags and remove as much air as possible. Seal and place the bags in the freezer to store.

Flash freezing the papaya before you put them in the freezer bags will help to prevent moisture loss in the fruit when it is thawed later. You can also use airtight freezer containers instead of freezer bags to freeze the papaya in if you want to. 

One thing you will want to remember is to cut the papaya and don’t freeze it raw.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Papaya?

Papaya is not only sweet and delicious but it is also healthy. So, if you need to save papaya, freeze it for later. It is good to eat this tropical fruit as a snack or in a smoothie. 

What are some of the health benefits of papaya?

Along with being tasty, papaya is also healthy since it contains a high level of antioxidants. Papaya has Vitamin A, C,and E and folic acid which can improve your health. So, eating papayas is healthy.

According to Web MD’s article, Health Benefits of Papaya, they say “Papayas contain high levels of antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Diets high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. When cholesterol oxidizes, it’s more likely to create blockages that lead to heart disease.” 

So, papayas are nutritious and have a lot of vitamins that are good for you. They also contain folic acid reducing the risk of heart disease, enzymes to help digestion and reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, lycopene which reduces the risk of prostate cancer, and nutrients that are healthy for your body.

Final Thoughts

Save papaya for later by freezing it. To freeze this tropical fruit the right way, wash it, remove the seeds, cut, flash freeze, and then freeze in freezer containers or freezer bags. 

When frozen properly, it will stay good for weeks up to months. 

Frozen papaya is perfect for making yummy smoothies or you can just let it sit out to thaw either fully or partially for a healthy snack. When you are craving some, you can also just take it out of the freezer and blend in a smoothie or eat by itself. 

Eating the fruit can improve your health because of all the vitamins and nutrients it contains. Enjoy papaya in upcoming weeks or months by freezing it.