🥶 Freeze chestnuts easily: raw, blanched or cooked
Wondering how to freeze chestnuts without the hassle 🤔? Good news: it's super simple, whether you're a raw , blanched , or cooked fan! Follow this Neary guide to keep your chestnuts tasty 🥗, ready to use all winter long, without losing any taste or texture. Waste-free, easy, and perfect for cooking whenever you want, stress-free.
- Raw : Cut, freeze directly with the shell. Ready to cook, flavor preserved!
- Blanched : Plunge into boiling water for 5 minutes, peel, freeze flat. Melting texture when cooked.
- Cooked : Roast or steam, let cool, peel and freeze. Ultra-practical for quick recipes.
Why freeze your chestnuts? 🍁
There's nothing more frustrating than losing a beautiful chestnut harvest, or having to buy them out of season at exorbitant prices 😅. By freezing them, you can enjoy their flavor all year round : purees, veloutés, stuffings, cakes or even simply grilled for a snack. It's also a great anti-waste reflex: no more fruit drying out or going moldy in the cellar! Freezing respects their nutritional qualities and allows you to cook homemade food whenever you want, even in the middle of spring 🌱.
Three ways to freeze chestnuts 🔥
-
Raw freezing (quick method) 😎
- Wash and dry the fresh chestnuts well.
- Cut the hull on the curved side (this is important!).
- Place them whole, unpeeled, in freezer bags.
- Press out the air, seal and label with the date.
- If necessary, separate into portions to defrost just what is needed.
-
Freezing after blanching 🫧
- Cut each chestnut and immerse them in boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Drain, cool quickly then peel (shell + thin skin).
- Place flat on a tray, freeze for 2 hours, then transfer to a zip-top bag.
-
Cooked freezing 🍲
- Prepare your steamed or roasted chestnuts ( Bouche de Bétizac chestnuts recommended!).
- Let it cool completely.
- Peel carefully.
- Place in airtight bags or boxes, flat.
Anti-waste tips & long-term storage 🧊
- Always freeze chestnuts very fresh (not damaged, not moldy).
- Prefer airtight, well-labeled bags.
- Avoid overfilling the bags to speed up freezing.
- To avoid clumping, freeze flat first, then transfer.
- Think about rotation: consume the oldest first.
- Ideal storage: up to 1 year without any taste problems.
- For recipes, no defrosting is necessary: cook directly in boiling water or in the oven, depending on the method chosen.
- Need some variation? Discover other methods on the best air fryers of 2025 to reheat and enhance your chestnuts!
How to freeze chestnuts step by step?
- Select your best chestnuts (fresh, without holes or mold) 🌰.
- Wash and dry thoroughly to prevent ice from forming.
- Score the shell, a key step to prevent it from bursting during cooking after freezing.
- Choose your method : freeze raw, blanched (boiled, peeled) or cooked depending on your use.
- Label each bag carefully (date, method, quantity) 📅.
- Store in the freezer at -18°C, flat for best results.
- To use : cook without defrosting (water, oven, Air Fryer, according to your favorite recipe!).
FAQ — freezing chestnuts 🥜
Can you freeze all chestnuts?
Yes, as long as they're fresh, undamaged, and free of mold. Avoid fruit with holes or that is already dry. Good selection is key!
Do you need to peel before freezing?
Not mandatory! You can freeze with the shell (convenient), or blanch and peel first to save cooking time. Both work very well.
How long do frozen chestnuts last?
Generally, you can keep them for up to 12 months without losing flavor or texture. Beyond that, they may become more floury.
How to cook frozen chestnuts?
Straight from the freezer: boiled, steamed, oven-roasted or even in the Air Fryer for quick and delicious cooking!
What to do if the thin skin sticks after cooking?
Tip: Wrap the hot chestnuts in a cloth and let them sit for 5 minutes. The skin will peel off on its own, no hassle 👐!
Useful links :
Comments (0)
There are no comments for this article. Be the first one to leave a message!