What to do with Frozen Berries:  11 Creative and Boldy Recipes

Do you want to know what to do with frozen berries?

Berries come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and tastes. The most popular berry choices include strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. 

While the flavors vary slightly, one thing is certain: they all have a palate-pleasing sweet meets tart taste and refreshing juicy consistency. 

When you mix berries, they bring a delightful fruity finish to several recipes.

Moreover, berries sit high on the health benefit spectrum.  

Although there may be some guilty pleasure on our list of recipes, you can be sure added vitamins and nutrients are going into your diet. 

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Table 1: Berry Types and Their Nutritional Benefits

Note: for those following a gluten-free diet, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative, such as tapioca flour. Also, you can use gluten-free oats in place of regular oats. 

What to do with Frozen Berries

Berries tend to be delicate, ripen fast, and turn quickly. For this reason, freezing berries for future use is a fantastic idea.

Before we begin with our enticing recipes, let’s show you how to defrost berries effectively.

How to Defrost Frozen Berries?

Here is a table displaying recommended methods:

Table 2: Recommended Thawing Methods

Remember, berries are sensitive fruits and must be kept chilled at all times to maintain their freshness and consistency. Thawing them at room temperature could result in a mushy texture.

Plastic or Zip-Lock Bag

Remove the berries from the bag and place them in a bowl. Then, wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and put the bowl in the refrigerator for 4 – 6 hours. Alternatively, you can leave them overnight.

Air-tight Plastic Container

Place the plastic container in the refrigerator for 4 – 6 hours or leave overnight.

Notably, berries have a high water content. When you freeze and thaw berries, there will be a pool of liquid. 

Also, the sweet-tartness frozen berries offer is slightly less than fresh berries.  

If you require berries for baking, we recommend you strain the excess liquid as much as possible using a stainless steel colander. 

In contrast, when using berries for smoothies or beverages, you can add the liquid to the recipe.

Okay, defrosting is done!  

Let’s jump into our tantalizing frozen berry recipes.

Table of Frozen Berry Recipes Overview

Baked Berry Goodness

1. Triple Berry Crisp with Oat Crumble – Tart, zesty, and texture-rich (Vegetarian)

If you love apple crumble, this recipe is for you. 

The lime ingredient brings a delightful zestiness to the tart berry base, and the melt-in-your-mouth buttery crumble topping adds a delicate, palate-pleasing crunch. 

This crumble makes the perfect summer dessert or tea-time treat.

Pro Tip: serve with whipped cream or ice cream and garnish with fresh garden mint and lime zest.

Get Recipe:  Triple Berry Crisp with Oat Crumble

Allergy information: gluten, dairy

2. Berry Crumble Bars – Fanstically sweet lunch box treat (Vegetarian)

We understand children love a little sweetness during their school day to boost their energy.  These crumble bars taste delicious and are a healthier alternative to candy.  

The lemon ingredient is optional. Even so, we suggest you go for it! Berries and lemon pair perfectly, uplifting the berry tartness with a subtle sour note.

Pro Tip: bake these bars for a garden tea party or when visiting Granny and Grandpa

Get Recipe:  Berry Crumble Bars

Allergy information: gluten, egg, dairy

3. Bakery Style Mixed Berry Muffins – Professional bakery quality made at home (Vegetarian)

We know that blueberry muffins have stolen the fruit-based muffin spotlight. 

On the other hand, mixed berry muffins offer just as much deliciousness, added color, and a varied berry flavor.  

This recipe is light and fluffy. Also, the berries bring a refreshing pop with every bite. 

Ideal alongside freshly brewed coffee or a quick on-the-go afternoon snack.  

As with the Berry Crumble Bars, surprise your children with a healthy sweet treat in their lunch box.

Pro Tip: add 2 teaspoons (10ml) of chia seeds for a subtle crunch and added nutrients.  

Get Recipe:  Bakery Style Mixed Berry Muffins

Allergy information: gluten, eggs, dairy

4. The Best Berry Cake – Moist and Unique (Vegetarian)

While berry muffins are popular worldwide, why not try something different?

These mini mixed berry cakes are so cute and bring a unique culinary touch to tea time or dessert.

Again, children will love these adorable cakes to share with friends on play dates.  

Pro Tip: add a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and fresh garden mint. Scrumptious!

Get Recipe:  The Best Berry Cake

Allergy information: gluten, dairy, egg

5. Triple Berry Sweet Rolls – Triple the berries, triple the delight (Vegetarian)

We respect that frozen berries are superb baking ingredients. Yet, what better way to take it up a notch than with lemon icing?  

This frozen berry recipe is fun to prepare, and the lemon icing adds a bright and refreshing touch. 

While pancakes may be a regular Sunday breakfast, surprise the family with these gorgeous sweet rolls.  

Who knows, they could become the new family favorite. 

Pro Tip:  Add a teaspoon (5ml) of lemon zest to the icing for extra lemony flavor.  

Get Recipe:  Triple Berry Sweet Rolls

Related article:  Cornstarch vs. Tapioca Starch

Allergy information: gluten, egg

There you have it! Fun, colorful, and berrylicious baked goods to use up your frozen berry stash.  

Let’s explore the cooler side of frozen berry recipes.

Berrylicious Cold Desserts and Beverages

6. Easy Mixed Berry Compote – Fresh, tart, and versatile (Vegan)

Berry compote is easy to prepare and has a variety of uses. You can use it as a topping for ice cream, sundaes, waffles, and pancakes, to name a few.

Compared to a mixed berry jam, compote uses far less sugar, making it a healthier alternative. 

Apart from this, it is the best topping for no-bake cheesecake. The tart berry flavors and juicy texture combine perfectly with the smooth, creamy cheesecake base. Truly morish!

Keen to try this combo? We have included a no-bake cheesecake recipes below.  

Pro Tip: add a teaspoon (5ml) of lemon zest to the cheesecake to enhance the flavor

Get Recipe:  Easy Mixed Berry Compote

Try out this recipe:   Vegan cheesecake: dairy, nut, and tofu-free!

Also, here is a tasty vegetarian option:  No Bake Cheesecake

Allergy information: gluten, dairy (if you opt for the vegetarian recipe)

7. Mixed Berry Sherbet – Icy, sweet, and refreshing (Vegetarian)

Cool yourself down on a hot summer day with this 2-ingredient icy and fruity-fresh mixed berry sherbet.  

The secret to the sweetness is the condensed milk ingredient. As you know, condensed milk is super sweet. 

Therefore, the bright, tart flavors of the mixed berries bounce beautifully alongside it.  

We suggest you double up on this recipe; it is the ultimate summer treat!

Pro Tip: Top with a teaspoon (5ml) of two of the Mixed Berry Compote and garnish with fresh garden mint and a sprig of lavender 

Get Recipe:  Mixed Berry Sherbet

Allergy information: dairy

8. Berry Frozen Yogurt – Double creamy deliciousness (Vegetarian)

This smooth and creamy berry yogurt recipe is ideal if you want a healthier version of sherbet.

The ingredient of whole/heavy or whipping cream gives you a choice and adds a decadent dairy touch.  

Although the recipe calls for fresh berries, you can use them thawed, and the results are just as delicious.  

Pro Tip: freeze the mixture in popsicle molds, a tasty and healthy snack for the children on a hot summer day.

Get Recipe:  Berry Frozen Yogurt

Allergy information: dairy

9. Frozen Yogurt Bark with Berries – Unique, refreshing, and healthy (Vegetarian).

We love this unusual and fun dessert!

The best part is the pecan nuts that add a super crunch and sweet, buttery flavor. 

While the recipe calls for fresh berries, thawed berries work well too.

That said, if you use thawed berries, the liquid may run a little onto the layer of yogurt. 

Don’t worry; you can take a toothpick and pull it through the yogurt to create beautiful patterns before you freeze it.  

Also, you can use maple syrup or honey instead of the agave ingredient.  

Decidedly, it is a fun and creative frozen berry recipe.

Pro Tip: place 3 scoops of Berry Frozen Yogurt in a bowl, and add a piece of bark as garnish. Double the flavor for you to savor!

Get Recipe:  Frozen Yogurt Bark with Berries

Allergy information: dairy, nuts

And it doesn’t stop there!

What would summer be without smoothies and cocktails?

Check out our favorite smoothie and margarita recipe.

10. Mixed Berry Smoothie – Perfect summer refreshment (Vegetarian)

Berries in smoothies complement a variety of ingredients. In other words, it is hard not to make a delicious smoothie with berries as a main ingredient.

This recipe calls for Greek yogurt and suggests orange juice instead of milk.

Now, we know what you are thinking. Greek yogurt and orange juice? Yes, it does not curdle and brings a fresh citrusy tang.

But don’t take our word for it. Try it out; the results may surprise you.

Pro Tip: Add a small handful of fresh garden mint

Get Recipe:  Mixed Berry Smoothie

Allergy information: dairy

11. Mixed Berry Margarita – Easy and very berry with a zing (Vegan)

After a long week, sip this margarita frozen berry recipe while relaxing on a lounger beside the pool.

For the rim, the recipe calls for turbinado sugar (raw cane sugar). Still, you can use brown sugar as a suitable replacement. 

The lime juice gives it a super zing, and the agave adds just enough sweetness.  

So, wind down as the sun sets with your favorite music in the background as you ease into the weekend.

Pro Tip: garnish with lime zest and fresh garden mint

Get Recipe:  Mixed Berry Margarita

Allergy information: None

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Final Frozen Berry Thoughts

In short, frozen berries bring a delicious and colorful eating experience to our culinary world.

Millions of epicures reach out to frozen berries for their nutritional attributes, delightfully tart taste, and recipe versatility. 

So, what is your family’s favorite frozen berry recipe?  Let us know!

We would love to hear from you!