Freezing Fruit Crumbles / Pies ?

[Farmer_Gyles]

Only me and my son here, so rarely make crumbles etc
Can I freeze fruit (rhubarb / apple / blackberry and apple) crumbles?
Was thinking rather than make one big one, could make smaller (individual) ones in small pudding bowls and just freeze them, bowl 'n all
Is that a good idea?
If so, should I cook them first or not? (fruit will have been stewed of course)
Or anyone got a better idea?

[shirlthegirl43]

You could freeze the fruit and freeze the crumble mix - that way you can take out what you want when you fancy rather than having bowls and all taking up space in the freezer. I freeze crumble mix - it doesn't need defrosting as such - just break it up with a fork a bit and chuck it on top of the chosen fruit, pop the rest back into the freezer.

[vicky]

Yes you can freeze them. If you freeze ready made pastry then you'd have to get it fresh rather than frozen (although I have refrozen it with no ill effects).

I often freeze batches of crumble topping in bags of the right amount and fruits (eg bags of blackberries, apples etc) raw and on their own. You can use the crumble topping straight out the freezer (give it a bash on the worktop to loosen it up enough to spread). The fruit needs to be defrosted and sugar added, it will cook well enough without having to stew it first.

[Hans Mum]

i just make a big batch of crumble mix and freeze it on trays then put it into containers or bags then you can just pour out what you need onto your fruit base

[zazen999]

You're just trying another trick to get people to come and visit to weed again - aren't you?

[Farmer_Gyles]

well the idea is more about having it all ready made where possible
i don't really want to freeze crumble mix separately from the fruit and make crumbles when i want them - the fruit won't get used for anything else ....

ideally i'd cook lots of individual crumbles and freeze them so they only need defrosting / reheating - if i cook a big crumble, it gets messy dishing it up to freeze, hence the idea of making individual ones - so mainly a case of whether they should be cooked before freezing ????

if everyone is freezing uncooked crumble mix, then i could prepare the fruit, put it in plastic tubs with the crumble mix on top, then freeze it??

[Farmer_Gyles]

You're just trying another trick to get people to come and visit to weed again - aren't you?

moi? would i do a thing like that???

i'm off to pick some more rhubarb .....

[shirlthegirl43]

if everyone is freezing uncooked crumble mix, then i could prepare the fruit, put it in plastic tubs with the crumble mix on top, then freeze it??

Probably, but it might be tricky to bake it in a plastic tub! I dry freeze my fruit so I can tip out what I need, and keep the crumble mix in a large tub so that I can do likewise. That way it takes up less space and you can mix the fruit to suit that day's taste and you can make a one or two person serving to suit the need.

Wish I had rhubarb to pick (grumble grumble - never mind crumble)

[rustylady]

Hi Farmer Gyles. Yes you can certainly freeze fruit crumbles in individual portions. Stew your fruit (not too stewed). Pour into plastic containers (chinese takeaway cartons are ideal) top with crumble mix and freeze. You can either microwave from frozen or transfer into a similar sized ovenproof container and oven cook. Fruit pies you can make as you usually would and freeze before final baking (i.e. make your pastry case, fill with fruit, put the lid on, and then freeze).

[Alison]

You can do either, but if you want a pudding that is all there ready then you could be better freezing them cooked. That way you can also fill the oven with a bit of batch baking and then simply defrost and warm up as required - personally I quite like cold crumble, reminds me of when it was my turn to finish off the puddings for supper as a kid. Don't eat puddings anymore so it's all a distant memory.

[lynda66]

make the crumble in foil trays (can be reused if you're careful) cook the fruit, then add your crumble mix, can be frozen cooked or uncooked. then you can either thaw/cook/heat in the oven,

pies can also be made on foil plates, pastry can be frozen baked or unbaked, i prefer unbaked as they tend to be crispier.

i do the same, i freeze everything in one person size, i hate wasting food.

[Hilary B]

well the idea is more about having it all ready made where possible
i don't really want to freeze crumble mix separately from the fruit and make crumbles when i want them - the fruit won't get used for anything else ....

ideally i'd cook lots of individual crumbles and freeze them so they only need defrosting / reheating - if i cook a big crumble, it gets messy dishing it up to freeze, hence the idea of making individual ones - so mainly a case of whether they should be cooked before freezing ????

if everyone is freezing uncooked crumble mix, then i could prepare the fruit, put it in plastic tubs with the crumble mix on top, then freeze it??

I don't see any reason why not, but I would recommend using foil 'dishes'. If you take care with them they can be used several times. Alternatively, line a 'cooking dish' with a strong plastic bag, freeze in the dish, then lift the bag out. When time comes to use, dip bag in warm water so it will come off the contents, then put the still-frozen block into the cooking dish. Foil dishes are a lot easier. We have dozens from the supermarket (I don't buy things in foil dishes often, I just never throw the dishes away). They are SO useful, mini-roasting pans/baking trays, dishes for sitting meat in while it defrosts, etc......

[kentvegplot]

Yes, I use foil trays. Be aware that sometimes they're not exactly 'juice proof - when I defrsoted my roasted plums, there was plum juice all over the worktop!

[Flummery]

I freeze fruit pies too. I make one in a 7" pie plate and when it's cooled I cut it in half, bag each half and freeze them - back on the pie plate to keep the shape. Half a pie does for pud on a Sunday when my Ma visits - she's very partial to a pudding! Other days we just have fresh fruit if we're still craving!

[trebellangeminired]

Metal or silicone muffin trays make ideal one portion crumbles. Grease, add stewed fruit, crumble topping, bake as normal. When cool, freeze, then pop out of moulds and bag then put back in freezer. Repeat.

Enjoy

TGR