How To Quickly Defrost That Frozen Fruit For Pancakes

If you're a fan of adding fruit to your pancakes, you've probably found yourself craving those sweet, juicy berries but becoming disappointed once you discover that the fruit you want is frozen solid. It's a common breakfast dilemma, especially when you're in a rush to whip up a quick meal. But don't fret! You don't need to wait for hours for the berries to thaw naturally.

Whether you're using raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries, the frozen variety is great to have on hand when fresh fruit is out of season. You can typically stock up at almost every grocery store (Costco is well-known for its frozen fruit selection). Not only do frozen fruits last longer in your freezer, but they're also just as nutritious as the fresh variety and better than canned fruit. However, getting them ready for your pancakes can sometimes take longer than you want. Luckily, you don't have to let the thawing process slow you down — just use your microwave for this quick and easy berry-thawing technique.

Thawing berries is a bit different than thawing citrus fruits. Start by taking your frozen berries out of the freezer and laying them out on a paper towel-lined plate. The paper towel is key because it helps absorb any excess moisture that can accumulate as the fruit defrosts. Spread the berries out in a single layer, ensuring they aren't stacked or touching each other. This allows for even thawing, so you won't end up with a few mushy berries while others are still frozen.

Next, place your plate of berries in the microwave, and use the defrost setting. If your microwave doesn't have a defrost setting, simply set it to a lower power level (around 30%-40% power) to avoid cooking the berries. Depending on the amount of fruit you're defrosting, you may need to microwave it in 30-second intervals, checking after each time to see whether they've thawed. Typically, 1-2 minutes should be enough to thaw a small portion of fruit.

Once your berries are defrosted, carefully take them out of the microwave. You'll notice that they should be soft and juicy, almost identical to fresh berries. At this point, you can use them just as you would fresh raspberries, blackberries, or any other berry you prefer. Making your berry pancakes will be a breeze. You can add them to your pancake batter or wait until your pancakes are cooked and place them on top for an extra fruity garnish. Consider your cravings satisfied.