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You can make a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries, and it turns out just as delicious as one made with fresh berries.
The key is learning how to handle frozen blueberries so your filling thickens properly and your crust doesn’t get soggy.
If you’ve been wondering how to make a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries without ending up with a soupy mess, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through a simple recipe and the little tricks that make all the difference.
Let’s get baking.
How Do You Make a Blueberry Pie With Frozen Blueberries?
Making a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries comes down to three things: the right thickener, the right amount of sugar, and a properly prepared crust.
Frozen blueberries release more liquid than fresh ones, so you’ll need a bit more thickener than usual.
Here’s how the whole process works.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
For a standard 9-inch pie, you’ll need about 6 cups of frozen blueberries, 3/4 to 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of cornstarch or 1/3 cup of instant tapioca, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
You’ll also want two pie crusts, one for the bottom and one for the top.
If your frozen blueberries are unsweetened, you’ll need the full cup of sugar.
If they’re sweetened, cut back to 3/4 cup so the pie doesn’t become cloying.
2. Handle the Frozen Blueberries the Right Way
Here’s a step where many people go wrong when they make a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries.
You don’t need to thaw the berries completely, and you definitely shouldn’t drain them.
Thawing fully causes the berries to release all their juices before baking, which makes the filling watery.
Instead, toss the frozen blueberries straight into a large bowl while they’re still icy, then add your sugar, thickener, lemon juice, and salt.
Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes so the berries start to release some liquid and the thickener begins to dissolve.
3. Choose the Right Thickener
Cornstarch is the most common choice, and it works beautifully in a blueberry pie made with frozen blueberries.
Use about 1/4 cup for 6 cups of berries, which is roughly a tablespoon more than you’d use with fresh fruit.
Instant tapioca is another great option and gives the filling a slightly glossier texture.
Whatever you choose, mix it with the sugar before adding it to the berries so it distributes evenly.
Lumps of cornstarch in a pie filling are never a pleasant surprise.
4. Assemble the Pie
Roll out your bottom crust and fit it into your pie plate.
Pour the blueberry mixture into the crust, mounding it slightly in the center.
Dot the top with a couple of tablespoons of butter if you like a richer flavor.
Then lay your top crust over the filling, crimp the edges, and cut a few slits in the top so steam can escape.
Without those vents, the steam gets trapped and makes the crust soggy.
5. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Bake your pie at 425°F for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for another 40 to 50 minutes.
You’ll know it’s done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling thickly through the vents.
If the edges start browning too fast, cover them with foil or a pie shield.
Let the pie cool completely before slicing, and this is the hardest part because the whole kitchen will smell incredible.
Tips for the Best Blueberry Pie With Frozen Blueberries
A few extra tricks will take your pie from good to unforgettable.
1. Don’t Skip the Cooling Time
When you make a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries, the filling needs time to set.
Cutting into it while it’s hot means the juices will run everywhere.
Give it at least three to four hours to cool and firm up.
2. Add a Little Zing
Lemon juice isn’t just for flavor, it also helps the filling set and balances the sweetness of the berries.
A teaspoon of lemon zest adds even more brightness.
3. Toss Berries With Sugar Before Freezing
If you’re freezing your own blueberries, toss them with a little sugar and cornstarch first.
Then when you’re ready to make a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries, the filling is practically done for you.
4. Use a Deep-Dish Pie Plate
Frozen berries take up more space and release more juice, so a deep-dish plate gives everything room to bubble without overflowing.
So, How Do You Make a Blueberry Pie With Frozen Blueberries?
You make a blueberry pie with frozen blueberries by tossing the unthawed berries with sugar, a generous amount of thickener, and lemon juice, then baking it all in a double crust until golden and bubbly.
The berries don’t need to be fresh for this pie to taste amazing.
Follow these steps and you’ll have a warm, jammy, perfectly set slice every single time.
Now go preheat that oven and enjoy.