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I am often asked about what recipes I have on the blog that are great for freezing. Believe it or not, most of mine are freezer friendly!

Some of my freezing tips for cooked foods:

  • Cool foods before you freeze them. Placing hot food straight into a freezer only brings the core temperature of the freezer down and also encourages ice build up on the food as its cools and freezes.
  • Wrap and store the food item well before placing into the freezer to prevent freezer burn – it isn’t pretty and makes the food taste pretty average.
  • Freeze smaller portions for quicker thawing.
  • Label everything that goes into the freezer with a name and date it has been placed in there.
  • A full freezer is more economical to run than a semi full one. Who would have thought!?
  • Defrosting foods at room temperature encourages bacteria growth, so defrost in the fridge or microwave.
  • When in doubt, chuck it out. Don’t thaw, reheat and consume and anything that may look or smell odd.

What can be frozen?

  • Bread, doughs and pastry
  • Cakes (even buttercream icing!), muffins, pancakes and the like
  • Cheeses
  • Blanched fruit and veg
  • Butter and milk
  • Veggie based sauces

What cant be frozen?

Basics

I always make sure I have a few staples in the freezer for easy meal prep. I always like to keep pizza dough, tomato paste and cheese in the freezer for a quick dinner. Ham, bacon, shredded beef and shredded chicken freeze really well so freeze in batches for a straight forward dinner.

Bread and Bread Snacks

You can either freeze these whilst in the raw dough state or as a baked bread. Ensure you store them well by wrapping in cling film, a layer of aluminum foil and then into an air tight container to prevent freezer burn. Trust me, freezer burn is not delicious.

Breakfast

Our freezer is always stocked with pancakes and pikelets not only for an easy breakfast but for delicious lunchbox additions.

Entrees, bit size, one handed foods

Many of these are great frozen either raw or after baking and stored in the freezer. Simply cook or reheat when required for a quick and easy dinner.

These are best baked and then frozen. Simply reheat in the oven to crisp up and warm through.

Main Meals

These meals are best frozen after cooking once cooled and reheated thoroughly before serving.

Soups

Soups are ideal for freezing. Simply make, cool and freeze. Simple as that. Freeze in family sized or individual size portions for a quick lunch or dinner.

Savoury Treats

Freeze cracker dough for baking at a later date. Simply thaw, roll, cut and bake. Homemade crackers have never been easier!

Sweet Snacks

Whilst I don’t freeze these recipes many of my readers do and say they thaw well.

Biscuits

Did you know you can actually freeze biscuits either in the raw dough state or once baked? If storing raw dough simply roll it into a sausage shape, wrap in baking paper followed by a layer of cling film and then aluminum foil. If freezing once baked simply cool, then freeze in a single layer in a freezer proof container.

Breads and Loaves

I wrap these in individual portions and simply pull out in the morning and place straight into the lunchbox. They thaw in time for morning tea and lunch. You can freeze these in whole loaf form too.

Cakes and Brownies

I wrap these in individual portions and simply pull out in the morning and place straight into the lunchbox. They thaw in time for morning tea and lunch. You can freeze whole.

Muffins and Cupcakes

I wrap these in individual portions and simply pull out in the morning and place straight into the lunchbox. they thaw in time for morning tea and lunch.

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