Can you freeze peanut butter to preserve it for weeks or months? Yes. Peanut butter freezes quite well and remains edible too. Remember, it has a long shelf life.
An unopened jar of peanut butter can stay up to two years in the pantry. An open jar lasts only three months.
Freezing has proven to be a reliable food preservation and storage method, especially when you’re stocking up against scarcity or a price hike.
This article details the benefits of freezing peanut butter and how to go about it.
What is peanut butter?
Peanut butter is a popular spread made with ground, dry, roasted peanuts.
At least one jar of peanut butter is a regular item in an American home, except in homes where they have a peanut allergy.
Furthermore, although peanut butter is made as a spread, many people cannot resist the urge to scoop and eat it alone.
Nutritionally, peanut butter makes a good part of a balanced diet. It is rich in protein, saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamin B6 and many minerals.
In addition, while peanut butter is for everyone, some people cannot eat peanut butter because they have an allergy to peanuts.
Can you freeze peanut butter?
Yes, you can.
Peanut butter freezes well and will last longer than it would at room temperature. If you got or made more peanut butter than you can use at a time, store it in the freezer to extend its shelf life.
Can you freeze peanut butter balls?
Yes, you can freeze peanut butter balls.
After dipping the balls in chocolate, allow them to cool and set. Gather them into a freezer bag and put the bag in the freezer. Peanut butter balls will keep in the freezer for two to three months.
Whenever you’re ready to eat them, pop the frozen balls directly into your or thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze peanut butter for smoothies?
Yes, you can.
If you need frozen peanut butter for your smoothie, freeze the portion you want in an airtight container.
Moreover, this is one of the reasons why you should freeze peanut butter in small portions. It allows you to take out only as much as you need at a time.
In addition, freezing peanut butter smoothies when you have had enough helps prevent wastage and spoilage.
Can you freeze peanut butter fudge?
Yes, peanut butter fudge freezes well.
With proper storage, you can keep peanut butter fudge frozen for three to five months. After preparing the fudge, allow it to cool before wrapping it with plastic wrap.
Additionally, the best way to freeze a fudge is as a large chunk. If you cut it into bits before freezing, it may dry out more quickly. Also, allow it to thaw in the fridge when you’re ready to eat it.
Can you freeze peanut butter pie?
Yes, you can freeze peanut butter pie.
Peanut butter pie will stay frozen and fresh in the freezer for up to three months. Keep the pie in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and contamination from odorous foods.
Can you freeze peanut butter sauce?
You can freeze peanut butter sauce to make it last longer.
Moreover, this makes peanut butter sauce readily available for fast meals. So, when next you’re making peanut butter sauce, make it in large quantities. Use what you can and freeze the rest.
If you have baked your peanut butter cookies well, you can be sure that they will freeze well.
After baking, allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Peanut butter cookies will keep well in the freezer for up to two months.
It saves you the time and energy you’d spend making cookies for quick lunch or late-night cravings.
In addition, if you made peanut butter cookie dough but weren’t able to bake the cookies, it’s okay to freeze the dough for a later date.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and double-proof it with a plastic bag. Peanut butter cookie dough can stay frozen for up to six months.
Can you freeze peanut butter marshmallow squares?
Yes, you can freeze peanut butter marshmallow squares.
Peanut butter marshmallow squares or peanut butter confetti squares can stay frozen for up to three months.
These snacks tend to stick together, so spread the squares out on parchment paper before you keep them in the freezer.
Why should you freeze peanut butter?
Freeze peanut butter if you have too much at hand. This way you have an almost endless supply of peanut butter for your bread and other dishes.
How to freeze peanut butter
- How you freeze the butter depends on how much butter you’re storing.
- If you’re freezing a jar you just opened, make sure you seal the container tightly before keeping it in the freezer
- Freeze peanut butter in small amounts using small containers to make freezing more effective. This way, you’ll thaw only as much as you need
- In addition, if you’re freezing a half-empty jar, cover the jar with plastic wrap before you put the lid on. Tightly secure the lid before you keep the jar in the freezer
- Another way to freeze peanut butter is to pour it into ice trays to make single-serving portions. Flash-freeze the butter first. When the butter has frozen, pop the peanut butter cubes, and transfer them into airtight freezer bags
How long can you freeze peanut butter?
You can keep a jar of peanut butter frozen for six to twelve months.
However, the butter is at its best for only six months in the freezer. After six months, its flavor deteriorates and it may not taste as good as it used to.
Pros of freezing peanut butter
- If you want to keep your jar of nut butter longer, freeze it
- Frozen peanut butter makes a great snack to satisfy your sweet tooth
- Also, freezing peanut butter keeps you from having too much
Cons of freezing peanut butter
- After you have thawed frozen peanut butter, its shelf life reduces
- Also, if you thaw frozen peanut butter outside the refrigerator, there will be more separation of the oil from the nut butter. However, mixing the entire content of the jar with a spoon will fix this
FAQs
Does peanut butter harden in the freezer?
Yes, it does. Peanut butter hardens as it freezes and forms a clump of brown fat.
Does peanut butter go bad?
Peanut butter is one of the kitchen staples that have a long shelf life. However, if you don’t store it properly, it may go bad.
Can peanut butter go bad in the freezer?
Peanut butter is not likely to go bad in the freezer. However, if you keep it in the freezer for too long (beyond 6-9 months), the peanut butter will begin to lose its flavor.
How can you defrost peanut butter?
Yes, you can.
Thaw frozen peanut butter overnight in the refrigerator. Afterward, allow it to come to room temperature on the kitchen counter. Defrosting peanut butter this way will lessen how much the oils separate from the nut butter.
Conclusion
If you’re stocking up on peanut butter after a sale or you made a large batch of the butter, keep it in the freezer to store it for months.
As mentioned earlier, peanut butter has a naturally long shelf life, especially when it’s left unopened. But you can extend its shelf life by storing it in the freezer.
Make sure you’re following the right storage procedures. Also, thaw it properly before you eat.
Most importantly, regardless of where you store the peanut butter, carefully examine it for any sign of spoilage. If you notice any, throw it out.
Thanks for reading.
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