Can You Freeze Roast Potatoes?
Potatoes are a favorite among many households. They can be used in a wide variety of dishes, including simple roast potatoes, potato cakes, and many more. From toddlers to adults, everyone is equally fond of potato dishes.
Roast potatoes are a crispy, savory delicacy when done right. It is also a great side dish. However, they can take a lot of time to prepare over the week and can sometimes leave your house smelling like fried food. So, you might want to eliminate the hassle and wonder if you can freeze the potatoes.
Can you freeze roasted potatoes? Yes, you can freeze roasted potatoes. And when organizing a group meal, save time by prepping and freezing your potatoes beforehand.
How To Freeze Roast Potatoes?
Freezing roast potatoes is quite easy. You do not need any expertise to do that. All you need to do is follow proper freezing instructions so that you do not end up spoiling your potatoes. And if stored nicely, these potatoes can last up to months in the freezer.
Steps For Freezing Roasted Potatoes
To freeze your potatoes effectively once they have been roasted, follow these recommendations:
- Precisely cut large potatoes into halves and leave the small potatoes as it is. Then you can roast the potatoes according to your tastes. Spread the potatoes in a pan and let them cool completely.
- When it cools completely, evenly spread the roasted potatoes on a baking tray with parchment paper. Make sure you delicately remove all the extra oil if present. Next, put the tray in the refrigerator until the outside is completely solid.
- Remove your cooked potatoes from the tray to store them. Carefully transfer the potatoes inside an airtight shallow hard plastic container. You can also use a freezer bag for easy management of the potatoes.
- Ensure not to overfill the container or bags as this will leave enough area for air to circulate. This way you can freeze potatoes to achieve the best results. Freezing roasted potatoes with a little space in the bags will not be subjected to freezer burns.
- You can also separate your roast potatoes into portions before freezing. Lastly, label the bags or containers clearly so that you know how old they are. And yes, your potatoes are ready to freeze.
Suggestions To Keep Frozen Roast Potatoes Effectively
Now that you know you can very well freeze roast potatoes, here are a few suggestions that you can follow for the best outcomes:
- Do not add seasonings- Use limited seasoning if you are preparing the potatoes expressly for freezing. This is because when spices and seasonings are frozen, their flavor often changes while defrosting. As a result, your roast potatoes might taste odd.
- Immediate freezing- It can be much easier to munch on the potatoes at a time by flash-freezing them. Instead of refreezing them, you should be able to defrost the potatoes in small amounts. Also, it is not advised to refreeze roast potatoes.
- Cook directly from the freezer- It is not necessary to thaw roast potatoes. They might take a little longer, but the potatoes can be cooked directly from the freezer. You only need to make sure they are properly cooked.
How Well Do Roasted Potatoes Freeze?
Food experts’ recommendations say that it is better to freeze the potatoes within no time of their preparation. But yes, let them cool first. It is not advisable to keep the potatoes at room temperature for long. This will save your roast potatoes from spoiling.
Whichever way you choose to freeze, the freezing method is unlikely to have a significant impact on the flavor of frozen roast potatoes. Only make sure you apply proper freezing directions. By doing this, you can be sure that you will always have access to roasted potatoes.
However, the texture of your potatoes might show a slight change. This is because some moisture was lost during the freezing and defrosting procedures. And they might not have quite a crispy exterior when you heat them.
Therefore, it is highly advised that you freeze your roast potatoes in portions. This will save them from refreezing if you intend to use them later. Hence, freezing does not affect roast potatoes.
How Long Can You Freeze The Potatoes?
If you are just planning to keep roast potatoes in the fridge, cooked potatoes can last up to 3-4 days in a covered bowl. After that, you can reheat them, add your favorite seasonings, and munch on them. But they will not last more than that. If you intend to keep it for longer, you need to effectively freeze it.
So, how long can you freeze roast potatoes? If you safely store your potatoes in freezer-safe airtight containers, they can efficiently last for about a year. Also, remember to mark your potatoes every time with the date they must be eaten.
Can You Freeze Leftover Roasted Potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze leftover roasted potatoes as well. They freeze the same as the freshly prepared ones. However, it is not advised to keep the leftover potatoes at room temperature for long before freezing. it will ruin the texture. Therefore, freeze your leftover potatoes as soon as possible.
How Can You Thaw The Potatoes?
Thawing roast potatoes are simple and can be done effortlessly whenever you like. And when it comes to leftovers, you can thaw them by moving your frozen roast potatoes to your refrigerator first. Later, you can heat them as usual in the microwave.
Unless you are reheating already-seasoned leftovers, there is no need to thaw roasted potatoes. You can cook them straight from the freezer. This will not alter the taste of your roast potatoes.
However, thawing roast potatoes are not always necessary. In fact, the step can even be avoided. Yes, you can directly reheat and cook your potatoes. The only thing that you need here is, to sauté the frozen potatoes until they are thoroughly heated through. Also, make sure, the center is cooked properly. You would definitely not want to eat the ones that are not properly cooked and reheated.
Can You Refreeze Roast Potatoes?
Like any frozen food, refreezing the potatoes is strongly not advised. This is because if you do refreeze them again, their texture will possibly be ruined. It is therefore advised to just defrost what you intend to use to prevent the need for refreezing.
To avoid refreezing effectively, you can freeze your potatoes in portions. However, if you unintentionally defrost a few too many roast potatoes, they can be frozen again immediately.
Summing it up, the best thing about roast potatoes is that they go well with a variety of foods, from the simplest of casseroles or hotpots to heavy entrees with cheese or bacon.