How To Freeze Muffins

When you bake muffins, do you like to make a big batch so that you can enjoy eating them whenever you experience a muffin craving? Me too! If you’re not going to eat all the muffins within a few days, instead of keeping them in the fridge where they’ll dry out quickly, it’s better to freeze them to preserve their taste and softness. 

Here’s how to freeze muffins: 

1. Let your muffins cool down before freezing them. 
2. Don’t frost muffins before freezing them. 
3. Wrap muffins individually in cling film. 
4. Wrap muffins a second time with tin foil. 
5. Put your muffins in a freezer bag. 
6. Remove air from the freezer bag. 
7. Don’t forget to label the bag! 
8. Store muffins on the bottom freezer shelf. 
9. Only defrost what you’ll eat right away. 

Read the rest of this article to get more details on all the steps you should follow when freezing muffins. I’ll also cover how long you can safely freeze muffins before they start to spoil. 

1. Let Your Muffins Cool Down Before Freezing Them

Before you freeze the delicious muffins you’ve baked, make sure they have time to cool down completely. You don’t want steam to accumulate inside the freezer bag where you’ll store your muffins. Moisture will cause your baked goods to lose their flavor and texture. No one wants soggy muffins! 

An easy way to cool baked muffins is to leave them in a single layer on a wire rack to encourage moisture to escape so your muffins remain moist but don’t become soggy. 

2. Don’t Frost Muffins Before Freezing Them

While you might want to frost your muffins, you shouldn’t do this before freezing them. Cake frosting tastes best when thawed and re-whipped. Therefore, freeze the frosting in a separate container or bag so it’ll be easy to whip before you decorate the muffins with it at a later stage. 

Another idea is to make the frosting from scratch when you’re ready to take the muffins out of the freezer and eat them. Doing this will ensure that the frosting is as fresh and tasty as possible. 

3. Wrap Muffins Individually in Cling Film

It’s a good idea to wrap your muffins individually in cling film so that the plastic protects each one against the icy temperatures of your freezer. (This is another reason it’s not practical to freeze frosted muffins – it’ll just make a mess.) 

Individually-wrapped muffins will prevent freezer burn, which causes food to lose moisture. Freezer burn dehydrates food and gives it a dry texture. A loss of water also causes the muffins to take on a different flavor and color, as the Journal of Food Science reports. 

4. Wrap Muffins a Second Time With Tin Foil 

It would be best to wrap the muffins again with tin foil as it adds a second layer of protection. 

Tinfoil is one of the most effective food-grade materials to protect food against freezer burn, according to the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). 

5. Put Your Muffins in a Freezer Bag 

Although you can store your muffins in an airtight container, such as Tupperware, a plastic bag works well. It also saves space in your freezer.

If you’re looking for quality freezer bags, I recommend buying Stasher Platinum Silicone Food-Grade Bags. I love that they’re reusable, reduce plastic waste, and contain a Pinch-Loc seal to keep your muffins fresh. 

6. Remove Air From the Freezer Bag

If you’re using a plastic bag that doesn’t have an airtight seal, check to ensure no air is trapped inside it before storing your muffins. This tip prevents air or moisture from entering the bag and negatively affecting your muffins.

7. Don’t Forget To Label the Bag!

Before putting your muffins in the freezer, label their bag or container to know what type of muffins they are (such as blueberry or chocolate). You should also note the date when you’re putting them into the freezer so that you don’t forget about them.

8. Store Muffins On the Bottom Freezer Shelf 

Since temperature changes can affect your muffins, you want to put them on the bottom shelf of your freezer, where the temperature remains constant and icy cold. Cold air sinks, so it will move to the bottom of your freezer and gather there, as Science Focus reports. 

9. Only Defrost What You’ll Eat Right Away

If you want to defrost a muffin or two to enjoy after dinner, make sure you don’t leave the entire bag of muffins to defrost on your kitchen counter. If the whole batch of muffins thaws before being refrozen, this will reduce its quality. 

How Long Do Muffins Last in the Freezer?

Muffins last in the freezer for up to three months as long as you’ve stored them correctly. Make sure to wrap muffins in cling wrap and foil, and place them in an airtight container with as much air removed. Varied ingredients, whether savory or sweet, won’t affect how long the muffins last. 

How To Defrost Frozen Muffins

When you’re ready to eat your frozen muffins, you can thaw them in one of three different ways: 

• Leave them on the kitchen counter. Do this the night before you wish to eat them. 
• Heat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. You might have to do this a few times in 30-second increments until the muffin is heated all the way through. The larger the muffin, the more time it will need to be correctly warmed up. 
• Heat them in the oven. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes at 350°F (180°C). 

Key Takeaways

If you’ve baked a large batch of muffins and won’t be able to eat them all within the next few days, consider freezing them to maintain their flavor and texture. Follow the essential steps featured in this article to ensure all your time spent baking and perfecting your muffins doesn’t go to waste. Some of the most important tips include:

• Freeze muffins in moisture-resistant sealable plastic bags. 
• Store muffins at the bottom of your freezer, where the temperature is coldest. 
• Consume frozen muffins within three months.