Are you one of the billions of people who love potatoes?
If so, part of the reason may be all the appealing features offered by this delicious food. For example, baking potatoes is the perfect “make ahead” dish, especially if you have a busy schedule. It is also a versatile food- you can bake potatoes, mash them, boil them, fry them, and more.
Since baked potatoes are such a popular food, at some point, you may have leftovers or just want to make a few to eat at a later time. If this is the case, you may wonder, can you freeze baked potatoes?
The simple answer is YES! Keep reading to learn about how to freeze baked potatoes and how to reheat them.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Is Freezing Baked Potatoes Possible?
Here’s some exciting news – when you freeze a baked potato, it can last for up to a year. While it is recommended that you do not wait this long to eat your potato to enjoy the full flavor, it is useful to know this is a possibility and perfectly safe.
Now that you know freezing baked potatoes is possible, it is time to learn the specifics on how to freeze your baked potatoes.
Your Guide to Freezing Baked Potatoes
Here is a crucial tip – you should not add any butter or other toppings if you plan on freezing the potato. Make sure you let the potato cool completely before trying to freeze it or take any other steps.
While your potatoes are cooking, it is a good idea to gather the needed tools. These include:
- Aluminum foil
- Large plastic bags
- Cooling rack
After you have the right supplies, you can move on with the freezing process.
After your potatoes are completely cool, wrap each one, separately, in aluminum foil. Be sure the entire potato is covered by the foil to ensure they are not directly exposed to the freezing air. If freezing air reaches the potato, it will ruin the texture when you defrost them.
Once fully wrapped, place the aluminum-clad potatoes in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Try to squeeze out as much air as possible before you seal it.
To ensure you do not let the potatoes sit in the freezer too long, write the freezing date on the outside of the bag.
Defrosting and Reheating Your Baked Potatoes
Defrosting the potatoes requires you to move the bag out of the freezer and into the refrigerator. Be sure to let them sit in the refrigerator overnight. By morning, the spuds should be frost-free.
If you have limited time and want to eat your potato right away, you can put the frozen spuds in the microwave for a faster defrosting. Be sure to use a low setting when defrosting your potatoes and remove the foil before attempting this (microwaves and aluminum foil don’t mix!).
Once your potatoes are defrosted, it is time to reheat them. You can do this in the oven or microwave. To reheat the potatoes, place them in a microwave-safe dish or a baking pan. At this point, you can add the desired toppings, too, such as bacon bits, cheese, herbs, or anything else. Once you have constructed the perfect potato, stick it in the oven or microwave for the reheating to begin.
For the oven, set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let the potato cook for about 20 minutes.
Mistakes to Avoid When Freezing a Baked Potato
Adding Toppings to the Potato before Freezing
You may want to add your favorite potato toppings before freezing the baked potato. Try to avoid this. Foods like cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits will not last as long as your frozen baked potato, which may affect the flavor or safety when you are ready to defrost and eat it.
Not Fully Sealing the Storage Bag
This is a seemingly unimportant detail; however, if you do not properly seal the storage bag your potato is in, air will reach it and cause freezer burn. This will ruin your potato, so be sure to double-check the bag to make sure it is properly sealed.
Freezing Potatoes: Yes, It’s Possible
As you can see from the information here, the answer to the question – can you freeze baked potatoes – is a resounding yes. However, to ensure you achieve the desired results and that your potatoes are edible once you unfreeze them, keep the process above in mind.
By taking the right steps, you can ensure that your baked potatoes are preserved for several weeks or longer. Keep in mind that things can go wrong. If you are not someone who often cooks, be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as this will help ensure the desired outcome is achieved.
Now that you know the facts, it is time to freeze your own baked potatoes. Just think about what a delicious midnight snack that would make.
More on Freezing:
How long can frozen potatoes be kept in the freezer?
Hi Mira, potatoes can be frozen for up to 1 year. If you don’t have any toppings, additions (like butter), and also cooled to room temperature is when you’ll experience the most success for duration frozen.