{"id":1007,"date":"2020-11-14T07:29:06","date_gmt":"2020-11-14T07:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/?p=1007"},"modified":"2022-07-20T16:26:17","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T16:26:17","slug":"how-to-freeze-granola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/how-to-freeze-granola\/","title":{"rendered":"Storing Granola: Step by Step Guide on How to Freeze Granola"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Granola is a delicious way to start the morning and a perfect snack or addition to fruit for a great dessert. If you\u2019ve found yourself asking, \u201cCan you freeze granola?\u201d you\u2019re in luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is yes; you can freeze granola and keep it fresher longer<\/strong> so that you never have to repeat the disappointing feeling when you see you left the bag open in the pantry or that you\u2019ve gone too long without buying a new bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to learn how to freeze your granola the right way so that it stays fresh for months down the road, read below for the exact steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Store Homemade Granola in the Freezer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Storing homemade granola by freezing it is as easy as placing it into the right containers, reducing the amount of air, and placing it safely inside your freezer.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Gather Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, you\u2019ll need to gather a container that\u2019s large enough to store all of your homemade granola. If you don\u2019t have one big enough, you can choose to store the granola in multiple smaller containers. For best results, use glass jars or other air-tight options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if all you have is plastic containers, that\u2019s fine too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Add Granola to Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, you\u2019ll want to pack your granola into the containers you plan to freeze it in. Ensure everything has completely cooled first, and then begin scooping the granola mix into their new home. If you plan to use your granola on-the-go, consider using small single-serving containers that you can grab and take with you in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Remove Air Pockets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you place the granola into its container, press the oats, seeds, and fruit mix down to remove air gaps that may be lingering. With less air in the container, there\u2019s less of a chance of getting freezer burn. You can press either with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Try to leave 1\/4 inch at the top so the granola doesn\u2019t get stuck to the lid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Label<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, label your containers. It\u2019s a good idea to label the granola<\/a> contents and the date added to the freezer as well. For example, if you have peanuts in your mix, the last thing you want is someone allergic to peanuts grabbing the container for an easy breakfast. Make it obvious what\u2019s in the granola mix and write the day, so you know how long they\u2019ve been in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Freeze<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once they\u2019re all labeled, you can go ahead and place them in the freezer. They can last anywhere from three to five months when stored properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Granola Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most granola consists of dried fruit, rolled oats, nuts, and some sort of sweetener. Ideally, this mix will help the granola last for a long time in the freezer.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll notice that pre-made bags of granola come with a best-by date, which is a helpful estimate of how long the product usually stays fresh. They usually give a conservative estimate. Frequently, the granola can last much longer than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve made homemade granola and want to know how long you can keep it fresh, the answer is usually between two weeks and a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning to freeze your granola, you can make it last much longer \u2013 close to 6 months if stored properly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storing Granola Bars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can you freeze granola bars, too? Yes. Just as you can freeze granola with great results, you can also store your homemade or store-bought granola bars and enjoy them for much longer than you could if you kept them in the pantry.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Granola<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re working with store-bought bars, all you have to do is throw them in a freezer bag and toss them in the freezer. Since they come individually wrapped already, they won\u2019t stick together. The extra layer of the freezer bag will add a little more protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve made homemade granola bars, you first need to create individual packaging for each bar, so they don\u2019t stick together and harden as one large mass. The best way to do this is to cut your bars and wrap each one in wax paper. You can then put all of the wrapped bars into one larger freezer bag or cover them completely in aluminum foil for safekeeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Thaw Frozen Granola or Granola Bars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen granola isn\u2019t the tastiest treat. For best results, you\u2019ll want to thaw out the granola before enjoying it after freezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do this, simply place the granola on a counter and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours. After one or two hours, it should be thawed and ready to go. Since there\u2019s not much liquid in granola, it won\u2019t take too long to thaw, and it won\u2019t get soggy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting it in the refrigerator to defrost is not the best idea. A refrigerator defrosts things much slower, which can help items with a lot of moisture like meat or fruit. A dry good like granola can thaw much quicker on the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Tell If Granola Has Gone Bad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does granola go bad? Like any other food item, yes. Granola can go bad, but it doesn\u2019t get soggy. It has very little moisture, which means it probably won\u2019t develop any mold, either.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Granola is usually safe to eat for months after storing\u2014sometimes even years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main concern is the nuts since they have such a high oil content. Their oil content makes them more likely to go rancid. If it\u2019s been a while since you\u2019ve had your granola, take a small taste and make sure to try a nut before adding it to your yogurt or smoothie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to Use Frozen Granola<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some delicious ways to use frozen granola include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n