Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Potato Cakes?
Yes, you can freeze potato cakes, and they can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. The key is to cook and cool them before packing them into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags. Once frozen you are just one quick reheat or pan-fry away from crispy potato cakes.
Here is the ultimate guide on all you need to know about freezing potato cakes and storing them.
I have found these methods and tips to work out wonderfully.
So, let’s get right into it.
How to Freeze Potato Cakes?
Flash freezing and packing the potatoes cakes into a freezer-safe air-tight container is the most recommended method to opt for.
Materials
- Potato Cakes
- Baking Sheet
Tools
- Parchment Paper
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container
Instructions
- Cook and Cool: Once you make your favorite potato cake recipe, let it cool down to room temperature.
- Lay Out: Evenly line up the potato cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure that the potato cakes don’t touch each other.
- Flash Freeze: Leave the tray or baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of hours, or overnight and let the potato cakes freeze solid.
- Separate and Pack: Pack the frozen potato cakes into a freezer-safe air-tight container. Place sheets of parchment paper between the layers of potato cakes so that it is easy to separate them later.
- Seal, Label, and Freeze: Seal the freezer-safe container and then add a label on it with the best before date. Now, you are all set to freeze the potato cakes till you need them next.
Freezing Potato Cakes Wrapped in Foil Paper
Time Taken: 5 – 10 minutes
What you will need:
- Potato Cakes
- Foil Paper
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bags
If you are in a hurry and want a quick and hassle-free option to freeze the potato cakes, you can opt for this method.
Cook and Cool
Make the potato cakes and then let them cool down to room temperature.
Portion and Wrap
Divide the potato cakes into portions that you can easily eat in one go. Then wrap the portions in some foil paper. Make sure to wrap it thoroughly and leave no part of it exposed to air.
Pack and Seal
Pack the wrapped potato cakes into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags and seal them in. When using Ziploc bags, try and squeeze out all the excess air in the bag before you seal it.
Label and Freeze
Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are good to go.
How Long Can You Freeze Potato Cakes?
You can freeze the potato cakes for up to 3 months. If done right, you could keep it for longer, maybe even up to 6 months.
But the longer the potato cakes stay in the freezer, the more they will dry out and lose their flavor. So, it is best to consume it within the 3-month mark.
The key to freezing the potato cakes for long is to make sure that you freeze them as soon as you cook them. This way, it will stay fresh in the freezer for longer.
Keeping the potato cakes thoroughly protected from being exposed to air or freezer burns is also crucial.
How to Store Frozen Potato Cakes?
You can store frozen potato cakes in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bags.
To keep them protected from drying out or getting freezer burns, it is always a great idea to wrap the individual potato cakes with parchment paper before packing them for the long term.
If you are pressed for freezer space, the Ziploc bags are the best option to go for.
You can freeze big or small portions of potato cakes into compact bags that you can stack on top of each other and save precious freezer space.
How to Defrost Potato Cakes?
The best part about frozen potato cakes is that you can directly bake, fry, or reheat them without thawing them.
Although it might take a little longer to heat it, it will taste just fine and will be back to its crispy form, even without any added oil.
But if you wish to thaw it, you can place the portion you need in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and let it thaw slowly.
The potato cakes might get a little soft and moist once you thaw them but once it is reheated, it should be good to go.
You could also thaw the potato cakes in the microwave after you thaw them a little on the countertop for an hour or two.
Can You Refreeze Potato Cakes?
No, it is best advised not to refreeze potato cakes. The repeated freezing and thawing will change the taste and texture of the potato cakes, making them unappealing and unsafe to eat.
Especially if the potato cakes have ingredients that don’t do well in the freezer, they could spoil faster.
If you wish to avoid having to refreeze potato cakes once it thaws, you can portion them beforehand into quantities that you can easily consume in one go and pack them separately.
You could also wrap individual potato cakes with parchment paper which makes separating them easier.
Do Potato Cakes Freeze Well?
Yes, potato cakes freeze well and go through only mild changes in texture or taste. But how well and how long it will last in the freezer will also depend on the ingredients of the potato cake.
Some recipes freeze better than others. So, it would be best to give a sample run before you freeze a big batch.
But that being said, frozen potato cakes are best consumed sooner rather than later. The longer it stays in the freezer, the more it will dry out.
FAQs
No, it is best recommended not to freeze the potato cake batter. The batter can oxidize and lose its texture and flavor. So, it is best to at least semi cook them before freezing them for the long term.
You can refrigerate the batter for a night if you can’t manage to use it all up in one day.
Yes, you can freeze tuna potato cakes, or any recipe of potato cakes that you prefer – fish, ham, cheese, etc. You can follow the methods and tips mentioned above, and you should be good to go.
Make sure to wrap and seal them thoroughly so that it doesn’t dry out or get freezer burns.
Bottom Line
I hope this article helped you freeze and store some delicious potato cakes.
If you have any queries or would like to share some freezing tips and tricks of your own, it would be lovely to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with all your foodie friends and family.