The freshest way to store muffins is to freeze them! Frozen muffins will last up to four months if stored well in the freezer, simply follow a few steps.
Check out this guide to store muffins the recommended way depending on what kind of muffins you have and when you plan to eat them! I make muffins each week for healthy snacks, read on to see the detailed instructions from my kitchen on how I freeze them!
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How to freeze muffins
Follow the step-by-step photos to freeze your homemade muffins, keeping them fresh and tasty until you eat them!
- Let muffins cool for 5-10 minutes in the muffin pan. Leaving them for a few minutes after they come out of the oven reduces the chances of the muffins breaking while they are removed.
2. Take the muffins from the pan and let the muffins completely cool on a wire cooling rack.
3. Quick freeze: Place the muffins on a cookie sheet and let them freeze for 1-2 hours, until solid. This will stop muffins from sticking together or forming ice crystals.
4. Place the frozen muffins in a ziplock bag or a plastic container and place the muffins back into the freezer until they are to be eaten (up to 4 months).
Optional steps:
If you plan to take one muffin out at a time to pack for a snack to bring to work or school, you can wrap each muffin individually in plastic before freezing them.
To reduce chances of freezer burn: If you have a straw it's a good idea to suck out any air in the bag right before placing them in the muffins into the freezer. This will reduce circulating air, which creates ice crystals making muffins go bad faster.
Top tip for freezing muffins
- Be sure the muffins are cool before placing them into the freezer!
- Remove all the air from the storage bag so they stay fresh tasting.
- Enjoy muffins within 3 months to avoid freezer taste.
How to thaw and reheat frozen muffins
In the microwave: Place a frozen muffin in the microwave for 15-30 seconds until it is completely defrosted and warm inside.
In the oven: Frozen muffins can be heated in the oven at 350 degrees F. Place the muffins as a single layer on a large cookie sheet, then place them in the warm oven for 10-15 minutes. This is the best way to quickly reheat a large batch of frozen muffins.
Room temperature: Place the frozen muffins on the counter to slowly thaw overnight or over a couple of hours. Optionally they can be warmed in the microwave for 10-20 seconds once they are thawed.
FAQ's
How long can you freeze muffins?
Muffins can be frozen for 3 to 4 months (if muffins are sealed in a bag or container well) without much quality change. After this time the muffins won't go bad however the taste and texture will not be as fresh.
How to stop muffins from sticking together when frozen
A quick-freeze stops muffins from sticking together when frozen. To quick-freeze: as shown in the step-by-step photos above, freeze the muffins on a cookie sheet until solid (1-3 hours), then place the solid muffins in a ziplock bag together.
How to freeze muffins individually
If you plan to take individual muffins out to eat, you can wrap each muffin in cling wrap, place them into a bag or container, and freeze the muffins. Take one muffin to eat as desired.
Can you freeze muffins in foil?
Muffins can be frozen in tin foil however as tin foil doesn't seal as well as plastic wrap they can go freezer burnt faster.
Can you freeze muffins in a container?
Muffins can be frozen in a container, however, because there is more air circulating it creates ice crystals faster. You can wrap each muffin in plastic first to avoid the ice crystals or enjoy muffins within a few weeks (instead of a couple of months).
Does freezing muffins dry them out?
If muffins are sealed in a plastic bag, individually wrapped, or both this stops muffins from drying out in the freezer. Store-bought muffins in clamshell plastic will dry out quickly in the freezer as air can easily encircle the muffins.
Can I freeze store-bought or Costco muffins?
Store Costco muffins and store-bought muffins can also be easily frozen. However, be sure to remove the plastic clamshell these muffins are in because so much air can get in quickly making them stale or freezer-burnt, instead store these muffins in a ziplock bag, or wrap them in plastic wrap.
How to freeze muffins
Equipment
- 1 straw
Ingredients
- 1 batch muffins
Instructions
- Let the homemade muffins fully cool on a cooling rack.
- Place the muffins on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 1-3 hours until completely frozen. This is called a quick freeze, it reduces ice crystals from forming and prevents the muffins from sticking together.
- Take the frozen muffins and place them into a sealing bag, close the bag with only a small space to place a straw into the bag and suck out any air. Then quickly seal the bag.
- Be sure to label the muffins with today's date and what kind they are! Then place muffins into the freezer. These muffins will last 3-4 months, they can last longer however the taste and texture may be altered.
- To reheat muffins: Remove muffins from the freezer, keep them at room temperature to reheat gradually. To heat quickly from frozen, place the muffins on a cookie sheet and into an oven heated to 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
Notes
Top muffin recipes to try
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. Let's make snacktime nutrient-dense, and well, easy.
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