Do you love baked potatoes? Baking potatoes is a great make-ahead dish. It’s such a satisfying snack especially for busy folks who have no time to sit down for a full meal. Because really, who has an hour to wait for a meal?
Regardless if you have too many leftovers or you’re baking potatoes as a make-ahead meal, freezing is one of the best ways to save the dish for later. As long as cooked potatoes are packed the right way, they keep so well in the freezer.
Baked potato will only keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. This goes especially if the dish contains dairy products. But when stored in the freezer, baked potatoes will keep for 10 months to a full year!
Of course, we recommend consuming the dish within a month or two after freezing for optimal flavor. But it’s nice to know that you can extend the shelf life of baked potatoes for a year or more!
Do keep in mind that the freezing temperature must be kept at a steady 0 degrees Fahrenheit for best results. Baked potatoes do contain water and when packed improperly, the dish will take on a grainy, watery consistency.
Now let’s take a look at our step by step guide on how can you freeze baked potatoes:
How to Freeze Baked Potatoes?
If you’re making baked potatoes from scratch as a make-ahead meal, bake the potatoes until soft. Do not add the butter or any toppings if you’re planning to freeze the baked potatoes. Leave the baked potatoes to cool completely on the baking tray.
Once the baked potatoes have cooled down completely, wrap each one in aluminum foil. Make sure the potatoes are wrapped completely in foil so they are not exposed to freezing air. Freezing air will ruin the texture of the spuds once they’re defrosted!
Place the wrapped baked potatoes in a large, heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Squeeze as much air as you can prior to sealing. Write the storage date with a marker and then stick the bag in the freezer.
This guide also applies for leftovers.
How to Defrost and Reheat Baked Potatoes?
To defrost the baked potatoes, simply transfer the dish from the freezer to the fridge. Leave the spuds to thaw overnight.
If you’re pressed for time, you can defrost the baked potatoes in the microwave. To thaw, microwave the baked potatoes on low. You can add the toppings as you reheat the dish.
As for reheating the roasted potatoes, you can do this using the microwave or an oven. After thawing the spuds, place the potatoes in a baking pan or microwave-safe serving dish. Add your favorite toppings such as herbs, bacon bits, or sour cream then stick in the oven or microwave to reheat.
If you’re using the oven, cook over 350 Fahrenheit.
Summary
Baked potatoes make a fantastic snack or starters. It’s a good thing that you can bake potatoes ahead of time to be devoured later on. Now that you know how can you freeze baked potatoes, whip up more of this delicious make-ahead dish with no fear of spoilage!