Can you freeze eggs?

Eggs are among the most versatile staple ingredients in many households. This is because they’re great sources of protein. Eggs can last for at most 5 weeks in a refrigerator. Therefore, most individuals wonder whether it’s a great idea to freeze eggs.

Can you freeze eggs?

Yes, you can freeze clean, fresh eggs for 12 months. But, it’s advisable to use frozen eggs within the first 4 months. This is crucial because it minimizes the risk of freezer burn.

Types of eggs that you can freeze

Based on research, you shouldn’t freeze raw eggs in their shell because the liquid content will expand, hence leading to shell cracks. Cracked eggs are prone to bacterial contamination, which can spoil your eggs. In addition, freezing a shelled egg can impact its texture because the yolk will become thick. It’s not easy to use gel-like yolks in either baking or cooking after thawing. Based on science, below are the types of eggs that you can freeze.

• Raw egg whites
• Cooked egg dishes
• Raw egg yolks
• Whisked whole raw eggs

In addition, it’s not advisable to freeze boiled, shelled eggs because they may pose various health risks.

How freezing affects egg yolks and whites

There are two major parts of an egg: the white and the yolk. Both parts will react uniquely to Freezing and affect the texture and flavor of the egg.

1. Flavor

The processing method plays a significant role in determining the flavor of a frozen egg. For instance, if you use salt during the preparation stage, the frozen yolk might be a bit salty. On the other hand, if you mix the egg with sugar before freezing, the yolk will have a sweet taste. In addition, other ingredients and preservatives will affect the taste of the frozen egg.

2. Texture

Thawing frozen raw egg whites will slightly affect the texture of a cooked egg. A frozen egg is characterized by an egg white’s foaming ability. This aspect is crucial in creating airy and light baked goods. Some studies show that freezing egg whites can lead to loss of egg shape and protein denaturation. On the other side, freezing raw eggs will lead to gelation.

Why freeze eggs?

The main objective of freezing eggs is to extend their shelf life by at most 4 months. This is a great strategy when you find out that you’ve many eggs nearing their expiration dates.

How to freeze different types of eggs

You can freeze raw whites and yolks either separately or mixed. Below are steps for freezing whole eggs, egg yolks, cooked egg dishes, and egg whites.

Whole Eggs

1. Crack eggs and pour their content into a mixing bowl
2. Whisk the mixture until it becomes homogenous
3. Pour the mixed content into a clean freezer containers
4. Label each container based on the number of eggs and date
5. Labeling is essential for convenience and food safety purposes

Egg Yolks

1. Crack and separate the egg yolk from egg white.
2. Whisk the yolks gently
3. For every 4 eggs, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar or 1/4 teaspoon of table salt.
4. Mix the content
5. Pour the mixture into a clean freezer container
6. Label the containers based on the number of yolks and the date
7. Note whether sugar or salt was used

Cooked Egg Dishes

Below are steps on how to freeze cooked egg dishes, such as quiches and casseroles.

1. Cool the cooked egg dish to room temperature to reduce the risk of bacterial growth
2. Cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid
3. Freeze individual servings for easy reheat
4. Once frozen, transfer the servings to a clean freezer container

Egg Whites

1. Crack and separate egg whites and egg whites
2. Pour egg whites into a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray
3. Label the clean containers based on the number of whites and date.

What can you make with frozen eggs?

• Tacos like egg tacos and breakfast tacos
• Quiche, such as vegetarian spinach quiche
• Scrambles, such as fluffy eggs and perfect scrambled eggs
• Frittatas like asparagus frittata, basic frittata, and veggie mini frittata.
• Omelets, such as the classic omelet

How to thaw frozen eggs

You can thaw frozen eggs in a refrigerator. It’s important to whisk the mixture before making your intended dish. In addition, reheat the egg dish to prevent food-borne illness and kill germs.

Conclusion

Egg freezing extends the shelf life of your eggs. In addition, never cook frozen eggs before defrosting.

Find other ingredients you can freeze at https://youcanfreezethis.com/