Oatmeal is one of those breakfast staples that can be eaten for many different meals and snacks throughout the day. It’s a great way to get a healthy start to your day, but you need to make sure you don’t have any leftovers! While some people might say that cooked oatmeal can be frozen, others might have other say it will not freeze at all.
So, can you freeze cooked oatmeal? You can freeze cooked oatmeal. Just make sure that you put a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the container before sealing it. Properly stored in an airtight container, cooked oatmeal will last for up to four weeks.
Does Cooked Oatmeal Freeze Well?
Cooked oatmeal does not freeze well. It is best to avoid freezing cooked oatmeal as it will be hard to thaw later on.
The texture of cooked oatmeal changes when it is frozen. It becomes mushy and bland after it has been frozen. The lack of flavor in the cooked oatmeal is also noticeable when it is frozen.
However, if you don’t mind the changes in the texture of the oatmeal, freezing them will work.
How To Freeze Cooked Oatmeal
One way to freeze cooked oatmeal is by placing it in an airtight container. If you are storing the oatmeal in the freezer for long-term storage, it can be stored in smaller portions so that there is less thawing and time wasted when reheating.
However, sometimes you might not want to eat all or most of your cooked oatmeal at once. In this case, you can place the leftovers into a resealable bag and freeze them for later use.
Below are the steps to freezing cooked oatmeal:
Step 1: Allow to Cool Down
Cook 1 cup of oats according to the packet’s instructions in boiling water for 5 minutes or until they float. Once it’s cooked, allow the oatmeal to cool down to room temperature.
If you try to freeze the oatmeal while it’s still warm, condensation will form. The moisture will damage the oatmeal during freezing. When it thaws, the oatmeal will be watery.
Step 2: Place into Container
After the oatmeal has cooled down, place them into an airtight container. For double protection, wrap a plastic wrap over the top of the container. Then secure the lid to the container.
Step 3: Label and Freeze
With a marker or pen, write the date of freezing on the container. Then place it into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Oatmeal?
Oatmeal has a relatively short shelf life, this is because it can easily get soggy and dried out while it’s being stored. The shelf life depends on many factors such as the amount of sugar, salt, and heat.
While canned oatmeal can stay on the shelf for a long time, there are some precautions to take when freezing cooked oatmeal.
Oatmeal can be frozen for up to six months in an airtight container.
The texture of oatmeal changes when it’s frozen for a long period of time. When the water evaporates, the oats become hard and dry which is why they don’t taste as good. Therefore, they should be eaten within 3 months for the best quality.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Oatmeal?
The biggest consideration when freezing oatmeal is the time it takes for it to thaw. Thawing cooked oatmeal can be a time-consuming process, especially if you’re cooking for a family.
An easy way to thaw your frozen cooked oatmeal is by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. This will allow it to defrost gradually and avoid a mess on your counter. Also, the texture and taste will not be affected.
Another option to defrost cooked oatmeal is in the oven. If you defrost your cooked oatmeal in the oven, make sure that it is not too hot before putting it back in the fridge. You should also cover your container with aluminum foil or plastic wrap because otherwise, condensation will make the crust soggy.
If you want to do it without going through the hassle of heating up your oven or cooking another meal, try microwaving your frozen cooked oatmeal for just one-minute intervals until it is fully defrosted.
Can You Refreeze Cooked Oatmeal?
It is not recommended to refreeze cooked oatmeal since it might alter the texture of the food. Freezing the oatmeal more than once will cause the quality to deteriorate.
Once thawed, the oats will become soggy and not as firm as they were before they were frozen.
Other Questions about Cooked Oatmeal
Yes, you can! They don’t have to be eaten fresh from the oven but can be frozen before they are cooked. Baking cookies ahead of time will give you the peace of mind that your guests or family members won’t have to wait for their favorite treat.
Freeze baked oatmeal cookies are made with oats, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, oats flour. It is cooked in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. The cookies will not harden in the freezer so they can be eaten cold or thawed out later in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze baked oatmeal cups?
You can freeze these oatmeal cups in order to make them last longer. The best way to do this is by mixing in vanilla extract while they’re still hot and stirring until it’s cooled down.
Afterward, top the cup with sweetened whipped cream and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or cling wrap.