Can You Freeze Popcorn?

Popcorn is quite popular at family gatherings, movie theaters, and carnivals. But what will happen if you got some extra popcorn at the end of the day when you finish your movie. Even though it is highly unlikely that also happens sometimes.

I think it’s time for us to think about storing them for later use. So our question is can we store them in the freezer? We will find out more about that through the below topics.

So, can you freeze popcorn? Yes, surprisingly you can freeze popcorn in a freezer. Freezing popcorn doesn’t just save you money, it’s also the best way to preserve your favorite snack. When you leave out a bag of unpopped corn kernels, they oxidize and become rancid. This makes them taste awful and destroys their nutritional value. Properly stored, popcorn can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Contents show

What Is Popcorn?

Popcorn is a popular snack all around the world. I don’t think there is even a single person who has not enjoyed popcorn during their lifetime. That tells how widespread a snack it is. What is the reason for this popularity?

Well, there are many reasons I can think of. First, popcorn is super easy to make. Since corn is widely available in pretty much every country, there is no lack of ingredients as well. Besides that, it seems many people love the oily and salty taste of popcorn so much.

As I said earlier it is quite easy to make popcorn. First, you have to heat some oil in a pan with a deep bottom until the oil is heated up. Then add a few popcorn kernels into the pan, and wait till they pop. As soon as they popped, add the rest of the popcorn kernels into the pan and take them away from the heat for 30 seconds.

Cover and put the pan back on the heat. You will start to hear the popping sound from inside. Wait until it stops. When the popping sound is over take the pan away from the heat and transfer the popcorn into another bowl. Spray some salt over the popcorn and shake them well to spread evenly. Tada! You are done making popcorn.

Does Popcorn Freeze Well?

It’s a question that has been asked since the advent of the microwave, and it appears that there is no clear-cut answer. However, we can look at some popcorn facts to help determine whether popcorn freezes well or not. Popcorn is a special variety of corn with kernels containing an average of 19% water. Its spongy texture and hard exterior make it perfect for popping in the microwave and making movie night delicious.

Therefore, it does not freeze well like other food items. Because it is very hard to seal out the moisture completely from reaching the popcorn. So you can not say popcorns is food that freezes well.

While popcorn doesn’t freeze well, you can still store them in the freezer though. The most important thing is to keep air and moisture from reaching the popcorn. You can use airtight containers to store it in the freezer, but make sure they are also moisture-proof to keep your food fresh longer. Place the bags in the freezer when they aren’t completely filled up. This allows for easier storage and prevents them from bursting when frozen.

How To Freeze Popcorn?

Freezing popcorn is a great way to make the best tasting, yet inexpensive snack even better. Proper storage will help keep the air and moisture out, which will result in the popcorn lasting for several months.

Below are the steps to freezing your popcorn:

Step 1: Allow to Cool Down

Always allow the popcorn to cool down before storing them in the freezer. If you try to freeze the popcorn while it’s still warm, condensation will form. The moisture from the condensation will damage the popcorn during freezing. The result will be soggy popcorns when you thaw them.

Therefore, allow it to cool down to room temperature, which will probably take about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Storage Bags

Once the popcorn is cooled down, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. It’s important to keep air and moisture out of the container or bag. Just a small amount of air that leaks in will cause freezer burn to the popcorns.

If using an airtight container, check the seals for any damages. If there are none, secure the lid to the container.

For freezer bag usage, press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it tight.

Step 3: Label and Freeze

With a pen or marker, write the date of freezing onto the bag or container. This will help you keep track of how long the popcorn has been in the freezer and when to use it.

Then, place the popcorn into the freezer for storage.

How Long Can You Freeze Popcorn?

You can freeze the bags of popcorn for up to three months, although it may get a little stale after two weeks.

The problem is that when they are frozen, or even cooled, they tend to get hard and stale quickly. They will never have that same crisp texture again once you have microwaved them after being refrigerated or frozen.

If you plan on keeping your popcorn frozen for longer than that, then remove the amount you will be using from the bag before you place it in the freezer. The best way to store popcorn is in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

How Do You Defrost Popcorn?

Popcorn is one of those foods that can be very difficult to defrost. There are a few different ways to defrost popcorn, and you can choose the method that works best for your situation.

The best way to defrost it is in the microwave, although you may want to put a little water in with it so it doesn’t stick if your microwave isn’t vented well enough. Also, it’s important to avoid heating the microwave too much as this will ruin your popcorn.

Another option is putting it outside, but this will take longer and you will have to keep an eye on it so that birds don’t eat the kernels before they are fully defrosted.

Can You Refreeze Popcorn?

You can refreeze popcorn, but it will be very different than freshly made. The flavor and texture of the popcorn will be altered significantly.

When refreezing popcorn, make sure that it is still fresh. This means the package has not been opened or damaged in any way.

Also, do not refreeze microwave popcorn that has already been heated and then cooled. It is safe to refreeze un-popped corn kernels as well as pre-made bags of pre-popped popcorn.

Conclusion

Popcorn is a snack that we all enjoy a lot. But there may be times we find some extra popcorn after we make them. You can store them in the freezer for later use. But it’s hard to keep moisture away from them. If you become successful in freezing never take them out and try to refreeze them.