Frozen pizza is a convenient and easy way to make a quick meal. However, there is a lot of misconception out there about how frozen pizza should be stored and prepared. If you aren’t careful, you can buy a frozen pizza with the intention of eating it in the next few days, only to have it go bad on you before you can even heat it up.
In this article, we will be discussing the best ways to store frozen pizzas so they last as long as possible. We’ll also cover some tips on how to prepare your frozen pizza so
Do Frozen Pizza Go Bad?
For most people, the answer is no. But there are a few exceptions.
It’s important to remember that frozen pizza has an extremely long shelf life. The quality of the pizzas may diminish over time, but they can last for years if stored properly.
It’s especially important to keep frozen pizzas in the coldest parts of your freezer because they contain preservatives that can lose effectiveness at warmer temperatures. Home freezers should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit; anything lower than zero is fine as well.
If you plan to store your pizza in the freezer, make sure that it’s stored in an airtight container or freezer bag. The less air that the pizza is exposed to, the less likely it will get freezer burn.
How Long Does Frozen Pizza Last?
When it comes to pizza, there are many factors that determine how long it will last in the freezer. This can include how the pizza is prepared, what storage method you used, the ingredients used, and the sell-by date.
If you made the pizza yourself at home or it’s a takeout pizza, it will usually last for about 4-8 months.
On the other hand, store-bought pizza will last for 12-18 months. This is due to the manufacturers using preservatives when making the pizza.
Whether it’s homemade, store-bought, or takeout pizza, it will last for much longer than that. However, the quality of the pizza will deteriorate. After it’s thawed, you may find the pizza doesn’t taste as fresh as it should.
What Can Make Frozen Pizza Go Bad?
Frozen pizza can go bad due to being stored incorrectly or the temperature setting is wrong.
Like all other foods stored in the freezer, if the pizza isn’t stored correctly, it will get freezer burn. When it does, the dough will become hard and all the ingredients on the pizza will lose their flavors.
Another thing that could make frozen pizza go bad is the temperature of the freezer. The temperature should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Also, the temperature should be constant. Unfortunately, most people will store pizza with other foods. This will cause the freezer to be opened and closed frequently.
When it does, the temperature will fluctuate and this will cause the pizza to thaw a little and then freeze again. The constant changes in temperature will cause the pizza to go bad over time.
How to Know if Frozen Pizza has Gone Bad?
Freezer Burn
Freezer burn is the deterioration of frozen food once it’s been defrosted. It can be caused by improper packaging or storage, and low-quality ingredients will lead to freezer burn more quickly than high-quality ones.
Odor
Pizza should have a fresh smell to them. After it’s thawed, if the pizza has an off smell, it’s time to throw it away.
Mold
Mold is usually the common sign when the pizza goes bad. The mold will usually appear on top of the pizza. If you see any mold, don’t try to cut that section away. It’s best to throw the entire pizza away.
Slimy
Depending on what you used for topping on your pizza, there may be slimes on it. If you see any slime, the pizza has gone bad and should be discarded.
What Happens if You Eat Frozen Pizza After It Has Spoiled?
Well, if you’re not sure whether your frozen pizza has gone bad or not, there are a few warning signs to look out for.
First of all, most types of frozen pizzas contain preservatives in order to make them last longer. These ingredients help prevent the growth of bacteria that can spoil the food and cause foodborne illness. After about three weeks, these preservatives will begin to lose their effectiveness. If you’re not sure whether your frozen pizza is spoiled or not, check for signs of spoilage.
If you do happen to eat frozen pizzas that are spoiled, you will likely get stomach aches and diarrhea. This is caused by the harmful bacteria formed when the pizza is spoiled.
How to Freeze Pizza?
When it comes to freezing pizza, it’s straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of time. You can either freeze the uncooked or cooked pizza. Both will freeze well and should last in the freezer for quite a long time.
If you’ve bought pizza from the store, it should already be prepared and wrapped. All you need to do when you get home is to place them into the freezer.
However, if you’ve unwrapped the pizza, you’ll need to prep them first. This also goes for homemade pizza and takeout pizza.
Below are the steps to freezing pizza:
Step 1: Allow to Cool Down
If you’ve cooked the pizza, make sure that it’s cooled first. Avoid placing them in the freezer while it’s still warm. Doing so will cause condensation to form. The moisture from the condensation will damage the pizza during freezing.
The pizza should be cooled to room temperature in about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Portioning
When freezing the pizza, it’s important to know how much of the pizza you’ll be eating. If you’re going to eat the whole pizza, you can freeze them whole.
If you’re planning to eat a small amount at a time, freeze each individually. This will allow you to remove only what you need and you won’t have to worry about having any leftovers that freezing it again.
For pizza, it’s not recommended to refreeze pizza. Doing so will deteriorate the quality of the pizza further.
Step 3: Wrapping
Whether it’s a whole pizza or slices, wrap the pizza with plastic wraps. For double protection, wrap another layer of plastic wrap. Ensure that all parts of the pizza are covered.
Step 4: Place In Freezer Bag
Once the pizza is wrapped, place them into the freezer bag. Make sure the freezer bag is large enough to accommodate the pizza, especially if it’s a whole pizza.
Then press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it.
Step 5: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write the date of freezing onto the freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer.
Conclusion
Frozen pizzas do go bad, but it’s usually from storing them incorrectly and the freezer temperature setting is wrong. Frozen pizzas that are properly stored can last for a very long time in the freezer. Once it’s past the expiration date, the pizza is still safe to eat, but it won’t taste as fresh as it should.