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Throughout my years of baking muffins, I always seem to bake too many. I just can’t help myself. However, this becomes a problem since I don’t want them to go bad. So I decided to look into properly freezing muffins so that they stay fresh and don’t get dry. Here’s what I found!
As a general rule, you can freeze muffins in liners to prevent them from sticking together. First, let the muffins cool completely. Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the muffins in a single layer on the sheet. Freeze for about two hours and store them in an airtight container.
Muffins are a delicious breakfast food, but sometimes they can be a little bit time-consuming to make. That’s why I started making big batches and freezing them for later. However, there’s so much that you need to know about freezing muffins. Does freezing muffins in liners ruin the texture or make them dry?
Can You Freeze Muffins in Liners?
How to freeze muffins in liners step-by-step:
- After baking, let the muffins cool completely
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Wrap each muffin with plastic wrap individually
- Place the muffins in a single layer on the sheet
- Freeze the sheet for about two hours or until solid
- Take the sheet with the muffins out of the freezer
- Store the muffins in an airtight container or bag
- Put them in the freezer again
Freezing your baked muffins in liners is a good way to prevent them from sticking to each other.
However, I have found that they sometimes stick to the liner after they are thawed. So if you’re looking for optimal results, it’s best to freeze them without the liner.
*By the way, if you’re looking for some new cookie sheets/baking pans to replace for your kitchen, I recently came across the Perfect Nonstick Cookie Sheets / Baking Sheets Set that I got for myself and they work great! You can check out these Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set on Amazon!
So, if you’re looking for an easy way to have muffins on hand, freezing them in liners is the way to go.
How to Store Muffins in the Freezer?
To store your muffins in the freezer, you want to make sure they are completely cool. Freezing hot muffins often takes away their flavor and makes them soggy once they are warmed up. Make sure to wrap each muffin with plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container.
| Baked Muffins | Muffin Batter |
| Can last for up to 2 months when properly stored | Can last for up to 3-4 weeks when properly stored |
Once cool, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet or dish and then put them in the freezer for about thirty minutes. Once frozen, you can then place them in a freezer bag, making sure there is no air inside to avoid freezer burn. You can then store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How to Store Muffins to Keep Them Fresh for Longer. This article talks about the proper ways to store muffins at room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer to keep them fresh. You can check out this article here!
Can You Freeze Muffin Batter?
In general, you can freeze muffin batter in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 weeks. Pour the batter into muffin tins lined with paper liners and then freeze them for about two hours or until solid. After they are frozen, you can remove them from the tin and store them in an airtight container or bag.
Another way that I often use is by pouring the muffin batter straight into a plastic container and then freezing it for about two hours or until solid.
This will give you more of an ice-cream-like consistency that you can scoop out and enjoy later on. Just make sure you let the batter thaw before baking it in the oven otherwise your muffins will not turn out well.
When I bake muffins in the air fryer I have to use these Silicone Muffin Liners which are super easy to clean and use! They make it very easy to remove the muffins out of the muffin pan without getting stuck. Check out the link on Amazon!
Is It Better to Freeze Muffins or Muffin Batter?
As a general rule, it is always better to freeze muffin batter over baked muffins. This is because the muffins can sometimes become dry and chewy when frozen while muffin batter will remain fresh once it is baked.
Muffin batter usually freezes well and results in a delicious, fresh-tasting muffin when baked. So if you’re looking to save time, go ahead and freeze that batter.
*By the way, if you noticed that you ran out of liners, I recently wrote an article about The Best Ways To Bake Cupcakes & Muffins Without Liners. This article talks about all the ways to make sure that your cupcakes and muffins don’t get stuck in the pan. You can check out this article here!
As I found out the hard way, it is better to freeze leftover muffin batter rather than making extra baked muffins and freezing them. However, don’t fret! You can also freeze your baked muffins as long as you are careful!
Can You Freeze Muffins without Plastic?
As a general rule, it is not recommended to freeze muffins without plastic wrap or another type of covering since plastic wrap prevents any air from entering the muffin. Without a plastic wrap covering, the muffins will stick together and it will be difficult to separate them once frozen.
If you’re looking for a way to avoid using plastic, freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight container is your best bet.
However, this method will take a little longer and the muffins may not be as fresh when you thaw them.
*Side Note: You might also want to know How To Stop Cupcake & Muffin Liners From Folding In and Sticking. I recently wrote an article that explains How To Keep The Liners Looking Good When Baking In Them, which you can check out here!
How to Thaw Frozen Muffins?
The best way to thaw frozen muffins is by using a microwave. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and set the microwave to defrost mode. Be sure to stop the microwave and check on them often to prevent them from overcooking.
You can thaw your muffins at room temperature, in a microwave, or in the oven. All three methods are effective but you have to follow some procedures.
Thawing frozen muffins at room temperature
When you are ready to eat them, just let them thaw at room temperature or microwave them for a few seconds. You’ll be surprised at how fresh they taste.
To thaw muffins at room temperature, simply remove them from the freezer and let them sit on the counter for a few hours. This will take some time but it’s the most convenient way to do it.
You may want to cover them in a kitchen towel to keep away contaminants and insects.
Thawing frozen muffins in a microwave
If you want to thaw your muffins faster, microwaving is the way to go. Just place them on a microwave-safe plate and set the microwave to defrost mode.
If your microwave doesn’t have the defrost mode, you can try 30-second intervals at 50% power. Be sure to stop the microwave and check on them often to avoid burning.
Thawing frozen muffins in an oven
The final way is by thawing them in an oven. This will take about 20 minutes and you’ll want to set the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake as you check to make sure they are not too hot.
Once they are thawed, you can enjoy them as is or put your favorite topping on them.
*Side Note: You might also want to know Why Your Muffins Didn’t Rise the way they were supposed to. I recently wrote an article talking about Tips For Preventing Flat Muffins, you can check it out here!
Does Freezing Muffins Dry Them Out?
In general, freezing muffins correctly will not dry them out. Wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or bag to avoid any air contact. Freezing muffins is a great way to preserve their freshness and flavor for up to two months.
However, if you don’t store them properly in the freezer, they can become freezer burnt and taste terrible. So make sure you follow these tips for optimal results.
I have also noticed that storing muffins in bags with air trapped inside can often make them dry!
So if you’re looking for a way to avoid this, make sure you squeeze all the air out of the bag before sealing it.
*Side Note: You might also want to know why your Muffins Are Crumbly as well as Dry. I recently wrote an article that talks about Fixing and Preventing Crumbly Muffins, which you can check out here!
Do Frozen Muffins Taste Good?
On average, frozen muffins taste good as long as they were properly stored and not freezer burnt. Properly thaw the frozen muffins and warm them up. They will taste fresh like they just came out of the oven.
In fact, I often like to freeze them so that I have a fresh-tasting snack or breakfast on hand whenever I want it. Since they thaw quickly, it’s really easy to enjoy them without having to go through a lot of trouble.
You want to make sure that your storage bags or containers are airtight so that the muffins don’t absorb any unpleasant flavors or aromas from the freezer.
*Side Note: You might also want to know how to Store Your Cake Batter The Right Way. I wrote an article about Storing Cake Batter The Right Way, which you can check out here!
FAQs:
Can you freeze muffins in plastic wrap?
As a general rule, you can freeze muffins by wrapping them individually in heavy-duty plastic wrap, foil, or freezer paper. Wrapping each muffin individually will keep as much air away from reaching the muffin allowing it to freeze better and stay fresh for longer.
What is the best way to freeze muffins?
The best way to freeze baked muffins is to wrap each individual muffin with plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or bag. The best way to freeze muffin batter is to pour the batter into a plastic container and then freeze it for about two hours or until solid.
How long will frozen muffins last?
When stored properly, frozen muffins will last for up to 2 months in the freezer without getting dry. Frozen muffin batter will last for up to 2-4 weeks in the freezer when stored properly. Be sure to check them often for signs of freezer burn, which will make them inedible.
Can I freeze already baked muffins?
In general, you can freeze muffins that are already baked. Make sure to store them in an air-tight container or bag to prevent them from getting dry while being frozen. Make sure to squeeze all the air out of the bag or container before sealing it.
Can you re-freeze thawed muffins?
As a general rule, you can re-freeze thawed muffins as long as they are not freezer burnt. Since freezer burnt muffins are not edible, they should not be placed back in the freezer. Make sure to store them in an airtight container or bag to avoid them from becoming dry.
How do you keep muffins from drying out?
To keep muffins from drying out, you want to store them in an airtight container or bag. It is better to store leftover muffin batter rather than baked muffins since baked muffins can possibly get dry while muffin batter will not be dry after baking it.
*Side Note: You might also want to know Why Your Muffins Crack On Top after they’re baked. I recently wrote an article that talks about How To Fix and Prevent Dry Muffins, you can check it out here!
Final Thoughts
It is okay to freeze muffins in liners. However, you need to be careful because they may stick to the liner after being thawed. Follow the tips I have provided above for optimal results! I hope this post has answered all of your questions about freezing muffins.
