If you’re like most folks, you’re in love with potatoes, and who can blame you?
Potatoes are a wonderful low calorie food at 110 with amazing nutritional value. In addition, these vegetables are full of fiber and magnesium, loaded up with essential Vitamin C and a great source of Vitamin B6. There is zero fat, sodium or cholesterol in potatoes, and just one of these root veggies provides more potassium than a banana.
Many like to buy potatoes in bulk when there’s a sale and start using them in recipes. It can get confusing about freezing potatoes already cooked or freezing them raw and/or par-boiled.
Our experts can help you answer the following questions:
Can You Freeze Cooked Potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze cooked potatoes and enjoy them again whenever you fancy this versatile vegetable. Culinary experts agree that all potato varieties do excellent in the freezer, except for yams and sweet potatoes.
Their advice is simple. Let’s say the potatoes are scalloped or roasted with herbs or joined with other ingredients. These dishes will have no problem being re-heated at another time. Just freeze the cooked potatoes in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
When cooked potatoes are stored correctly, they will maintain their best quality for 10 to 12 months, but they are still safe to eat beyond that time.
Can You Freeze Baked Potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze baked potatoes, and plenty of folks like using the easy method. Cover each baked potato singly with plastic wrap and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Allow up to several hours for the potatoes to become completely frozen. Then remove the potatoes from the freezer, and wrap each one in a resealable plastic sandwich bag. Place the wrapped baked potatoes into large resealable freezer bags and pop them into the freezer for another moment you’re craving a yummy baked potato.
Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze mashed potatoes, and this is perhaps one of the best forms of the vegetable for easy freezing. Mashed potatoes do very well after defrosting and re-heating, and the taste and texture stay in tact.
Chefs recommend allowing the mashed potatoes to cool before packing them away. There are two methods to try. The first one is simplest; place mashed potatoes into an airtight container for freezing. Or you could spoon individual serving sizes of mashed potatoes onto baking sheets and freezing these mounds until firm. Once they are hard, transfer the mounds into containers and freeze. Thaw the mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe container to re-heat.
How To Freeze Potatoes For French Fries?
You can freeze potatoes for French fries which is one of the world’s favorite uses of the humble spud. The steps are few and quick to do. First, peel, rinse and cut your potatoes into desirable strips and thickness. Next, blanch them into boiling water. Remove after two minutes, and then drop the fries into ice water.
Blot the potato strips dry, and arrange them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and place in the freezer for several hours. Then place them into freezer bags.
How Do You Freeze Potatoes For Homemade Chips Or Diced Potatoes?
You can freeze potatoes for homemade chips or freeze them for diced potatoes. Just follow the steps for freezing French fries. In this case, cut them in slices for the ideal chip shape or the perfect dice shape.
How To Freeze Potatoes Without Blanching?
You can freeze potatoes without blanching in super simple steps. Some farmers do it this way.
Number one, make sure the potatoes are raw (fresh) and pare them. Slice into desired shapes. Next, Place them into large resealable freezer bags and pop them into the freezer.
How To Freeze Potatoes For Hash Browns?
You can freeze potatoes for hash browns, and the preparation is also easy. Begin the process by doing the typical shredding for hash browns and holding them in a bowl of cold water until all the potatoes have been shredded. Next, drain and blanch your shredded potatoes in boiling water for about three minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water, drain again and pat them dry. Pack the shredded potatoes in freezer containers or resealable bags.
How To Freeze Potatoes For Roasting?
You can freeze potatoes for roasting that will taste delicious at another time. Peel them and cut into big pieces. Par-boil them for seven minutes, drain well before returning to the pan. Sprinkle with a little flour to coat the potatoes.
On a parchment-lined baking tray, lay out the potatoes, and pop them in the freezer until they harden. Then put them into a large plastic bag in the freezer.
