Freezing Jalapeno Poppers (What You Need to Know)
Jalapeno poppers make for a great snack, but can you freeze them? What is the best way to store them for long-lasting flavor and crispness?
You can freeze jalapeno poppers for up to nine months, but it’s best to eat them one month or sooner after freezing if you can. Although they won’t spoil, frozen jalapeno poppers lose crispness and freshness the longer they’re left in the freezer. Refrigeration is sometimes a better option.
This article will provide deeper explanations of the situations where you should freeze jalapeno poppers, as well as alternatives to freezing. By the end, you should have a better idea of what you should do with those leftover jalapeno poppers.
Can You Freeze Fresh Jalapeno Poppers?
Many brands sell frozen jalapeno poppers, but what about jalapeno poppers that you’ve cooked yourself? According to Surf and Sunshine, you can freeze those, too.
You can freeze fresh jalapeno poppers. Freezing the poppers will negatively impact their taste, but they will still be edible and ready to serve after reheating. Reheating can be done in several ways, including baking, deep-frying, and air frying.
Here, I’ll give you a closer look at the freezing and reheating process for fresh jalapeno poppers. While freezing is never the ideal way to prepare the poppers, it’s often the only convenient choice if you have leftovers.
Freezing Jalapeno Poppers
Freezing jalapeno poppers after you’ve cooked them is a pretty straightforward process.
You’ll start by assembling the poppers on a baking sheet, then placing the sheet in the freezer overnight.
Next, want to put your leftover jalapeno poppers in an airtight container before transferring that container to the freezer. It’s important not to stack the poppers while putting them in the container, as they might freeze together otherwise.
It’s usually best to reheat the poppers within a month of freezing them, but the flavors can last as long as nine months in some cases.
How Do You Reheat Frozen Jalapeno Poppers?
You can reheat frozen jalapeno poppers by baking or frying them. Generally, baking is better if they are leftovers from a fresh recipe, while frying (either by deep-frying or air frying) is more suited to pre-packaged frozen poppers.
To bake the poppers, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for approximately 25-30 minutes.
If you prefer to fry the jalapeno poppers, try using the air frying method as opposed to deep frying. Air frying results in a similar taste as deep-frying, but with the added benefit of not using a large amount of oil involved in deep frying.
Thawing the poppers first is not necessary whether you use the oven or an air fryer. Your jalapeno poppers can go directly from the freezer to being reheated.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Jalapeno Poppers?
You can freeze uncooked jalapeno poppers. Freezing jalapeno poppers before baking can help preserve the fresh taste of the poppers. The freezing process is similar for cooked and uncooked poppers, but they will need to bake for longer if they’re completely uncooked and frozen.
You should add 5 to 10 minutes to the total bake time when baking uncooked, frozen poppers. Altogether, this would be 30-40 minutes.
How Do You Store Cooked Jalapeno Poppers?
You can store cooked jalapeno poppers by either freezing or refrigerating them. Refrigeration is ideal if you plan to eat them within a few days, but if you’re going to save them for longer, freezing will be necessary.
Let’s walk through the advantages and disadvantages of freezing or refrigerating your jalapeno poppers so you can see which method is better suited for your situation.
Making Stored Jalapeno Poppers Last Longer
There are both short-term and long-term storage options for jalapeno poppers, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Refrigeration and freezing are both valid options.
Refrigeration tends to preserve flavor better than freezing does, but refrigerated jalapeno poppers are only good for 3-5 days at a maximum. If they’re refrigerated any longer than that, they’ll lose their crispness and become soggy or stale.
Freezing the poppers as soon as possible is a better way to store them long-term. As long as they’re stored in an airtight container, you should be able to reduce the amount of freezer burn that accumulates on the poppers and maximize their longevity.
Generally, the sooner you eat the poppers, the fresher they will taste, even if they’re frozen. The freezer slows down the aging process, but it doesn’t stop it altogether.
Should You Freeze Leftover Jalapeno Poppers?
If debating freezing your leftover jalapeno poppers, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
You should freeze leftover jalapeno poppers if it’s going to be more than a few days before you will eat them. Freezing will ensure that they stay edible and prevent having to throw the poppers away. However, refrigeration is usually the better choice if you can eat the poppers within days.
In short, freezing the poppers is ideal for a more extended period, while putting them in the fridge is best if you’re only going to store them briefly.
Of course, if you can avoid storing them at all, that’s always an option too!
For example, you might prefer not to have to worry about making room in your freezer or fridge, so you can always give the leftovers to family, friends, or neighbors. They’re sure to appreciate the gesture and might even return the favor with something equally delicious.
Reheating Refrigerated Poppers
If you decide to store your jalapeno poppers in the fridge instead of freezing them, there are a couple of reheating options to consider.
The first, similar to one of the reheating methods for frozen poppers, is to use your oven. This process is basically the same as when reheating poppers out of the freezer, only here you’ll want to bake them for a shorter time.
Secondly, you can microwave the jalapeno poppers instead. This will result in a less desirable flavor and texture than using the oven, but it’s faster and more convenient.
Preparing the Right Amount of Jalapeno Poppers
One of the best ways to prevent having leftover poppers at all is by making sure to prepare the optimum amount beforehand. This way, you can avoid the whole dilemma of having less tasty poppers while also minimizing any extra work in storing them.
According to Eat This Much, one serving size is 3 jalapeno poppers. There are roughly 155 calories in one serving of jalapeno poppers.
Though this is just a guideline, it should help you get a rough estimate of how many poppers you should prepare if you know ahead of time how many people you plan on serving.
To get an accurate headcount (if, for example, you’re preparing your jalapeno poppers for a party or other large gathering), you can also call or check-in beforehand with everyone you expect will be eating.
Conclusion
Overall, there’s no harm in freezing jalapeno poppers. Frozen poppers can last as long as nine months, while refrigerated poppers will only last 3-5 days.
Once you’re ready to eat your jalapeno poppers, you can pull them out of the freezer or refrigerator and either bake them or fry them. Air frying is a common method to use with jalapeno poppers since it provides a deep-fried taste without all the oil from a traditional fryer.
