A staple in many Southern recipes, boiled peanuts are often served as snacks or appetizers.
But if you have more than you can eat once, what can you do with the leftover boiled peanuts?
Can you freeze boiled peanuts? Yes, you can definitely freeze boiled peanuts. They can be safe in the freezer indefinitely as long as they are stored correctly.
Proper storage is key in the peanuts’ shelf life.
How to freeze boiled peanuts?
When freezing boiled peanuts, the key is to freeze them properly before they thaw out.
You need to wrap them in multiple layers of plastic and seal them with freezer tape so that air can’t get into the bag or else the freezing process will be halted.
The temperature should also be very cold when freezing starts. Between 0 and 20 degrees, Fahrenheit is ideal.
If you’re freezing boiled peanuts with the shell on, be sure to remove them from the freezing unit before they start freezing in their shells.
That will help prevent flavor- and texture-degrading ice crystals from forming inside them.
Here is the step by step guide in freezing boiled peanuts:
1. Wash the peanuts well and then soak them in water for 10 minutes.
2. Drain the peanuts, spread them on a cookie sheet, and freeze overnight or until completely frozen (about 2 to 3 hours).
3. Transfer the frozen peanuts to an airtight freezing bag and seal down all sides of the bag with freezer tape to prevent freezer burn.
How long can you freeze boiled peanuts?
Boiled peanuts will keep in the freezer for 3 to 4 months if properly packaged and frozen as described above.
When freezing, be sure that the freezing temperature is around 0 degrees F or below.
If it’s freezing at a higher temperature, make sure to spread out the peanuts so that they don’t freeze together in one big block.
After freezing, you also need to remember that freezing does not stop the aging process by any means.
So freezing boiled peanuts will buy you some time before eating them, but it won’t make them last forever.
And once you take them out of their freezer storage, be sure to eat them quickly or add them into other freezing recipes that will help them stay fresh longer.
Can boiled peanuts be frozen without the shell?
You can freeze boiled peanuts without the shell.
Some people may think freezing peanuts without the shell is easier, but there are some downsides to freezing them this way.
First of all, removing the shells will allow water from inside to leak out and freeze into a layer of ice around the nut itself giving it an undesirable texture.
The flavor doesn’t really suffer as much from freezing in the shell compared to freezing without the shell.
To freeze peanuts without the shell, simply follow the following steps:
1. Place the boiled peanuts on a cookie sheet, spaced out so they don’t freeze together in one big block.
2. Transfer to freezing unit and freeze overnight or until frozen solid.
3. Remove from freezing unit and place into an airtight freezing bag.
Seal down all sides of the bag with freezer tape to prevent freezer burn.
How to thaw frozen boiled peanuts?
You can thaw your frozen boiled peanuts either in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
They’ll be almost as good as fresh when they’re completely thawed out.
How do you reheat frozen boiled peanuts?
You can reheat boiled peanuts in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Just be sure to thaw them out completely first or else they’ll never get hot enough to be good.
After freezing, boiling, and freezing again, boiled peanuts may taste a little off.
So if you want to do this, it’s best to use them as a topping for some other dish rather than just eating them straight out of the bag.
Can you freeze hot boiled peanuts?
When freezing boiled peanuts, it is important to cool them down first.
If you don’t, the freezing process will halt and your boiled peanuts won’t be as fresh in a few months.
They’ll still be tasty, though just not quite as good as freezing them right away after boiling.
Other freezing tips to freezing boiled peanuts
If you want to freeze boiled peanuts for long, be sure that the temperature is below 0 degrees F before freezing.
Do not squeeze or sprinkle with oil so freezing will proceed smoothly.
Freezing the boiled peanuts repeatedly will make them taste stale when thawed out, but freezing one time is fine.
Freezing twice is not recommended. To enjoy the best taste and texture, consume the peanut after completely thawed for the first time.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, freezing boiled peanuts will help you save money, and freezing time can last from a few days to freezing for a whole year!
Just remember not to squeeze or add oil while freezing so the freezing process is successful.
However, freezing won’t make your food stay fresh forever. You must eat it as soon as possible after taking it out from the freezer.
If freezing for a long time, make sure the freezing temp is below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then you can enjoy your freezing boiled peanuts anytime!
Thank you for reading.
Read more about freezing foods here.