If you’re looking for a snack that’s high in protein, low in calories, and delicious- then look no further than raw peanuts.
But what if you have more than you can eat at once, can you store them in the freezer?
Can you freeze raw peanuts in the shell? Yes, you can freeze them wholly by simply placing the peanut inside its shell into a freezer bag and sealing it shut.
The only downside is that they are very difficult to separate from their shells once frozen.
How do you freeze raw peanuts in the shell?
Freezing raw peanuts in the shell is probably the easiest thing to do.
Here are the simple steps you can follow:
- Prepare small paper bags that will comfortably hold one peanut.
- Place a raw, unshelled peanut inside each bag and seal it, and place it in the freezer.
Can freezing peanuts cause them to go bad?
Freezing raw peanuts can actually do more good than harm for them.
It does make them harder to shell after freezing but freezing the peanuts locks in their freshness and prevents harmful microorganisms from growing in the shells.
Freezing also prevents any chemical changes that may occur in the nutrients after freezing is complete.
Most importantly, freezing prevents nuts from turning rancid once frozen which means they can be stored for long periods of time without losing crunch or flavor once defrosted.
How long can you freeze raw peanuts?
The freezing time you should take into account when freezing raw peanuts will depend on the kind of freezing method that you’re using.
If you’re freezing raw peanuts in an airtight container or freezer bag, then expect it to last for up to a year.
If freezing raw peanuts by vacuum sealing and freezing, then about two years can be expected.
Benefits of freezing raw peanuts
Freezing raw peanuts is an excellent way to save some money as they don’t go bad in the freezer if frozen properly.
If you are planning on going through a bag quickly, a better alternative would be to buy them in bulk and simply freeze what’s left over once opened.
That way they can stay fresh until ready to be used.
What are the conditions required for freezing raw peanuts?
Freezing raw peanuts can only be done in freezing temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
The freezing temperature for freezing raw peanuts will depend on the exact type of peanut you are freezing.
That means that freezing time may vary by several degrees as not all nuts freeze equally well, even when frozen together.
When freezing raw nuts, it is best to place them in small batches inside a freezer bag or airtight container and breaking apart any clumps with a spoon before sealing shut.
This is because freezing large amounts of nuts without breaking them up first will result in an uneven freezing pattern as different areas freeze more slowly than others do which will affect the texture once defrosted.
Problems freezing raw peanuts
Freezing raw peanuts doesn’t always work out as well as planned and freezing them can cause some problems.
Here are the most common problems that freezing raw nuts may bring:
- Freezing may affect their quality by changing the texture of the amino acids that make up polyunsaturated fats present in nuts.
- Peanuts may crack when frozen, which is why freezing should be done quickly without waiting for them to thaw or cool down first.
- If freezing raw nuts in containers or bags, then they should be placed in single layers on a tray first and frozen solid before being transferred to freezer bags for freezing. This may help prevent them from freezing together into clumps which will make them harder to separate once defrosted.
Defrosting freezing peanuts
Here are the most common methods you can follow when defrosting freezing raw peanuts:
Thawing by placing a freezer bag of peanuts inside a bowl with warm water.
Never place freezing peanut bags near open heat because this will cause them to dry out, become rancid or turn stale faster than if thawed slowly at room temperature.
Thaw freezing peanuts at room temperature if you want to consume them that day.
Another option for defrosting freezing peanuts is in the microwave on its lowest setting while covered inside a freezer bag or container.
The microwave method takes longer than not using one, but it can be done away from prying eyes instead of leaving freezing nuts out and exposed to curious hands or pests which will lead to faster spoilage with this method.
If frozen raw nuts still have ice crystals in the shells after thawing, then discard them immediately as they are no longer good to eat.
Freezing peanuts won’t be a convenient option for everyone. Some people may not have the freezer space or freezing equipment that’s needed for freezing raw nuts.
Freezing raw peanuts also takes up freezing space which can be a problem for people who live in small freezing units and won’t have enough room to store freezing nuts efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Freezing raw peanuts is worth doing for people who have freezing space and freezing equipment.
Peanuts can be frozen in the shell or after they’ve been shelled.
Freezing peanuts in the shell is best done while they’re fresh in their raw form before freezing them.
However, freezing nuts presents some freezing problems that shouldn’t be overlooked because they can lead to freezing problems if handled improperly.
Therefore, freezing raw peanuts should be done with an awareness of freezing risks and freezing guidelines so you can enjoy your freezing safely and responsibly.
Learn more about freezing foods here.
