Can You Put Eggs in the Freezer? Here’s What Culinary Experts Have To Say
From hard-boiled to scrambled, we’ve got the scoop on freezing every egg type.
Real talk: Egg prices have been pretty high lately. So chances are, you’re probably doing what you can to make any eggs you have last a little bit longer so you can save some money.
You might have even asked yourself: can you freeze eggs? To help you out, we went straight to the culinary pros to get an answer about freezing everything from hard-boiled eggs to scrambled eggs. See what they had to say below.
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Can You Freeze Eggs? Guide to Different Egg Types
The answer to the question “can you freeze eggs” really depends on what type of egg you’re talking about. From hard-boiled eggs to scrambled eggs to eggs in the shell, here’s what you need to know before popping those bad boys into the freezer.
Can you freeze hard-boiled eggs?
Can you freeze boiled eggs? We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but food experts agree it’s best not to put hard-boiled eggs in the freezer. “I don’t recommend freezing hard-boiled eggs, especially if you want to eat [them] for a quick snack after they’ve been defrosted,” says Melanie Marcus, RD, a culinary dietitian from the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. “The texture of the egg white isn’t the same after freezing—it can become rubbery and hard.”
That said, there is one caveat: You can freeze the yolk of a hard-boiled egg. “The yolk could be cooled, removed from the egg and then frozen in an airtight container if you had a future use for it,” says Marcus.
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Can you freeze scrambled eggs?
Yes, you can freeze scrambled eggs. “I like to make breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs for easy grab-and-go breakfasts which can be stored in the freezer for up to three months,” says Marcus. “If you want to freeze plain scrambled eggs, let them cool completely first. Then, place in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible before freezing.”
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Can you freeze eggs in the shell?
Nope, you shouldn’t put an egg in the shell directly in the freezer. If you want to freeze whole eggs, here’s what to do instead: “To freeze eggs, crack them into a bowl and whisk until well-mixed,” shares Norah Clark, a pastry chef and food blogger. “Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the eggs to a freezer bag for longer storage.”
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How Can You Freeze Eggs?
Looking for some easy hacks to freeze eggs for later use? Lisa Steele, author of Fresh Eggs Daily, producer and host of Welcome to my Farm and fifth-generation chicken keeper, shares her best tips:
How to freeze whole eggs
To freeze whole eggs, crack each egg into an ice cube tray or muffin tin, making sure to spray with cooking spray first, suggests Steele. Once the eggs are frozen, you can pop them out and store them in a freezer container or freezer bag.
How to freeze eggs for baking
If you know you’re going to use the eggs for baking, scrambling or making things like quiche in the future, lightly whisk the eggs in a bowl, then add a pinch of salt, which will help them retain their texture and prevent them from becoming grainy, advises Steele. Then, pour the eggs into freezer bags, mark how many eggs are in each bag and put them in the freezer.
You can also measure out three tablespoons of whisked egg into each ice cube tray compartment and then freeze, says Steele. Three tablespoons of a whisked egg are equal to one egg.
If you have leftover egg whites, you can freeze them the same way and use them later for meringues or macarons, says Steele. Two tablespoons of egg white per ice cube tray compartment are equal to one egg white.
If you have extra egg yolks, you can also put them into an ice cube tray to freeze, says Steele. Add a pinch of salt before freezing to help prevent graininess. Whisk the yolks with salt, then measure one tablespoon per compartment and freeze. Yolks are great for making Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing.
Related: How To Tell if Your Eggs Are Bad, According to Food Experts
How to freeze leftover eggs
You can freeze leftover egg dishes like quiche and frittatas, says Steele, but just keep in mind the texture might change and become watery or mushy. For best results, Steele recommends wrapping cooked egg dishes tightly in plastic wrap first. “They should be defrosted and eaten within three months and can be reheated in the oven or microwave,” she adds.
Per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), make sure your freezer is set to zero degrees or lower—and after you thaw them, don’t refreeze the eggs. You can thaw frozen egg products in the refrigerator or under cold running water. The USDA advises against thawing on the counter.
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How Long Can You Freeze Eggs?
Wondering how long can you freeze eggs or how long can you freeze scrambled eggs, specifically? According to the USDA, frozen egg products can be frozen for up to one year.
However, you’ll likely want to use frozen eggs before a year for optimal taste. “For best quality, using them within six months is recommended,” says Clark. “Scrambled eggs can also last up to one year in the freezer, but it's best to use them within six months for optimal quality.”
Sources
Melanie Marcus, RD, a culinary dietitian from the greater Charlotte, NC area
Norah Clark, a pastry chef and food blogger
Lisa Steele, author of Fresh Eggs Daily, producer and host of Welcome to my Farm and fifth-generation chicken keeper
