Baklava is a dessert originating in the Middle East and Greece. It is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with honey or syrup. It has now become popular all over the world.
However, can you make a big batch of baklava and freeze some of it to eat at a later date? The answer is yes, and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze baklava and how to defrost it.
How To Freeze Baklava
1. Make the baklava according to your favorite recipe.
2. Cool down the baklava.
Leave it to cool down at room temperature. Don’t put it in the freezer while it is still warm as it will bring up the temperature and other food may start to defrost and spoil. In addition, putting it in the freezer while it is still warm, will make the pastry soggy (see also Freezing Cannolis).
3. Leave the baklava in the tray it was baked in and wrap it in cling film.
Wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn. Freezer burn will ruin the taste and texture of the baklava. You can wrap it two or three times to make extra sure that air doesn’t get in.
4. Put the pan of baklava in a large freezer bag.
Make sure that you squeeze out all the air from the freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Put a label on the bag with the date and contents.
5. Freeze.
Put the freezer bag on a flat surface so that the baklava retains its shape.
Tips For Freezing Baklava
- Freeze the baklava in portions so that you only defrost as many slices as you need. Wrap each portion in two or three layers of cling film. Make sure that they are wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn. Then put them in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
- Baklava has a long shelf life in the fridge. It will last for around two weeks before it starts going bad. If you think that you will eat it within this time, don’t bother freezing it. Put it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge.
- Try eating the baklava warm as it is delicious. Put it in the oven for a few minutes but don’t leave it in for too long as it can dry out.
For How Long Can You Freeze Baklava?
Baklava will last in the freezer for up to four months. It is a good idea to freeze it as soon as possible after you have made it otherwise it will start to dry out at room temperature. If you think you will eat it within two weeks, put it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge.
How Do You Defrost Baklava?
The best way to defrost baklava is slowly and steadily. This helps it to retain taste and texture. Take it out of the freezer and put it straight in the fridge. You don’t need to bother unwrapping it. It will take around ten hours to defrost although if you have frozen it in slices, it won’t take as long to defrost. You will be looking at around four to five hours.
Can You Refreeze Baklava?
No, like with most food, we don’t recommend refreezing baklava. Ice crystals form when you freeze and while food copes with this once, refreezing often makes the food soggy. To avoid the problem of refreezing, freeze your baklava in slices so that you only defrost as much as you need.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Baklava?
Yes, it’s a great idea to freeze baklava. It freezes well and you won’t notice much difference between fresh and defrosted baklava. The good thing is that you can keep it in the freezer for up to four months. However, if you plan to eat your baklava within two weeks, keep it in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing baklava but in case you are still curious, we have answered a few questions here.
TheMany different nuts can used to make baklava. The most common choices are walnuts and pistachios. However, you could also use almonds, hazelnuts, or cashews. Quite often, two or more nuts are used for a unique taste and texture. A good combination is pistachio, walnut, and cashew as they complement each other well.
Baklava should be crisp with a smooth syrup. If the pastry has become soft or if the syrup has started to clump together, then the baklava is going off and you should throw it away. However, if you freeze it in portions, you won’t have this problem.
Unfortunately, baklava cheesecake doesn’t freeze well because of the creamy cheesecake filling. Cream cheese doesn’t freeze well at all. It has a tendency to split, and it can make the pastry soggy.
Halva is another Middle Eastern and Greek dessert. It is a fudge-like sesame cake that is vegan-friendly. You can absolutely freeze halva for up to three months. Divide it into portions and double-wrap each piece in cling film. Then put them in a freezer bag, squeezing out the air to prevent freezer burn from occurring. To defrost the halva, put the slices in the fridge and allow them to defrost slowly. This helps them to retain taste and texture.
