Cornbread is soul food. It is a staple in any family meal in the American south. It pairs with so many dishes, such as pork, chili, stews, greens, soup, fried chicken, and even milk. It is great to have for breakfast, slathered in butter and jelly or honey.
If you make it yourself, it’s a good idea to make a big batch so that you have some for the next couple of weeks. However, it only stays fresh for a day or two so can you freeze it? The simple answer is yes, and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze cornbread and how to defrost it.
How To Freeze Cornbread
Cornbread freezes really well but you need to get it in the freezer as quickly as you can to preserve its taste, texture, and freshness.
To freeze cornbread, follow these guidelines;
1. Cool down the cornbread.
Once you’ve baked your cornbread, put it on a wire rack to cool down at room temperature. Make sure that it is completely cool before you put it in the freezer. If it is still warm, the texture will be ruined. In addition, if you put warm food in the freezer, the temperature will rise, and other food will start to defrost. When it refreezes, it may spoil.
2. Wrap the cornbread in aluminum foil or cling film.
Make sure that it is wrapped securely so that air doesn’t get in. Air can cause freezer burn and the taste and texture of the cornbread will be ruined.
3. Put the cornbread in a freezer bag.
Squeeze out the air from the freezer bag as double protection against freezer burn. Put a label on the bag with the date you put it in the freezer.
4. Put the freezer bag in the freezer.
Tips For Freezing Cornbread
- Freeze the cornbread as soon as possible after baking. Cornbread doesn’t have a long shelf life at room temperature so the sooner you freeze it, the fresher it will be when it is defrosted.
- Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bags to prevent freezer burn occurring.
- If you don’t think you’ll be able to eat a whole loaf when you’ve defrosted it, divide it up into halves or thirds before freezing and wrap them individually. Then you will only defrost what you need for the day. Alternatively, you can make cornbread muffins and freeze them individually. Wrap them in cling film or aluminum foil and put in a freezer bag. You can then remove just as many muffins as you need for that day. Doing this will avoid waste.
- You can freeze cornbread batter if you prefer and bake the cornbread when you have defrosted it. Put the batter in a freezer-safe bag and freeze. The only problem is that the cornbread may be a little dense when defrosted.
For How Long Can You Freeze Cornbread?
You can freeze cornbread for up to three months. It won’t be quite as fluffy as when it was fresh but it will still be a delicious accompaniment to your meal.
How Do You Defrost Cornbread?
The best way to defrost cornbread is to take it out of the freezer the night before you want to use it and leave it to thaw slowly and steadily. If you do this, it will retain its texture when you come to eat it. It’s not a good idea to defrost it in the microwave as the cornbread will probably end up soggy. If you want warm cornbread, you can reheat it in the oven after it has defrosted in the fridge.
Can You Refreeze Cornbread?
If you have defrosted too much cornbread, it is safe to refreeze it. However, you might find that there is a change in texture. Every time you freeze food, ice crystals are formed and if you refreeze, it can make the bread soggy. We recommend that you freeze small portions of the bread individually or make cornbread muffins. You then won’t have to throw any of the cornbread away.
Is It a Good Idea To Freeze Cornbread?
Yes, cornbread freezes very well as long as you wrap it tightly to prevent it from freezer burn. It won’t be quite as fluffy as fresh cornbread but the difference won’t be that noticeable and you will still enjoy it. As cornbread has a short shelf life, freezing is a great way of extending its shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you know now all there is to know about freezing cornbread but in case you are still curious, we have answered a couple of questions here.
Can You Freeze Cornbread Cake?
Sweetness is not usually associated with cornbread but cornbread cake is produced in the southern states of the US. You can make it with sugar or honey and the addition of vanilla is lovely. Some cornbread cakes are made with brown sugar and pecans, so they are a darker color.
However, what if you have made too much? Can you freeze cornbread cake? The simple answer is yes. First, cool down the cake and then divide the cake into meal-size portions so that you don’t defrost more than you are going to eat. Wrap the portions in aluminum foil or cling film and put them in a freezer bag, squeezing out the air to avoid freezer burn. Just like cornbread, cornbread cake is best frozen as soon as possible after it has been made. This helps it retain its texture.
Are Cornbread Muffins Sweet Or Savory?
The good news is that you can make either. Savory muffins can have creamed sweetcorn added which makes them deliciously moist. They pair well with chili con carne. Sweet cornbread muffins can be made with either sugar or honey and are a great addition to breakfast, served with lashings of butter and jelly. You can freeze cornbread muffins in the same way as you would freeze cornbread cake. Then you can enjoy it whenever you fancy a cornbread muffin.
