You may wonder why you would want to freeze only egg whites and not the whole egg. However, you might have made a recipe that uses only egg yolks such as creme brulee, zabaglione, or mayonnaise.
It would be a terrible waste to simply throw the egg whites away so the answer would be to freeze them. In this article, we will tell you how to freeze egg whites and how to defrost and use them.
How To Freeze Egg Whites
1. Pour the egg whites into a jug.
Don’t add any other ingredients at this stage. For example, if you plan to make meringues with the egg whites, don’t add sugar and vinegar until the egg whites have been defrosted.
2. Pour the egg whites into the slots of an ice cube tray.
It is a good idea to wrap the ice cube tray in cling film to protect the egg whites from freezer burn. Freezer burn will change their taste and texture. Put the ice cube tray in the freezer and freeze overnight. Don’t fill the slots right up to the top as the egg whites will expand when they are put in the freezer.
3. Put the cubes in a freezer bag.
Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Put a label on the bag with the date you put it in the freezer and the contents.
4. Freeze.
It is a good idea to work out how many slots one egg white fills. Invariably, a recipe will call for a certain number of egg whites and the dish could go completely wrong if you just guess.
Tips For Freezing Egg Whites
- Don’t add anything to the egg whites before freezing. Extra ingredients may not freeze well, and this could mean that your egg whites won’t freeze properly. Even if they do freeze, the texture of the egg whites could change, and they will not taste the same. It is best to add any extra ingredients after the egg whites have defrosted.
- Make sure that you know how many ice cubes make up one egg white. If you don’t, your recipe could go very wrong.
- Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur.
- You can use an airtight container for your egg white cubes rather than a freezer bag.
- Instead of freezing egg whites, make a recipe and freeze that instead. Meringues and macarons, for example, freeze very well.
For How Long Can You Freeze Egg Whites?
You can freeze egg whites for up to six months. Don’t forget to put a label on the bag or airtight container so that you don’t keep them in the freezer for longer than six months. They will start to spoil after this time and won’t be safe to eat. Of course, the sooner you use them, the better they will taste.
If you make meringues or macarons (see also How To Freeze Macarons) and freeze these instead, they will last for up to three months in the freezer.
How Do You Defrost Egg Whites?
It is not difficult to defrost egg whites. Just take them out of the freezer and put them in the fridge. Leave overnight. When you are ready to use them, put them on your countertop and leave at room temperature for half an hour. This makes it easier to use the egg whites. They will whip up much better if they aren’t cold.
Can You Refreeze Egg Whites?
We don’t recommend that you refreeze egg whites. It could be dangerous if they aren’t stored correctly between the two freezes. If they get too warm, bacteria could start to form. Even if it doesn’t, the texture of the egg whites will change and may not whip up particularly well.
Is It a Good Idea to Freeze Egg Whites?
Yes, egg whites do freeze well, and this is a great way to store egg whites if you don’t need them at the same time as the egg yolks (see also Can You Freeze Egg Yolks?). They will only last for a maximum of four days in the fridge so freezing is the better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing egg whites, but in case you are still curious, we have answered a few questions here.
What else can I make with my defrosted egg whites?
Egg whites are versatile and are a great breakfast ingredient. For those who are avoiding egg yolks, perhaps due to health issues, you can make egg white scrambled eggs or an omelet (see also Can You Freeze Omelets?). Add mushrooms, peppers, onions, and sweetcorn and you are well on your way to getting your five a day. Pancakes and waffles are also a good breakfast choice.
Add fresh fruit and Greek yogurt for a healthy option. For a dinner party, make a souffle. This could either be savory as an appetizer or sweet for dessert. Add them to meatloaf or scramble them into a Thai stir-fry.
They are a great addition to mashed potatoes, giving a smooth texture. You can even use them to make cakes or muffins, omitting the egg yolks. This is a good idea if you are trying to lower your cholesterol. The egg whites still give structure to the cake.
Can you freeze egg yolks?
Yes, you can. However, don’t freeze them as they are as they won’t be usable in your recipes. Instead, beat the egg yolks until they are smooth, and then add salt and sugar or corn syrup. You can then pour the egg yolks into a freezer bag, squeezing out the air to prevent freezer burn. They freeze for up to six months.
Can you freeze aquafaba?
Aquafaba is the water you get from a can or jar of chickpeas (see also How To Freeze Chickpeas) (see also How To Freeze Chickpeas). It is great for vegans who don’t eat eggs as aquafaba is a tasty alternative to egg whites. It whisks up just as well and you can make meringues as well as a host of other dishes.
It is easy to freeze. Just use the same procedure that you would use to freeze egg whites.
