Can frozen pizza be refrozen?
Pizza is one of the most popular appetizers out there. Although most people choose to buy them fresh, you also have the option of going to buy frozen pizza at the supermarket. In this way, you will not have to go through the trance of having to ask for one.
But if you don’t eat your frozen pizza as quickly as you thought, you’ll need to find a solution to prevent it from going to waste.
Can frozen pizza be refrozen once thawed?
Yes, you can refreeze a thawed frozen pizza. For best results, cut the pizza into individual slices and wrap each slice with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or wax paper. Store the portions together in a freezer bag and store where they won’t get crushed for up to 3 months.
With that being said, be sure to read on as in this freeze guide we will go into the details of the matter.
How to refreeze frozen pizza
Freezing pizza can save you a lot of time by allowing you to prepare meals ahead of time. If done correctly, your frozen pizza can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Refreezing pizza is a simple and easy process. You just have to follow these steps:
- Make sure the pizza is well cut into individual slices. Although most frozen pizzas come pre-cut, you’ll need to make sure each piece is well separated from the others.
- Take some plastic wrap and cover each portion individually. To do this, place it on a flat surface, such as your kitchen counter. Next, place a slice in the center of it before folding the edges of the plastic wrap over to ensure complete coverage.
- You will then need to re-wrap the individual slices with aluminum foil or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. You can also use freezer paper or parchment paper.
- Put the wrapped pizza slices in a freezer bag. You can use multiple bags or a single large freezer bag, as long as it can hold the pizza slices without being too tight.
- Label the bag properly and make sure the date is clearly marked. In this way, you will be able to know how long it has been in the freezer.
- Be sure to place the pizza in a place where it can be protected in the freezer, so it doesn’t get squashed. Otherwise, your efforts will go to waste.
Things to keep in mind
At this point, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea to refreeze the pizza. For the record, refreezing most foods is completely safe.
However, it is important that we put things in perspective. Essentially, refreezing pizza means you refreeze food that has already been through the process once and has since thawed and cooked.
Let’s dive into the details of what happens when food is frozen. In this regard, there are two things to keep in mind: food safety and food texture. Both of these things can have a tremendous impact on your eating experience.
Food Safety and Possible Spoilage
First of all, it’s important to note that freezing does nothing to kill bacteria. On the contrary, it only drastically slows down its growth.
Once the pizza is thawed for the first time and cooked, the activity of the bacteria will resume and multiply at an exponential rate. That means you have to check the state of the pizza before freezing it.
It would also be wise to check the quality of the pizza before considering freezing it a second time. You won’t be doing anyone a favor by refreezing a stale pizza.
Be sure to check for the following signs of food spoilage before attempting to refreeze pizza:
- Bad smells
- discoloration
- flavor changes
Effects of freezing on texture
As with many foods, the texture of the pizza undergoes changes during the freezing process. In the case of pizza, it means losing some of the characteristic texture of the crust.
This is because freezing can affect the structural integrity of a food. Specifically, by expanding the water content of the food and the formation of ice crystals.
Therefore, refreezing the pizza will only intensify these changes. If you are very picky about how your pizza feels when you chew it, you should understand that refreezing it will not improve it at all.
Of course, the extent of these texture changes upon refreezing can vary.
For example, if you bought a frozen pizza and it only thawed slightly on the way home, the effects of refreezing will be negligible. However, the situation will be different when a cooked pizza is refrozen.
There you have our easy-to-follow guide to refreezing a pizza. Be sure to follow the steps presented here for optimal results.