Can the cookies be frozen? - What to do instead?

There’s nothing worse than craving a midnight snack and biting into a stale cookie. It’s very frustrating because it always looks like you just opened the package.

We have heard of many supposed solutions to avoid stale cookies, but most do not seem to work. However, we had never heard of freezing cookies.

So can cookies be frozen?

No, cookies don’t freeze well. When frozen, ice crystals form and the cookies become soggy, losing their texture and perhaps their structure as well. Instead of freezing the cookies, it is advisable to store them in a tightly closed container and in a cool, dark and dry place, but not in the fridge.

After many hours of research, we have found that cookies are not a good food to freeze. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors to consider that ultimately make cookies unsuitable for the freezer.

In this article, we’ll explain why cookie freezing doesn’t work and explore other methods to help you avoid future disappointment. We will also look at the perfect storage conditions and how their shelf life is affected.

Why can’t crackers be frozen?

First of all, crackers are supposed to be crunchy and really fresh, that’s the raison d’être! No one likes to bite into a soggy or mushy cookie.

The reason they soften can be due to two factors: salt and structure.

Most cookies contain some form of salt on the surface. Salt is naturally hygroscopic, which means that it can absorb and retain a large volume of moisture.

When a cookie freezes, ice crystals form inside it, and when it thaws, the crystals melt and are absorbed by the salt instead of allowing the water to evaporate. This means that water stays on the surface of the cookie, causing it to become softer or soggy.

The second factor is the internal structure of the cookie. Many cookies are highly airy, causing them to go stale when exposed to air for a long time, or soggy because they absorb too much moisture from the air.

When frozen they can also contain many ice crystals that turn into water when thawed, as we have explained above.

Freezers also sometimes have fluctuating temperatures. This will cause the cookie to constantly freeze and thaw, subsequently losing its integrity.

Another problem with storing cookies in the freezer is the high possibility of freezer burn spoilage if not stored correctly.

Now, we are not saying that cookies cannot be frozen. However, we have not found any conclusive or scientific proof that you can freeze cookies and have a result that resembles their original texture and structure at all.

But who knows, maybe there is a good freezing method out there that hasn’t been discovered yet.

If you plan to freeze them anyway, it would be best to wrap the cookies tightly in saran paper or a freezer bag. Cover these packets with a layer of aluminum foil and write the cookie data on them.

This includes the type of cookies, the date they were opened, the date they were frozen, and the expiration date (the one on the box or 6 months after you bought them).

Place the foil packet inside an airtight freezer-safe container, then place in the freezer. This will protect them from freezer burn, odors, and being crushed.

Also, keep all the details on the package so you can see exactly which cookies work and which ones don’t and how long they will last. But then again, we don’t exactly recommend trying to freeze the cookies at all.

The Best Ways to Store Cookies in Place

Although freezing the cookies is not an option, there are many other methods to store them for a long time.

Store in its original container

There’s a reason all cookies are packaged pretty much the same: it’s because it works. The airtight plastic sleeve prevents the cookies from coming into contact with air, moisture, bacteria and much more.

It also prevents the crackers from absorbing odors from their surroundings.

The cardboard box or molded plastic container prevents the cookies from getting too damaged. The containers are also designed in such a way that they can be easily stored or stacked.

The drawback of storing your cookies in their original containers is that pests could infiltrate them. Among them are rodents, weevils, beetles and even cockroaches. Make sure that there are none of these pests before putting anything in the cabinets.

Store in a resealable bag

Once the cookies are opened, they only have a limited amount of time before they lose their freshness. Use a zip-top bag to store the opened cookies, as this will prevent them from going stale.

They’re a great option to use for everyday meal prep, as you can pre-cut them and grab one before you head out.

These bags are also a way to prevent unwanted guests from taking a bite, although some might get through. The bags will also prevent odors from being absorbed by the cookies.

Unfortunately, zip-lock bags don’t provide any protective structure, so your cookies can turn into crumbs. You should store them in an area where they do not get crushed under other products or store them in a container.

Storage in an airtight container

This is the best storage option to prevent pests from getting to the cookies. One big advantage of storing cookies this way is that you can portion the packets (or bulk packets), significantly reducing lunch or snack prep time.

You can store the cookies in an airtight plastic container, a metal tin, or a glass jar.

Other Methods Worth Trying

One method that we have not tried, but that we have heard of very well, is to store the cookies with a slice of bread inside the container. The bread absorbs most of the moisture, keeping the cookies fresh for longer.

Another nifty trick is to put salt or baking soda (baking soda) in a small, open container and place it inside the storage cabinet. These ingredients are hygroscopic, so they will easily absorb excess moisture from the air.

Sealed packets of silica gel can also be a last resort. Use the ones that come in medicine bottles, as they are to some extent safer than the ones in shoe boxes.

The silica gel will absorb moisture from the cupboard or bread bin. However, they are poisonous, so do not open or consume the contents of the package.

The best conditions for storing crackers

The best place to store crackers is in a cool, dry place, as the label always says. But where is that exactly?

For crackers, the best area to store them is in a closet, pantry, or container where they won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. Sometimes your label will also refer to a “dark” place; this is what they mean.

Sunlight or heat creates moisture, which in turn makes cookies soft or soggy and loses their flavor.

Therefore, the ideal storage temperature should be at least 8 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) and not higher than 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).

The hotter it is, the shorter the shelf life. Avoid storing cookies in cabinets that are near ovens, hot pipes, or the refrigerator.

However, if the temperature is too low, the cookies will also absorb moisture and become soggy. It is recommended to experiment in your kitchen and find the place that works best for you.

The humidity in the room should never be higher than 50%. Some thermometers check, but if you’re in an area and it feels humid, the humidity is too high. High humidity can cause bacteria and mold to grow on your cookies.

Useful life

Unopened crackers can be kept under the right conditions for six to nine months (unless the expiration date is different, of course).

However, the cookies can be eaten after the expiration date if they are not moldy. Any cookie that has a stale odor is unsafe to eat and should be thrown away.

Once opened, most crackers will last 2-4 weeks, if stored properly, without going stale.

Cookies that soften can be re-crunched and eaten immediately. See the related question below to learn how to re-crunch cookies.

It is very important to remember the FIFO method (first in, first out). This is a stock rotation method which means that the cookies you put in the cabinet first, should be placed in front so they can be taken out (used) first.

This way, even if you accumulate stock, you will always use the oldest cookies first.

Related questions

Can I crunch the cookies again?

It depends on the type of cookie, but you can try to revive soft cookies by placing them in a single layer in the oven at 225 degrees Fahrenheit (110 degrees Celsius) for 15-25 minutes.

This should remove any excess moisture and get them crispy again.

Can I store the cookies in the fridge?

The fridge is cookies’ worst friend. Because of all the cold air, it has a lot of moisture, and as you already know from this article, moisture is what makes cookies soggy.

Are there cookies that keep better than others?

We definitely think so. Different cookies have different moisture levels. No matter how low they are, any amount of moisture will cause certain cookies to have a shorter shelf life.

Moisture can come in the form of water or butter. Homemade cookies don’t last as long as store-bought ones. They contain other stabilizers and preservatives that homemade cookies do not contain.

Are these methods applicable to cookies or biscuits?

Yes, you can use these methods when storing other dry snacks, such as cookies or chips. For reference, we also have a comprehensive guide to keeping French fries fresh.