Can you Freeze Falafel? – 5 Freezing Techniques of Falafel

by

Can You Freeze Falafel? Lovers of Middle Eastern cuisines assemble! Because this blog is about a fan favorite – falafel. Now while falafel is an absolutely delightful preparation, especially with the perfectly prepared tahini sauce, it is also very useful for vegans that are looking to amp up their protein intake.

Prepared in pita bread and with freshly chopped veggies, this can be your go-to meal at any time of the day. That said, can you freeze falafel?

In this blog, we will give you an insight into whether or not you can freeze falafel while also laying out the proper way to do so you can. We will also answer other questions about freezing and storing falafel to make your life a little bit easier. Keep reading to crack the code to store falafel the right way!

Can You Freeze Falafel

Can You Freeze Falafel?

Yes, you can freeze falafel. This dish can be preserved with all of its deliciousness and healthful goodness for nearly half a year if you do it the right way. Worry not, we will tell you exactly how to freeze falafel in the right way in the following sections. Therefore, without wasting any time, let’s understand exactly how to freeze falafel!

How to Freeze Falafel?

While you can freeze cooked falafel, we prefer freezing falafel without cooking it entirely. This basically ensures that the falafel tastes and feels fresh whenever we do decide to eat it. However, if you are in a scenario where you have a ton of leftover falafel, you do not need to throw it away.

You can freeze cooked falafel too. Just be prepared for a slight degradation in terms of taste and texture when you decide to eat it!

Freezing Uncooked Falafel

Follow these steps for perfectly preserved uncooked falafel!

  • The very first step you need to execute is to fully prepare your falafel using your favorite recipe.
  • Now, when we say prepare, we do not want you to cook it. Rather, simply assemble all the ingredients together as your recipe demands and leave it uncooked!
  • Next, break out your baking sheet and baking parchment.
  • Line the baking sheet with the parchment and then plop each falafel onto the sheet. You must be extra careful to make sure that each falafel serving remains untouched from the other.
  • Then flash freeze your falafel. To do this, take your baking tray and place it in your freezer for a couple of hours. Once you can feel that the falafel is fully frozen, only then you should move to the next step.
  • The final step is to transfer the frozen falafel into freezer-safe containers or fully airtight plastic baggies.
  • Do this carefully to avoid breaking your falafel and ruining the aesthetic appeal of your preparation.
  • Place the container or bag in your freezer in a manner that it will remain untouched and undisturbed until you want to eat it! Leave it there after you label each container or baggie with the date that you froze it on!

Freezing Cooked Falafel

Freezing cooked falafel is almost identical to freezing uncooked falafel. However, you do need to undergo one extra step. After cooking your falafel or gathering your leftover falafel, you need to let it cool down completely.

We do not want any vapor or fumes being released by the falafel before we freeze it. In the freezer, this water vapor will condense and turn your falafel into a soggy mess. Therefore, only proceed to freeze the falafel after it has cooled down completely.

Once it has cooled down completely, we flash freeze it as we did to the uncooked falafel. Make sure that you do this also on a baking tray that you have lined with baking parchment. Once the falafel is frozen, transfer it to a container or a vacuum-sealed baggie and place it in your freezer with a label indicating when you froze it!

Simple, isn’t it?

How Long Can You Freeze Falafel?

When you follow the proper steps that we have laid out for you above, you can expect your falafel to remain fresh and edible in your freezer for a good 6 months. However, this only holds true for uncooked falafel. If you are freezing cooked falafel, do not let it sit in your freezer for more than 3 to 4 months.

That said, the greatest peril when it comes to freezing falafel is freezer burn because of the high moisture content. That is why we would repeat our advice of ensuring that you pack the falafel in a manner that it is completely airtight.

The presence of even a little air could lead to your falafel getting freezer burnt. And once that happens, your falafel will not taste the same anymore!

How to Thaw or Defrost Frozen Falafel?

The generic and safest way to defrost frozen falafel is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. The gradual and consistent decrease in temperature will defrost your falafel while preventing the growth of any unwanted bacteria.

However, if you want to defrost uncooked falafel, you can also simply bake it in your oven, right out of the oven. Do not try and microwave the falafel because that would drastically increase the chances of it becoming soggy.

While you can also do this for cooked falafel, we do not typically advise that you do so because the drastic change in temperature could lead to spoilage.

Can You Refreeze Thawed Falafel?

No, you cannot refreeze falafel that has already been thawed once. The presence of tahini sauce and moisture in general would mean that repeated cycles of hot and cold could increase the chances of spoilage.

But regardless of whether your falafel spoils or not, refreezing thawed falafel will almost guarantee that it loses its texture and becomes a brittle and soggy mess all at the same time!

Does Falafel Freeze Well?

Yes, falafel does freeze well especially if it is uncooked falafel. With raw and uncooked ingredients, the falafel remains intact in terms of shape, taste, and texture. However, the pita bread almost always dries out a little bit.

There is not much that you can do to avoid it except avoid freezing the pita bread altogether and only freezing the falafel and assembling it with fresh pita bread when you are ready to eat it!

Read More:

Tips and Tricks on Freezing Falafel

You now know how to freeze falafel. However, these tips and tricks are bound to help you in some way or the other! Therefore, give our favorite tips when it comes to freezing falafel a shot!

  • To begin with, when you are ready to finally freeze your falafel, make sure that you freeze the flat. This accomplishes two things. First, you will save a ton of space in your freezer because you can now stack your falafel up on top of one another. And second, it makes it much easier to thaw your frozen falafel if you have frozen them flat.
  • If you are in a hurry and you want to thaw your falafel instantly, you can choose any one of the following two options. First, you can use a microwave or nonstick pan.
  • Frozen falafel is versatile and may be used in many different recipes like Salads, wraps, and even soups may benefit from the addition of protein and texture.
  • Falafel that has been out for too long should not be frozen. Make sure the falafel hasn’t been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours before freezing it.
  • Falafel should be refrigerated or frozen as soon as possible since bacteria may multiply rapidly at room temperature.

FAQs on Can You Freeze Shop Bought Falafel

1. Can you prepare the falafel batter in advance and then freeze it for a later time?

Yes, you can certainly prepare the falafel batter beforehand and then freeze it for when you want to finally eat it. In fact, that is a great way to save cooking time without compromising on taste. That said, make sure you freeze it in a completely airtight container.

2. Can you cook frozen falafel in your air fryer?

Yes, frozen falafel may be cooked in an air fryer or pan without first being thawed. To ensure thorough heating, just increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

3. Can you freeze the falafel sauce in your freezer?

Yes, you can freeze the falafel sauce in your freezer. The only minor issue that could arise is that some ingredients in falafel sauces could separate from the liquid portion of it. However, an efficient swirl should be enough to mix it all properly!

Final Outcomes

Falafel is a delicious and nutritious meal and now you are equipped with the knowledge of whether can you freeze falafel. As we mentioned, the dish is prone to freezer burn. Therefore, make sure you pack it properly. Happy freezing!

Still, for more interesting articles like Can you freeze egg muffins, check out our website.

 

Leave a Comment