Fishcakes are one of the easiest dishes to make at home and one that can be made in bulk. But what do you do once you’ve made 15 fishcakes that you don’t want for dinner tonight?
Can You Freeze Homemade Fishcakes?
Yes, you can freeze homemade fishcakes for up to 3 months. Freeze them on a lined baking sheet for a few hours until solid, then bag them up before returning them to the freezer.
Do Do Homemade Fishcakes freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Homemade Fishcakes? No
How to Freeze Homemade Fishcakes
Whether you’ve got a surplus of crab, tuna, white fish, or mackerel fishcakes, freezing them is a great way to make sure none of your hard work goes to waste. Here’s my tried-and-tested method for freezing homemade fishcakes of all types:
- Cool
First things first, let your fishcakes cool completely after cooking. Trying to freeze them while they’re still warm can lead to condensation, and that’s a big no-no in the freezer. - Arrange
Once cooled, arrange your fishcakes in a single layer on a baking sheet. It’s okay if they’re touching a little, but they’ll freeze best if they’ve got some space around them. - Freeze
Pop the baking sheet in the freezer for around 3 hours or until the fishcakes are frozen solid. - Pack
After the fishcakes are frozen solid, quickly transfer the fishcakes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Because they were flash-frozen, they shouldn’t stick together so you can fit quite a few in there! - Label
Always label your bag or container with the date. Your homemade fishcakes will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s also worth including the type of fish if you’re freezing multiple varieties. - Seal
Before you seal the bag or container, squeeze out as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps your fishcakes tasting fresh and delicious.
Freeze Quickly
Don’t want to freeze them on a baking sheet first? Add a layer of parchment paper between each fishcake before freezing. This prevents them from sticking together, making grabbing just one or two at a time easier.
How Long Can You Freeze Homemade Fishcakes?
Your homemade fishcakes, whether they’re made of crab, tuna or something else, can all be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Fortunately, the freezing process halts the growth of bacteria that can spoil food. So, in the freezer, your fishcakes remain safe to eat beyond the 3-month. However, for the best flavour and texture, aim to consume them within this timeframe.
Remember that freezing can’t improve food quality; it can only preserve it. So if you freeze fresh fishcakes at their peak, they’ll emerge from the freezer, still tasting great.
In the fridge, cooked fishcakes can last for about 3-4 days. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and flavor.
How Do You Defrost Homemade Fishcakes?
Defrosting your homemade fishcakes is simple. Here are the two main options you have:
In the Fridge
The best way to defrost fishcakes is in the fridge. This method maintains the texture and flavour of the fishcakes the most. Just take out the amount of fishcakes you need and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Ultimately, when it comes to thawing most dishes, slow and steady will win the race.
From Frozen
If you’re in a hurry, you can also reheat your fishcakes directly from frozen. Preheat your oven to 375Ā°F / 190Ā°C, place the fishcakes on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re heated.
Remember, once defrosted, cook and consume your fishcakes within 24 hours for the best quality and safety.
For a super quick solution, you can defrost fishcakes in the microwave. Use the defrost function and check the fishcakes frequently to make sure they don’t start to cook.
Can You Refreeze Homemade Fishcakes?
Technically, it’s possible to refreeze fishcakes that have been thawed, but it’s not recommended.
Each freeze-thaw cycle results in moisture loss from the fish, which can affect the texture, causing it to become drier and potentially rubbery. Additionally, the freeze-thaw process can affect the flavour of the fishcakes, causing them to taste less fresh.
So if you’re happy to have dry, rubbery, bland fish cakes, then refreeze them… No, I thought not!
Do Homemade Fishcakes Freeze Well?
Yes, fishcakes freeze pretty well!
When appropriately frozen, they retain their flavour, texture, and quality really well within that first 3 months.
This makes them perfect for those days when you need a quick, delicious meal but don’t have time to cook anything from scratch. So, whether you have a batch of crab, tuna or mackerel fishcakes, rest assured knowing they’ll come out of the freezer just as tasty as they went in.
Sources
We have verified the information on this page using the following resources: