Whether you top it with jam, sprinkle it with cinnamon or smother it in chocolate – there’s nothing quite as heart-warmingly delicious as a bowl of rice pudding. But perhaps you’ve got a little carried away or want to bulk-prepare a batch of it?
Can You Freeze Rice Pudding?
Yes, you can freeze rice pudding for up to 3 months. The best way to do so is by portioning your rice pudding into thick bags before sealing it up and then placing it in the freezer.
How To Freeze Rice Pudding
Before freezing your rice pudding, you’ll want to cook it and then allow it to cool. Once cooled to room temperature, you need to act fast as you don’t want to leave it sitting on your worktop as this is when harmful bacteria can form.
- Portion Out
You have two options, grab thick freezer bags or an airtight container and spoon in your rice pudding. Try to place it into bags/containers in portion sizes so you don’t end up defrosting too much at any time. - Seal
If using a bag, seal it up whilst squeezing out as much excess air as possible. If using a container, place the lid on it. - Freeze
Finally, place your rice pudding packages in the freezer. That’s it!
What About Kheer?
Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar then flavoured with spices such as cardamom and saffron. It is typically served chilled, but can you freeze kheer?
Yes, kheer can be frozen for later consumption.
However, the texture of the frozen kheer may change slightly upon thawing. The rice grains may become softer, and the overall consistency may become slightly thinner.
Allow it to cool completely before transferring it into airtight containers or freezer bags. It is recommended to leave some headspace in the containers, as the kheer may expand while freezing.
Yes, rice pudding made with cream can be frozen, but when you defrost it and eat it, you’ll find it’s not as creamy as it once was. It may also have a slightly grainy texture.
No, freezing rice pudding made with raisins is not a good idea. The rice pudding will freeze fine, but the raisins will dry out and become hard pellets – not what you want!
Yes, homemade rice pudding can be frozen for around 3 months. It must be completely cool before you pop it into the freezer in either Tupperware containers or freezer bags.
Yes, you can freeze rice pudding made with milk. Allow the pudding to cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze.
How Long Can You Freeze Rice Pudding?
3 months is the longest time you’d want to keep your rice pudding frozen. Ideally, you’d consume it even sooner than this to enjoy it at its best.
Remember, you must label your frozen rice pudding with the date it needs to be consumed so it doesn’t get left in the freezer for too long.
Once cooked and cooled, you can keep rice pudding in the fridge for up to 4 days when kept in a Tupperware container or covered bowl.
How Do You Defrost Rice Pudding?
When defrosting rice pudding, you have a few options. You can place it in a bowl, put it in the fridge, and thaw slowly overnight. The other option is to place the frozen rice pudding in a pan and to thaw it over a very low heat.
It is worth noting that you must not defrost it on the worktop as the milk in the rice pudding will spoil.
Yes, you can defrost rice pudding in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe container and set the microwave to the “defrost” setting. Heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until evenly thawed.
Can You Refreeze Rice Pudding?
Refreezing rice pudding is something we would strongly advise against. There is a risk the milk can spoil or split, which will make the rice pudding taste pretty awful. There is also a risk that you’ll ruin the texture of the rice.
You probably already know the dangers of freezing cooked rice, and the same applies to rice pudding.
Instead, try to freeze in portion sizes so you don’t defrost too much at once.
Does Rice Pudding Freeze Well?
Rice pudding does freeze remarkably well for a dairy and rice dish – two things that can sometimes freeze quite poorly. The key is to protect the rice pudding from freezer burn and oxidation, which can completely ruin the texture.
It’ll be delicious if you take the time to store it properly.
Sources
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