The Super Bowl is pretty fun, I guess. When it comes to the game itself you really don’t know what you’re gonna get. Maybe you’ll be celebrating in the case of your team winning. Or perhaps you’ll be screaming at the television if you’re on the losing side. However, one thing that any football (or snack) fan can agree on is that Super Bowl snacks are some of the best out there.
The list of amazing Super Bowl treats is nearly endless. Whether it’s nachos, burger bits, queso dip, guacamole, or buffalo wings you have so many awesome options to choose from. However, for me, there’s one snack that reigns supreme – jalapeno poppers. They are a perfect combination of spiciness, crispiness, and saltiness. Whilst there’s no single way to prepare them, I’ve yet to find a jalapeno popper recipe that didn’t delight my taste buds.
But what do you do after the Super Bowl, or any other occasion where you have leftover jalapeno poppers? One thing is for certain, you can’t let them go bad. Can you freeze jalapeno poppers? You can!
Read on to learn everything you need to know about freezing jalapeno poppers. I’ll explain how to properly freeze them depending on their type. You’ll also learn how long they last in the freezer and how to properly defrost and use them.
Can Jalapeno Poppers be Frozen?
Yup! You certainly can freeze Jalapeno poppers. They are in fact quite a resilient little snack that can last a long time in the freezer. This is true for both homemade jalapeno poppers or leftovers from a restaurant.
In both cases, you should freeze them as soon as possible for the best results. There are some other things that can affect how well jalapeno poppers can be frozen as well.
What You Need to Consider
Some other things to consider before freezing jalapenos that will affect their quality after they’re frozen is how much fat is in the cream cheese, or even if there is cream cheese at all.
If there is cream cheese then it’s best to avoid fat-free or low-fat cream cheese. This is because these types of cream cheese that have little or no fat won’t retain their creamy texture throughout the freezing process as well as their higher-fat counterparts.
If your poppers don’t have any cream cheese at all they can be kept in the freezer longer. This is because, generally speaking, cream cheese can only be frozen for about five months. So if there is cream cheese, which is usually the case, they should be defrosted and eaten within this timeframe.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Jalapeno Poppers?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked jalapeno poppers. Some people actually prefer to freeze uncooked jalapeno poppers over the cooked version. They say that poppers tend to be crispier after they’re cooked compared to those that have been already cooked.
Freezing them before they’re cooked requires a bit of planning but the preparation is nearly identical. The only real difference is that uncooked jalapeno poppers will take a bit longer to cook than those that have been cooked already.
So, this can be great if you want to save yourself some time in the future, say before a Super Bowl party, and you know you’ll be using them for something. But oftentimes, while it can be very convenient, it can be difficult to plan ahead. Particularly since jalapeno poppers require a fair bit of time to prepare.
How Long Do Jalapeno Poppers Last in the Freezer?
The difference between storing jalapeno poppers in the fridge versus the freezer is night and day. If you store them in the fridge properly – that is in an airtight container and wrapped in plastic wrap – then they can last only about three to five days. So, this is only a good idea if you know for certain that you’ll be eating them very soon.
But when it comes to storing jalapeno poppers in the freezer, they can last between six to nine months if they are stored properly.
This timeframe is when they will have their best quality but there are some nuances that can determine which end of this range they should be eaten.
For example, as previously stated, if they have cream cheese in them then they should be eaten no later than around the six-month mark. But if they don’t have cream cheese then they can keep their quality closer to the nine-month mark.
It’s worth keeping in mind that they will still be safe to eat after six to nine months. But, after such time there is an increased risk of the decline in quality or the jalapeno poppers suffering from freezer burn.
How to Freeze Jalapeno Poppers
If you’re not planning on eating your jalapeno poppers within a few days of cooking, then you should freeze them as soon as possible. If you’re wondering how to do it, then look no further! Below you’ll find the step-by-step guide to freezing jalapeno poppers.
Method
- First, line baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Next, lay the jalapeno poppers on the parchment paper in a single layer. Make sure to leave at least ½ inch or 1 inch between each popper. They may freeze together if they are touching.
- Pop the tray in the freezer and let them freeze. This should take anywhere between 12-24 hours. Make sure they’re completely frozen before further action, however.
- Then, once the jalapeno poppers are completely frozen, take them out of the freezer and then transfer them into an airtight container or freezer bag. If they’re left uncovered on the baking sheet they will quickly develop freezer burn and absorb ambient tastes from the freezer.
- Then, before you put the freezer bag or container into the freezer, make sure to label it with the date so you can remember when you put them in the freezer and can reference this later on.
- Finally, place them in the freezer and you’re all set!
If you plan on freezing uncooked jalapeno poppers, follow the same method. However, if you think that the toppings may fall off when you put them into the bag or container, you can wrap each individual jalapeno popper before putting them into the container or bag.
Cooking Frozen Jalapeno Poppers
While it’s totally fine if you want to defrost frozen jalapeno poppers before cooking, it’s not actually necessary.
The only reason that you may want to defrost frozen poppers beforehand is if you want them to cook quickly when the time comes. This is because of course, when they’re frozen, they will take a little bit longer to cook than when they’re defrosted. But, either way, despite the difference in time, the method is the same.
Method
- First, preheat the oven to 385 degrees Fahrenheit and in the meantime line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then, pour a small amount of cooking oil (one or two teaspoons) onto the parchment paper and then spread it to evenly coat the paper.
- Take the frozen jalapeno poppers out of the freezer and then arrange them in a single layer on the prepared sheet of parchment paper.
- Once the oven is preheated, place them in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- After the 15 minutes have passed, check in on your frozen peppers to see if they’re cooking evenly. If they aren’t, you should rotate the baking sheet to allow for more even cooking.
- Bake them for 10-15 minutes more or until they’re golden and crispy on the outside.
- After they’re finished, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly (for a few minutes) before serving them. The melted cheese will burn your mouth if you don’t wait long enough, so be careful!
If you follow this method the final product should be just as delicious as fresh jalapeno poppers!
One last tip: you should only cook as many as you plan on eating. After they have been cooked, frozen, and reheated, they should be eaten. If you return them to the fridge or freezer they won’t be nearly as good anymore.
Other Storage Methods for Jalapeno Poppers
There are really only two ways that you can store jalapeno poppers: in the fridge, or in the freezer. And storing them in the freezer is by far the best way. They will last between six to nine months in the freezer compared to only three to five days in the fridge.
But, if you plan on definitely eating them within those few days, perhaps the fridge is the most convenient option for you. If it is, this is how you do it:
- Place a single layer of jalapeno poppers in an airtight container. A short and wide container is best. While you can stack them, because of the cream cheese mixture and other soft ingredients, they may become a squishy mess. So, stack with caution. But if you do stack them, place a layer of plastic wrap between each layer.
- After you’ve filled the container(s), place a layer of plastic wrap over the top layer of the poppers. And then close the container.
- Label the container and put it in the fridge. While you may not forget about them in such a short time frame, it’s always better to err on the side of caution to make sure you can enjoy your jalapeno poppers.