Dessert lovers ask this… a lot! So that’s why it’s about time that we finally settle the issue in this article.
If you and your family are banana pudding lovers, chances are you’ve made way more banana pudding than your family can consume countless times.
And as avid banana pudding fans, we don’t want the layers of custard, cream, and banana goodness to go to waste, right?
So the big question is—should we freeze it? Can it be frozen?
Continue reading to know the surprising Answer!
Can Banana Pudding Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze banana pudding. However, you should do that only if you can accept that its texture might not remain the same.
Banana pudding will go through texture changes once it’s frozen. Here’s why:
Compared with most desserts, banana pudding has higher water content so that certain parts will crystallize during the freezing process. These water crystals will melt once it’s defrosted, which will make your pudding less creamy and, more well, watery.
Here are other things to expect when freezing banana pudding:
- The vanilla wafers and cookies will absorb the moisture, so they lose their crispiness. As a result, the dessert will lose the texture differences that many banana pudding lovers enjoy.
- The banana slices will turn brown and become mushy and unappealing once the dessert has been frozen and thawed.
- The custard portion might separate once it’s thawed.
- The soy or almond milk content of vegan banana puddings will also cause the pudding to become watery upon thawing.
It doesn’t seem like a good idea to freeze banana pudding with all these changes right?
But don’t lose hope just yet. We have good news for you: you can minimize these changes if you learn how to freeze banana pudding properly.
How to Prepare Banana Pudding for Freezing
As mentioned, you can minimize the texture changes if you freeze the banana pudding properly. Here are some tips on how to do that:
1. Dip banana slices in lemon juice.
This tip is exclusive to freezing homemade banana pudding. Before you prepare the pudding, dip the banana slices in lemon juice first. This will help prevent the oxidation process, which causes the bananas to be brown upon exposure to air.
After that, proceed with preparing the pudding as you normally would. I
2. Don’t add the toppings yet.
Skip adding the meringue or whipped cream to that portion. Instead, you can just simply add these toppings when you decide to consume the frozen part.
3. Remove any meringue or cream topping.
If you’re freezing homemade banana pudding leftovers or store-bought banana pudding, remove those toppings before freezing.
How To Freeze Banana Pudding
Once you’ve properly prepped your banana pudding, we can now proceed with freezing it. Here are the steps on how you freeze banana pudding—both homemade and store bought:
Step 1. Transfer the banana pudding into a container.
You have three options for this—an airtight container, popsicle molds, or muffin tray.
Method #1: Freezing Banana Pudding in an Airtight Container
If you want to freeze the banana pudding in bulk, you can just scoop it into an airtight container then seal it shut.
Method #2: Freezing Banana Pudding in Popsicle Molds
Freezing banana pudding in a popsicle is the best option for freezing store-bought banana pudding since you can eat the dessert frozen, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with mushy bananas and soggy vanilla wafers and cookies.
To do this, just simply scoop the banana pudding in the popsicle molds.
Method #3: Freezing Banana Pudding in a Muffin Tray
If you don’t have a popsicle mold, the next best option is to use a muffin tray. This is the best way to freeze homemade banana pudding in single servings.
Line it with plastic wrap first to prevent the pudding from sticking to the surface.
After that, portion the pudding into the muffin compartments. Cover the entire muffin tray with another layer of plastic wrap and freeze.
Once frozen, remove the banana pudding muffins in an airtight container, then place them back in the freezer.
Step 2. The label then freeze.
Don’t forget to label the airtight container with the current date before placing it in the freezer.
How to Defrost Banana Pudding
To be honest, thawing frozen banana pudding isn’t exactly the best idea since most of the texture changes take place during the thawing process. So the best thing you can do is just to enjoy your favorite dessert frozen.
But if you were able to prep your banana pudding the right way before freezing it, you can enjoy it in its original form, but you need to thaw it properly.
You can do this by placing the frozen pudding in your refrigerator and allowing it to thaw slowly for a few hours to overnight. Don’t leave it at room temperature. Afterward, add the toppings and enjoy!
What else can you do with leftover banana pudding?
In addition to banana pudding popsicles, you can also turn your leftovers into the following desserts:
Banana Bread
Just add vanilla syrup, sugar, and eggs to your leftover banana pudding and mix it well. Top it off with bread cubes over and let the cubes soak up the mixture. Bake for 325 degrees Fahrenheit until it becomes golden brown.
Homemade Ice Cream
If you love creating homemade ice cream, you can add the leftover banana pudding into your ice cream as you churn it. Blend until smooth. Freeze, serve, and enjoy your newly discovered ice cream flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
You can freeze banana pudding, however, going down this route comes with a lot of potential texture changes.
But while this is not the ideal way to store banana pudding, it’s a better option than just letting your favorite dessert go to waste.
Fortunately, the tips we’ve shared with you can help minimize the texture changes associated with frozen banana pudding, so make sure to keep all of these in mind the next time you accidentally produce or buy too much banana pudding.
Up Next: Can You Freeze Cornbread?
