Freezing hamburger buns?

11 years ago

I have a really hard time freezing and then thawing hamburger buns - when I thaw them they are usually hard and dried out. What am I doing wrong?

I wish the bun people would sell packages of 4 instead of 8.

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Comments (14)

wanda_va
11 years ago
I always keep buns in the freezer for times when I don't want to go to the store. I keep them frozen until I'm ready to use them...wrap them in aluminum foil and put them in the oven until they are thawed and warm. That keeps them from getting hard and dried out.
iowagirl2006
11 years ago
Don't just freeze them in the package they came in. I put mine in a freezer ziplock bag with as much air removed as possible. I leave them in the original bag, and put that in the freezer bag.

Do you have a frost free freezer? That will dry them out, as the freezer constantly thaws (slightly) and re-freezes to keep the frost out - that is not good for long term storage. Particularly hard on breads.
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Momof6
11 years ago
When I went to the thrifty bread store a while back looking for sliders the lady who worked there told me of a tip her grandmother taught her...freeze the bread in the pkg.upside down...then right side up when thawing out the bread...tried it and it worked for me...something bout the moisture redistributes itself...hope it works for you if you try it...Mary
frazoo
11 years ago
I freeze the buns or bread in the package and also in the shoppiing bag. I heard it's best to double wrap breads. When I thaw breads, I put a paper towel into the bottom of the package. If a loaf, I fold the paper towel in half and feed it into the bag. If buns, I just feed the paper towel into the bag. These two hints have worked for me for a long time and the breads are never dry or hard.
YogaLady1948
11 years ago
I think someone mentioned on here that they use English muffins for hamburgers, because they are easier to freeze and thaw. I told my DH this and we are going to try it next time we do burgers;) Now I want to try Momof6's idea also;)
enjoyingspring
11 years ago
I wish they would sell them in packages of 4 too.
kathyg_in_mi
11 years ago
I'll vote for 4 buns in a package!
I love when we are in Florida and I can by a half loaf of bread at Publix. Wish more stores would do that.
Kathy G in MI
chisue
11 years ago
I don't have a separate freezer -- just one side of the fridge/freezer, which has a 'defrost' cycle. I don't even try to freeze bread products that are not relatively 'dense'.

I've never found a hamburger bun I couldn't live without; never serve ground beef in a bun. DH likes an occasional hot dog -- in a bun. I don't. I just buy a single bun for him from the bakery section of the grocery.

Can you freeze Costco's chocolate chip cookies? They are stale before we've eaten half a box of them.
joyfulguy
11 years ago
The air-tighter the package, and the least air in it, the better ... then put a banana peel, with an impervious piece between, in with cookies, brown sugar, etc. for a day or so.

o j
User
11 years ago
Have you ever tried using a Baked Potato bag? I made one for my baked potatoes an also use it for thawing, it works great with bread.

Well, wrap your HB buns in a paper towel, put it in the potato bag and microwave about 20-30 seconds. Perfect thawed rolls, or bread.

Here is a link that might be useful: make a baked potato bag
dex215
11 years ago
Chisel, you certainly can freeze Costco cookies. I freeze them and eat them right from the freezer! Believe it or not, they're even better that way.
cynic
11 years ago
I've never had good luck freezing cheap hamburger or hot dog buns. Bread, yes, but not for long term. I freeze bagels. Lately I use a good bagel for a burger bun.

With bread, as with most anything, remove as much air as possible. A second wrap helps. Thawing, I generally leave it open a bit so the excess moisture can get out or else it goes mushy. Turn it while thawing. I generally switch bags when thawing it to put it into a dry bag. That helps a lot.

However, if making a burger, put the bun in and toast it. That will freshen it up and toast it at the same time. Or just steam it on the burger. Not as good as toasted but workable.
joyfulguy
11 years ago
My story about getting the air out was during the storage phase ... but have some air space when you introduce the banana peel for a half day to a day, usually, just prior to using.

o j
chisue
11 years ago
dex215 -- You're just in time! I have a new box of the three varieties of cookies from Costco. I'll try putting the whole box in the freezer, then 'take one as needed' (like the instructions on one of my presriptions).

I always cut up their Rosemary Olive Oil bread for the freezer. I halve the four 'ends' to use as dinner rolls and toast the middle slices.

Freezing hamburger buns?

Comments (14)

wanda_va

iowagirl2006

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