Can you even freeze peanut butter? It’s a question that may come to mind when you’re digging in with a spoon or spreading it onto a sandwich. You’ll want to preserve this delicious and nutritious food for as long as you can!
If you don’t open your container of peanut butter, it should last at room temperature from about 6 to 9 months, whereas an opened container will only last about 2 to 3 months on the shelf or 6 to 9 months in the fridge.
Now, if you have large quantities and need to store it for longer, then freezing may be your best option. Below you will learn tips and tricks for how to freeze peanut butter and when.
Table of Contents
Does Peanut Butter Freeze Well?
Making the decision to freeze peanut butter will allow you to not only make it in bulk, but preserve it as well. It’s a great hack if you don’t eat peanut butter regularly.
Lucky for you, peanut butter will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months, any longer will cause the flavor to deteriorate. However, if flavor isn’t important to you, then you’ll be happy to know that it is still safe to eat.
How to Freeze Peanut Butter
Freezing an Entire, Unopened Jar
When it comes to freezing unopened peanut butter, you’re safe to do so if the container is plastic. If your container is glass, avoid freezing as it may expand and cause the container to crack.
Freezing an Opened Jar
If you opened your jar of peanut butter, and feel like you can’t finish it within the next 9 months – don’t worry! Simply re-package the jar and then freeze it.
The best suggestion is to transfer the peanut butter out of the jar into an airtight container, if your jar was opened for a while. This will help reduce the amount of air left at the top of the container. Be sure to leave room for expansion, as air is one key component that can generate freezer burn.
Freezing in Smaller Servings
If you choose, you can freeze your peanut butter in smaller servings too. Simply fill an ice cube trays with your peanut butter and then freeze. Each cube will require about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe ziploc bag or air tight container.
How Long to Freeze Peanut Butter?
For an entire, unopened jar of peanut butter, it should freeze in about 6 hours or more. However, if it’s single-serving you’re freezing, it should take only about 45 minutes.
How Long Does Peanut Butter Last in the Freezer?
As long as your peanut butter is well sealed, it will last for about 6-9 months in the freeze. If you leave it in longer than that, you’ll note a change in taste.
Can You Freeze Peanut Butter in a Kong?
Yes! A kong is a great idea when feeding your pet peanut butter! One thing to note is that the peanut butter you feed your dog should be 100% natural and contains no xylitol. A good practice to follow is feeding your dog between ½ and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter a day.
How to Thaw Peanut Butter?
Pure Peanut Butter
When it comes to pure peanut butter, you’ll notice a separation of the oil while it is thawing out. This can be reduced just slightly if you thaw your peanut butter out in the fridge. This unfortunately will slow the process, but does reduce the separation.
Peanut Butter with Additives
Additives in peanut butter also means that there are stabilizers in it to help the peanut butter spread. It also helps prevent the peanut butter from separating as it is stored – meaning it can be defrosted on the kitchen counter. Patience is key here, do not try to defrost the peanut butter with heat unless you’re going to be baking with it.
A Full Jar of Peanut Butter
When defrosting a full jar of peanut butter, be sure to remove the lid. Once fully thawed, you can replace the lid and place the jar in the fridge to gently thaw overnight.
Keep in mind, that once you’ve thawed your peanut butter, it isn’t a good idea to refreeze it a second time.
Small Portions of Peanut Butter
The easiest way to thaw peanut butter in smaller portions is to place them on a dish at room temperature. If you’re looking to thaw it quicker, then place the sealed jar in a bowl of warm water, this will heat the jar gently, without being too aggressive.
How to Tell When Peanut Butter Has Gone Off?
Ideally, peanut butter will have a creamy, soft and light brown appearance. If it has started to go, this will change to a dark brown, hard and dry appearance and texture.
Plus, you’ll note that the smell changes from a salty, nutty odor to a bitter, sharp or soapy smell. If you see mold growing, it is recommended that you dispose of it..
More Ways to Freeze Peanut Butter
A creative way to freeze your peanut butter is to make sandwiches ahead of time and wrap them in aluminum foil, then freeze for later. Remove the sandwiches from the freezer the morning that you plan to eat them, put in your lunch and they’ll thaw by lunchtime. Another option is to mash a banana, mix it with some peanut butter and place in ice cube trays to freeze. Once frozen, transfer to ziploc bags to store in the freezer. This will make a cool treat for you dogs during those hot summer months.
Alternate Ways to Store Peanut Butter
Lucky for you, peanut butter keeps very well on a shelf as long as you screw the lid on tight. It’ll stay fresh on your shelf or in your cupboards for up to 3 months after opening, if it hasn’t been opened then it’s good for up to 9 months.
Keep in mind that the best place to store your peanut butter is in a cool, dry place that isn’t exposed to the sun or heat.
What are the Different Types of Peanut Butter?
Pure / Natural Peanut Butter
Made primarily from peanuts with little added salt and/or oil, natural peanut butter will hold up well to the freezing process that doesn’t compromise the flavor or texture.
Crunchy Peanut Butter
Crunchy peanut butter has not been fully pulverized, and has small chunks of peanuts mixed into the spread. This crunchy appearance and texture, gives this peanut butter its name.
Smooth Peanut Butter
Smooth peanut butter is simply blended until smooth and has a consistent texture throughout.
Each spoonful should taste and feel the same way! Plus, this peanut butter holds up to freezing and thawing better than the crunchy one. Smooth peanut butter tends up better to the freezing and thawing process than a crunchy one.
Freezing Peanut Butter Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients
- peanut butter
- optional airtight container
Instructions
- When it comes to freezing unopened peanut butter, you’re safe to do so if the container is plastic. If your container is glass, avoid freezing as it may expand and cause the container to crack.
- If your jar has been opened, you can transfer the peanut butter out of the jar into an airtight container. Be sure to leave room for expansion, as air is one key component that can generate freezer burn.
Leave a Reply