Let’s stock the freezer and freeze granola for future breakfasts!
Welcome to 2015! I’ve spent most of the past two weeks celebrating the season with my family and high school friends who came home for the holidays, unpacking the most important parts of our house (kitchen tools, clothes, office essentials and of course, board games) and getting back into my cooking groove.
Now that we’re feeling a little more settled in our new space, I’m ready to dive back into work. Since Baby G’s due date is in nine short weeks (WHAT?), I’m going to spend much of the next few months focusing on food storage how-to posts and freezer-friendly recipes. I’ll still mix in a few preserves and recipes that use them, but because most of my cooking time is going towards stocking our chest freezer, you can expect to see a whole lot of freezing tips in the near future.
Let’s start with granola. Granola is so simple to make, and even easier to freeze. It doubles as a breakfast or a snack. It can be served with yogurt or milk, or if you’re really in a rush or only have one hand free, it can be eaten by the handful on-the-go.
I tested two things when looking into how to freeze granola:
1. Whether or not it was best to freeze it with or without the dried fruit.
2. If it was better to defrost the granola in the refrigerator or on the counter.
Here’s what I found:
HOW TO FREEZE GRANOLA
There is no need to leave out the dried fruit. Go ahead and mix it in as your recipe directs.
Allow the granola to cool completely, then pack it into glass jars or other airtight freezer-safe containers. Gently press down on the granola so that there aren’t large air pockets in the jar, which could lead to freezer burn. Leave about 1/4″ headspace at the top. Freeze.
Set the jars on the counter overnight to defrost at room temperature. If you allow it to defrost in the refrigerator, it will take much longer and the dried fruit will be tougher.
Granolas pictured: Raisin nut granola and almond joy granola (via The Lemon Bowl).
P.S. Looking for more granola recipes? Check out my nutty granola and my apple spice granola.
Thank you! I don’t know why I never thought of this? Probably because even if I make a ton and a half it’s gone the next day!
Haha, sounds like you need to make 3 tons to have enough to freeze then. 🙂
What a great idea! I’ve never thought about this!
i had no idea! Great tip!
Good to know! Pinned!
Thank you so much for posting this. I have a fund raiser that I will be selling my homemade granola at and knowing I can make it ahead of time and freeze it is a HUGE HELP! I thank you and the animal shelter that will benefit from my sales also thanks you! This will allow me to make so much more than I originally planned!
Glad I could be of help!
Hi! I know you said to set the jars on the counter overnight to defrost at room temperature. However, does that mean with the lids on or off? I was wondering if there was any condensation that formed in the freezing process, could it make the granola soggy in the defrosting process if you did not open the lids? Please clarify. Thanks!!
I noticed you didn’t get a answer here, by any chance did you find out? I’m also wondering how well it will hold up after defrosting.
I left the lid on while it defrosted, and the texture was like fresh granola!
I’m so glad I found this sight. I made a ton of grainola yesterday and I want to freeze it for a couple months, preparing for company. I didn’t know exactly how to freeze and defrost. Thank you!