Can You Freeze Camembert Cheese?

Camembert cheese is one of the most loved and popular in many countries because of its taste and wide range of uses.

The cheese tastes excellent whenever eaten, be it in other dishes or on its own. But, unfortunately, we often want to save our cheese for later use because it isn’t an easy cheese to buy as it’s costly.

So, what can you do when you want to save the cheese because you can’t eat it? But, keeping it in the fridge for a prolonged period is not a good idea because it can turn your cheese into a moldy block of goo that can only be thrown out as it becomes inedible.

So, what other options do you have then? Well, you can freeze it, of course! But, it is one of those few items that don’t freeze well.

This means you can save your cheese from becoming inedible but at the cost of a changed texture and a bit of taste. So, read on to understand how you should freeze camembert cheese and how long you should freeze it!

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How to Freeze Camembert Cheese?

 But, wait, before you ask us about how to freeze camembert cheese, you should ensure that you have the best cheese possible and not some dodgy camembert cheese because it is already such a delicate cheese, and having a fake one can spoil everything for you.

Apart from this, the cheese should look smooth without any cracks or dry patches with a significant expiry date so that you may freeze it without worrying about the expiry of your delicious cheese.

However, if your cheese gets soft for any reason, you can put it in the fridge for a few days according to its condition to harden it up. Because freezing the cheese while soft can make it mushy.

Once your cheese is in the best condition, you can start the process of freezing it. Follow these steps to get your cheese frozen in the best way.

Portion your camembert cheese

Cut your cheese into equal portions. This will help you take out pieces for later use instead of taking out the whole cheese. You can cut it in wedges as thick and as big as you like.

Wrap the pieces

Now that you have cut your cheese, it’s time to wrap them individually. Take appropriate-sized foil, cover all the pieces, and then wrap those pieces in cling film.

The point of freezing your cheese in so many layers is to stop your freezer from smelling like it. Imagine taking out ice cubes, but instead, they smell like cheese. So, it’s better to wrap it in 2 layers.

Bag the piece and freeze them

Finally, it’s time to put all your cheese wedges in the freezer bag for further protection and then seal it. But, first, don’t forget to label the cheese’s freezing and expiry dates on the bag. Then put the bag into the freezer. But, ensure that any other item does not crush the cheese.

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5 Tips for Freezing Camembert Cheese

Now that you know how to freeze your cheese, it’s time to learn about a few tips that will help you enjoy your cheese perfectly when you defrost it. I recommend that you use these tips while you are freezing your camembert.

The first tip is to avoid freezing camembert because it isn’t one of those cheeses that freeze perfectly or defrost nicely. Try to buy as much cheese that will be consumed without freezing (not more than you want to eat) because freezing can change the texture and shape of the cheese noticeably. So, try and avoid freezing it.

Freeze the cheese in 2-3 layers because it has a strong scent and can give the smell to other items. You don’t want everything smelling like camembert.

Now that you have decided to freeze it, try to cook it when you defrost it. Because eating it raw will be unpleasant as the texture and shape will be deformed. Cooking it can bring out (somewhat) the natural shape and taste of the cheese.

Don’t defrost your cheese too much. Because freezing already deforms and spoils the texture and shape of the cheese, defrosting will turn it into an unrecognizable being. You won’t be able to differentiate between cheese and spilled milk if you defrost it that much. Avoid doing it.

Use your cheese as soon as you can. The longer you keep your cheese in the freezer, the worst your cheese will get. It is good to freeze if you want to preserve it, but don’t leave it in the freezer for too long.

How Long Can You Freeze Camembert Cheese?

In theory, you can freeze your camembert for as long as possible. But, in reality, you shouldn’t freeze it for more than 3-4 months.

Because the longer you freeze it, the more degraded its texture will become. The taste won’t be affected, but the surface will be; significantly. 

This is why I recommend that you only freeze your camembert for only 3 months and not more. And you should also not wait the whole three months to use it, instead try to use it as soon as possible.

Can You Refreeze Camembert Cheese?

Well, technically, you can refreeze it, but do you really want to? Freezing is like a death sentence for the cheese, which will decimate the texture.

The cheese already looks dead when you decide to freeze it for the first time, but when you choose to redo it, well, then you know how it will look.

The taste won’t be affected, but the texture will look like melted ice cream or like stale bread crumbles too much. To avoid major issues with the texture and shape of the cheese, try not to refreeze it.

Instead, freeze the cheese in various pieces. So, you take out as many pieces as you want and let the other pieces stay frozen.

Some Pros and Cons of Freezing Camembert Cheese

You now know a lot about camembert cheese and how to freeze it, but obviously, it has some limitations. Then it comes to freezing camembert cheese; freezing it tends to turn it either into goo or make it crumble when you defrost it.

However, the texture won’t matter if you melt or cook it. But, if you eat it raw, then it will be unpleasant.   But, there are also some good points of freezing camembert. To learn them, we should take a look at some pros and cons of freezing them.

Pros: 

Freezing camembert increases its shelf life. Outside it can last only a few weeks, but in the freezer, it can last up to 3-4 months.
If you find a great deal on the cheese, you can stock it up for a few months before you can rebuy it. The cheese will stay good in the freezer if you freeze it properly and do not defrost it again and again.
Your cheese won’t go bad in the freezer. Yes, it will deform, but it won’t go bad. Your money won’t be wasted if you have extra cheese and decide to freeze it because it will be saved from getting spoilt.  
It can stay in the freezer for up to 6 months. I know I just said to freeze it only for 3 months, but if the need arises, it can stay sound and eatable in the freezer for 6 months. Its shape may be deformed, but it will taste just the same.

Cons:

The cheese may become crumbly or gooey if frozen. This is something that will happen no matter how you freeze camembert for. But, if you freeze it for longer, this can happen with more intensity.
It may lose some flavor, but it is not a big deal when it comes to camembert because the taste doesn’t change much; the texture gets most affected.
The cheese can become rubbery.
It doesn’t refreeze well.

How to Defrost Camembert Cheese?

Defrosting camembert takes a lot of time and patience; you can’t just pop it in the oven to defrost because it will double the damage to the cheese. So instead, in the case of camembert, slow and steady wins the race. 

Take out as many pieces of cheese as you want and place it in a bowl, now, put your bowl in the fridge and let it naturally defrost for 34 to 48 hours.

The longer you let it defrost at its pace, the better it will be, and its texture won’t be as bad as when you defrost it in a hurry. Once your cheese softens in the fridge, remove the cling film and foil from it and then use it in any dish or eat it raw. 

However, if you forget to take out the cheese 2 days before you want it, then you can put it on your counter to defrost (still better than microwaving it); the texture and taste will be a bit spoiled but not too much. 

So, try and prepare beforehand when you want the cheese and then put it in the fridge a day or two before using it.

How Long Does It Take To Thaw Frozen Camembert?

The time required for thawing the camembert depends on you. If you want your cheese to have less impact on the texture and for its taste to stay perfect, then you should put it in the fridge for 1-2 days (24-48 hours) before using it, so it thaws perfectly.

But, if you forget to take out your cheese 2 days prior, then you can put it on your kitchen counter for defrosting.

Defrosting it on the counter will take half an hour but might have a few drawbacks, like changed flavor or texture, but it won’t be noticeable much.  

On the other hand, defrosting your cheese in the microwave will take only 5-6 minutes but will affect the cheese’s texture greatly.

Can You Freeze Breaded Camembert Cheese?

You can freeze camembert in any form. So, yes, you can freeze the breaded one. All you have to do is to put all the breaded pieces of your cheese in a baking tray and then let them freeze before putting them in the bag.

Once frozen, you can pack them in cling film (or not, that’s your choice) and then put them in the freezer bag with the freezing date. 

Freezing breaded camembert is one of the better ways of freezing it because this way, bread protects the cheese from having its texture spoiled.

Is It Safe To Freeze Camembert?

It is completely safe to freeze camembert. It will still be edible and taste similar to the fresh camembert.

The only difference will be the texture. Otherwise, the cheese will be in perfect condition to consume. So, don’t worry because freezing doesn’t make it toxic.

Final Verdict

Now that you know everything about freezing and defrosting camembert cheese, it is time for us to bid you adieu.

Freezing camembert is a risk that if you are willing to take, you take it knowing that the texture and taste will be altered to some extent.

However, if you take care of the things mentioned in the blog and follow the tips for freezing it, you can enjoy your cheese once you defrost it.

So, if you want to stock on camembert, go ahead! Freeze it!  

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does camembert last in the freezer?

Camembert can last 3-6 months in the freezer. But, you shouldn’t wait till the last month to use it.

Instead, try to use it in the initial months so that its texture and taste aren’t affected much. But, whatever you do, remember to freeze the cheese in the way we told you for good results