Flan is a sweet and creamy dessert that is loved by millions worldwide. This delicate dessert has a fan base of its own. But, since it is very delicate, it doesn’t last very long. So, if you have leftover flan, you might have to consider its storage options.
Flan is also one of the easiest desserts to make; however, since it has a low shelf life, people avoid making or buying it.
But, we have a solution for your flan problem because there is nothing worse than leftover flan, which goes bad, and you have to throw it away.
The best thing about flan is that it is actually beneficial for you. But how can we enjoy it for longer? Freezing flan is an effective and easy way to store and save your flan for longer durations.
But, if you haven’t ever frozen flan, then you might need some guidance about it, and this blog will help you in this regard.
Can You Freeze Flan?
You can easily freeze flan for up to 3 months without affecting its taste, aroma, or texture. Also, since flan contains a lot of fat, it freezes at a lower temperature compared to other foods.
And because of this, most flan recipes advise users against freezing it. You might have heard that flan doesn’t freeze properly or completely, but that isn’t true because flan is made with three ingredients: sugar, eggs, and cream.
The same ingredients are used in making ice cream (except for egg whites). As a result, ice cream easily freezes at 10F.
However, to freeze flan, you can freeze it at the same temperature as ice cream, but you will have to wrap it super well and put it in a spot where there is good air circulation.
Leave your flan for 3-4 hours to completely freeze it, and then you can put it in any container.
How to Freeze Flan?
If you have flan that you want to store for later, then freezing it is a good and easy option. However, you should only take care of the freezer’s temperature because flan has a high amount of fat and requires a low freezing temperature to become frozen.
If you don’t keep the flan at the right temperature, it can separate into solid and liquid, resulting in a mushy flan. But don’t worry because I am going to take you on a step-by-step process of how to freeze it.
Check your freezer’s temperature.
Your freezer’s temperature is usually set at 30°F, but flan needs lower temperatures, so you should turn the temperature to 0°C or even lower if possible.
Let the freezer sit for a while at that temperature while you prepare your flan for freezing. The correct temperature is necessary if you want to freeze flat perfectly.
Prepare your flan
Cook your flan in the usual way, and then let it cool completely. Don’t freeze it while it is hot because that can cause vapors on the container, making your flan mushy when you defrost it.
Once your flan has cooled completely, transfer it to a flat, surfaced plate. Now you can either put the whole flan in or make portions of it (which reduce the chance of leftover flan because it can’t be frozen again).
Then wrap the flan completely with both freezing paper and plastic wrap or with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Wrapping it ensures that your flan stays safe from any moisture, air, or foreign smells that can absorb in it. However, remember not to wrap it too tightly as it can take away its texture.
Freezing and storing flan
Once you entirely wrap the flan, it is time to put it in a freezer bag or airtight container. But, don’t stack pieces of flan on one another or press them together as they can get damaged. If you are using bags, then remove excess air and seal them.
Finally, write the freezing date on the bag or the container so you may remember how long the flan has been sitting in your freezer. Finally, ensure that the flan (if using a bag) is lying flat in the freezer.
Pros and Cons of Freezing Flan
Pros
The best thing about freezing flan is that you always have flan in your freezer, and you always have this heavenly delight in your freezer ready for eating.
Apart from this, you also get saved from making a sweet dish because you can use the frozen flan whenever you feel like satisfying your sweet tooth. Even if you reheat it in the oven, it becomes as fresh and good as new.
Cons
One thing I don’t like about freezing flan is that it has a low freezing point and takes a lot of time to freeze properly.
Another thing that bothers me is that you can’t refreeze it because then the flan loses its taste and becomes nothing more than a tasteless mush.
Apart from this, it also has a short shelf life. All these things make me think about whether I should freeze my flan or not.
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How Long Can You Freeze Flan?
As you already know, flan has a very delicate texture, so it can’t stay in the freezer for long. And it certainly can’t be frozen after being thawed once.
However, you can freeze flan for 1-2 months. Because two months, the flan will start to go bad. The texture will become coarse, the water and liquid will separate from each other, and it will also lose some of its sweet aromas.
You can still eat flan after two months, but you won’t enjoy it as much because it has completed its lifespan.
So, if you don’t want your flan to get spoiled before you get a chance to eat it, then try to eat it before two months (the freezing date will help you remember when you froze it).
How Long Does Flan Last In The Fridge?
Flan doesn’t have a long shelf life, even in the freezer. It just lasts for two months in the freezer, which are not much but lasts even less in the fridge.
Flan can stay good for up to a week in the fridge. However, the last days of the week turn flan into a mushy dish you won’t enjoy eating. So I suggest that you eat it before the week ends.
If you are keeping flan in your fridge, try to keep it in an airtight box so it stays safe from all the moisture, air, and foreign smells. Because if you keep it uncovered, it can absorb different flavors and scents from the fridge.
How Do You Defrost Flan?
Defrosting flan is super easy and doesn’t require any rocket science. All you have to do is take out your flan from the freezer (take out as many portions as you need if you freeze it in portions or take out the whole flan if you want) and then put it in the fridge for a few hours to defrost it.
If you are in a hurry to defrost it, you can also put it on your countertop and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. This way, you can enjoy your flan at room temperature.
However, you must remember that no matter how much hurry you are in, you should never, and I repeat, never try to defrost or thaw it in the oven or on the stove because doing so can basically kill your flan. It will crumble and become mushy, and we all know that nobody wants that kind of flan.
Can You Reheat Flan?
Flans are baked until they are completely set and cooked in ramekins of soufflé cups.
If you are in dire need of reheating flan, then you can do it, but don’t take your frozen flan out of the freezer and directly put it in the oven to heat because, as mentioned before, it can completely destroy it.
Instead, try to defrost it first in the fridge, and once it defrosts, you can put it in a ramekin or soufflé dish and then reheat it in the oven for a while.
However, you might want to make the caramel sauce again to give the flan a fresh feel and texture. So, while your flan reheats in the oven, you can prepare your caramel sauce.
Does Flan Freeze Well?
Now that we are almost done with our blog, you must already know that flan freezes extremely well, especially if you freeze according to the guideline that I gave you.
For best results, you shouldn’t freeze flan in an open container or without wrapping. Instead, always keep the flan in an airtight container or freezer bag so it may stay fresh for up to 2 months.
Can You Refreeze Flan?
You can refreeze flan, but it is not recommended because flan is made with eggs and milk and has a very delicate texture that can easily break if mishandled; by refreezing flan, the delicate texture, flavor, and aroma get altered greatly.
If you refreeze flan, you will notice that your flan has become mushier and has gotten a bland taste.
To avoid this, you can freeze flan in portions the first time you freeze it and only take out the quantity you know will be consumed. This way, you won’t have any leftovers to refreeze later.
Final Verdict:
We have now told you everything there is about storing and freezing flan. Know you can use this knowledge in your best interest and enjoy your flan.
Previously if you thought that you couldn’t freeze flan, then you can now change your perspective and freeze your leftover flan in the freezer for up to two months.
Enjoy your flan, hot, cold or any way you like, with the help of this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store flan in the freezer?
The best way to freeze flan in the freezer is to cut it into portions and then wrapping it in the freezer paper or plastic wrap, so the moisture stays contained in the flan.
Next, you should put it in a freezer bag or airtight container to keep foreign smells and air away from it. Finally, ensure that the bag lays straight in the freezer to keep the flan in the right shape.
How long does flan last in the freezer?
Usually, flan lasts for two months in the freezer, but it is recommended that you consume it before two months because as the 2nd month ends, flan starts to lose its flavor and texture. You can still eat it after two months, but it won’t taste the same.
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