In short, yes, you can freeze banana pudding, but the texture and appearance may be altered due to the high water content and sensitivity of ingredients like bananas. Proper preparation and storage techniques can help maintain its quality when frozen.
If you love bananas, you’re bound to love banana pudding. Creamy, sweet, crunchy, and filled with banana and vanilla goodness, the pudding can be homemade or store-bought.
With its delectable flavors and textures, it is understandable that you wouldn’t want a single spoonful of banana pudding to go to waste. So what do you do with leftovers? Here you will find out exactly how to preserve banana pudding and what to do if freezing is your last option.
Can Banana Pudding Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze banana pudding, but freezing banana pudding leftovers can be tricky. There are several things you may want to consider before freezing banana pudding. If you know beforehand that you want to place pudding in the freezer, you can prepare it accordingly.
Due to the high water content of the ingredients, ice crystals formed during the freezing process will cause the texture of defrosted banana pudding to change.
Bananas tend to become soggy, ooze watery liquids, and turn brown. The good news is that there is a way to prepare the bananas to prevent browning if you are making the pudding yourself.
Another factor to consider when freezing banana pudding is the use of temperature-sensitive ingredients such as dairy products, cream, and eggs.
Although freezing banana pudding may not provide you with the same consistency as the freshly made version, there are delicious ways in which you can use the frozen dessert, and steps you can take to ensure it freezes well.
Follow the below guidelines when freezing banana pudding.
How To Freeze Homemade Banana Pudding
When freezing banana pudding, you want to freeze the pudding as fresh as possible, preferably the same day it was made.
Step 1: Prepare Pudding
Before making banana pudding, fill a small dish with lemon juice and dip the banana slices in the lemon juice. This slows the oxidation process and prevents the bananas from turning brown. Once dipped, mash the bananas for the pudding, if desired.
Assemble the pudding as you normally would. If you are keeping aside a certain portion to freeze, do not add any whipped cream or meringue to the top of this portion. These ingredients are best left to add fresh.
If you are freezing leftovers, it is best to remove the whipped cream layer from the top before freezing.
Step 2: Portion
Option 1: Container
Portion the pudding into airtight freezer-friendly containers for freezing.
Option 2: Popsicles
Leftover pudding can also be mixed and frozen in popsicle molds to eat as a delicious frozen dessert. If you do not have popsicle molds, line a muffin tray with cling wrap so that the pudding doesn’t stick once frozen. Portion the pudding into each muffin compartment.
Place it in the freezer until completely frozen. Remove the frozen ‘banana pudding muffins’ and place them in air-tight containers. Alternatively, use freezer bags. Press out any remaining air from each freezer bag and seal.
Step 3: Cover
If freezing the pudding in a container, cover the pudding with a layer of cling film before sealing it securely with the lid. This helps prevent freezer burn.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
Label the container with the date and contents and pop it into the freezer.
How To Freeze Store-Bought Banana Pudding
Unfortunately, there is no way of pre-treating ingredients for freezer preservation when it comes to premade store-bought pudding. This makes it a little trickier to determine how successful freezing will be.
Except for treating the bananas with lemon juice, follow the same steps as when freezing homemade pudding. Keep the following in mind:
Remove any cream topping or meringue before freezing.
Your best bet will be to mix the pudding and make popsicles. This way your dessert can be enjoyed frozen and you will avoid soggy, brown thawed bananas.
Never use the original packaging for freezing. Always portion the pudding into a freezer-friendly air-tight container.
How To Defrost Frozen Banana Pudding
In all honesty, you may not want to defrost banana pudding completely and rather enjoy it as ice pops or frozen dessert. If you were able to pre-treat the bananas and avoid the cream topping before freezing, place it directly in the fridge for a few hours or to thaw overnight. Add freshly whipped cream with a little vanilla extract for more flavor and ensure it is served cold.
Types of Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is made with layers of sweet vanilla flavored custard, vanilla wafers, and fresh banana slices. These ingredients are layered in a dish and topped with whipped cream or meringue.
Banana pudding is slightly similar to English Trifle in the assembly of vanilla custard, fruit, cake, and whipped cream layers. Banana pudding can be prepared using a baked or refrigerated method, although most home-made banana puddings are known to be made without baking.
For even further convenience, some recipes have replaced the original custard filling with an instant vanilla pudding or banana pudding mix.
Regardless of the ingredients you choose, the typical layering of the bananas, custard, and wafers allows the wafers to absorb the custard, pressing together for a delicious banana-vanilla taste sensation.
FAQs
How long does banana pudding last when frozen?
Due to its composition of temperature-sensitive and highly perishable ingredients, banana pudding doesn’t have a long shelf life, even in the freezer. It is best consumed within 2 weeks of freezing.
How long does banana pudding last in the refrigerator?
Banana pudding needs to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent the absorption of surrounding food and fridge aromas. If properly stored, the banana pudding will last for 4 days in the refrigerator.
What can you do with leftover banana pudding?
Leftover banana pudding can be transformed into a frozen dessert, mixed and churned in with vanilla ice cream, or frozen and blended into a smoothie. The pudding can also be used as a crepe filling, to make banana bread, bread pudding, and as a pancake or waffle topping.
Can you refreeze banana pudding?
Refreezing defrosted banana pudding is not recommended. The texture and consistency will further deteriorate and harmful bacteria will develop.
Does homemade pudding freeze well?
Yes, homemade pudding can be frozen, but it may result in a slightly different texture compared to freshly made pudding. However, with proper storage and thawing, it can still be enjoyable.
Conclusion
Although freezing banana pudding is not the ideal method for preserving this creamy pudding, it can be done successfully, especially when turning it into a frozen dessert.
Most importantly, prepare the banana slices before mashing to preserve the color and avoid freezing the whipped topping with the pudding. While the frozen pudding component may thaw well, the banana will seep moisture and cookies might become soft, so you may consider adding these fresh instead.
Despite the controversial practice of storing banana pudding in the freezer, you might discover that frozen banana pudding popsicles become a new favorite in your household.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
