In short, yes, you can freeze baked croissants and croissant dough successfully, preserving their flaky texture and buttery taste when heated correctly in the oven before serving. Make sure to freeze fresh croissants for the best results.
Croissants are a rich and buttery pastry, perfect for breakfast, tea, or a snack.
Suitable for sweet and savory applications, a fresh croissant is traditionally eaten plain, but can be filled with eggs and bacon for breakfast, tomato and mozzarella for lunch, or topped with slivered almonds, chocolate, or whipped cream for a sweet indulgence.
When you eat croissants fresh out the oven, they ooze a sense of warming comfort and deliciousness. The problem is, they don’t last very long, and even after one day, they don’t taste quite the same as when they were newly baked.
The great news is that freezing croissants is the perfect way to extend their short shelf life and enjoy them while they still taste wonderful. So, whether you are making croissants yourself or bought a fresh batch at your local bakery, there is no need to waste a single crumb. Here is what you need to know to preserve the great taste and texture when freezing croissants.
Can Croissants Be Frozen?
Yes, baked croissants freeze well and you can also freeze croissant dough successfully. Although nothing quite compares to fresh croissants out the oven, if frozen and heated correctly, croissants can be enjoyed after freezing with little change to the flaky texture or buttery taste.
Croissants should always be fresh on freezing. If the pastries have been sitting around for 2 or 3 days, they won’t be very appetizing once thawed and reheated. You may rather want to use them immediately or repurpose them in a baked pudding.
It is important to keep croissants protected from contact with air and moisture when freezing and to heat them in the oven before serving to get the same delicate texture.
How To Freeze Baked Croissants
Step 1: Cool Completely
When freezing freshly baked croissants, do not place them in the freezer while still warm. This will cause freezer burn, spoiling the texture and flavor. When freezing baked croissants, cool the croissants to normal room temperature before preparing to freeze.
Step 2: Wrap
Wrap each croissant individually in plastic wrap, cling film, or aluminum foil. Ensure that the croissant is completely covered with no open gaps exposed to air.
Step 3: Pack
Pack the individually wrapped croissants into a resealable freezer bag for an extra layer of protection. Be careful not to squash the pastries or overfill the bag. Lightly press out all the air before sealing.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
Label the freezer bag with the date to keep track of how long the croissants have been stored and place it in the freezer.
How To Freeze Croissant Dough
Step 1: Flash Freeze
Shape the croissant dough and place the croissants in a single layer on a lined baking tray. Put the baking pan in the freezer just until the croissants are fully frozen. Flash freezing croissant dough prevents the pastry dough from sticking together, freezing unevenly, and getting squashed.
Step 2: Pack
Remove the baking tray from the freezer and pack the flash frozen croissant dough into a resealable freezer bag. Press all the remaining air out of the plastic bag before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Step 3: Label and Freeze
Label the freezer bag with the date to keep track of how long the croissants have been stored and place it in the freezer.
How To Thaw Frozen Croissants
Croissants are best reheated or cooked from frozen. Place the frozen croissants on a greased baking sheet to prevent them from sticking. If the croissants are unbaked, brush the frozen dough with an egg wash to give it a golden color once cooked.
Baked or unbaked, the croissants will start to thaw as the oven warms and then start to crisp up. Keep an eye on ready-cooked croissants as you only want them to crisp up lightly and not turn too dark in color.
If you prefer to thaw croissants before baking, place them in the fridge overnight to defrost.
Types of Croissants
Croissants are a flaky buttery pastry named for their crescent shape. The pastry is made from dough layered with butter, rolled, and folded numerous times in a technique called laminating. This results in air pockets between rich, yet light, layers of pastry, for a downright delicious and indulgent taste sensation.
Croissants are often eaten plain but can also incorporate savory flavors and sweet ingredients including cheese, chocolate, cinnamon, or almond cream. Their popularity has increased with all kinds of fillings, sandwich ingredients, and transformation into desserts, and puddings.
FAQs
How long do croissants last?
If you refrigerate croissants, they will last three days up to a week in an airtight container or packaging. Frozen croissants are best used within two months of freezing. They can be frozen up to a year, however, the quality of the croissant will start to deteriorate.
Can you defrost croissants in the microwave?
Croissants will turn soggy if thawed in the microwave and then harden once cooled. For the best results, do not reheat croissants in the microwave, but rather in the oven or toaster.
What can you do with leftover croissants?
Leftover or stale croissants can be great in a bread pudding, French toast, toasted sandwiches, as a crumble topping, or croutons.
How do you know when croissants have gone bad?
Croissants will change in texture and flavor when they are nearing their expiry. The crisp and light texture will change and it may develop an off odor. Be aware of the possible growth of mold.
Can you freeze chocolate croissants/pain au chocolat?
Yes, you can freeze chocolate croissants. Follow the same steps as when freezing plain croissants.
Can you refreeze croissants?
No, freezing and reheating the croissants more than once will likely ruin the unique texture of the pastry. Once thawed and reheated, the croissants should be eaten or discarded.
Can you store croissants in a paper bag?
For croissants to stay fresh, your best bet is to store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to two days. Premade Costco croissants generally come with storage instructions and need to be reheated in the oven for three to four minutes.
Can I use puff pastry to make croissants?
Croissant dough and puff pastry are both layers of pastry and butter folded to form multiple thin crisp layers. Croissant dough, however, contains yeast, milk, and sugar which puff pastry does not. You generally use tri-folds for croissant pastry allowing it to rise evenly. Puff pastry, on the other hand, has more volume and folds. It is possible to freeze both types of pastry.
What is the best way to freeze croissants?
The best way to freeze croissants is to first allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped croissants in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and keep them for up to two months.
Conclusion
There are few things more comforting than the smell of fresh croissants from the oven. Having croissants in the freezer allows you to pop them in the oven for a quick baked treat at any time. Croissants are indulgent and freezing leftovers saves on food waste, time, and money.
Whether baked from raw dough or repurposed into a pudding, there is never a bad time to enjoy a crispy, golden, flaky croissant.
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.
