Ground almonds are a vital ingredient in a number of recipes. While the first that comes to mind is the classic macarons, dozens of recipes use this flour substitute. If you’ve got a large stock of ground almonds, have you considered freezing them?
Can You Freeze Ground Almonds?
Yes, you can freeze ground almonds for up to 18 months. If their original container is unopened, that can be stored in the freezer directly. Alternatively, placing the ground almonds in airtight containers to freeze them works well too.
Do Ground Almonds Freeze Well? Yes
Can You Refreeze Ground Almonds? Yes
How to Freeze Ground Almonds
Although ground almonds have a long shelf life, once opened, they can quickly degrade both in texture and flavour. This is when freezing them comes into play:
- Portion Into Containers: The first step to freezing ground almonds is to place them into a rigid container with as little extra space as possible. If you’re using a slightly malleable container, try to press any excess air out of the container.
- Bag Up: When the container is entirely sealed with as little excess air in it as possible, transfer the container to an appropriately sized freezer-safe bag. The reason that we do this is to limit the container’s direct contact with ice.
- Freeze: When the bag is sealed, label it with the correct date, and the ground almonds should store very well in your freezer for up to eighteen months.
3 Tips for Freezing Ground Almonds
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing ground almonds to have the best results:
Remove Air from the Container
Air in the container will be really terrible for ground almonds, as not only will it lead to condensation and freezer burn, but it will also lead to the almonds going stale and losing a huge amount of their flavor. This is exceptionally frustrating, as it feels like it somewhat eliminates the reason that we’re freezing them at all.Â
Wrap the Container
The container that you’re working with should function very well as the ‘first line of defense’ against moisture and freezer burn. To be sure that your ground almonds are stored really well, we would recommend a second layer to wrap the container, either a layer of foil or a freezer-safe plastic bag.Â
Avoid Moisture… At ALL Costs!
Moisture, when freezing ground almonds, is a nightmare. The reason for this is that ground almonds are quite high in fat, which means that moisture won’t immediately mix with them. Instead, it will remain alongside the almonds, freezing into solid ice and leading to freezer burn over time.
This is, of course, not ideal for the overall quality of the ground almonds that you’re working with.Â
How Long Can You Freeze Ground Almonds?
You can freeze ground almonds for anywhere up to eighteen months.
The reason that they freeze so well is the same reason that a lot of protein sources like tofu or meat freeze so well – the majority of their internal makeup isn’t water, it’s protein and fat.
This means that, when the water freezes into solid ice, the ground almonds aren’t damaged through the process of expansion. In turn, they retain their quality for quite a long time.
Ground almonds can be kept for a long time in the fridge. They will last for between 3 and 4 months in the fridge. If you need to store them for even longer then consider freezing them.
How Do You Defrost Ground Almonds?
The best way to defrost ground almonds is to place them in the fridge overnight to defrost them. The reason for this is that ground almonds contain a high percentage of fat, and this fat can go rancid over time if it’s at room temperature.
By keeping the almonds at a lower temperature, you’re preventing the fat in the almonds from going at all rancid, which allows you to use them at a later date.
Can You Refreeze Ground Almonds?
Yes, you can refreeze ground almonds! Provided you follow the steps that we’ve spoken about above and make sure to eliminate as much moisture from the almonds as possible, they will remain of good quality if they’re refrozen.
This means that when frozen and refrozen, your ground almonds will remain at a roughly standard consistency.
Do Ground Almonds Freeze Well?
Yes, ground almonds do freeze well. The reason for this is that they don’t contain a lot of moisture, meaning that during the process of freezing, very little ice will form that could lead to freezer burn.
In turn, it can take a long time for this ice to form, which is why ground almonds can be kept in your freezer for up to eighteen months, provided you safeguard against moisture.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing ground almonds or almonds in general, then these may help:
Yes, bagged almonds can be frozen. You can pop them straight into the freezer if they are in a sealed bag. However, if the bag is open or you want small portions, place them into multiple smaller freezer bags.
Yes, ground hazelnuts can be frozen. In fact, most ground nuts can be frozen for around 18 months.
