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🤔 Can You Freeze Mozzarella Cheese? 🤔 Here’s The BEST FAQ With Storage Tips!

🤔 Can You Freeze Mozzarella Cheese? 🤔 Here’s The BEST FAQ With Storage Tips!

Have you ever wondered, can you freeze mozzarella cheese? If you have, then you are not the only one. We have the best FAQ for you right here to help answer any questions you may have.

Cheese is one of the most loved kinds of food there is. 

Cheeses provide a wide range of flavors and textures, making them a perfect product to use in many different recipes. 

One of the best kinds of cheeses that we all go crazy for is mozzarella cheese. 

Mozzarella cheese can be found in almost every cheese-bursting pizza or melted over mouth-watering pasta. 

Mozzarella is a soft, white type of cheese known for its high moisture content. 

It originates from Italy and is a dairy byproduct made from Italian buffalo or cow’s milk. 

This type of cheese isn’t aged for long, allowing it to retain most of its rich volume and moisture, making it much softer than most cheeses. 

Mozzarella’s soft texture makes it suitable to be used for pizzas since it is very chewy and can melt quickly once the pie is placed in the oven. 

Mozzarella cheese has a rather bland taste on its own, but it is most favored as a melting cheese that adds an elastic texture to the dishes you cook with it. 

Its flavor is slightly sour and more delicate, with a milk-rich freshness that can be sumptuous. 

As mozzarella cheese ages, it becomes even softer and turns more prominently sour. 

Its mild flavors make mozzarella cheese a great ingredient in many dishes, adding a luscious creaminess to provide more delicious flavors. 

Mozzarella isn’t just added to pizza or pasta; it can be served as an appetizer alongside fresh fruit, added to a frittata, or fried into crunchy and gooey mozzarella sticks. 

Since mozzarella cheese is a widely used option, it can easily be found in stores and in groceries. 

However, while many may choose to procure this ingredient for its variety of uses, it’s important to note that it has a short shelf life. 

People often ask, “can you freeze mozzarella cheese?”

It’s vital to know how to freeze mozzarella cheese and the different methods of preserving its varieties to make the most out of its freshness and deliciousness.

When it comes to freezing mozzarella cheese, it can be a more complicated answer than a simple yes or no. 

It’s essential to understand the different forms of mozzarella cheese and how differently they freeze to identify the proper freezing manner and what changes may occur in the cheese itself. 

Not all mozzarella cheese freezes well because of its high moisture content so you can expect specific changes to your mozzarella cheese, depending on the variety. 

Store-bought mozzarella cheese often comes in the shredded form and may already contain preservatives that aid in keeping the cheese at its optimum freshness. 

This type of mozzarella has a longer shelf life and can freeze quickly without any added conditions. 

On the other hand, fresh mozzarella can undergo a noticeable texture alteration and flavor difference once frozen. 

Fresh mozzarella is rich in moisture, providing its creamy and luscious texture. 

Its high water content will lead to forming ice crystals once placed in the freezer, changing the mozzarella’s texture in the process. 

Once frozen, the cheese no longer becomes soft and smooth and can turn dry and crumbly. 

With mozzarella being rather delicate, you’ll need to prepare them accordingly before freezing to retain their distinct qualities and maintain their freshness. 

How to freeze mozzarella cheese

Since mozzarella comes in different forms, it’s vital to know how to store the cheese properly, depending on what form it is. 

As mentioned, shredded mozzarella, which is most often store-bought, contains preservatives that aid in maintaining its freshness by adding to its shelf life. 

This also allows shredded mozzarella cheese to be frozen easily. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Divide the shredded mozzarella into portions depending on your usage. 
  2. Transfer each portion to a labeled freezer bag. 
  3. Include the portioning date for proper identification. 
  4. Slide the cheese into your freezer.

Meanwhile, freezing fresh mozzarella cheese is a bit different from shredded mozzarella. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Drain the liquid and excess moisture from the cheese balls using paper towels. 
  2. Portion the fresh mozzarella as needed. 
  3. Transfer them into a freezer bag placed on a cookie sheet or baking pan. 
  4. Once frozen, remove the pan and leave the portioned mozzarella inside the freezer bag.

Pro tip: It’s advisable to drain the liquid before freezing as this lessens the water that forms ice crystals when frozen, which affects the texture and composition of the cheese itself—so, NEVER skip this process!

How long does mozzarella cheese last in the freezer?

While the quality of cheeses may vary, you can determine a qualified estimate as to how long you can store mozzarella cheese in the freezer. 

Store-bought shredded mozzarella cheese can keep its quality when stored in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months

Fresh mozzarella that has been drained and frozen should be good to keep for up to 3 months, although, as mentioned, it may encounter some noticeable changes in texture.

How do you defrost mozzarella cheese?

After freezing your mozzarella cheese, knowing the proper way of thawing it can help retain the best qualities of your mozzarella once it’s intended for usage.

You can place the mozzarella in the refrigerator overnight or for a couple of hours to defrost it. 

While the time needed may depend on how much cheese you’ve frozen, thawing it overnight in the fridge is the most convenient way. 

To defrost mozzarella cheese faster, you can leave it on the counter at room temperature. 

However, it’s advised to use only portions you need, or thin slices, to be thawed in this manner, which can defrost in less than an hour and should be used immediately. 

You can also use frozen mozzarella cheese straight from the freezer. 

Use the portions you need and allow the heat of the oven or pan to skip the thawing process and get it melted quickly.

Can you freeze blocks of mozzarella cheese?

Mozzarella blocks are similar to harder cheeses like Gouda or Edam and often have a pretty long shelf life. 

You can freeze an entire block of mozzarella cheese, with the entire freezing process occurring in just a few minutes. 

However, as identified earlier, more significant portions of mozzarella cheese, when thawed, crumble more easily after getting frozen. 

A block of frozen mozzarella can be stored in the freezer and can last for around 5 to 6 months.

How to freeze mozzarella blocks

Many people prefer enjoying blocks of cheese over having them shredded or sliced. 

But when you’ve got more mozzarella blocks than you can consume in one sitting, it’s best to store it in the freezer to save for later. 

Larger blocks of mozzarella portions can freeze quickly due to their high moisture content, but this can also lead to a difference in texture once the cheese is thawed. 

Mozzarella blocks can crumb more easily once defrosted, so it’s recommended to portion and slice the block according to possible usage and avoid refreezing the whole block of the cheese itself.

  1. Cut the block into several chunks or portioned slices.
  2. Package them properly inside a freezer bag. 
  3. Put a label to identify when it was placed inside the freezer.

Can you freeze mozzarella sticks?

This delectable southern Italian cheese can also be transformed into a popular appetizer which everyone knows as homemade mozzarella sticks. 

If you’re planning to whip up this cheesy fried snack, it’s best to freeze your mozzarella block in portions well ahead to make it easier to thaw and cook. 

More nifty tips on how to store mozzarella sticks (plus reheating tricks) in this FAQ guide!

How to freeze mozzarella sticks

Mozzarella sticks, that have been constantly frozen at 0°F, will remain safe to consume within 8 months and must be eaten or used right away once thawed.

Here are the instructions on how to freeze mozzarella sticks like a real pro.

  1. Place the cheese sticks into a freezer bag. 
  2. Ensure to squeeze out the bag to remove the air. 
  3. Transfer the mozzarella sticks into your freezer.

How to use frozen mozzarella

Storing mozzarella cheese inside the freezer helps you retain its freshness for more extended periods so that you can use it for different recipe options. 

You can use frozen and thawed mozzarella as a topping for pizza, casseroles, or even a toasty slice of bread. 

Using mozzarella cheese as a topping works best for blocks and fresh mozzarella. 

This is because the slight texture difference from the freezing process won’t matter as much since you’d be melting the cheese as a topping anyway. 

The same option goes for melted mozzarella ingredients that can be used for creamy soups, scrambled eggs, and recipes that include some luscious mozzarella to elevate the dish. 

Plenty of recipes also call for melted mozzarella, such as mozzarella sticks, which utilize frozen mozzarella as the main ingredient.

The bottom line

Mozzarella cheese is a staple when it comes to real comfort food that provides a smile from ear to ear. 

With its simple yet distinct flavor, and creamy, luscious texture, mozzarella makes any dish a lot more appealing in its melted goodness. 

So if you’re doing your groceries and find that there’s a good deal on a great block of mozzarella cheese, don’t hesitate to acquire it on the spot. 

With the right portioning and preparation, you can store your mozzarella cheese securely, and have plenty of mozzarella dishes to enjoy for the weeks to come.

You might be interested in trying these 27 Fresh Mozzarella Recipes#25 is oh-so-good!

How To Freeze Fresh Mozzarella Cheese 🧊

How To Freeze Fresh Mozzarella Cheese 🧊

Mozzarella comes in different forms—sticks, fresh, and shredded. Learn the best way to freeze fresh mozzarella cheese at home to extend its shelf life here!

Ingredients

  • Paper towels
  • Fresh mozzarella
  • Freezer bag
  • Cookie sheet, baking pan
  • Freezer

Instructions

  1. Drain the liquid and excess moisture from the cheese balls using paper towels. 
  2. Portion the fresh mozzarella as needed. 
  3. Transfer them into a freezer bag placed on a cookie sheet or baking pan. 
  4. Once frozen, remove the pan and leave the portioned mozzarella inside the freezer bag.

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