In my book, raisins are welcome at any table. They can be enjoyed as a snack or as an ingredient in cooking and baking. But no matter how you use raisins, sooner or later you’ll find yourself with a large open package that you don’t plan on finishing any time soon. That’s when the question “do raisins go bad?” pops up.
As dried fruit, raisins will keep well on your cupboards and in the refrigerator, but you may be wondering if you can freeze them. Can raisins be frozen? Yes, you absolutely can freeze raisins and they will stay fresh in your freezer for over a year, so it’s a great option. Because they are dried fruit, raisins have very little water, which makes them ideal for freezing. They will come out of the freezer almost identical to how they came in and you don’t have to worry about them spoiling.
To learn how to freeze your raisins or otherwise store them, and to get answers to many of your other raisin-related questions, read on.
How to Freeze Raisins the Right Way?
To freeze dried raisins, the challenge is to make sure they don’t all stick together and form one big ball of clumped raisins. This method is how I freeze raisins to avoid this phenomenon:
Step 1: Pre-freeze raisins
Spread the raisins on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, making sure the raisins touch as little as possible. The idea is to pre-freeze each raisin individually so they don’t stick together later. This will make it easier to thaw small portions. Put it in the freezer for about an hour.
Step 2: Transfer to a resealable freezer bag
Once the raisins are completely frozen, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and transfer them to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. You can use multiple freezer bags or multiple containers if you want to freeze individual servings.
Step 3: Remove air.
Seal the freezer bag or container tightly, expelling as much air as possible.
Step 4: Lable the bag or container
Label the freezer bag or container with the date and contents, then return the raisins to the freezer.
If your raisins are covered in sugar, you can skip the pre-freezing step and just transfer them to a bag or container. The sugar will keep them from sticking together.
They need to be tightly sealed in an airtight package. You don’t want air or moisture to get anywhere near the raisins.
Do Raisins Freeze Well?
Yes, as I said above, raisins have very little water in them and are ideal for freezing because they will retain their texture and flavor. When carefully packaged, raisins will last almost indefinitely in the freezer.
Still, it’s best to use raisins within 18 months of freezing for the best results. It is important to store them in an airtight container, thus avoiding direct contact with the cold of the fridge and preventing them from freezer burning and losing their natural shine. Also, you should clean the dried grapes of small debris (if present) and carefully inspect if the parasites are inserted (larvae, bugs, mites, etc.).
How Long Can You Freeze Raisins?
Place them in a cool, dry place. They are usually kept for up to 6 to 12 months in a cupboard or refrigerator. If you want to use them for a future occasion, you can leave them in the freezer and they will keep for about 18 months.
How to Defrost Raisins?
At the time the raisins are thawed, the only thing to take into consideration is the moisture that can form from the condensation.
The highlight is to leave the raisins in the closed container and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using them.
If you are going to cook with the raisins, you don’t need to thaw them at all, but you can just add them to the recipe in the correct amount, mix them and bake them in the oven. They will not add added moisture to your baking.
Once thawed, you can treat them like they were just bought from the store.
This might be also interesting for you: Can you freeze cake batter?
Should You Refreeze Raisins?
I wouldn’t recommend refreezing raisins. Although they will freeze perfectly the first time, there is no guarantee that they will maintain the same quality if you freeze them a second time.
Freezing Different Types or Variations of Raisins
| Can you freeze nuts and raisins? | Yes, it can be frozen, the same way as raisins. |
| Can you freeze prunes and raisins? | Yes, you can freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags. |
| Can you freeze raisin cookies? | Yes, they can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months |
| Can you freeze raisin bread? | Cut it into slices to your liking, wrap it in a plastic bag suitable for freezing food, remove as much air as possible, close the bag well so that the bread does not suffer cold burns, does not dry out and take it to the freezer until you want to eat it. |
| Can you freeze raisin-filled cookies? | Put raisin-filled cookies in the airtight container. That way, cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. |
| Can you freeze raisin pie filling? | Yes. Cool completely after baking, wrap in aluminum foil, and freeze. Use them within 3 months. |
| Can you freeze raisin muffins? | Cool down your muffins and wrap them tightly in the plastic foil individually. |
| Can you freeze raisin pie? | Raisin pie also can be frozen. Put the uncovered baked pie in the freezer and when it freezes, place it in the freezer bag and put it back in the freezer. |
My Favorite Recipes
The possibilities are amazing when it comes to raisins. It can be added to bread, cakes, oatmeal, salads, puddings, various types of cooked dishes. Personally, my favorite recipes are bread with raisins and cinnamon, granola, and salad with celery and parsley.
Bread with raisins and cinnamon is phenomenal because the smell that spreads around the house is so reminiscent of winter and holidays.
I usually make it with thawed raisins. Granola and salad is the best option for me when I need a quick breakfast or dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to store raisins?
If you want your raisins last a long time you need to properly store them. Keeping in a dry, dark and cool place will extend their shelf life. A dark place will help them from drying and becoming hard.
Do raisins ever go bad?
Like any other food, raisins can spoil as well.
Raisins do not need to be refrigerated when opened, they can be stored in a glass container. However, if you live in a really hot environment, refrigeration will help them last longer.
What do spoiled raisins look like?
You can tell that the raisins have gone bad by following the points below.
As usual, start by looking for any typical signs of deterioration, such as mold or any other organic growth. A bad smell (instead of the usual sweet and sour aroma) or significant changes in color means that the raisins are spoiled and should be discarded as well. If everything about raisins seems perfectly fine, eat one or two and decide what to do with them based on the taste.
Why do raisins crystallize?
The raisin is mainly composed of sugars, which are fructose and glucose. The glucose crystallizes because the raisin has very little water content, which causes the glucose concentration to become supersaturated. It then forms solid particles.
Should you wash raisins before eating them?
The raisins in the package do not have to be washed before eating. On the other hand, it is advisable to do it with those that are bought in bulk, since they can contain dust, remains of stems and other impurities.
Conclusion
Raisins are very healthy. In this short guide, I hope I have answered the big question of “can raisins be frozen?”. We also talked about different methods of storing and handling raisins.
Share this article with friends and family who also love raisins, to learn how to properly freeze and store them. Also, leave in the comments your way of freezing raisins or your favorite recipe with raisins, I would love to read them.
