Can You Freeze Croissants?

Croissants are a delicious treat that people like to enjoy at breakfast time. You can dunk them in coffee, smother them in jam or eat them plain.

Fresh croissants, however, will only last one or two days in the cupboard (and up to a maximum of seven days in the fridge), forcing you to either gobble them all up in quick succession or throw them in the bin. But, can you freeze croissants successfully?

How to Freeze Croissants

Follow this step-by-step guide to properly freeze your croissants:

1. Place on a Tray
   Spread the croissants out on a lined baking tray, ensuring that none of them are touching one another.
2. Flash Freeze
   Put the tray into the freezer for several hours to flash freeze the croissants. This will prevent them from sticking together and will make it far easier to grab one croissant at a time. 
3. Bag Up
   Place the frozen croissants into a bag and label them with the contents. This is especially important if you have frozen different croissant types such as chocolate or almond. 
4. Freeze
   Finally, place the bag into the freezer. 

If you’re not sure when you’ll eat the croissants, it can help to mark the date you freeze them on the packaging. Just use a sticker or a felt-tip – whatever you have to hand.

Crossaints typically have a low moisture content, so they won’t expand a great deal when you freeze them. The relative absence of water also means that when you defrost them, they retain much of their flavour and texture properties.

The only difference you may notice is that the crust of the croissant is a little softer after defrosting than it would be if you ate it fresh.

Croissants, unfortunately, can spoil fast. If you notice any mould on them or a funny smell, don’t put them in the freezer. They’ve gone bad, and there isn’t much more you can do. Your best bet is to ensure you freeze them on the day of purchase to guarantee their freshness.

3 Tips for Freezing Croissants

Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing croissants to have the best results:

Flash Freeze Them
Home flashing freeze allows you to freeze food items individually before storing them for the longer term. This will make it far easier to thaw one or two croissants at a time in future. 

Warm to Crisp Up
Croissants freeze fairly well, but you may notice the outside softens a little. If this is the case, then place them in the oven for a few minutes to crisp up a little. 

Label
If you have some plain croissants, some almond croissants and some chocolate croissants all in the freezer, then, when frozen, it can be tough to distinguish between all three. This is why it’s vital you write clear labels on each bag. 

How Long Can You Freeze Croissants?

You can freeze croissants for as long as you like, and they’ll still be safe to eat. Croissants, however, tend to lose their flavour and texture qualities, even in the freezer, if you leave them in there for too long.

They are, therefore, at their best for between 1 and 2 months. After that, they might taste a little stale.

You Can Freeze Croissants for up to 2 Months

How Do You Defrost Croissants?

The best way to defrost croissants is to leave them in the fridge overnight. If you’re in a rush, you can leave them out on the worktop, but only do this if you freeze them on the day you bought them.

Remember, if you thaw croissants too fast, you can dramatically alter their texture.

It pays to be prepared, so if you know you want a croissant for breakfast, then make sure you put one in the fridge for the following day. Of course, if you fancy something a little more filling, then why not consider freezing bacon and baked beans?

Can You Refreeze Croissants?

Refreezing croissants can ruin their flaky texture, which is why we would advise against it. Generally, it will remain safe to do, but the eating of the croissant will be less enjoyable if you do so.

Do Croissants Freeze Well?

For most people, fresh is the better option. Eating croissants the day you buy them allows you to enjoy their unique and delightful texture. You’re never going to match the buttery texture of a fresh croissant.

The problem is that not many of us have the luxury of going to a bakery to buy fresh croissants daily, so having a store of them in the freezer can be a huge time (and life?) saver.

Once you’ve smothered it in a jam or dipped it into your coffee, as the French do, you’ll enjoy it nevertheless.

Related FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about freezing croissants or croissants in general, then these may help:

Can You Freeze Pain Au Chocolat?

You can freeze pain au chocolat using the method we’ve used for croissants in this article. However, you will want to warm them thoroughly to ensure that the chocolate in the centre has time to thaw and then melt.

Can You Freeze Croissant Dough?

To freeze croissant dough, wrap it in a layer of cling film following by a layer of foil to prevent freezer burn. Please place it in the freezer. When you want to use it, remove it from the freezer and thaw it fully overnight in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Almond Croissants?

You can. In fact, you can use the exact method we’ve used in this article. However, with almond croissants, there is a small risk that the filling will lose its texture and may even split.