Use the table of contents below to navigate through this article to answer some of the most common questions people have when it comes to freezing gnocchi:
How To Freeze Gnocchi
It isn’t too difficult to freeze any uncooked gnocchi and if you are making a batch it might be worth considering making extra just so that you can freeze them for a quick and easy meal at a later date. As soon as your gnocchi is shaped then you want to get them frozen:
- Flash Freeze
Grab yourself a baking sheet and place a piece of parchment paper down on it. Put the raw gnocchi on the baking sheet in a single layer. Try to avoid them touching one another. Pop the pan in the freezer in a flat area and freeze. - Transfer to Bag
Once the gnocchi has frozen or after about three hours you can transfer them to a freezer bag. - Final Freeze
Label and date the bag and put it back in the freezer.
Flash freezing isn’t a necessary step but it makes it far easier to grab the amount you need at a time. Refreezing gnocchi is not recommended which is why it’s great being able to grab a portion at a time. Flashing freezing makes this possible, easily.
How Long Can You Freeze Gnocchi?
Gnocchi isn’t a food item that lasts too long, even in the freezer, so if you have frozen raw gnocchi then you want to be using it within 2 months. This is quite a short window so don’t forget to use up your frozen gnocchi before it goes bad!
You Can Freeze Gnocchi for up to 2 Months
How Do You Defrost Gnocchi?
When it comes to using your frozen gnocchi then you are actually best cooking it from frozen. If you defrost it then the individual pieces can lose their shape, start sticking together and become difficult to use.
To heat them up, take them directly from the freezer and pop them into boiling water and allow the pot to come back to the boil and then cook as normal. You simply need to wait for your gnocchi to float to the surface. That’s how you know they’re cooked. Drain quickly and then toss with your favourite pasta sauce such as puttanesca.
Can You Refreeze Gnocchi?
One of the key elements of good gnocchi is texture. If you were to refreeze them, you’ll ruin the texture. This is why refreezing is strongly discouraged. Instead, flash freeze your gnocchi so you can easily grab a portion at a time without ever needing to refreeze it.
Do Gnocchi Freeze Well?
This is a bit of a tricky question as unfortunately, this isn’t a food that freezes particularly well. You will find there is some texture change when compared to freshly made gnocchi and if it goes wrong you could end up with a mushy pile of gnocchi! However, if you cook them from frozen and they have frozen well then they should still be good enough to eat.
Other Questions about Gnocchi
Below are a few of the other common questions we have come across when it comes to gnocchi – some related to freezing and some not. If you’re still sat there with a question or two about gnocchi then drop a comment at the bottom of this article and we’ll aim to help out as much as possible.
Can You Freeze Gnocchi Bake?
If you want to freeze gnocchi bake then simply cook it as you normally would, wrapped it in cling film once cooled then foil and place in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, just unwrap it and place in the oven until cooked through.
How Do You Know When Gnocchi is Cooked?
Cooking gnocchi couldn’t be simpler. You don’t need a timer or stopwatch. Instead, bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Tip your gnocchi into the pot and when they float, they’re cooked. That’s all there is to it!
Can You Freeze Gnudi?
Gnudi are similar to gnocchi but are made with ricotta instead. The good news is that you can use the same method as above. Again, you’ll want to use them up quickly before the texture degrades.