Can You Freeze Peanut Butter?

Both homemade and store-bought peanut butter can easily be frozen for 6 plus months without any degradation and quality. However, peanut butter itself has a long shelf life without freezing, so you may want to consider if freezing is actually necessary.

How to Freeze Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a creamy and delicious protein packed food. It comes in creamy or crunchy you can buy it in a store or you can make it on your own.

Peanut butter is a versatile food you can eat it on your own as a snack, add it to smoothies, make sandwiches, or even sweet baked goods.

It tends to have a very long shelf life If it's store-bought and not all natural, especially when it's unopened. However, all natural store-bought peanut butter or homemade peanut butter has a slightly shorter shelf life.

If you know that you eat your peanut butter slowly or perhaps you've purchased it in bulk you might be looking to extend the shelf life. You can do this very easily by freezing it in a few different methods listed below.

The methods use are similar to those used to freeze greek yogurt or to freeze scrambled eggs.

Freezing in bulk

If you want to freeze an entire container of peanut butter or a whole batch of homemade peanut butter and you know that you'll use it quickly once it's defrosted you might want to look at freezing it in bulk.

• Pack it. Grab an airtight freezer safe container or freezer bag and place your peanut butter into it.
• Seal it. If using an airtight container place the lid on it. As an extra added piece of protection you can also put a layer of plastic wrap between the peanut butter and the lid. If using a freezer bag, press any excess air out and zip it shut.
• Label it. Make sure to write the date on the outside of the container or freezer bag.
• Freeze it. Pop your container or freezer bag into the freezer.

Freezing in ice cube tray

If you'll be using the peanut butter in small portions say for smoothies or in cooking, you may want to try freezing it in ice cube trays so that you can pull out small portions at a time.

• Flash freeze. Go ahead and spoon your peanut butter into each of the compartments of your ice cube tray. Then pop your tray into the freezer for a few hours until the peanut butter is frozen solid.

• Package it. Remove the tray from the freezer pop your frozen cubes out and placed them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Seal it up. Place the lid on your container or press the air out of your freezer bag and zip it shut.
• Date it. Take a pin or marker and write the date on the outside of the container or freezer bag.
• Freeze it again. Toss your container or bag back into the freezer.

Freezing baked goods

Peanut butter is used in a variety of different dishes such as sandwiches, cookies and pies. You can freeze all of these items as well.

• Prepare it. Make your sandwich, cookie or pie.
• Flash freeze. Lay your cookies, slices of pie or sandwiches in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer for several hours to freeze.
• Wrap them. Use a layer or two of plastic wrap and an optional layer of aluminum foil to securely wrap each individual cookie, sandwich or pie.
• Package them. Toss your wrapped cookies, sandwiches or pie slices into an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Seal it up. Put the lid on your container or press the air out of your freezer bag and zip it closed.
• Put a label on it. Using a Pen or marker write the date on the outside of your freezer bag or container.
• Refreeze them. Toss your containers or freezer bags into the freezer.

Freezing in store-bought container

If you have not yet opened your peanut butter and want to store it in the container you purchased it in that is also possible, but not the highest quality solution. This method however is the fastest.

If you're going to try this method do make sure that you're not using a glass jar as those can sometimes explode in the freezer.

• Simply pop your entire sealed jar into the freezer and you're good to go.

Top freezing tips

No matter which method above you're using, apply these top tips to maintain a highest quality.

• Keep it fresh. If you know you're going to be freezing your peanut butter, freeze it as soon as possible so that it is as fresh as possible.
• Determine the use. Before you freeze it, make sure you know how to use it when it's defrosted this way you know what size portion to freeze it as.
• Lock out the air. To avoid having any freezer burn which will cause a decrease in quality and texture, make sure that your container or freezer bag is completely airtight.

Supplies/Equipment Needed:

• Ziploc Bags
• Plastic Wrap
• Aluminum Foil
• Marker or Pen
• Airtight Freezer Container
• Ice Cube Tray

How to Defrost Peanut Butter

The best way to defrost peanut butter is super simple. Simply remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight. If you've frozen it in a large container with a lot of peanut butter it may take more than 8 to 12 hours to fully defrost. So be aware of that.

Once your peanut butter has fully thawed, especially if it is a more natural peanut butter you may see that there's some separation of oil. To remedy this, simply stir it vigorously together.

Pro tip: If you need to recombine the separated peanut butter and you frozen it in a jar or container. Instead of opening it and stirring it which can make a mess, simply place it on its side and spin it vigorously on your counter and this will help to recombine it.

If you want to speed up the thawing process You can thaw the peanut butter on the counter at room temperature. However, since the temperature change will be more drastic in this instance you may experience even more oil separation.

If you frozen it in smaller ice cubes or something like smoothies, you don't actually have to fully defrost those you can toss them right in your blender.

Freezing Peanut Butter FAQ

How long will peanut butter last frozen?

Peanut butter will last for 6 plus months when frozen. It stays safe for much longer than that, however, the quality can start to decrease over time.

Does peanut butter taste good frozen?

Yeah I'm wearing my 49ers good when frozen, but it's very hard. So, it's not recommended to get when it's frozen solid. However, if you want to get it when it's partial thawes it's okay.

Can skippy peanut butter be frozen?

Yes, skippy peanut butter can be frozen in the same methods as listed above.

Can you freeze peanut butter cookies?

Yes, you can freeze peanut butter cookies. Simply flash freeze them on a cookie sheet and then toss them into a freezer bag or air tight container.

How long does it take peanut butter to freeze?

Peanut butter frozen in small section such as ice cream tray take only a few hours to freeze. However, big tubs of peanut butter can take a day or more to fully freeze solid.