Banana pudding is a fantastic dessert not only because of its sweet, fruity taste and custard-like consistency, which make it the perfect comfort food, but also because it disappears right before the eyes of even the pickiest diners.

But what should one do with the leftovers? Is it possible to freeze banana pudding?

The quick answer is yes. The lengthy answer is, of course, yes.

If you find yourself with leftovers the next time you make a scrumptious batch of banana pudding, youll be relieved to hear that freezing it for future pleasure couldnt be easier.

Continue reading as we discuss the intricacies of freezing banana pudding and provide some helpful hints for keeping it creamy and tasty until you’re ready for round two.

Can You Freeze Banana Pudding?

Yes, banana pudding can be frozen. Freezing banana pudding is a fantastic technique to keep it fresh for up to a month.

Can banana pudding be frozen? asks if the dish is subject to the same fundamental physical rules as other foods. You can freeze almost any food if you’re ready to accept that it will undergo certain inevitable alterations.

Allow me to explain; banana pudding has a high water content due to the inherent moisture in bananas and the milk you add to get the required richness. Foods high in water freeze very well. However, when it comes to thawing them out, the outcomes might be varied.

As your rich, velvety pudding approaches the freezing point, the water in it begins to form into tiny microscopic ice crystals, giving it a frosty texture similar to freezer-burned ice cream. Of course, the ice will melt once defrosted, but it will take some of the smoothness out of the dessert.

Vegan-friendly puddings prepared with soy or almond milk may fare even worse, since these milk replacements tend to de-constitute and become watery when heated.

That isn’t everything. When bananas are exposed to air for an extended amount of time, they experience a process known as oxidation, which causes them to become a sickly shade of brown. This, thankfully, has no effect on the taste, but it may be rather unappealing to look at.

Simply said, your banana pudding may not taste the same after the arctic treatment. Freezing isn’t the best way to preserve items like pudding, but sometimes you don’t have a choice.

That is not to imply it will be a disaster by any means. Defrosted banana pudding should be good enough for a second serving, especially if topped with fresh banana slices, vanilla wafers, and whipped cream.

Is anybody elses mouth watering?

How To Freeze Banana Pudding

Ready to freeze banana pudding?

Place the remaining half of your pudding in an airtight food storage container, being sure to completely scrape the edges of the serving dish to avoid wasting even a single glob of the yummy stuff.

But wait! Dont put that lid on just yet.

Before you cover your dessert, take a slice of lemon and pour the juice over it. Give it a thorough swirl.

If you’ve ever had to deal with the misery that is next-day guacamole, you know that a spray of citrus may go a long way towards preventing oxidation. Citrus retains the appealing color of fruits that are prone to turning into mushy brown blobs.

Another option to get the advantages of citric acid is to dip banana slices in lemon or lime juice before incorporating them into homemade banana pudding.

Now you can snap the top onto your container and store it in a readily accessible area of your freezer (just next to that bag of peas that has been in there since the Nixon administration is a fine place).

Remember to write the date on the container someplace so you know what it is and how long it has been sitting in storage.

Defrosting Frozen Banana Pudding the Right Way

When it comes time to defrost your pudding, the simplest method is to take it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it there overnight to gently thaw. It should be at the right eating temperature by the following morning, but don’t forget to run a taste test or seven just to be sure.

If you need to get anything done quickly (you’d be shocked how regular pudding-related emergencies are), submerge the frozen container in a bigger container full of cold water.

Just make sure the water you use is no hotter than room temperature, since adding heat to the mix might complicate things both texturally and flavor-wise.

If you have leftovers of leftovers when everything is said and done, avoid the urge to refreeze them. You can’t help them any more at this point. The only alternative is to throw them down the trash disposal, say a quick prayer, and go about your business.

Last but not least, it should go without saying that you should never try to thaw frozen banana pudding in the microwave.

Remember how we mentioned adding heat? This is especially true with microwaves. Plus, picture Julia Child’s reaction if she discovered you were microwaving pudding. Thumbs down.

How Long Does Banana Pudding Last in the Freezer?

Banana pudding can last for about a month if properly refrigerated and frozen. However, if feasible, reuse it within one to two weeks. After that, it will gradually lose its luster, devolving into a rock-hard, unidentifiable banana-scented lump.

Two weeks is a rather lengthy shelf life for a dairy-based meal. It lasts far longer than refrigeration, which only lasts three to four days, and leaving it out on the counter, which results in you or your family consuming half a pound of leftover banana pudding before midnight.

How To Tell if Your Frozen Banana Pudding is Bad

You don’t need a guide for this one, believe us. If your banana pudding isn’t a light brownish-yellow tint, don’t eat it. Don’t consume it if it smells like sour milk or the interior of your freezer. Call the Ghostbusters if it starts talking to you.

What To Do With Frozen Banana Pudding

When banana pudding is frozen, it transcends its original one-dimensional character and achieves delightful universality as an all-purpose ingredient and enhancer. Or something like that.

Here are some creative ways to utilize your pudding once it has been chilled.

Savor it As-Is

Thaw your frozen pudding, take a spoon, and dig in. There’s nothing wrong with frozen banana pudding that’s been on vacation for a few days.

Make Your Own Pudding Pops

Instead of putting your favorite pudding in a plain old Tupperware container, pour it into a popsicle mold or row of tiny drinking glasses and attach a wooden stick into each serve.

In a couple of hours, you’ll have a delightful treat that evokes all the exuberant excitement of a July day, regardless of the time of year.

Add it to a Milkshake

Blend the frozen pudding with a splash of milk in a large blender until it is incredibly smooth. If you’re feeling frisky, top your shake with whipped cream and a cherry and listen to Danny & The Juniors’ At the Hop.

Bake Some Hassle-Free Bread Pudding

This is so simple that even your dog could do it (although getting it to hold onto a whisk is another problem).

Combine three big eggs, two cups of whole milk, half a cup of sugar, two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, a sprinkle of salt, powdered cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. Fold the ingredients into your completely defrosted pudding, then pour it all on a pan of buttered bread pieces. Bake uncovered at 375°F for approximately 30 minutes, or until the bread starts to color.

Done, Banana bread pudding made easy.

Conclusion

Is it possible to freeze banana pudding? Sure, you can. And you now understand how.

While freezing should never be your first choice for preserving uneaten pudding, it may be done successfully if the component ingredients are not pushed beyond their natural boundaries.

So disregard what the skeptics say. Make more banana pudding than you could ever consume in one sitting, knowing that if it doesn’t go as quickly as it always does, it will always find a home in your icebox.

More on freezing:

• Can Yogurt Be Frozen?
• Can You Freeze String Cheese?
• Can You Freeze Crab Cakes?
• Can You Freeze Croissants?
• Can You Freeze Baked Beans?