Can You Freeze Au Gratin Potatoes?

Can you freeze au gratin potatoes?

In this brief guide, we’ll address the query: “Can you freeze au gratin potatoes?” Also, we’ll explore how au gratin potatoes can be frozen, what au gratin potatoes are, what their nutritional content is, and are au gratin potatoes healthy to eat?

Can you freeze au gratin potatoes?

Yes, users can freeze au gratin potatoes to extend their shelf life, economize fridge space, and to reduce their waste.

Leftover au gratin potatoes can keep for a maximum of five days in refrigeration, whereas storing them in subzero temperatures extends their shelf life to three months.

Below, we’ll discuss a few outlines users can follow to store their au gratin potatoes in a freezer.

How can I freeze au gratin potatoes?

Au gratin potatoes can be stored in a freezer once they’ve been cooled to room temperature.

Ideally, they should be divided into individual portions that can be defrosted as needed, though if users anticipate they’ll only defrost them once, they can be frozen in bulk.

Portions can be encased inside freeze-resistant containers, or they can be spooned into heavy duty freezer bags. In both cases, they should be sealed with as little air as possible, as once the air inside freezes, it will have a desiccating effect on the potatoes.

Once the excess air has been drawn or pushed out of the storage container, the potatoes can be stored in the freezer.

Frozen, they can be preserved for up to 3 months, although some authors maintain that they should be consumed within the first two weeks after freezing.

To defrost them users can take the bag or container with the desired portion, and leave them in the fridge for a few hours.

Alternatively, they can be heated in the microwave oven.

Once thawed out, au gratin potatoes cannot be refrozen, so readers should be aware that any leftovers from thawed out potatoes can only be refrigerated or discarded.

What are au gratin potatoes?

This dish, also known as potatoes au gratin, alludes to a recipe made with buttered potatoes, cream and cheese, baked into alternating layers. The crust of the dish can be covered with grated cheese and crumbled bread.

The term au gratin alludes to the top layer of grated cheese, that can be sprinkled with bread and spices.

While potatoes are a popular ingredient to cook in this style, it can also be used on steamed vegetables, seafood, pasta, and many other types of dishes.

Cheeses such as Gruyére, Gouda, Cheddar, Swiss, and Mozzarella can be used, as they brown easily when baked. Other aged cheeses can be added to add a stronger flavor, along with powdered and flaky seasonings.

What is the nutritional content of au gratin potatoes?

On average, a half-cup (122.5-gram) serving of au gratin potatoes will provide:

161.5 calories – of which 83.5 are from far
6 grams of protein
19 grams of fat – of which 12 grams are saturated fat, 0.7 grams are unsaturated and 5.3 grams are monounsaturated.

14 grams of carbohydrates – of which 2.2 grams are dietary fiber
530.5 milligrams of sodium
485 milligrams of potassium
28 milligrams of cholesterol

*Additionally, the same portion will provide 6.5% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, 20% of the RDI of vitamin C, 11% of the RDI of calcium, and 4.3% of the RDI of iron.

*Based on a diet of 2000 calories a day.

Are au gratin potatoes healthy to eat?

When consumed occasionally, and in modest portions, au gratin potatoes should have no adverse effects on a person’s health.

However, it does constitute a dish that is high in calories, sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.

Excessive sodium consumption is associated with noxious effects, such as an increased risk of high blood pressure, stomach cancer, heart disease and kidney stones.

Excessive saturated fat consumption is associated with a high risk of heart disease, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure and other circulatory problems such as strokes

Excessive carbohydrate consumption, particularly sugars such as starches, is associated with oxidative damage and the early onset of type II diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.

We encourage our readers to moderate their daily calorie intake and combine consumption of au gratin potatoes with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

Other FAQs about Potatoes that you may be interested in.

Can you refrigerate potatoes

Why do potatoes turn black?

How to store cut potatoes

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the query: “Can you freeze au gratin potatoes?” Also, we’ve explored how au gratin potatoes can be frozen, what au gratin potatoes are, what their nutritional content is, and are au gratin potatoes healthy to eat?