Quiche is an ultimate family favorite at all times. It is perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. This savory tart is not only packed with flavors but also filling and nutritious.
If your kids always ask for this delicious French dish, you might be considering to triple or quadruple the recipe and freeze for later. So, can you make quiche and freeze it?
Perhaps, you make extra crust and filling than you actually need. You don’t plan to bake it anytime soon. Here comes the inevitable question: can you freeze uncooked quiche?
If you can relate to either of the scenarios, please keep reading. In this article, we share the ultimate guide to freezing quiche and everything around it!
Freezing Quiche: Before and After Baking
Quiche is technically a savory tart consisting of pastry crusts filled with egg custard and added with various ingredients such as meats, cheese, mushrooms, and other vegetables.
One of the most popular variants is quiche Lorraine that is prepared with bacon. While a traditional recipe requires pastry crust, crustless quiche is also a popular option.
Like other cooked dishes, quiche is best to serve fresh from the oven or within 3 to 4 days if kept refrigerated.
Can Quiche Be Frozen?
Luckily, this savory tart holds up pretty well during freezing. So, if you want to preserve this French dish, freezing is your go-to option. After all, commercially-prepared quiche is sold frozen, right?
In other words, you can freeze quiche before and after baking—whatever suits your situation.
So, whether having leftovers or prepping ahead of time, homemade or-shop bought, rest assured you can freeze quiche successfully.
Follow our guides below to freeze, thaw, and reheat quiche without losing its flaky crust and optimal flavor.
How to Freeze Cooked Quiche
Freezing cooked quiche is nothing complicated. This guide is applicable for traditional versions with crusts, crustless, or mini quiche.
1. Prepare quiche as per the instructions and cool down quickly before packing.
Make sure that it has completely cooled to prevent condensation in the packaging. If that happens, the moisture will form icy crystals and cause freezer burn.
You can pack a whole quiche or in slices. The latter is more practical if you only serve one or two portions at a time.
For freezing leftovers, make sure that the dish is still fresh and not spoiled.
2. Wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For long-term storage, consider wrapping it in a double layer for extra protection.
3. Pack in a resealable freezer bag.
4. Remove as much air as possible from the bag and seal tightly.
5. Mark the freezing date.
6. Transfer the package into the freezer.
How to Freeze Uncooked Quiche
- 1. Prepare and assemble quiche as usual, except for the baking part.
- 2. Place it on a baking sheet and flash-freeze until the filling is frozen solid.
- 3. Pack frozen quiche in a resealable freezer bag.
- 4. Suck out as much air as possible from the bag and seal tightly.
- 5. Label with the freezing date or use-by date.
- 6. Place the package in the freezer.
For store-bought frozen quiche, keep it frozen until you need it. No prep required. You can stash it right away in the freezer.
How Do You Defrost and Reheat Frozen Quiche?
Quiche is considered a perishable food. That means you should never let it out at room temperature for too long—even when it’s frozen.
In other words, thawing on the kitchen counter is not recommended at all. Instead, try one of these safe thawing methods.
- 1. In the refrigerator
Simply transfer the frozen package to the fridge and let it thaw slowly. For a large portion, defrost it overnight to serve the next day.
- 2. In a cold water bath
If you’re a little short on time, try immersing the frozen pack in a bowl of cold water. Make sure that the container is tightly sealed and doesn’t leak.
Check the water to make sure that it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes until the tart softens up. Reheat and serve it immediately after thawing.
- 3. In the microwave
Microwave thawing is your ultimate way if you are in a hurry. But, you need to serve it as soon as possible.
Quiche may turn watery side after thawing, mainly when prepared with a lot of veggies. To prevent this issue, make sure to sauté all the vegetables until the moisture is gone. If using spinach, squeeze the water as much as possible.
To fix soggy quiche, simply reheat it in the oven to regain the flaky crust and firm filling. Place it on a baking sheet, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 °F to ensure safety.
For an unbaked quiche, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake it following the recipe. If you skip the thawing, you should add at least 10 to 20 minutes or half of the cooking time.
If you prepare a shop-bought one, follow the serving instructions in the package.
Can you refreeze defrosted quiche?
Contrary to popular belief, refreezing is considered safe under several circumstances.
According to the USDA, you can refreeze defrosted food safely if it is thawed in the refrigerator and not left out of the fridge for more than two hours. Refreeze any leftovers within 3 to 4 days after thawing.
How Long Can You Freeze Quiche For?
To maintain food safety, quiche should be refrigerated within two hours after cooking, particularly if you want to keep some portions for the following days.
This baked dish keeps fresh for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can consider it similar to other egg and meat-based dishes, such as frittata or casseroles.
Meanwhile, quiche can last up to 2 to 3 months if prepared and frozen correctly. If frozen unbaked, it holds pretty well up to 1 to 2 months after freezing.
Of course, you can keep it longer beyond this recommended time, but there might be a decrease in flavor and texture.
| Quiche | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Baked quiche(whole, slices, mini, with crust, crustless) | 2 to 3 months |
| Unbaked quiche | 1 to 2 months |
FAQs
No. Quiche is perishable food that should not be left outside the fridge longer than 2 hours to prevent the risk of food poisoning.
Quiche is made with eggs. Eggshell may contain harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, that can transfer to the egg during preparation. To ensure safety, make sure that quiche and other egg-based dishes are cooked thoroughly until the center part reaches 160 °F. (*)
Quiche can be healthy, but it also has the potential to ruin your diet. Traditional quiche is naturally made full of cheese, eggs, cream, and other ingredients that are high in calories and fats.
Summary
Quiche is a popular egg-based dish that is also freezer-friendly. You can freeze a regular or crustless quiche, before or after baking, as a whole or in slices.
Make sure to wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Add an extra layer for long-term freezing before packing in a freezer bag. This way, you can enjoy this comfort food anytime you wish without a hassle!
Don’t forget to check these quiche side dishes you can serve with it.
*image by myviewpoint/depositphotos
