Meringue is so tasty and simple to prepare that I include it in all sorts of tasty treats! And that means sometimes I end up with more meringue than I need for a particular recipe. And since I hate to waste a good meringue I’ve learned the best way to freeze my meringue so I can use it for future desserts. So if you are looking for the simplest and most effective way to freeze your leftover meringue then you came to the right place!
I’ve been asked numerous times if you can freeze meringue and I am happy to say yes you can freeze meringue! No matter if it’s a Swiss, French or any other type of meringue you can freeze it!
Meringue is so easy to make that I whip some up in my kitchen frequently. I even make some ahead of time just to freeze it for when I am in a hurry or short on baking time.
And in this article I will give you the easy step by step guide to freezing your meringue while maintaining it’s texture and flavor.
How To Store Meringue
Because meringue is prepared by beating eggs with both sugar and an acid, it is well suited for freezing.
There are a number of different types of meringue but the base is similar, meaning you can store any type of meringue if you follow my simple steps.
Some meringue is baked while others are not, but the most common type I make is French or Swiss meringue. I use them for all kinds of delicious desserts from swiss meringue cookies to lemon meringue pies. So no need to worry whether you particular meringue can be safely stored, because it can!
If you are storing a baked meringue I would like to note that it is perfectly safe to store them at room temperature. Just keep your meringue in an airtight container and they are normal room temperatures they will stay good for up to three weeks.
If you do decide to store your meringue at room temperature just be certain they are not placed in direct sunlight as this will significantly raise the temp and spoil your meringue.
Can Meringue Be Frozen?
Yes! Any type of meringue can be stored in the freezer.
If you do not intend to finish off your meringue within a couple of weeks I recommend freezing your meringue to keep it safe to eat.
They key to freezing meringue is to use the right method. There are unfortunately some bad techniques I have seen on the internet and you want to be sure to use this method to ensure safe freezing.
I also like to think about how much meringue I will need for a particular recipe. By thinking ahead I can portion my frozen meringue so I have just the right amount when it’s time to whip up a sweet meringue dessert.
Easy Way To Freeze Meringue
While any type of meringue can be frozen, I will focus on Swiss and French meringue. I use these types of meringue for cookies, pies, and other tasty desserts. Whether you are freezing the entire dessert, or just the meringue itself this method will work wonderfully.
If you are planning to freeze an entire dessert, such as cookies, then be careful that you follow the steps carefully as to not break or crush your dessert.
With all that out of the way here is the step by step process, and read on further down for more tips and frequently asked questions about freezing meringue.
Cool Your Meringue
Most will be working with a baked meringue, so it is important that you first allow it to fully cool before moving on. I place my baked meringue in the refrigerator for about thirty minutes to cool it down.
Get An Airtight Container
While your meringue is cooling in the fridge, secure a container that can be sealed and that is large enough to hold your meringue or dessert. If you are freezing a large batch of meringue and do not intend to use it all at once, use as many containers as necessary to hold in the desired portion sizes.
Put Meringue In Container
Now that you have your container and your meringue is cooled down it’s time to place it in the container(s). If freezing meringue cookies or another completed dessert ensure that they fit in the container without being crushed.
If storing just meringue, put a single layer down in your container and cover with a layer of parchment paper. Add more layers following the same process until your container(s) is full.
Note: Do not compress your meringue when layering it in your container. Allow it lay fluffy in each layer. This is important for maintaining the texture of your meringue.
Seal Up Your Meringue
Once your layers are in your container and it is full it is time to seal your container shut. I stop filling my airtight container with just enough space at the top so the lid does not tough my meringue.
Now label your container(s) with the date you froze them. This is important so that you can use your meringue before it goes bad.
Freeze Your Meringue
Once sealed and labeled you can transfer your container to the freezer. I place my meringue in the back of my freezer so that it stays as cold as possible. Opening the freezer raiser the temperature and items in the front can thaw a bit every time you open the door.
Your meringue will stay good in the freezer for up to three months.
Best Way To Defrost Your Meringue
A little bit of patience is the key to thawing frozen meringue. I have found that placing your container of frozen meringue in the refrigerator over night to be the best method for defrosting.
This slower process will allow your meringue to spring back to life and retain it’s original consistency better than any other method I have used.
You do not want to defrost your meringue at room temperature! The eggs in your meringue will go bad so do not do it. It’s only a shortcut to ruining your meringue.
If you want to have a warm meringue for your particular recipe simple first thaw it in the fridge and then warm it in the oven for a few minutes prior to serving.
The key to well defrosted meringue is preventing the introduction of additional moisture to the mixture. And the best way to prevent additional moisture is by thawing it in the fridge.
Does Freezing Meringue Change It’s Texture Or Flavor?
No. Freezing meringue causes very little change to your meringue when you follow this method. It is also important to defrost it properly, but freezing it will not diminish it’s texture or flavor.
The key is to follow these steps and to use a container that seals airtight.
You may encounter some separation after your meringue thaws but that is no reason for concern. If your meringue does separate simple whisk it until it is light and fluffy again.
The primary factor that can cause a loss of flavor is how long you freeze your meringue. I have found no flavor loss for up to a month or two but after three months a noticeable change will occur. To avoid this simply use your meringue in under three months.
Frozen Meringue Tips
While simply following the steps outlined above will result in perfect frozen meringue, here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way to help ensure your meringue tastes amazing even after freezing.
Start With Fresh Meringue
If you freeze an old meringue even the best freezing method won’t do you any good. So for the best results and flavor always freeze your meringue when it is freshly prepared. This is true no matter what type of meringue you are working with.
That doesn’t mean you can’t freeze a meringue that has been stored at room temperature for a couple days, but whatever flavor loss has already occurred can’t be undone.
Always Use Plastic Airtight Containers
While I’ve seen some people recommend using freezer safe bags, I do not recommend it. Instead, always use an airtight plastic container designed to be frozen.
These containers usually provide a better seal and they also protect your meringue from being squished or crushed in the freezer.
For these reasons I always recommend using a hard shell freezer safe container to store your meringue. I also find they are just plain easier to work with so it is well worth it in the long run.
Frozen Meringue Frequently Asked Questions
I have received a number of questions about freezing meringue since publishing this article so I have added the answers that are asked the most often. I will continue to update this as needed.
Can Meringue Cookies Be Frozen?
Yes they can! Meringue cookies are well suited for being frozen. Just follow the simple steps in this article to freeze any type of meringue cookie.
Can Egg Whites Be Frozen?
Yes you can freeze egg whites. Since meringue is made using egg whites it is completely safe to freeze them. Some have found that they have leftover egg whites and wish to just freeze them until they are ready to prepare more meringue and that is completely fine.
I just pop them in a freezer safe bag and place them in the freezer until you are ready to use them.
Can Meringue Be Refrozen?
No. You should never refreeze meringue. This process will cause your meringue to break down and lose even more flavor.
Therefore it is best to portion your meringue when freezing it to avoid waste or the need to refreeze.
Can Unbaked Meringue Be Frozen?
Generally speaking yes it can. Unbaked meringue will be safe to use if frozen but it will suffer some texture changes. Unbaked meringue has uncooked egg whites in it and since they are not cooked they will lose their stiffness when frozen.
You can whip them again once thawed but I have found them to be less stiff after freezing.
Can Swiss Meringue Be Frozen?
Yes Swiss meringue can be stored in the freezer.
While French meringue is the most popular type, I work with both Swiss and Italian meringue and found they both hold up well to freezing.
Swiss meringue is a good candidate for being stored in the freezer if you wish to use it for up to two months in the future.
Swiss meringue is heated meaning the eggs take on a stronger structure making them able to handle freezing. Be certain to follow your recipe prior to freezing to ensure proper texture for storing.
Can Italian Meringue Be Frozen?
Yes. Italian meringue is also heated offering the same benefits for freezing as French and Swiss meringue. Again, be sure to follow your recipe prior to freezing your Italian meringue.
Do not store Italian meringue in the fridge as it will dry out. Store it at room temperature if you will us it in a few days or the freezer for up to three months.
When freezing Italian meringue it is important that as much air is removed from the container as possible. This is the one type of meringue I say is ok to be stored in freezer bags.
But following the steps laid out above will provide great results.
Can Meringue Frosting Be Frozen?
You can but it is not recommended. Meringue frosting is less stable than other forms of meringue and tends to break down upon being thawed.
Meringue frosting is simple to make but that lack of stability means it is not well suited for freezing.
Instead, it is always best to use all your meringue frosting when prepared.
Can Meringue Roulade Be Frozen?
Yes you can. Meringue roulade is traditionally served cold and it is often frozen prior to serving anyway.
It lends itself well to being stored in the freezer. The key is to properly wrap and seal your roulade prior to putting it in the freezer.
I like to use a hard container to avoid my roulade being squished. Place it in the back of the freezer and it will keep for up to two months.
Thawing is the same as any other meringue. Place the container in the refrigerator over night and then serve.
Can A Meringue Pie Be Frozen?
Yes meringue pie can be frozen. But not for as long as other meringue desserts. Depending on the type of pie, some do not hold up to freezing as well as others.
For that reason it is best to consume a meringue pie fresh but if storing for more than a week then the freezer works for up to one month. You must store in an airtight container that will not crush your meringue though so be sure to use an appropriately sized container.
Can Pavlova Meringue Be Frozen?
No. Pavlova with meringue is not suited for storing in the freezer. It often loses it’s shape and while edible, does not present well after freezing.
It is therefore recommended to consume pavlova with meringue once prepared and to not store it in the freezer.
Bottom Line
Yes freezing meringue is simple with the right technique. As you can see most meringues and meringue based desserts can be frozen with this method. The key is to use an airtight container and to follow the easy steps above. Also be sure to thaw your meringue the way I outlined above for the best results.