How To Store Homemade Popsicles And Prevent Freezer Burn

When the weather is unbearably hot, any batch of popsicles you make at home is likely to be devoured in one sitting by the kids and even the adults in your house. That said, in case you're making several batches to keep for future consumption, storing them properly is essential to ensure they remain tasty and free from freezer burn. The trick is to double-wrap before popping them back in the freezer.

Freezer burn occurs when frozen food comes into direct contact with cold dry air which dehydrates the surface of the food. The result is a deterioration of the original flavor and texture of the dish and, although freezer-burned food won't make you sick, your eating experience will be less than pleasant. Therefore, instead of just leaving your popsicles in the freezer while still in their molds (these will need to be eaten within a day or two) the way to preserve the ice-cold treats longer while avoiding freezer burn, is where double-wrapping comes in.

After they're completely frozen, remove the popsicles from the molds and wrap each one individually using plastic wrap or wax paper. Now stash all the wrapped ice pops in a freezer-safe plastic bag and remove as much air from inside before sealing. This extra layer of protection will help prevent exposure to air. At the same time, you can now easily and safely remove one ice pop at a time from the bag as the need (or craving) arises.

Apart from double-wrapping, popsicle-makers can take other measures to ensure their ice-cold goodies remain fresh and free from freezer burn. One of them is maintaining the correct temperature of the frozen food. Now, this might seem obvious since you're, after all, putting the popsicles in the freezer. However, double-checking the freezer's temperature is important. Simply put an appliance thermometer inside the freezer compartment, shut the freezer door, and give it a few minutes to pick up the temperature reading. When you open the door to check the reading, it should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

Maintaining that low temperature ensures your popsicles (and other frozen foods) remain fresh. Therefore avoid opening the freezer door too often and for too long as that will lead to fluctuating temperatures. Also, when placing the popsicles in the compartment, keep them at the very back of the freezer, where the temperature is most consistent. Lastly, labeling the bag with the date is a good idea, so you know how long they've been stored. Frozen food can remain safe to eat almost indefinitely, however, the flavor and texture inevitably deteriorate with time. So when it comes to your creative homemade popsicles, they typically last up to three to six months in the freezer.