My top tips on how to batch cook and freeze snacks for kids. Save time, money and stress by batch cooking these delicious family friendly treats and storing them in the freezer for busy days.
Batch cooking is one of those things that we all know we should be doing but the reality is we probably don’t get round to it that much. Batch cooking saves time, money and stress but it can also seem a bit daunting to a lot people who envisage having to spend hours in the kitchen and have a tonne of freezer space.
I’m here to show you that you don’t need loads of time or a gigantic freezer to benefit from batch cooking snacks for your family.
Benefits of Batch Cooking Snacks
Batch cooking snacks has lots of benefits; namely:It can save you money buy having cheap homemade snacks at the ready rather than relying on expensive shop bought ones.
1. Homemade snacks are usually a little healthier and you know exactly what has gone into them.
2. It can save you a lot of time in the kitchen by simply cooking double or triple what you usually would.
3. It can save a lot of stress too; knowing there’s snacks ready to go and you don’t need to make anything on busy days.
4. Not to mention saving money and cutting down on food waste.
Equipment Needed to Freeze Snacks
You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment or utensils to get started on batch cooking and freezing snacks. You probably have most of what you need already at home.
My favourites bits are:
Freezer Bags – either plastic or silicone ziplock bags. The plastic ones can be washed and reused so don’t throw them away after just one use.
Lunch Boxes – plastic or glass lunch boxes are ideal to store snacks.
Takeaway Containers – I always save any containers from takeaways. They are perfect to use aswell as or instead of lunch boxes.
Parchment / Baking Paper – you will need this for any snacks that need to be individually wrapped.
Marker Pen – to label your snacks and that date on which you frozen them.
What Snacks Are Best To Freeze?
There are lots of homemade snacks which are ideal for batch cooking and freezing. Here are some of my favourite:
How To Freeze Muffins
It is so easy to make a big batch of muffins and freeze. In fact I think it’s better to freeze them than keep them in a tin as homemade muffins will start to harden after just a few hours.
To freeze, pop the cool muffins into a freezer bag. Push all the air out and close. Lay the bag flat in the freezer so that the muffins don’t bunch together and then stick when freezing.
To defrost, take however many you need out and defrost at room temperature for about 3 hours. You can eat as they are or reheat for a minute in the microwave.
Keep in the freezer – Up to 3 months
Try this recipe – Apple & Carrot Greek Yogurt Muffins
How To Freeze Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing. Place them on a tray or plate in a single layer and flash freeze for about an hour. This will stop them sticking together.
Transfer them into a freezer bag, push the air out and close. Then return to the freezer.
You can also wrap them in parchment paper or foil and store in a lunch box or container in the freezer.
Defrost at room temperature for 1-2 hours depending on their size.
Keep in the freezer – Up to 3 months
Try this recipe – Triple Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
How To Freeze Banana Bread & Cake
Banana Bread, cake or any kind of loaf is best frozen in slices so you can just defrost however much you need rather than the whole thing.
Let the bread or cake cool completely and then cut into slices. Wrap each individual slice in parchment paper or foil and then place in a container or freezer bag.
Defrost at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
Keep in the freezer – Up to 3 months
Try this recipe – Strawberry Banana Bread
How To Freeze Granola Bars
Allow the granola bars to cool completely before freezing. Place them on a tray or plate in a single layer and flash freeze for about an hour. This will stop them sticking together.
Transfer them into a freezer bag, push the air out and close. Then return to the freezer.
You can also wrap them in parchment paper or foil and store in a lunch box or container in the freezer.
Defrost at room temperature for 1-1.5 hours.
Keep in the freezer – Up to 2 months
Try this recipe – Nut Free Granola Bars
How To Freeze Energy Bites
Another great option for batch making is Energy Bites. So easy to make and no cooking required.
Pop them onto a plate to firm up in the freezer and then transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
Defrost at room temperature in less than an hour.
Keep in the freezer – Up to 2 months
Try this recipe – Chocolate Orange Energy Bites
How To Freeze Pancakes
Once cooked, allow the pancakes to cool then wrap individually in parchment paper and stack them together. Transfer to a freezer bag and place in the freezer.
Defrost at room temperature in about 1.5 hours or alternatively defrost straight from frozen in the microwave.
Keep in the freezer – Up to 3 months
Try this recipe – Chocolate Raspberry Pancakes
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