Quick Answer
Yes, you can put jello in the freezer. Freezing jello can help it keep its shape and last longer. Placing jello in the freezer allows it to set up completely and become very firm. Fully set jello is less likely to get soggy or lose its shape when served or stored.
Can All Types of Jello be Frozen?
All types and flavors of jello can be frozen, including regular jello, sugar free jello, and jello made with alternative ingredients like gelatin sheets. Freezing works for jello desserts made in large pans or individual jello cups and molds.
Here are some tips for freezing different kinds of jello:
Regular Jello
Standard jello made with a boxed jello mix and hot water can be frozen once fully set. Allow regular jello to chill in the refrigerator for several hours first until completely firm. Then cover the container and freeze.
Sugar Free or Diet Jello
Sugar free jello can also be frozen after it has fully set up. Keep in mind that some sugar free jello may not get quite as firm. So it’s especially important to chill it first in the fridge until very firm before transferring to the freezer.
Jello Made with Alternate Ingredients
Jello can also be made with unflavored gelatin sheets instead of a boxed mix. You can also find recipes for jello made with alternate ingredients like agar agar for vegan jello. These types of jello creations can also be frozen once fully set.
Layered Jello
Layered jello desserts with different flavors or added fruits and ingredients should also be completely chilled first before freezing to maintain the layer separation. Consider freezing layered jello in smaller individual portions rather than a large pan.
How to Freeze Jello
Freezing jello is easy to do at home with just a few simple steps:
1. Allow prepared jello to fully set in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours until firm. Jello needs to be completely solidified before freezing.
2. For layered jello, consider freezing in individual cups or molds rather than a large pan. This makes it easier to remove portions later on.
3. Place waxed paper or plastic wrap directly on the surface of the jello to prevent it from drying out in the freezer.
4. Cover the container well with plastic wrap or foil. Metal tins or plastic containers with lids also work well.
5. Label the jello with the name and date before freezing.
6. Place jello in the freezer. Jello can be stored frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Tips
– Chill jello as long as possible, ideally overnight, before freezing for best results.
– Avoid freezing jello in glass containers, which could crack as contents expand. Use plastic instead.
– Freeze jello in individual portions or slices rather than a whole pan for easier thawing later.
How Long Does Jello Last in the Freezer?
Properly stored in airtight packaging, jello can usually be kept frozen for 2 to 3 months before quality starts to degrade.
Over time, frozen jello may develop freezer burn or absorb off-flavors from the freezer. The jello may also become dried out, cracked, or discolored.
For best quality and texture, use frozen jello within the following time periods:
| Jello Type | Freezer Storage Life |
|---|---|
| Regular jello | 2 to 3 months |
| Sugar free jello | 1 to 2 months |
| Jello with added fruit | 1 to 2 months |
| Layered or molded jello | 1 to 2 months |
As you can see, regular jello has the longest freezer life. Sugar free, fruit-added, or layered jello is a bit more delicate and won’t last as long frozen.
How to Thaw Frozen Jello
Thawing frozen jello is a quick and easy process:
– Remove jello from the freezer and packaging. Unmold if frozen in individual cups or shapes.
– For best results, thaw jello overnight in the fridge rather than at room temperature.
– Place jello on a plate or in a container to catch any condensation as it thaws.
– Thawed jello is ready to eat once completely softened and re-solidified.
– For quicker use, jello can be thawed at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
– Do not microwave frozen jello to thaw, as this can make the texture mushy.
– Consume thawed jello within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze after thawing.
Tips for Thawing
– Thaw frozen fruit-added jello in the fridge to prevent fruits from getting mushy at room temp.
– When thawing layered jello, keep it cold in the fridge to maintain layer integrity.
– Jello molds can take a few extra hours to thaw completely to pop out of the molds.
– Thawed sugar free jello may be softer than regular jello. Store in fridge and consume quickly.
Using Frozen Jello
Once thawed, frozen jello can be used just like fresh jello for all your favorite desserts and dishes:
– Serve jello cubes or molded shapes on their own or with whipped cream as a simple dessert.
– Make colorful fruit parfaits by layering thawed jello with fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, nuts, and more.
– Use cubed jello in a fruit salad, letting the pieces impart flavor and sweetness.
– For a fun textural twist, add small cubes of jello to ice cream, milkshakes, or smoothies.
– Get creative with cubes of jello by skewering them for fruit kebabs or letting kids play with their food and make jello sculptures.
– Mix cubed jello into cookies, cakes, or no-bake dessert bars for bright colors and fun textures.
– Use thawed jello as a sweet topping on cheesecakes or cupcakes. Spread it into an even layer while liquid and chill again to set.
Jello Freezer Meal Prep Ideas
Freezing jello in batches is a great way to always have dessert ready to go. Consider these meal prep ideas:
– Double recipes and freeze half your jello in cups or molds for later.
– Make a big batch of one jello flavor, then divide it up and mix in different fruits, nuts, or candy for customized portions.
– Prepare layered jello in disposable cups to freeze, removing to serve so layers stay intact.
– Freeze festive holiday jello shapes in advance, like trees, stars, or pumpkins.
– Make adult jello shots in syringes or small cups to keep frozen until needed.
– Whip up pretty jello cubes to have ready to decorate cakes, ice cream sundaes, or fruit tarts.
– Freeze plain lemon or lime jello to add tang to cold beverages anytime.
– Mold cranberry jello with orange zest for elegant holiday side dishes to make ahead.
Can You Freeze Jello Salads?
Jello salads typically contain jello mixed with fruits, vegetables, dairy products or even meat or seafood ingredients molded into salads. Can these more elaborate jello creations also be frozen?
Freezing most jello salads is not recommended:
– Ingredients like raw fruits and vegetables, cream cheese, sour cream, or cottage cheese tend to get watery and compromise the texture of jello once thawed.
– Jello salads with substantial ingredients mixed in may not fully set up even when chilled before freezing.
– Seafood or chicken mixed into jello will also become mushy once frozen and thawed.
– The jello itself can weep liquid once thawed, causing ingredients to separate rather than remain suspended.
– Molding jello salads makes them tricky to remove from the pan once frozen solid.
Instead of freezing elaborate jello salads, freeze just the plain jello itself. Then mix in other fresh ingredients after thawing.
If you do want to freeze jello salads, stick to simple mixes with stable ingredients like canned fruits or thawed frozen berries. Avoid creamy or raw ingredients that can make the jello watery.
Can You Freeze Homemade Jello Shots?
It’s fine to freeze jello shots made with alcohol like vodka, rum, or tequila. The alcohol prevents the liquid from fully solidifying when frozen, so jello shots will retain their pourable, shot-like consistency.
Here are some tips for successfully freezing jello shots:
– Only freeze jello shots made with 80 proof (40%) distilled spirits. Higher proof alcohols may prevent jello from setting up properly before freezing.
– Use small plastic cups or ice cube trays to freeze individual portion-sized shots.
– Allow jello shots to fully set in the fridge for 6 hours before transferring to the freezer.
– Cover cups with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
– Frozen jello shots will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
– Gently stir after thawing if consistency is too solid. Add a bit of cold liquid like juice or water to thin out if needed.
Freezing jello shots allows you to whip up a big batch for parties or holidays well in advance. Just thaw, serve and enjoy!
Conclusion
Freezing jello is perfectly safe and can help jello desserts keep their shape for weeks or months. Allow all types of jello to fully set before freezing for best results. Plain jello freezes better than elaborate jello salads. Thaw frozen jello gradually in the fridge before using. With the right freezing and thawing methods, you can enjoy jello anytime with great texture and flavor.
