Quick Answer
Yes, it is perfectly safe to freeze Pillsbury dough. Pillsbury dough comes refrigerated and is designed to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Freezing prolongs the shelf life of the dough so it can be used at a later date. Most Pillsbury dough products, including crescent rolls, biscuits, cookies, and pizza crust can be frozen for 2-3 months. Make sure to wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight freezer bag before freezing. Allow the dough to thaw in the refrigerator before using and bake as directed. Freezing prevents the dough from developing mold and bacteria growth.
Can You Freeze Unbaked Pillsbury Dough?
Yes, unbaked Pillsbury dough can be safely frozen to extend its shelf life. Here are some tips for freezing unbaked dough:
Crescent Rolls
– Make sure crescent roll dough comes straight from the refrigerator and is still cold when freezing. Allowing it to sit at room temperature can shorten freeze time.
– Wrap the unopened tube of crescent roll dough tightly in plastic wrap, squeezing out excess air. Then place in a freezer bag or airtight container.
– Freeze for up to 2 months at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
– Bake as directed on the package. Extend baking time by 2-3 minutes for best results with previously frozen dough.
Biscuits
– Ensure refrigerated biscuit dough is cold when freezing. Allowing to sit out reduces shelf life.
– Open the biscuit can and remove the raw dough. Divide it into biscuits and place on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer.
– Freeze the pan of unbaked biscuits for 1-2 hours until completely hard.
– Remove from pan and place frozen biscuits in a freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air and return to freezer.
– Freeze for up to 3 months at 0°F. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking.
– Add 1-2 minutes to the recommended baking time for the best texture.
Cookies
– For slice-and-bake cookie dough, wrap the log or section tightly in plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag.
– For pre-portioned cookie dough, place each dough ball on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible.
– Freeze cookie dough up to 3 months at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
– Extend baking time by 1-2 minutes for previously frozen dough.
Pizza Crust
– Keep refrigerated pizza crust dough cold when freezing. Allowing to reach room temperature shortens shelf life.
– Open pizza dough container and divide into individual crusts if needed. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, removing excess air.
– Place wrapped dough in freezer bags or airtight containers. Flatten to remove more air.
– Freeze up to 2 months at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
– Let thawed crust sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling out and baking as directed.
How to Freeze Baked Pillsbury Products
You can also freeze previously baked items made with Pillsbury dough to enjoy later. Here are some tips:
Crescent Rolls
– Allow baked crescent rolls to cool completely, then place in a freezer bag.
– Press out excess air and seal the bag. Freeze for up to 3 months at 0°F.
– Reheat directly from frozen using the microwave or oven.
Biscuits
– Once biscuits are completely cool, wrap individually in plastic wrap or foil.
– Place in freezer bag, seal, and freeze up to 3 months at 0°F.
– Reheat frozen biscuits wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Cookies
– Allow baked cookies to cool completely then place in airtight freezer container with waxed paper between layers.
– Seal container and freeze for up to 6 months at 0°F.
– Thaw at room temperature or briefly warm in microwave or oven before serving.
Pizza
– Allow baked pizza to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
– Place in freezer bag, removing excess air. Freeze up to 3 months at 0°F.
– Reheat frozen pizza wrapped in foil at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Crisp crust by placing directly on oven rack last few minutes.
What Happens When You Freeze Dough?
Freezing dough slows down the activity of yeast and stops the dough from rising. It also prevents bacteria growth, molding, and spoilage. Here’s what happens on a molecular level:
Yeast
– Freezing dough puts yeast in a dormant state. The cold temperature causes yeast to go dormant and stop producing carbon dioxide that makes dough rise.
– When thawed, yeast reactivates and dough rises normally. Extend proofing time as needed for previously frozen dough.
Gluten
– Gluten relaxes when frozen, which can make dough slightly less elastic.
– During thawing, work the dough to redevelop the gluten structure. Let it rise slowly in the refrigerator.
Moisture
– Water in dough expands when frozen, forming ice crystals. This can damage the cell structure.
– When thawing, the ice crystals melt and moisten the dough again. The cell structure reforms during proofing.
Does Freezing Dough Affect Taste?
Freezing does not significantly affect the flavor of Pillsbury dough. However, freezing can slightly impact dough texture. Here’s how:
– Yeast fermentation stops, so dough looses some flavor development.
– Gluten relaxes, reducing chewiness.
– Ice crystals can damage cell structure, making texture less tender.
– For crescent rolls and biscuits, the changes in texture are minimal after freezing dough.
– For cookies, frozen dough may result in a slightly tougher, denser texture.
– For pizza and bread, the texture differences are more noticeable. Allow thawed dough to proof longer to improve texture.
Overall, freezing does not make Pillsbury dough unsafe or inedible. With proper thawing, proofing, and baking, frozen dough tastes quite similar to fresh.
How Long Does Pillsbury Dough Last in the Fridge?
Refrigerated Pillsbury dough typically lasts 1-2 weeks past the “use by” date printed on the package when stored properly in the fridge. Follow these guidelines for shelf life:
Unopened Refrigerated Dough
– Crescent rolls: 2 weeks
– Biscuits: 1 week
– Cookie dough: 1-2 weeks
– Pizza crust: 1-2 weeks
Opened Refrigerated Dough
– Crescent rolls: 5-7 days
– Biscuits: 3-5 days
– Cookie dough: 3-5 days
– Pizza crust: 3-5 days
Once opened, press out excess air and seal bag tightly. Monitor dough for signs of spoilage like mold growth or bad odor. Discard if any mold, even just spots, develop. Freezing extends shelf life.
How to Thaw Frozen Pillsbury Dough
Here are some tips for properly thawing frozen Pillsbury dough:
– Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Cold thawing prevents yeast overproofing.
– For quicker thawing, leave dough wrapped at room temperature 1-2 hours. Monitor closely to ensure yeast doesn’t activate.
– Do not thaw dough on the counter over 2 hours. Yeast may start working and overproof.
– Thaw frozen baked goods like biscuits, cookies, and pizza at room temperature 1-2 hours.
– Avoid thawing dough in the microwave. This can create hot spots and activate yeast unevenly.
Conclusion
Freezing Pillsbury dough is a great way to have access to fresh baked goods for weeks longer without having to run to the store. Nearly all Pillsbury refrigerated dough products freeze well for 2-3 months. Make sure to thaw the dough properly in the refrigerator before using to maintain texture and flavor. With a few simple tips, frozen dough bakes up just as tasty as fresh. Having ready-to-bake dough in the freezer saves time and lets you enjoy warm homemade biscuits, pizza, cinnamon rolls, and cookies anytime.
