Freezing Spanakopitas

[Salt]

I made a bunch of spanakopitas tonight and I want to freeze the extras. How do I go about freezing them? I know if I was to keep them in the fridge I would have to keep a moist papertowel on them to keep the phyllo dough from drying out. Do I do the same if I freeze them?

[margeslp]

I made a bunch of spanakopitas tonight and I want to freeze the extras. How do I go about freezing them? I know if I was to keep them in the fridge I would have to keep a moist papertowel on them to keep the phyllo dough from drying out. Do I do the same if I freeze them?

That's our family favorite and I always make them ahead for the holidays. It sounds like you are planning to freeze them raw. I bake all of them and package them carefully for the freezer so I don't break the lovely crust (I do mine in triangles). When I defrost them, I crisp up the dough in the toaster oven or regular oven, depending on the amounts.

[Troublet]

I've frozen spanakopitas for years and like margeslp, I've frozen them after they have been baked.

I'm not sure how the phyllo would bake after coming back out of the freezer. The change in moisture levels could affect the final product.

[Kathy B]

Actually, if you google freezing spanakopitas, you will find a large number of posts advocating both ways :freeze, then bake OR bake, then freeze. Several suggest popping them straight into the oven frozen rather than thawing first, although a lower temp and slightly longer baking time may be required to avoid overbrowning. (I looked it up because it has been years since I have made them, but I was pretty sure I used to freeze, then bake.)

I think ultimately you are probably OK either way. You may just want to try both methods to see which results you prefer.

[Bawstinn]

We also make the triangles and freeze them prior to cooking. I freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet than I use a Food Saver bag.

I have found that if you don't freeze in a single layer when freezing them uncooked, they will stick together.

[sneezles]

We also make the triangles and freeze them prior to cooking. I freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet than I use a Food Saver bag.

I have found that if you don't freeze in a single layer when freezing them uncooked, they will stick together.


Exactly what I do!

[1grl1by]

We also make the triangles and freeze them prior to cooking. I freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet than I use a Food Saver bag.

I have found that if you don't freeze in a single layer when freezing them uncooked, they will stick together.

my mil and my sil's mother do as well.

[Salt]

Thanks for all your help. I will try it both ways.