Did you find an old pizza in your freezer or fridge and wonder if it is safe to consume? Well, you have found the perfect article!
We all love a good frozen pizza since it is the most leisurely meal one can prepare on busy days with hectic schedules. Well, these pizzas remain fresh for a very long time, even past their expiry date; hence, it is good to eat even if it has been a while since you stored it.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about frozen pizzas, from how to store them to determining if you can consume them! Read along to get all your questions answered!
Does Frozen Pizza Go Bad?
Anything that is frozen comes with a best-by date or an expiry date. Hence, it can go wrong. Hence, unfortunately, frozen Pizza can also go wrong with regard to its quality and taste if it is frozen for more than the advised period.
How Long Do Frozen Pizzas Last?
Depending on the brand of frozen pizza you have purchased, the exact time may vary. However, as per the FDA, frozen food can last for a year in the freezer without losing its original taste and texture if stored ideally. In the fridge, it can last for about 3 weeks if stored in an air-tight container.
Once the pizza is baked or cooked, it can stay in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days. After the fifth day, you may notice signs of spoilage. Therefore, once the pizza has been baked, either freeze it if you want to eat it over time or eat it within 5 days if you don’t want to freeze it.
Given that frozen pizza toppings include cheese, pepperoni, vegetables, and other ingredients, it is safe to assume that they shouldn’t be kept on the counter or out of the refrigerator for longer than 24 hours. Whether or not you baked the pizza, it is better to throw it out if you left it on the kitchen counter for longer than 48 hours.
Can I Eat Frozen Pizza Pat its Expiry Date?
Yes. Since most frozen pizzas come with a best-by date, it is safe to consume them past their expiry date. A best-by date is there to let the consumer know the ideal period within which the pizza quality will remain uncompromised.
Consuming Pizza after that date may not be detrimental to your health; however, you may not find it as tasty as it should be since the overall taste and texture of the ingredients will change with time.
How to Know if Frozen Pizzas has Gone Bad
If you have ever purchased a frozen pizza, you may know what the crust and taste should feel like; hence, you may be able to guess if the Pizza is spoilt. However, if you are new to this, we have compiled a thorough guide to help you self-inspect and analyze if the Pizza is safe to consume.
Change in Color
Since these pizzas are frozen, naturally, they are loaded with preservatives to ensure that the dough maintains its stability and texture. The pizza dough has a light cream-to-white texture. As the pizza ages, you will notice that the color changes and get paler with time.
Change in the dough color may not indicate spoilage; however, it will significantly impact the overall taste of the Pizza once it is baked or heated.
Mold
Everyone reading this article knows the dangers of consuming any food item with fungi and bacteria growing on it. Hence, if you notice hues of green, white, or black on your Pizza, it is best to discard them.
Generally, molds and bacterias flourish when they get nutritional support and optimum moisture and temperature. Freezing pizzas can reduce the proliferation of these microbes; however, if not done correctly, the excess moisture can facilitate their multiplication.
Texture
It can be a turn-off if you notice that the pizza crust is crumbling or falling apart. It may not indicate spoilage, but it is a tell-a-tale sign that the Pizza has lost its freshness; hence, it won’t taste the way it should. A change in texture indicates that the crust has lost its integrity, so extra care should be taken while cooking it.
If you notice that the crust has released water or if it has become liquid, it is best to discard it right away. A liquid crust is a breeding ground for microbes and other harmful contaminants.
Smell
Once satisfied with the visual inspection, you should sniff your Pizza before consuming it. We all know what a pizza should smell like; hence, if you notice a foul or rancid odor, it is best to discard it.
Can you freeze it once the Pizza is cooked?
The good news is that you can store the Pizza even after you have baked it without worrying about compromising its quality. However, it is imperative to be mindful of how the Pizza is stored in the fridge or the freezer.
When storing cooked Pizza, we recommend storing them in zip-lock bags or air-tight containers. Furthermore, if stored in the fridge, it will taste best if consumed within 2 to 4 days. However, if the intent is to freeze it for a long time, you can keep them in the freezer for about 3 weeks.
Another critical point to consider while freezing Pizza is that you cannot refreeze it. Refreezing thawed pizza will add moisture and end up making the crust soggy; hence, it will not taste as it should.
Authors Note: While freezing the cooked Pizza, cut it into slices and store them separately in air-tight containers or ziplock bags. It will avoid the hassle of constant thawing and refreezing.
How to increase the Shelf Life of Frozen Pizzas
In this section, we will go over some practical ways to help you improve the overall shelf life of the Pizza.
As mentioned earlier, pay careful attention to how you plan to store the Pizza. It is advisable to store them in tight wraps or containers that can limit their interaction with air or moisture.
Furthermore, storing them in air-tight containers also ensures that the Pizza’s original smell is retained since it does not allow cross-contamination with other strong odors of various items that may be present in the refrigerator.
Frozen Pizza 101: Answering Frequently Asked Questions on Shelf Life, Expiration, and Storage
In this section, we will answer some commonly asked questions.
How can I eliminate or reduce freezer burn on my Pizza?
Storing anything at a below-zero temperature can form ice crystals that can eventually alter the taste and overall texture. To avoid that, one must store their Pizza in double-wrapped cling or in a sealed air-tight container to minimize the contact of the Pizza with ice crystals.
Can you get food poisoning from frozen Pizza?
Eating anything that is contaminated can result in food poisoning. Hence, before consuming frozen Pizza, it is essential to inspect its crust and content before eating it. Furthermore, it will help if you follow the guidelines mentioned above while storing your Pizza to avoid unwanted interactions.
How to freeze leftover Pizza?
Answer: Pizza can be frozen again after baking. To avoid having to refreeze and thaw the entire Pizza, it is recommended to freeze each slice separately after cutting. Since Pizza cannot be frozen once it has thawed, this will allow you to remove slices as and when you wish to enjoy them.
Takeaway
Frozen pizzas don’t really have an expiry date if it is appropriately stored and kept safe from freezer burns. These pizzas can last in the freezer for about 18 months without getting spoilt.
However, if you have baked it and planning to store it in the fridge, you should consume it within 5 days to enjoy the authentic taste of the Pizza.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any other queries regarding frozen Pizza, let us know in the comment section below.
