Follow these tips to fix those ice crystals on your favorite dessert and keep more from forming.
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pancake-secret-ingredient-gluten-stco-1-e8e03be656eb4611afa15b017f4ed715.jpg "Here's How to Fix Freezer Burn Ice Cream Once and For All (1)")
Updated on April 18, 2024
When you have a craving for ice cream, the last thing you want to find is a pint of your favorite dessert covered in ice crystals. Freezer burn is caused by water evaporating and then refreezing on the ice cream's surface. Although it will still taste like ice cream, it may have a stale flavor with a crunchy, scratchy consistency. The good news is that freezer burn ice cream can easily be prevented and even fixed when you store it in the freezer properly. Here's how to remove and prevent freezer burn in the first place.
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Remove Existing Freezer Burn
Allow the ice cream to melt a little, then remove the crystals with an ice cream scoop or a serrated knife before serving. (Freezer burn ice cream is safe to eat since ice crystals do not spoil the ice cream.) Keep the remaining ice cream in an airtight container, or cover the original container with parchment paper to avoid freezer burn and loss of quality.
Don't eat freezer burn ice cream that could be spoiled, especially if the container has already been opened. Store-bought ice cream that uses preservatives can last up to a year in the freezer. Homemade ice cream lasts up to three months.
If your ice cream has freezer burn and you don't want to eat it, consider making milkshakes or smoothies before tossing the pint in the garbage.
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Add Parchment Paper Beneath the Lid
Lay a piece of wax or parchment paper (plastic wrap works, too) flat against your ice cream inside the container to prevent freezer burn. This technique eliminates the extra air space inside the carton and makes it harder for moisture to evaporate (and unpleasantly refreeze). If you make your own ice cream, thin, shallow storage containers will keep your homemade treat freezer-burn-free for weeks on end.
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Store Ice Cream Upside Down
Always store partially melted ice cream upside down to prevent freezer burn. If you store the container upside down before refreezing, the melted ice cream will drip into the lid and have less of a chance of ruining the "pure" part at the bottom that's still frozen. Just make sure the top is super snug before you try it.
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Prevent Ice Cream From Melting
When you leave ice cream out on the counter or in the car after buying it at the store, it can melt (even partially), which can cause ice crystals to form. When transporting, place ice cream in a cooler to reduce the time it sits out.
If the ice cream is too hard to scoop, and it's in a pint-size, consider cutting across the pint with a sharp knife to remove a slice of ice cream (and part of the container). This step will prevent you from needing to let it melt to be able to scoop it. Cover the shortened container with plastic wrap and store it immediately.
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Keep Ice Cream in the Back of the Freezer
Storing ice cream in the back of the freezer is equally important because temperatures further from the door are much more stable over time. The further back the item, the harder it is for room-temperature air to invade (and tamper with) your food. Whatever you do, avoid storing your frozen desserts in the door of your freezer.
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Set the Freezer to the Correct Temperature
Prevent freezer burn by making sure your freezer is at the right temperature. Try putting a freezer thermometer inside to check that it reads 0 F or below. If it doesn't, we recommend turning down the dial.
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