Can You Freeze Pain Au Chocolat?
Pain au chocolat is one of my favourite weekend breakfast treats. Give me a warm pain au chocolat, a strong cup of coffee and a cryptic crossword, and I’m happy for a couple of hours.
The only downside is that pastries never seem to stay fresh for long. If you’ve bought too many or spotted them reduced in the supermarket, you might be wondering whether you can freeze pain au chocolat for another day.
If you’re looking for more freezing advice, you’ll find all of my guides in one place on the Freezing Food Hub.
Can You Freeze Pain au Chocolat?
Yes, you can freeze pain au chocolat.
Whether they’re homemade, bakery fresh or supermarket bought, pain au chocolat freeze well for up to 3 months. Once defrosted, a few minutes in the oven brings the pastry back to life, making it crisp on the outside with a warm chocolate centre.
For the best results, freeze them while they’re still fresh rather than waiting until they’ve started to go stale.
Can You Freeze Jus-Rol Pain au Chocolat?
Not before baking.
Jus-Rol advises against freezing the raw dough. However, once you’ve baked the pain au chocolat and allowed them to cool completely, they can be frozen without any problems.
Can You Freeze a Whole Pack?
Yes.
If you’ve bought a sealed pack from the supermarket, you can simply place the unopened pack straight into the freezer, provided it hasn’t already been frozen.
How To Freeze Pain au Chocolat
Freezing pain au chocolat couldn’t be much easier.
- Allow freshly baked pastries to cool completely.
- Wrap each one individually in cling film or place them in a freezer bag.
- Transfer them to a rigid freezer-safe container if possible to stop them getting squashed.
- Label with the freezing date before putting them in the freezer.
I like freezing them individually as it means I can grab just one for breakfast without having to defrost the whole batch.
How Long Does Pain au Chocolat Last in the Freezer?
Pain au chocolat is best eaten within 3 months.
It’ll still be safe to eat after that, but the pastry can gradually dry out and become more susceptible to freezer burn.
How To Defrost Pain au Chocolat
Leave the pastries at room temperature for a couple of hours until fully thawed.
If you have time, unwrap them first and place them in a clean tea towel while they defrost. It helps absorb any excess moisture and keeps the pastry from becoming soggy.
How To Reheat Pain au Chocolat
Although you can eat them at room temperature, I think they’re much nicer warmed through.
For the best results, place them in a preheated oven at 160°C (140°C fan/Gas Mark 3) for around 8-10 minutes.
You can also use the microwave for 20-30 seconds, although the pastry won’t be quite as crisp.
I nearly always freeze any leftovers rather than trying to use them up over the next few days. They reheat so well that you’d hardly know they’d been frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Chocolate Croissants?
Yes. Pain au chocolat is simply the French name for a chocolate croissant, so the same freezing instructions apply.
Can You Freeze Homemade Pain au Chocolat?
Absolutely. Homemade pain au chocolat freeze just as well as shop-bought ones. Simply let them cool completely before wrapping and freezing.
Can You Freeze Pain au Chocolat Dough?
It depends on the brand or recipe. Some ready-made doughs, including Jus-Rol, shouldn’t be frozen again. Homemade laminated dough can usually be frozen before baking if wrapped well.
More Bread & Pastry Freezing Guides
If you’re filling the freezer, you might also find these guides helpful:
