Can You Freeze Eggs?
Yes — and a glut of eggs in spring is exactly when it is worth doing. Frozen eggs keep up to a year and behave almost normally in baking.
Never freeze eggs in the shell
The water inside expands and the shell cracks. Worse, it can crack in a way that leaves shell fragments in the egg. Always break them out first.
How to freeze whole eggs
- Beat them — just until yolk and white are combined. Do not whip in air.
- Add salt or sugar — this stops the yolk going gelatinous:
- Savory use: ⅛ tsp salt per 2 eggs
- Sweet use: 1½ tsp sugar per 2 eggs
- Label it — write whether it is salted or sweetened, and the date.
- Freeze in a jar or bag with a little headroom, or in an ice cube tray then bagged.
One standard ice cube is roughly half an egg; a large egg is about 3 tablespoons.
How long do frozen eggs last?
| Form | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Whole eggs, beaten | — | Up to 12 months |
| Egg whites only | 2–4 days | Up to 12 months |
| Egg yolks only | 2 days | Up to 12 months |
| Hard-boiled | 1 week | Not recommended |
| Fresh, in shell | 3–5 weeks | Do not |
Yolks need special handling
Plain yolks freeze into a gum-like solid. Add either ⅛ tsp salt or ½ tsp sugar per 4 yolks before freezing. Whites need nothing.
Thawing and using
- Thaw in the fridge overnight, or under cold running water in a sealed bag
- Use within 3 days of thawing
- Use thawed eggs in cooked dishes — scrambling, baking, omelettes. Not for soft-boiled or raw uses.
- Beat again before use; they separate slightly on thawing
What frozen eggs are good for
- Baking — behaves essentially normally
- Scrambled eggs and omelettes
- French toast, pancakes, custards
- Binding meatballs or burgers
Can you freeze hard-boiled eggs?
Not usefully. The whites become rubbery and watery. Eat them fresh, or pickle them — pickled eggs keep for months in the fridge.
Common questions
How long can you freeze eggs?
Up to 12 months for beaten whole eggs, whites or yolks. Quality is best in the first 6 months.
Can you freeze eggs in the shell?
No. The water expands and the shell cracks. Always break them out first.
Why do you add salt or sugar before freezing?
Without it, the yolks become thick and gelatinous. Salt for savory use, sugar for baking.
Can you eat thawed eggs raw?
No. Treat thawed eggs as you would raw eggs and cook them thoroughly.
Storage times for rice, flour, beans, oils and frozen food — with the signs that mean throw it out: the food storage chart.