Freezing Potatoes

When a potato is frozen, the water in the potato separates from the starch causing the reheated potato to be watery. Nevertheless, if you have lots of potatoes you may want to try freezing them. Prepare a small quantity first to see what you think of the results.

Whole Small Potatoes

• Choose new, smaller potatoes of the waxy type such as red or gold potatoes.
• For best results, freeze as soon as harvested.
• Wash and scrub the potatoes leaving the skins on, if desired. 
• Blanch 4 to 6 minutes if smaller than 1 to 1½ inches in diameter and 8 to 10 minutes if larger. The potato needs to be heated through completely to stop enzymatic reactions. Inadequate heating will result in the center of the potato turning dark.
• Cool, drain, pack, and freeze. 
• To cook, add the frozen potatoes to enough boiling water to cover and cook about 15 minutes or until tender.

French Fried Potatoes

• Select mature potatoes, stored for at least 30 days. 
• Cut the cleaned potatoes into ⅜ inch strips. Rinse them quickly in cold water to remove the surface starch. Drain well. 
• Method 1. Fry small amounts in deep, hot fat (360°F, 182°C) for about 5 minutes until tender but not brown. Drain on a paper towel to cool.
• Method 2. Spread the strips in a single layer on a shallow pan and brush with melted butter, margarine, or oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F (232°C) until golden brown and tender. Turn occasionally.
• Cool in the refrigerator. Package in zip-type bags or plastic freezer containers, seal, and freeze.
•  If desired, use a tray pack so that individual portions can be used; arrange fries in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until solid.
• At serving time, bake in a preheated oven at 475°F until golden brown and tender. Turn occasionally. 

Note: Commercially made French Fries are flash-frozen giving a different quality than home frozen fries.

Prepared Potatoes

Prepared cooked potatoes tend to lose flavor rapidly when frozen and should be stored for only a few weeks. 

• Mashed potatoes are prepared as usual; adding butter, cream, sour cream, or cream cheese provides fat that helps the frozen mashed potatoes to maintain their texture. Quickly cool the potatoes and form into ½-inch thick patties or pack them as a mass. Freeze patties on a cookie sheet before packing into containers or freezer bags. To serve, patties can be fried in butter until brown or brushed with melted fat and broiled. They may also be defrosted in the microwave oven, topped with cheese, and cooked at 50 to 80% power (depending upon the wattage rating of the microwave) until they are hot and the cheese is melted. Larger portions may be reheated in an oven at 350°F to an internal temperature of at least 165°F or reheated in a covered casserole in a microwave oven on 50% power. Cover and stir occasionally.
• Scalloped potatoes can be made as usual and baked until almost tender and a delicate brown color.  Leave in the baking dish. Cool quickly and cover surface with moisture-resistant paper before freezing.  To use, partially thaw or bake unthawed. Bake at 400°F until heated through. Add milk if necessary.
• Prepare stuffed baked potatoes by removing the cooked potato from the skin, mashing it and returning it to the skin before wrapping and freezing. To serve, remove the wrap and bake in a 425°F oven for 30 minutes. Use within 2 to 4 weeks.

For more information on preserving potatoes and sweet potatoes check our Penn State Extension publication Let's Preserve: Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes.

References

Andress, Elizabeth & Harrison, Judy. (2014, updated 2020). So Easy to Preserve, Bulletin 989. University of Georgia Extension.

Zepp, M., Hirneisen, A., & LaBorde, L. (2023, March 1). "Let's Preserve Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes".