Learn how to freeze sandwiches and which ones freeze best—because YES, you can freeze sandwiches—to make life easier, especially when it comes to packing lunch.
Can you freeze sandwiches?
One of my favorite meal prep ideas is to freeze a batch of simple sandwiches for the kids so they’re ready to grab and go on busy mornings. They thaw really quickly in a lunch box and just reduce the number of things to do when mealtime is busy.
This method works really well for peanut butter and jelly, sunflower seed butter and jam, Homemade Uncrustables, turkey and cheese, hummus sandwiches, and more.
Ingredients You Need
To freeze sandwiches, you need the following ingredients:
- Bread: Any type will work, though I’ve had more success with softer styles of sandwich bread versus heartier artisan loaves.
- Fillings: Peanut butter, seed butters, or other nut butters and jam or jelly work really well for this. You can also try turkey, cheese, ham (or other lunch meat), or hummus.
TIP: You’ll want to avoid using raw veggies, such as lettuce, avocado, and tomato, in these sandwiches you plan to freeze, as they won’t freeze and thaw and keep their same texture after being frozen and thawed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to use this method to batch-prep sandwiches for the freezer.
- Spread the bread out on a clean cutting board.
- Add the spreads or fillings as desired.
- Close the sandwich and slice if desired. (You can also make Uncrustables.)
- Add to a freezer bag, remove as much air as you can with a straw, and seal.
Sandwiches That Freeze Well
Sandwiches that freeze well include peanut butter and jelly, sunflower seed butter and jam, chia seed jam and cream cheese, hummus, DIY Uncrustables, and any deli meat and sliced cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
I actually have never had this happen, but I would try to use a jam or jelly without a lot of liquid (so a firmer one). It also won’t become soggy if you don’t add wet ingredients such as fresh veggies, pickles, and excess sauces.
Make your sandwiches, add to a freezer bag, and remove as much air as possible. Then, freeze!
How to Store and Thaw
Store the sandwiches in a sealed freezer bag for up to 6 months. To thaw, remove one and add to a lunch box with at least 3 hours to thaw before lunch. Or thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
- Avoid adding raw veggies to the sandwiches before thawing.
- Add any condiments the kids prefer.
- Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. Seal, leaving an inch open, insert a straw and suck out the air. Quickly seal the bag.
- Add frozen sandwiches right to a lunch box at least 3 hours before the kids need to eat it. Or thaw overnight and then pack.
- Try Chia Jam in the mix.
- Softer sandwich breads work better than heartier artisan loaves for this method.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this method, so please rate and comment below.
How to Freeze Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 8 slices soft white or wheat sandwich bread
PB & J
- ¼ cup peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter or other nut or seed butter)
- ¼ cup jam (or jelly, chia jam, or apple butter)
Turkey and Cheese
- 8 slices deli turkey (low sodium if desired)
- 4 slices cheese (any type)
- ¼ cup mayo or mustard (optional)
Hummus Sandwich
- 1 cup hummus
- 4 slices cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Place the bread onto a clean work surface.
- Make the desired sandwich.
- Close the sandwich and slice as desired.
- Add to a freezer bag. Seal, leaving one inch open. Insert a straw and remove all of the air. Close the bag quickly. (This creates a DIY vacuum seal.)
- Store in the freezer.
- To thaw, remove one and add to a lunch box with at least 3 hours to thaw before lunch. Or thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Notes
- Store the sandwiches in a sealed freezer bag for up to 6 months. To thaw, remove one and add to a lunch box with at least 3 hours to thaw before lunch. Or thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Avoid adding raw veggies to the sandwiches before thawing.
- Add any condiments the kids prefer.
- Try Chia Jam.
- Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. Seal, leaving an inch open, insert a straw, and suck out the air. Quickly seal the bag.
- Add frozen sandwiches right to a lunch box at least 3 hours before the kids need to eat it. Or thaw overnight and then pack.
- Softer sandwich breads work better than heartier artisan loaves for this method.
