Can you freeze eggs? Yes, but not in the shell

Yes, you can freeze eggs, but not in their shells. Crack them, beat the whites and yolks together, and freeze them in a sealed container: they keep their best quality for up to 12 months, according to the US government's cold storage chart. Baked egg dishes such as egg muffins and frittatas freeze for 2 to 3 months. Hard-boiled eggs are the one form the chart says not to freeze.

Why can't you freeze eggs in the shell?

The USDA says shell eggs should not be frozen. If an egg freezes by accident at the back of the fridge and its shell has cracked, throw it away. If the shell is whole, keep it frozen until you need it, then thaw it in the fridge. It can still be hard-cooked, but freezing makes the yolk thick and syrupy, so it will not blend well with the white or other ingredients.

How long do frozen eggs last?

• Raw eggs, whites and yolks beaten together: up to 12 months.
• Raw egg whites on their own: up to 12 months.
• Raw yolks on their own: the chart says they do not freeze well.
• Baked egg dishes, such as egg muffins, frittatas and breakfast casseroles: 2 to 3 months.
• Hard-boiled eggs: do not freeze.

Frozen food kept at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe; these times are for best quality. For eggs kept in the fridge, see how long raw eggs last in the fridge.

How do you freeze raw eggs?

• Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them until the yolks and whites are just blended.
• Pour them into a freezer container, or into a muffin tin or ice-cube tray for small portions, then move the frozen portions into a freezer bag.
• Write the number of eggs and the date on the bag; see how to label meal prep.
• Egg whites can be frozen as they are, in a labelled container.

How do you use frozen eggs?

Thaw them in the fridge overnight, never on the counter, and use them in dishes where the eggs are fully cooked: scrambled eggs, omelettes, baking and egg muffins. Cook egg dishes to 160°F (71°C). More on safe thawing in how to thaw meal prep safely.

Which egg meal prep freezes best?

Baked egg dishes are the easiest way to have eggs ready for busy mornings: egg and veggie muffin cups, cottage cheese egg bites and freezer breakfast burritos. Let them cool, freeze them on a tray, then pack them into bags. Reheat until steaming hot, 165°F (74°C), the temperature for any leftovers. More ideas in freezer breakfast ideas and how to reheat meal prep.

What about hard-boiled eggs?

Keep them in the fridge instead, where they last up to a week; see how long hard-boiled eggs last.

Related questions

• Can you freeze milk
• Which meal prep foods freeze well
• Printable fridge and freezer storage chart

Sources

• FoodSafety.gov: cold food storage chart
• USDA: freezing and food safety
• USDA FoodKeeper (storage times by food)
• FoodSafety.gov: safe minimum internal temperatures