Is there anything better than sausages wrapped in crispy puff pastry? Even better if you bake them yourself. But wouldn’t it be great if you could always have sausage rolls?
Greggs sausage rolls are a beloved staple in the UK. With their golden flaky pastry and savory sausage filling it’s no wonder they have reached icon status. As a busy person you may find yourself picking up a pack of Greggs sausage rolls but unable to eat them all right away. Can you freeze the leftovers for another day? The short answer is yes you can absolutely freeze Greggs sausage rolls!
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of baked goods like sausage rolls. It allows you to enjoy them fresh-baked at a later date. In this complete guide, I’ll share tips on properly storing and reheating frozen Greggs sausage rolls so they taste just as delicious as the day you bought them.
An Overview of Greggs Sausage Rolls
For those unfamiliar, let’s start with what exactly Greggs sausage rolls are Greggs is a popular bakery chain in the UK that specializes in savory baked goods Their claim to fame is the humble sausage roll.
Greggs sausage rolls consist of a seasoned pork sausage meat filling wrapped in flaky golden pastry The filling has spices like black pepper, sage, and parsley. The pastry is made with butter which gives it that signature flakiness
The sausage rolls are formed into cylinders about 6 inches long and sliced to serve. They make for a hearty, satisfying snack or quick meal. Greggs sells both hot sausage rolls ready-to-eat and packs of cold sausage rolls for takeaway.
Benefits of Freezing Greggs Sausage Rolls
Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of foods like sausage rolls. Here are some of the key benefits of freezing Greggs sausage rolls:
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Prevents waste – Freezing allows you to keep leftover sausage rolls instead of having them go bad within a few days. No more tossing out unused rolls!
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Makes a quick meal – Frozen Greggs sausage rolls can be reheated anytime for an instant hot snack or mini-meal. It’s very convenient.
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Locks in freshness – Frozen foods stay at peak quality. Frozen sausage rolls will taste freshly baked when you reheat them.
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Lets you buy in bulk – Stock up on packs of Greggs sausage rolls when they’re on sale, then freeze what you don’t need right away.
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Keeps a backup stash – Have a stash of frozen sausage rolls on hand for busy days when you don’t have time to shop or cook.
Storing Greggs Sausage Rolls for Freezing
To successfully freeze Greggs sausage rolls, you need to store them properly first:
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Let any hot sausage rolls cool completely before freezing. Freezing baked goods hot can make them soggy.
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Place the cooled sausage rolls in a single layer on a sheet pan or plate. Avoid stacking them.
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Cover the sheet pan with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic directly touches the surface of the rolls to prevent freezer burn.
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Place the wrapped sheet pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours until the rolls are completely frozen through.
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Transfer the frozen sausage rolls to an airtight freezer bag or container. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
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Label the freezer bag with the contents and date. This prevents mystery freezer foods down the road!
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Store frozen Greggs sausage rolls for up to 3 months at 0°F or lower. Place in the coldest part of the freezer.
Those simple steps lock in freshness and prevent freezer damage like sogginess or freezer burn. Now the sausage rolls are ready to be enjoyed later on.
Thawing and Reheating Greggs Sausage Rolls
When ready to eat your frozen Greggs sausage rolls, you’ll need to thaw and reheat them properly. Here are some tips:
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For best texture, thaw frozen sausage rolls overnight in the fridge. This gradual thawing prevents condensation.
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You can also thaw rolls quickly at room temp for 1-2 hours or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
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Always cook thawed sausage rolls before eating. Never eat them frozen or partially thawed.
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To reheat, preheat your oven to 400°F. Place thawed rolls on a baking sheet.
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Heat rolls for 10-15 minutes until hot throughout and the pastry is crispy again. Check often to prevent burning.
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You can also reheat thawed rolls by wrapping in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30 seconds or so. The paper towel prevents rubberiness.
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Eat reheated sausage rolls right away for ultimate fresh taste and texture. Enjoy the nostalgic flavors!
Proper thawing and reheating helps revive the Greggs sausage rolls to their original bakery-fresh state. It’s like having hot, crispy sausage rolls straight from the shop.
Other Greggs Bakery Items You Can Freeze
Beyond sausage rolls, many Greggs bakery items also freeze well:
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Steak bakes – These pastry pockets filled with steak and gravy can be frozen either baked or unbaked.
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Meat and potato pies – The classic handheld meat pies freeze great for quick meals.
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Sweet treats – Greggs cookies, yum yums, and doughnuts all freeze nicely for up to 3 months.
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Sandwiches/breakfast rolls – Premade sandwiches or breakfast rolls with fillings freeze well up to a month.
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Pizza – Greggs pizza bakes and slices can be frozen and reheated later for instant pizza anytime.
Be sure to store all frozen Greggs items properly in airtight packaging to prevent freezer burn. Reheat baked goods fully until hot and crispy before serving. With the right techniques, you can enjoy your Greggs favorites fresh anytime!
Handy Tips for Freezing Greggs Sausage Rolls
Follow these handy tips for freezing Greggs sausage rolls successfully:
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Cool sausage rolls completely before freezing so they don’t get soggy.
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Freeze unbaked sausage rolls up to 1 month for superior texture and freshness.
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Double wrap frozen rolls in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Label frozen rolls with contents and date so you know what’s inside.
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Reheat frozen baked rolls at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until hot and crispy.
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Microwave thawed rolls for 30 seconds wrapped in damp paper towel to prevent rubbery texture.
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Consume reheated rolls immediately for best flavor and texture. Don’t re-freeze reheated rolls.
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Bake frozen uncooked sausage rolls at package instructions, adding a few minutes baking time.
Following those tips will give you bakery-fresh Greggs sausage rolls anytime from your own freezer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about freezing Greggs sausage rolls:
How long do Greggs sausage rolls last in the fridge?
Freshly baked Greggs sausage rolls will last 2-3 days refrigerated. Make sure to store them in an airtight container.
Can you freeze cooked Greggs sausage rolls?
Yes, cooked Greggs sausage rolls freeze well for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely before freezing.
How long can you freeze raw Greggs sausage rolls?
Uncooked Greggs sausage rolls can be frozen for 1-2 months for best quality. This preserves the flaky pastry texture better.
What is the best way to reheat frozen Greggs sausage rolls?
Baking frozen Greggs sausage rolls in the oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes is best. It makes the pastry crispy again.
Is it safe to refreeze thawed Greggs sausage rolls?
It is unsafe to refreeze thawed sausage rolls. Refreezing causes texture and quality loss. Only reheat thawed rolls once.
Can you freeze Greggs vegan sausage rolls?
Yes, Greggs vegan sausage rolls made with Quorn can be frozen too. Follow the same storage and reheating instructions.
Conclusion
With the convenience of your home freezer, you can now indulge in nostalgic Greggs sausage rolls on demand. Keep a stash ready for quick meals, snacks, or anytime a sausage roll craving strikes. Freezing lets you get your fix of these British baking favorites whenever you like!
How Long Can You Freeze Sausage Rolls?
We wouldn’t recommend freezing sausage rolls for too long. Try to use your frozen sausage rolls up within 3 months. To keep them from going to waste, you’ll need to plan ahead a bit, but it will be worth it when you eat them.
Beyond 3 months, they should remain safe to eat, but the texture may degrade somewhat.
Always put a label on your frozen sausage rolls that says what kind they are (especially if you made vegan ones too!) and when they need to be eaten by.
Homemade and cooked sausage rolls with last for up to 4 days in the fridge.
How Do You Defrost Sausage Rolls?
It depends on how you frozen your sausage rolls as to how to defrost and heat them up. If the sausage rolls are frozen in the following shapes, here’s what you need to do:
Without Cooking: If you want to thaw sausage rolls that haven’t been cooked yet, you don’t have to! Just take them out of the freezer, place them on a baking sheet, and egg wash them.
Please remember the recipe you used. The oven temperature should stay the same, but they need to cook for an extra 10 minutes.
As long as you remember the recipe, 180°C for 45 minutes should be enough. Of course, this will depend on how big your sausage rolls are.
Prepared Sausage Rolls: If you have frozen sausage rolls that have already been cooked, let them thaw on the kitchen counter for about an hour. Then, heat them up in a hot oven for just 5 to 10 minutes.