Freezing food is a great way to make ingredients last longer and cut down on food waste. With some planning and proper storage techniques, many foods can be frozen for later use with minimal impact on their quality and texture. This includes bread products like hamburger buns. But can you freeze gluten-free buns specifically, such as those made by Schar? Let’s take a closer look.
Can Schar Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns Be Frozen?
The short answer is yes, Schar gluten-free hamburger buns can be frozen. Schar’s gluten-free products, including their burger buns, are freezer-friendly. Freezing is an effective way to prolong the shelf life of these buns by several months.
Schar makes their gluten-free burger buns with a blend of rice flour, tapioca starch, and corn starch. The lack of wheat flour means they hold up better in the freezer compared to traditional buns. When frozen properly, the texture and flavor should remain relatively unchanged when thawed.
Freezing Schar buns allows you to buy larger packages from the grocery store, then thaw just what you need for a meal. It also lets you stock up when Schar products go on sale or are available as a seasonal item. Overall, freezing provides more flexibility and convenience when enjoying these gluten-free baked goods.
How to Freeze Schar Buns
Freezing Schar gluten-free burger buns is simple. Here are some tips for doing it right:
- Allow any just-baked buns to fully cool before freezing. Freezing buns immediately after baking can cause them to become soggy when thawed.
- Place the buns in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Arrange buns in a single layer, not stacked, so they freeze evenly. Once fully frozen you can stack them or consolidate packages.
- Try to freeze buns within 1-2 days of purchasing for optimal freshness.
- Mark packages with the quantity and date before freezing. Use oldest packages first when grabbing buns from the freezer.
- Avoid storing buns with foods like raw meat that can impart odors even when frozen.
- Most frozen gluten-free buns will stay fresh for 3-6 months if stored at 0°F or below.
Freezing Schar burger buns in individual portions can help streamline weeknight meals. Simply pull out the number of buns needed rather than thawing the full package.
Well-sealed, moisture-proof packaging helps prevent freezer burn on the buns’ surface. Plastic freezer bags, containers made for the freezer, or even aluminum foil are good choices.
Once frozen solid, the buns can be transferred to larger freezer bags or containers for condensed storage. Just be sure to use oldest buns first when grabbing from the freezer stash.
Thawing Frozen Schar Buns
Gluten-free buns will thaw slightly faster than traditional wheat-based buns. But for best results, still allow time for safe, proper thawing.
There are several methods to safely thaw frozen Schar burger buns:
- Refrigerator thawing: Place buns in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before needed. Make sure they are wrapped securely or in a sealed container.
- Cold water thawing: Put frozen buns in a sealed plastic bag, then submerge in cold tap water. Change water every 30 minutes until thawed. Buns thaw in 1-2 hours.
- Microwave thawing: Microwaves can thaw frozen buns unevenly. If using this method, microwave at 50% power in 10-second increments, checking frequently.
- Countertop thawing: Thaw frozen buns on the kitchen counter for 1-2 hours maximum. Any longer risks unsafe bacterial growth.
Proper thawing is key for texture and taste. Be sure buns are thawed all the way through before eating, not just soft on the outer surface. Fully thawed buns will feel pliable but not soggy.
Avoid thawing buns at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Gluten-free buns left too long at room temperature before baking may overproof and collapse.
For best quality, use thawed Schar burger buns right away. You can re-freeze any unused thawed buns, but texture may suffer after repeated freezes and thaws.
How to Use Thawed Schar Hamburger Buns
Thawed Schar gluten-free hamburger buns can be used in all the same ways fresh buns are used. Common options include:
- Burgers – Top thawed buns with burger patties, veggies, cheese, condiments, etc.
- Sandwiches – Craft deli meat, chicken salad, or plant-based sandwiches on the buns.
- Breakfast – Use the buns for breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, bacon, etc.
- Bruschetta – Toast the buns and top with tomato, basil, olive oil, cheese, etc. for bruschetta.
- Bread pudding – Cube leftover buns for gluten-free bread puddings.
- Stuffing – Replace bread cubes for stuffing/dressing with toasted, cubed burger buns.
Thawed gluten-free buns work beautifully when generously toasted or grilled to add crunch. This can help offset any softness from freezing.
Take care not to overwhelm the buns with wet ingredients or condiments, as the starch-based dough can become overly soft. Start with moderate amounts of mayo, etc. and let the eater add more as desired.
Creative ways to use up thawed surplus buns include trimming them into breadcrumbs or croutons, using them in panzanella or bread salads, or whipping up gluten-free bread pudding.
Troubleshooting Freezer Burn and Other Frozen Bun Issues
With proper freezing and thawing, Schar’s gluten-free burger buns hold up beautifully. But some issues can arise, most commonly:
- Freezer burn – Dry, icy spots on buns caused by air reaching the surface during freezing. Minimize by sealing buns airtight before freezing.
- Ice crystals – Happens when buns thaw and re-freeze. Can make buns crunchy. Try to avoid refreezing thawed buns.
- Condensation – Water droplets on thawed buns from condensation. Let condensation dissipate before eating buns.
- Mushiness – From the starch-based dough becoming too moist. Can happen from over-thawing. Use thawed buns quickly.
- Staling – Like traditional buns, gluten-free buns can stale after prolonged freezing.
With careful freezing and thawing, these issues are avoidable. But if they do happen, toasted or grilled buns can improve texture after freezing. Stale buns also work well made into breadcrumbs or croutons.
Do Frozen Schar Buns Work on the Grill?
Yes, Schar’s gluten-free hamburger buns can go straight from the freezer to the grill with delicious results. The frozen buns hold their shape beautifully when grilled.
Grilling imparts nice char marks and flavor to the buns. It also dries and crisps the surface, offsetting any softness from freezing. Just be sure to toast them over moderate heat to avoid scorching.
Lightly butter or oil the surface of frozen buns before grilling for optimal browning and taste. Flipping once during grilling allows both sides to evenly toast.
Partially or fully thawed buns can also be grilled. But unlike raw meat, it’s safe to grill Schar buns straight from the freezer without thawing first. This makes whipping up delicious backyard burgers even more convenient.
Storing Thawed Schar Gluten-Free Buns
For best freshness and texture, thawed Schar burger buns are best eaten right away. But leftovers can be stored for a short time.
- At room temperature – 1-2 days max
- In the refrigerator – 3-5 days in an airtight container
- In the freezer – 2-3 months in airtight wrap (texture may suffer)
Avoid keeping thawed gluten-free buns unrefrigerated for more than a couple days, as they can mold or stale quickly without preservatives.
Even refrigerated, thawed Schar buns are best eaten within 3-5 days for optimum freshness and texture.
Freezing unused thawed buns is possible, but the texture really starts to decline after a second freeze-thaw cycle. Try to thaw only what you’ll use within a few days.
The Best Schar Gluten-Free Bun Flavors for Freezing
Schar offers several gluten-free hamburger bun varieties that all freeze well, including:
| Flavor | Details |
| Classic White Buns | Schar’s original burger bun, neutral flavor |
| Multigrain Buns | Heartier texture with grains |
| Hot Dog Buns | Shaped specifically for hot dogs |
| Sandwich Buns | For deli meat, chicken salad, etc. |
Their classic white burger buns freeze especially well. The lack of whole grains minimizes the chance of freezer burn or sogginess.
Schar’s multigrain buns add a tasty heft perfect for heartier burgers or sandwiches. A touch of sweetness also helps offset freezer flatness.
Even the specially shaped hot dog and sandwich buns hold up beautifully to freezing. Their size makes them easy to thaw just what you need.
Avoid Schar’s potato or pre-sliced buns, which tend to get excessively soft when frozen. But overall, Schar’s burger and sandwich buns freeze wonderfully.
Do Schar Buns Need to be Thawed Before Grilling?
One of the appeals of freezing Schar buns is the ability to grill them straight from frozen. So no – you do not have to thaw gluten-free burger or hot dog buns before tossing them on the grill.
The convenience of grilling frozen buns makes whipping up last-minute burgers or hot dogs a breeze. There’s no need to plan ahead and thaw buns in the refrigerator overnight.
Partially thawed buns will grill up a little faster. But frozen Schar buns hold their shape and toast beautifully on the grill without thawing first.
Buns may take a few extra minutes to crisp and warm through when grilling straight from the freezer. Keep the grill heat moderate to avoid scorching the buns while the centers fully thaw and heat.
Flip the buns once halfway through grilling for evenly toasted surfaces. Add a light brushing of oil or butter before grilling for an extra touch of flavor.
Grilling frozen gluten-free buns helps dry out and crisps the surface, creating a tasty contrast to juicy burger or hot dog fillings. Enjoy your cookout with no thawing required!
Comparing Schar Frozen Buns to Other Brands
| Brand | Texture | Taste | Freezing Notes |
| Schar | Soft, pale color | Neutral flavor | Holds shape well when frozen |
| Udi’s | Heartier, denser | Sweet flavor | Can get soggy when thawed |
| Canyon Bakehouse | Sturdy, not too soft | Yeasty, wheat-like | Prone to freezer burn |
| Sam’s Choice | More airy and soft | Blonder, milder taste | Texture suffers from freezing |
Compared to other top gluten-free brands, Schar buns specifically hold up better to freezing. Their distinct dough blend minimizes sogginess and maintains shape when frozen.
Udi’s and Canyon Bakehouse make tasty gluten-free buns, but their heartier textures tend to become overly soft or dry out with freezing. Schar has the texture edge.
Flavor-wise, Schar also wins for versatility. Their neutral taste suits both sweet and savory fillings, unlike Udi’s sweeter profile.
For best results freezing gluten-free hamburger or hot dog buns, Schar is the top choice. Their ability to go straight from freezer to grill makes meal prep a breeze.
Gluten-Free Bread Alternatives to Freeze Instead
Though Schar buns freeze well, other gluten-free bread options may be even better suited for freezing. Consider these:
- Gluten-free sandwich bread – Less shaping than buns, reducing freezer damage.
- Gluten-free bagels – Heartier dough and shaping hold up beautifully.
- Gluten-free English muffins – Individual freezing is easy, no defrosting needed.
- Gluten-free waffles or pancakes – Already flat shape avoids texture issues.
- Gluten-free pizza crusts – Par-bake then freeze for later use.
Items like sandwich breads, waffles, and pancakes have less complex shaping to distort during freezing. English muffins and pizza crusts conveniently freeze by individual portion.
But for burger and hot dog needs, Schar’s buns still offer the right shape and hold up great straight from freezer to grill or table. Their versatility for freezing and grilling keeps summer barbecues gluten-free and effortless.
Conclusion
Freezing Schar gluten-free hamburger and hot dog buns is an easy way to preserve their shelf life and always have them handy for meals. With proper storage and thawing, the buns retain their taste and texture beautifully.
Schar buns freeze better than many other gluten-free options thanks to their distinct rice-based recipe. They can go straight from freezer to grilling with no defrosting needed. This makes whipping up burgers and other classic bun fare easy anytime.
Keep a stash of Schar buns in the freezer to enjoy their convenience and versatility year-round. With a few simple tricks, you can keep your gluten-free grill-outs, sandwiches, and more perfectly bun-ready anytime.
