Freezing sandwiches is the easiest way to meal prep your favorite lunch without pulling out the bread and ingredients every morning!
Below you’ll find all the details on how to freeze sandwiches, what ingredients to avoid using, and how to freeze a batch so they’re ready for the lunchbox.
Can You Freeze Sandwiches?
Sandwiches can be made ahead and frozen for delicious lunches to enjoy later that week or month! They hold up great in the freezer and defrost by lunchtime, no reheating required- it’s a perfect meal prep option for anyone whose family loves sandwiches.
You can freeze them plain or grilled, like paninis and grilled cheese. Even pita wraps have their place in the freezer.
Freezer-Friendly Sandwich Types
If you’re curious about what kinds of sandwich fillings are feezer-friendly, here’s a list of ingredients that will hold up well:
- Deli meat
- Cooked bacon
- Cooked eggs
- Cheese- any kind
- Cooked onions & veggies
- Pesto
- Peanut butter or nut butter
- Hummus
- Whole grain bread
- Regular sandwich bread
- Pitas
Sandwich Ingredients That Should Not Be Frozen
The only sandwiches I’d avoid freezing are veggie-based or those made with a mayo-based filling such as tuna salad, chicken salad, and egg salad. Here are sandwich ingredients that don’t freeze well:
- lettuce
- spinach
- cucumbers or other raw veggies
- pickles
- chicken salad
- tuna salad
- egg salad
If you love lettuce and tomato in your sandwiches, add them once they’re packed in the lunch container or defrosted.
Freezing Sandwiches
Any of the methods used below will keep the sandwiches fresh and prevent freezer burn. Once frozen, the sandwiches will stay good for up to 3 months!
How to Freeze Sandwiches
- Prepare the sandwich
Take care when making your sandwich to be sure any ingredients with potential for sogginess are protected from the bread by a drier ingredient.
- Single bags
Put each sandwich in a sandwich baggie, push out all the air, and place them in a larger freezer bag or the bread bags to save room in the freezer.
If you don’t have small sandwich bags, or you want to use fewer bags, here are some great options for bulk freezing sandwiches without them getting stuck together.
Freeze between wax paper
Separate each sandwich with a square of waxed paper, and stack them in double-bagged bread bags or layer them 2 to 3 deep in a freezer bag. Suck out the excess air with a straw.
Freeze on a baking sheet
Lay the sandwiches on a cookie sheet and freeze for 1 to 2 hours, then stack them or lay them in the bread bags or freezer bags.
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Do Frozen Sanwiches Get Soggy?
Frozen sandwiches will not get soggy if you layer the sandwich fillings correctly and avoid using ingredients like tomato, pickles, and sauces. Spreading condiments on meat or cheese prevents the bread from soaking up excess moisture.
Thawing Sandwiches
Just place the frozen sandwich in a lunch container and it will be thawed and ready to eat in a couple of hours.
Reheating is unnecessary but if you want a hot sandwich you can grill it while it’s frozen. To do this, spread a thin layer of butter on both sides of the sandwich and grill them in a non-stick pan or panini press until the outsides are crispy and the cheese is melted.
You could also bake the sandwich at 400F for 5 to 8 minutes or until the bread is toasty and the ingredients heated through.
Can You Freeze Lunch Meat
Deli meat can be frozen in sandwiches or the plastic container for future lunches. Freezing does slightly alter the texture, but you can’t tell once it’s in a sandwich or wrap.
Best Sandwiches to Freeze
I’ve got some incredible sandwich ideas you can freeze, right below. They go outside of the usual ham and cheese and make a delicious lunch for both kids and adults!
- Pepperoni Sandwich– minus the tomato
- Frozen Uncrustables
- Chicken & Hummus Melt– spread the hummus between the chicken and cheese
- Philly Grilled Cheese
- Homemade Breakfast Sandwiches
Linda
I was just wondering, can they be reheated in the microwave? If you’ve let them thaw, but you want to heat it up. Could you use a microwave if you lack access to other options?
MOMables
I imagine you could use a microwave to heat/thaw the sandwich. However, in 20 minutes it usually comes down to room temperature since sandwiches are not dense foods.
brandy
Hi.. I’m wondering.. do these sandwiches thaw in the lunchboxes or do you thaw them before school? Thanks!
MOMables
They do! they also act as an icepack for themselves. Just make sure your sandwiches don’t include items like tomatoes.
Angel
Hey, just wondering if these can be made with homemade bread instead of store bought…?
MOMables
Of course!