If you’re a lover of hot dogs like me, this post will go a long way to help you enjoy your hotdogs and also help you preserve your hot dog buns. One problem that people face when it comes to buns is that we end up wasting them because we don’t know how to preserve them well.
However, freezing hot dogs is a very effective way of storing extra hot dog buns without them losing their freshness. Now you can have hot dogs buns ready for whenever you need them!
For those that prefer to make their hot dog buns, this method is going to help you a lot because you can now make a larger amount at once and preserve the rest instead of having to make a new batch every time you need hot dog buns.
Can you freeze hot dog buns? Yes, you can. It is possible to freeze hot dog buns as freezing will preserve them for as long as 3 months. Freezing the buns also helps preserve the taste and freshness.
Here are the steps to follow in order to freeze your hot dog buns, so you can store your buns successfully and use them later.
Freezing Hot Dog Buns
Different methods can be employed in freezing hot dog buns, and these methods depend on the state of your buns. For example, it can matter if the buns are opened packs or unopened packs. However, one common thing to note irrespective of the state of the hot dog buns is that your freezer should always be at a temperature of 0° Fahrenheit.
Freezing your hot dog buns at this temperature will allow them to last for a long time, but it is better to keep them for only 3 months because after then, the buns start losing taste and freshness.
Freezing Leftover Hot Dog Buns
This method applies to both leftover hot dog buns and homemade hot dog buns. If you’ve opened the pack of the hot dog buns, it is no longer suitable to use them to store the buns in the freezer.
In this situation, what you need to do is get a lot of aluminum foil, then use the foil to wrap each bun completely without any space and then pack the wrapped buns into a Ziploc bag or any sealable plastic bag. This process prevents air and moisture from getting into your hot dog buns.
If your hot dog bun is homemade, you can also use the same method, wrap each bun in foil paper and then seal them in plastic bags with as little air as possible. If you follow this directive well, your buns will still be fresh and delicious when next you use them.
Freezing Unopened Packs of Hot Dog Buns
Storing unopened packs of hot dog buns is easier than opened packages. Since the hot dog buns are unopened, all you need to do is pack the unopened buns into a plastic bag, ensure it has as little air as possible, and then store them in the freezer.
One point to note when freezing your hot dog buns is to ensure that you mark them with the date you bought and stored them in the freezer. Doing this will make it easier for you to keep track of how long the buns have stayed in the freezer.
Thawing and Warming Hot Dog Buns
Freezing your hot dog buns without getting them soggy is a great thing, but you also have to be careful when thawing and warming it as well. When you want to thaw your hot dog buns, do it where there are air and light, so don’t leave it in your fridge – it will get soggy. Also, place it on a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb the moisture without drying up your buns.
When you’ve thawed your buns, you can go ahead and warm them, it is not compulsory but I prefer my hot dog buns warm. There are different ways you can warm the buns. The methods are:
- With the oven: You can heat your buns with the use of the oven. Don’t put your buns in immediately when you turn on the oven. Instead, allow the oven to warm up for a bit till it gets to 300° Fahrenheit. Then arrange your buns on a baking sheet, dampen the buns a little and leave them in the oven for about 5 to 7 minutes.
- With the microwave: This method is not different from the oven, preheat your microwave, dampen the buns a little, and put it inside for a few seconds, and your hot dog buns will be ready and fresh as the day you bought or made it.
- With a toaster: If you like your hot dog buns a slightly toasted, this can be an ideal method for you. Toaster can replicate the texture that a barbecue provides to hot dog buns.
Ways to Use Extra Hot Dog Buns
Most times, when we‘ve used our hot dog buns to make hot dogs, we tend to start craving something new. Here are a few fun ways that you can enjoy your hot dog buns:
- Croutons: Croutons have a very nice taste and they are easy to make. All you need to do is cut your hot dog buns into little shapes, add olive oil, salt, and some pepper and then bake it until it has a bright brown look.
- Bread crumbs: Bread crumbs are another easy way to use your hot dog buns. To do this, ensure your bread is dry, then make use of a food processor to reduce the bread into bits.
- Salad topping: You can easily introduce your hot dog buns into your salad dish. Cut the buns up into little chunks, then bake it and add your salad.
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread is one of my favorite ways of using my excess hot dog buns. You will need olive oil, melted butter, and garlic. Mix the listed ingredients, and spread it on your buns, you can then sprinkle any spice of your choice, and then bake it for a few minutes.
There are still more ways you can make use of your hot dog buns, but these just happen to be my favorite methods. You can easily use up your hot dog buns leftover if you use them for other things apart from making hot dogs. There are several ways you can use hot dog buns in your everyday meals!