How Long Can Takoyaki Last before it goes bad & can you freeze it?
Takoyaki is delicious, and if you make it you probably don’t want any of it to go to waste. I bet you are wondering if you can store it in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to eat more.
You can store takoyaki in the fridge or freezer. You do need to do it properly, and both methods have a time limit before the Takoyaki goes bad and doesn’t taste the same anymore, two days in the fridge and a month in the freezer.
So, if you are trying to figure out how long Takoyaki will last in the refrigerator or freezer, you have come to the right place.
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Store takoyaki In The Refrigerator
If you make more Takoyaki than you are planning on eating, or if you just happen to end up with leftovers, I’m sure you are wondering if you can refrigerate the extras.
You can keep finished Takoyaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one to two days.
If you made all that you will eat and have extra batter and toppings, you can store them separately for up to two days well.
That way, you can just remake the Takoyaki with the batter instead of reheating them.
How Fast Should Takoyaki Be Put in the Refrigerator?
You should wait for the Takoyaki to be cool to the touch before putting them in the refrigerator.
Allowing them to slowly cool before putting them in the refrigerator will prevent the Takoyaki from being “shocked”, or cooling down too quickly.
That can cause some issues with the taste as well as the safety of the food.
Can you freeze takoyaki?
If you make this dish at home or eat it in a restaurant and have some leftovers, you won’t want to throw any of it out.
And if you aren’t ready to eat it right away, you will wonder whether you will be able to freeze it to preserve it for the time being.
You can freeze your takoyaki, and it’s best to freeze them on a tray where they are 5cm apart so they can freeze individually. Once they’re frozen you can put them together in a bag for easier storage and you can keep them for about a month.
You can freeze Takoyaki, but you need to do it properly to get the best results. To freeze, you will need to wait for them to cool, then put them in the fridge to finish cooling.
After they are completely cool, you can put them on a tray, place them all about 5 centimeters apart, and freeze them for about an hour.
After that hour, they should be partially frozen, and you can place them all in a freezer bag to finish freezing.
If you do it this way, your Takoyaki will keep in the freezer for about a month before it starts affecting the taste.
Let’s say you decided to make your own takoyaki instead of getting the premade kind. You went overboard and now you have too much takoyaki.
Also read: is takoyaki healthy? What you need to know
Don’t worry, you can freeze takoyaki that you made yourself! However, you don’t simply toss them into a freezer bag or Tupperware and then call it a day.
No, there is a process of freezing takoyaki that you need to follow to do it correctly.
You will need to put the takoyaki onto a tray or sheet and ensure that each piece is two inches apart. Depending on how much takoyaki you try to freeze, you may need multiple trays.
Place the trays into the freezer and then check on them within an hour or so. If the balls are partially frozen you can then toss them into a bag and put them into the freezer.
If the takoyaki is in the freezer for more than a month, it will start to get freezer burnt and it will not taste as good as it once did.
Once you have your frozen takoyaki and you want to reheat it, simply use one of the methods listed above. While microwaving is faster, baking them in an oven will make the takoyaki nice and crispy.
Many recipes will have you make more balls as it’s too time-consuming to make just a few.
If that is a lot for you to eat, you may want to freeze what is left over, and the good news is, you can absolutely do this.
For best results, put the Takoyaki on a tray so they are 5 cm. apart. This way they can freeze individually. After an hour, check if they are frozen. If so, you can put them in a bag.
It is best to eat frozen Takoyaki within a month. If you wait any longer, they will lose their taste.
You even have frozen takoyaki you can buy:
Is frozen takoyaki any good?
If you are unfamiliar with this unique dish, takoyaki is a little ball made out of wheat flour. At the center of the ball is a small piece of an octopus, ginger, and green onion.
Often there is a special takoyaki sauce drizzled on top of the dish. It is a popular snack from Japan, and you can enjoy it in a lot of other countries as well!
While takoyaki is available at many restaurants around the country, you can also buy it premade, precooked, frozen, and ready to eat after being heated up.
You can purchase these frozen, premade delicacies in any store with an extensive Asian section, at an Asian marketplace, or even online. Some kits let you make your own takoyaki!
But is frozen takoyaki any good? Well, that is going to depend on if you like octopus or not. If you don’t like octopus, then you will definitely not like this dish regardless of if it is frozen or freshly made at a restaurant.
How do you cook frozen takoyaki?
The instructions for cooking frozen takoyaki is going to vary on quite a few things. How much takoyaki are you heating up?
Was it premade and prepackaged takoyaki? That is certainly a lot of questions and factors to consider, but don’t worry!
We will help you figure out exactly what you need to do.
To reheat Takoyaki, put them in a microwave on low power. If you put them on high power, they may explode.
For the prepackaged, frozen takoyaki you will need to start with reading the instructions on the back of the package that the food came in.
Often the top method of heating up frozen takoyaki is using the microwave. The time needed in said microwave will depend greatly on how much takoyaki you are heating up and how powerful your microwave is.
So for example, if you are heating ten pieces of takoyaki in a 600-watt microwave you will likely want to put them in for four and a half minutes. However, if that was in a 500-watt microwave you would likely want to put them in for an extra minute or so.
But if you have a microwave that is over 1000 watts, then you will want to be careful with how long you cook the takoyaki, as too much time can result in ruining your would-be snack.
Another method for cooking takoyaki is putting them in a fryer for less than ten minutes at 375 °F or until the takoyaki is a nice golden brown.
If you don’t have a fryer you can also use a toaster oven or a regular old conventional oven to bake your takoyaki. For an oven/toaster oven you will bake them at 375 °F for at least 10 minutes on a baking sheet.
As a helpful tip, be sure to place the takoyaki onto a long piece of tinfoil on the baking sheet as that will make it significantly easier to clean up after you are done making your delicious snack.
But is frozen takoyaki good?
There really isn’t a definitive answer to this question. If you like takoyaki, then you will probably enjoy its frozen counterpart.
If you don’t like it, then it won’t matter if the takoyaki was frozen or not. At the end of the day, it is really going to depend on what you prefer.
But if you ever want takoyaki and you don’t want to get it at a restaurant, frozen takoyaki is a great way to go.
Can you reheat takoyaki? Yes! Use these quick & easy methods
Let’s say you went out over the weekend and you got some takoyaki at a local restaurant. You decided that it’d be a great snack for later, so you took some home with you.
But as you look at your leftovers, you may be wondering: can I reheat takoyaki?
You can actually reheat takoyaki! In fact, there are several ways of doing so; reheating in the microwave or oven works perfectly. Takoyaki is supposed to be eaten hot, not cold, so it’s well worth the time to reheat it.
But first, check out this video by YouTuber Nino’s Home for a great takoyaki recipe:
Reheating takoyaki in the microwave
The first (and arguably, the fastest) method of reheating takoyaki is by using a microwave. When choosing this method, you need to consider several factors.
How much takoyaki will you be heating up? What is the wattage of your microwave? How long do you want the takoyaki to heat for?
Let’s say you have a 600-watt microwave. If you’re heating up 10 or fewer pieces of takoyaki, then you’ll want to only have them in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes.
You’ll put them in for less time if you have a microwave with a higher output than 600 watts. Just be careful with how long you heat takoyaki, as excessive heating time can cause the takoyaki to burst.
Reheating takoyaki in the oven
Another method you may want to consider is baking your leftover takoyaki in a conventional oven. This method is slower, but if done correctly, it’ll give your takoyaki a nice crispy exterior to complement the soft gooey interior.
For an oven, you’ll want to place your takoyaki onto a baking sheet. It’s recommended that you line the baking sheet with aluminum foil so that there will be less of a mess to clean.
As far as heating up the takoyaki goes, you’ll set the oven to 375 °F. If your takoyaki isn’t frozen, you’ll only need to heat it up for 5 minutes. If your leftovers were frozen, then you’ll need 10 or more minutes.
Will reheated takoyaki be any good?
While reheated food will never be as good as when it was fresh, your takoyaki will still be enjoyable if you reheat it correctly. The method you use will depend on how much of a rush you’re in to eat.
If you prefer your takoyaki to be a little softer, then the microwave is your best bet. But if you like your takoyaki with a crispy outside, then the oven is the recommended method.
How to preserve takoyaki sauce?
To preserve takoyaki sauce, whether homemade or store-bought, you can follow these guidelines:
Preserving Homemade Takoyaki Sauce:
- Sterilize the container: Ensure the container you plan to use is clean and sterilized. Wash it thoroughly with hot soapy water and rinse it well.
- Cool the sauce: Allow the homemade takoyaki sauce to cool completely before transferring it to the container. Hot sauces can create condensation, which may lead to spoilage.
- Fill the container: Pour the sauce into the sterilized container, leaving some headspace at the top. This extra space allows for expansion if the sauce freezes.
- Label and date: Label the container with the name of the sauce and the date you made it. This helps you keep track of its freshness.
- Store in the refrigerator: Homemade takoyaki sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 weeks. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent air exposure and contamination.
Does takoyaki sauce need to be refrigerated?
Once opened, store-bought takoyaki sauce should be refrigerated. Follow the recommended storage instructions provided on the packaging. Typically, it can be refrigerated for about 1 to 2 weeks. Seal tightly: Ensure the container is tightly sealed after each use to prevent air exposure and maintain freshness.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. You know what Takoyaki is, how to make it, and how you can freeze it. Will you be adding this delicacy to your list of recipes to try?
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
