The answer here is not a simple yes or no. If you’re pinning us down, we’ll say yes, frozen pizza can expire. But that doesn’t mean it always does. There are a lot of factors involved in the frozen pizza game.
A pizza can live comfortably in the back of your freezer for 18 months, unopened. This includes if it’s past the expiration date. After that, the pizza will probably still be fine to eat, but it won’t taste as good.
Let’s face it though, for most of us, a pizza won’t be in our freezers for more than a week.
Is It OK To Eat Frozen Pizza That Is Past Its Date?
Yes. You can eat pizza that is past the “sell by” or “best by” date. The “sell by” date is the date that the store must sell the product by. The “best by” date is a suggestion for when the product will be at its maximum freshness.
The food will not magically go bad or grow hair on that date. As long as the pizza has been properly frozen, it’s fine to eat. Always check your food for any odd smells, discoloration and mold.
Now if it’s way, way past the “best by” date, you may want to think twice. Not because you’ll get sick, but the pizza just may not taste very good anymore.
How Can You Tell If Your Frozen Pizza Has Gone Bad?
If frozen pizza does go bad, it’s almost always from improper storage. Either at the production facility, the store, or your home. One sure sign of bad frozen pizza is mold.
However, this is extremely rare and will only happen if the pizza has been left out for some time and then refrozen. If the pizza has mold, toss it out.
Other signs that your pizza is not in tip-top shape are:
- dry spots
- discoloration
- freezer burn
- crumbly or breaks apart
- smells like other food in the freezer
These issues don’t mean that the pizza is unsafe to eat, but it may not taste great. Whether you want to eat it or not is up to you.
Can Cooked Frozen Pizza Be Refrozen?
Yes. You can refreeze your frozen pizza once you have cooked it. But beware, it won’t have the same flavor the second time around. The moisture that was lost the first time you cook it, may make it taste dry and bland.
Before refreezing, make sure the pizza is cooked all the way through, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then a freezer baggie. It’s recommended that you eat re-frozen pizza within 2 months.
Can I Store My Cooked Frozen Pizza In The Refrigerator?
You can store your frozen pizza in the refrigerator, but here, there is a time limit. Uncooked frozen pizza should stay in the fridge no more than 2 days before you cook it.
The frozen pizza is so good to us and asks so little in return. If the box says “keep frozen” or “do not thaw”, listen to it. As for fully cooked, the formerly frozen pizza will be good for about 3-4 days.
Does Frozen Pizza Go Bad If Left Out?
Yes. Like most other foods, the USDA recommends that frozen pizza not sit out for more than 2 hours. After that, it can start to grow harmful bacteria.
Can You Eat Pizza That Has Freezer Burn?
Yes you can. But do you want to? While it’s perfectly safe to eat freezer-burned food, it’s also safe to eat cardboard. That’s pretty much what your freezer-burned pizza will taste like. It all depends on how desperate you are for some saucy, cheese dough. There are a few ways to rehabilitate your pizza if it’s freezer-burned.
- don’t microwave it
- use a skillet or the oven to heat it
- sprinkle on some extra herbs and spices (not salt)
- spray a bit of broth on it (it will make it less dry and give it some flavor)
Can You Eat A Frozen Pizza Without Cooking It?
It’s not a good idea to eat a frozen pizza without cooking it first. Germs and bacteria could be frozen in the raw ingredients. The pizza needs to be cooked in order to kill that bacteria.
Also, the yeast from the pizza dough could still be active. Eating raw dough could cause some gas and stomach pain. Best to wait 20 minutes and eat a pizza you know is safe.
How Can You Jazz Up A Plain Frozen Pizza?
Some pizzas need no help. The frozen pizza business has become very competitive in recent years. There are some frozen dough discs that easily compete with homemade neighborhood pizzerias. But others, they need a little help. So here are some ideas to spice up your pizza if need be.
1. Turn Up The Heat
Want that homemade crispy crust? Turn the oven all the way up to 550. Pop the pizza in, and when it starts to brown take it out. Transfer it to a skillet on the stove and finish it.
2. Break An Egg On Top
It sounds a little odd, but don’t knock it. Egg goes well with a lot of foods you wouldn’t think.
3. A Taste Of Hawaii
Have a can of pineapple lying around? Drain it and toss the rings on before baking.
4. Oil And Herbs
Sprinkle some olive oil and basil, oregano, garlic powder, etc. it’s up to you what you use.
5. More Cheese
We all know that no pizza was made worse by more cheese.
6. Veggie It Up
Use whatever vegetables you have lying around; spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, etc. Whatever you decide and have handy is perfect.
