Freezing Honey: Does It Work, and Should You?

What happens to honey in the freezer

Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars with only about 17 to 18 percent water. Because so much sugar is dissolved in so little water, honey's freezing point is far below that of water. In a typical home freezer at 0°F, honey becomes extremely thick, slow-moving and chewy, but it rarely freezes into a hard block. Its flavor and composition stay largely the same.

Freezing vs refrigerating

Oddly, the fridge is the worst place for honey. Cool temperatures around 50 to 59°F speed up crystallization, and the Cooperative Extension notes that refrigeration makes honey crystallize faster. Very cold freezer temperatures slow molecules down so much that crystals form very slowly. Room temperature is best for everyday use.

When freezing honey makes sense

Freezing is useful if you bought honey in bulk and want to keep part of it liquid for many months, or if you have a special honey like raw comb honey or a rare variety you want to preserve at its best. Beekeepers sometimes freeze comb honey for a couple of days to protect it from wax moth eggs. For a jar you will finish within a year, room temperature is simpler.

How to freeze honey

Use clean, airtight containers with a little headspace. Glass jars, food-safe plastic tubs or silicone ice cube trays for portions all work. Seal tightly so the honey does not absorb moisture or freezer odors. Label with the variety and date.

• Use clean, airtight containers
• Leave a little headspace
• Seal tightly
• Label with variety and date
• Store at a steady 0°F

How to thaw honey

Let the closed container come to room temperature on the counter for several hours. Keep the lid on while it warms so condensation does not drip into the honey; extra water can raise moisture and, over time, allow fermentation. Avoid microwaving frozen honey, which heats unevenly. Thaw only what you need and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

The frozen honey trend

The viral frozen honey snack involves squeezing honey into a plastic bottle, freezing it for several hours and squeezing out a cold, gummy rope to eat. It is fun, but eating a lot of honey at once is a lot of sugar. A tablespoon has about 17 grams, per USDA FoodData Central, and many people in videos ate several tablespoons. Some reported stomach upset. Enjoy frozen honey as a small treat, a spoonful or two at most.

Frozen honey snack ideas

For a more balanced frozen snack, freeze small dollops of Greek yogurt drizzled with honey, honey and fruit pops, or honey-dipped banana coins rolled in chopped nuts. Our article on honey lemonade shows how to make frozen honey lemonade pops.

Freezing honeycomb

Comb honey freezes well and can be cut cleanly while cold. Wrap pieces tightly in plastic, then place in an airtight container. Thaw in the wrapping to avoid condensation. Our can you eat honeycomb guide explains how to enjoy it.

Does freezing affect raw honey quality

Freezing does not cook honey, so raw honey stays raw. Heat, not cold, is what changes honey's enzymes and aroma. That is why our honey is never heated above hive temperature during processing. Cold storage is one way to keep honey's character for a long time.

Honey's natural shelf life

Honey is famously long-lasting. Archaeologists have found edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs, as Smithsonian Magazine reports. Its low water content and natural acidity keep microbes from growing as long as it is sealed. Freezing is a bonus, not a requirement.

Fixing crystallized honey instead

If your honey has crystallized at room temperature, you do not need to freeze or discard it. Set the jar in warm water and stir until smooth, or enjoy it as a spread. Our crystallized honey guide has step-by-step tips.

Which honeys to freeze

Fast-crystallizing honeys like Raw Sunflower Honey, harvested in New York State, benefit most from cold storage if you prefer them liquid. Slower honeys like Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, stay pourable at room temperature for longer. Raw Wildflower Honey falls in between.

Infant warning

Freezing does not make honey safe for babies. Never give honey, frozen or otherwise, to children under 12 months, as the CDC advises.

The takeaway on freezing honey

Freezing honey keeps it liquid and fresh for long-term storage, and it turns thick and chewy rather than solid. Store airtight, thaw sealed at room temperature, keep everyday jars on the counter, and enjoy frozen honey snacks in small amounts.

Stock up and store smart

Buy a 6 jar pack, keep one on the counter and the rest in a cool cupboard or freezer. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.