Can You Freeze Food in Mylar Bags? A How-To Guide

A lot of people ask the same question: "Can you freeze food in mylar bags?" In short: Yes, you can freeze food in Mylar bags. They handle freezer temperatures well and help prevent freezer burn by blocking air and moisture, especially when heat sealed or vacuum sealed.

One of the best ways to increase the shelf life of food is by freezing it. However, if you are using or are considering using Mylar Bags, the most common question that arises is whether or not they can be frozen. What it comes down to is can you freeze food in a Mylar Bag without sacrificing its texture, flavor, and/or nutritional value?

What Are Mylar Bags Made For?

Mylar bags are produced out of biaxially oriented polyester film. This part sounds technical but, the very important part is that Mylar bags:

Will block out oxygen
Will block out moisture
Will block out sunlight
Will resist tearing and puncturing

All of these properties mean that Mylar bags are an excellent option for long-term storage of food, and freezing just provides even more protection against spoilage after you've frozen food properly.

Can Mylar Bags Handle Freezer Temperatures?

Yes. Mylar bags handle freezer temperatures extremely well.

Typically, home freezers run around 0°F, or -18°C. At freezing temperatures Mylar remains thin and does not become brittle as some thin plastics can. Mylar refers primarily to moisture resistant thin pliable plastic.

The biggest part of freezing food is not the cold itself! It is air and moisture.

Why Mylar Bags Are Good for Freezing Food

The term freezer burn describes the process that occurs when food comes into contact with air and reaches the point of losing its moisture content (through evaporation) for a long period of time. Mylar bags are effective for preventing freezer burn for various reasons:

Strong Oxygen Barrier Slows Oxidation
Moisture Barrier Minimizes Damaging Effects Of Ice Crystals
Thick Film Offers Protection Against Punctures
Oxygen Absorbers offer Added Protection (optional)

When used together with proper sealing methods, Mylar bags provide a better product than many traditional freezer bags.

Best Foods to Freeze in Mylar Bags

Certain types of food lend themselves to better storage in Mylar bags and the freezer:

Meat, chicken
Seafood, fish
Frozen fruit and berries
Vegetables
Bread, dough or baked goods
Prepared meals or leftovers

Dry food such as rice/flour are able to be frozen, but it is more valuable to freeze when exposed to moisture and fat through Mylar because of how it affects the food due to oxidation.

How to Freeze Food in Mylar Bags the Right Way

This is where most people mess up. Follow these steps and you avoid almost every common issue.

1. Cool Your Food Completely

Never put warm food into a Mylar bag. Steam equals moisture. Moisture equals freezer burn later.

2. Portion Before Sealing in Mylar

Freeze in meal-sized portions. Thawing and refreezing hurts texture and safety.

3. Remove as Much Air as Possible

You can:

Use a vacuum sealer compatible with Mylar
Manually press air out before sealing
Add oxygen absorbers for dry or semi-dry foods

For wet foods, skip oxygen absorbers and focus on air removal instead.

4. Heat Seal Properly

A strong heat seal matters more than bag thickness. A weak seal lets air creep in slowly over time.

5. Label Everything

Frozen food looks identical after a few weeks. Label with contents and freeze date.

Should You Vacuum Seal Mylar Bags for Freezing?

If possible, use a vacuum-sealed Mylar bag.

This combines the advantages of:

- No air
- Strong barrier
- Good for long-term freezing

If you cannot vacuum seal, removing air and sealing tightly also works for short-term freezing.

How Long Does Food Last Frozen in Mylar Bags?

Storage time depends on the food and how well it was sealed, but general ranges look like this:

Meat and poultry: 12 to 24 months

Fish: 6 to 12 months

Fruits and vegetables: 12 to 18 months

Cooked meals: 6 to 12 months

Compared to regular freezer bags, Mylar storage pouches can doubles usable storage life.

If you want to dig deeper into storage timelines beyond freezing, this guide on how long food lasts in Mylar bags breaks it down in more detail.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using thin mylar designed for dry goods.
Sealing warm food.
Trapping too much air.
Using oxygen-absorbing packets with wet food.
Overfilling bags and putting stress on seals.

Avoiding the above conditions will result in an extremely reliable and durable freeze storage solution using mylar.

If you want a practical walkthrough that covers preparation, sealing, and storage methods, this guide on how to store food in Mylar bags explains the process step by step.

Are Mylar Bags Safe for Freezing Food?

Yes, when using food-grade Mylar. They do not leach chemicals at freezer temperatures and are widely used in commercial food storage.

Always verify bags are labeled food safe, especially if buying in bulk.

Why Frozen Food Brands Are Choosing Printed Mylar Bags

Frozen food companies are opting for custom Mylar bags because they offer greater protection from air, light and moisture better than traditional containers. This keeps the products fresher longer with fewer freezer burns as well as preserves the flavor and texture of the food.

In addition, printed mylar bags are created using high-quality graphics and are printed with informative product information to allow manufacturers to differentiate their product and attract customers at the time of selection from the shelf.

For a closer you can view printed Mylar bags, commonly used across frozen food packaging.

Final Verdict

Yes, you can freeze food in Mylar bags and it is one of the best ways to protect food from freezer burn, oxidation, and flavor loss. When sealed properly, Mylar bags give frozen food a longer life and better quality than standard plastic freezer bags.

If you already have a routine of purchasing frozen foods in preparation for meals or saving money by freezing foods, using Mylar bags is a good upgrade you will notice a big difference in a short time.