Eating a piece of the best salt water taffy is a singular experience — the soft, chewy nougat melts in your mouth with a burst of flavor and brings you back to the candy store memories of your childhood. It is an experience you want to relive time and again. By preserving frozen taffy, you can enjoy your saltwater taffy anytime without worrying about a trip to the store or waiting for an online order.
Read on to find out if you can freeze salt water taffy, the best methods to do so, and what to do with your frozen taffy when you need a sweet snack.
How long can you store taffy in the freezer? How long does taffy keep in the freezer?
Taffy is a candy with a high content of sugar, corn syrup, and other ingredients, generally free of preservatives. That means the shelf life of your saltwater taffy is about a week long. After seven days, store bought and homemade salt water taffy starts to harden and becomes difficult to eat. If it becomes too hard to consume, is overly sticky, or has a foul odor, chances are your taffy has gone bad.
To prevent this from happening, you can store your taffy candy in a cool, dry area. Saltwater taffy can last for up to one month in the fridge. For more long-term results, you can store taffy in the freezer for up to six months.
How to Freeze Salt Water Taffy
Making frozen taffy is a simple process that will preserve the shelf life of your saltwater taffy. You will need a tray, a nonstick liner such as parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone mat, storage containers or bags, and space in your freezer. Follow the three simple steps below:
Step 1: Prepare the Taffy
First, prepare a tray with a nonstick liner. For a nonstick barrier, you can use parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone mat on top of your tray. Then, you will need to prepare your salt water taffy for freezing by removing it from the wrapper. To make it easier, prepare your taffy for freezing before they become too sticky. Doing so will prevent a lot of lost candy and frustration. If you freeze your candy in the wrapper, it will stick to it and be difficult, if not impossible, to remove when thawed.
This extra step may seem time-consuming, but it will save you a lot of grief later and make the thawing and eating easier later!
Step 2: Flash Freeze the Taffy
After you have prepared your tray and unwrapped your taffy, line your tray with the unwrapped taffy, leaving a little space between each one to prevent them from sticking to each other when you freeze them. When they are lined out in single rows with a bit of space in between, put them in the freezer until the taffy has frozen solid, usually around 8-24 hours. Flash-freezing your taffies will make them easier to store and separate for eating.
If you skip flash freezing and combine the unwrapped taffies in a freezer bag or storage bin, they will freeze together and become impossible to separate.
Step 3: Store Taffy in Freezer Bags
Lastly, remove your frozen salt water taffy from the tray and place it into freezer bags or an airtight container. Remove as much air as possible from the bag by sucking excess air out with a straw. You can then place your bag into the freezer to store, which will keep your taffy fresh for up to 18 months.
How to Thaw Salt Water Taffy
Thawing your taffy candy is easy. Follow the steps below for the best results.
Step 1: Pick Out Taffy
Choose only the taffy that you plan on eating soon. Place it on a plate or in a container free of moisture. You want to avoid thawing excess frozen taffy only to store it at room temperature because the candy will become stickier sooner and will not last.
Step 2: Defrost in the Refrigerator
Put your salt water taffy in the refrigerator for about 12-24 hours to thaw slowly at a regulated temperature. Doing so lowers the chance that your candy will lose its soft, chewy texture.
Step 3: Let Stand at Room Temperature and Enjoy!
After thawing in the refrigerator, set your taffy out at room temperature to make it a little softer. Enjoy!
Taffy Storage FAQs
Can you freeze salt water taffy?
Yes. Freezing salt water taffy increases its shelf life and is a good way to save or store taffy.
What is the shelf life of saltwater taffy?
The shelf life of saltwater taffy is about seven days, but it can last for up to six months. When frozen, taffy can last an extra six months.
Can taffy go bad? Does salt water taffy expire?
Yes, taffy can go bad and generally expires six months after purchase. Homemade taffy expires even sooner and only lasts 3-7 days.
How long does salt water taffy last in the freezer?
Saltwater taffy will last up to 6 months in the freezer.
How long does salt water taffy last in the fridge?
Saltwater taffy lasts up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze dry salt water taffy?
Yes. Like all freeze-dried candies, freeze-dried taffy is a fun and popular edible to make. It results in a crunchy, flavorful treat.
The Best Salt Water Taffy Comes From Taffy Town
Taffy Town is America’s favorite saltwater taffy company. We use a unique process unlike others to produce a whipped taffy that is softer, chewier, and melts in your mouth. We have over 90 different salt water taffy flavors, including our one-of-a-kind dessert flavors, which are sure to please every taffy lover. Shop our online selection today and experience the wonder of perfected, gourmet taffy.