You can use corn dough for various recipes, from tortillas, tamales, arepas, empanadas, etc. That’s why it is interesting to know how to store corn dough properly.
It is possible to store corn dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, it is possible to freeze the corn dough where it can last between 3 and 6 months.
To know how to keep the quality of corn dough while storing it, I invite you to keep reading.
Preserve corn dough
Like any other dough, corn dough needs to be in a cold environment if there is no plan to use it immediately. However, you can leave it for 12 hours at room temperature if you cover the dough with a kitchen cloth and the weather is not very hot (less than 25°C or 77°F).
However, even when you can “store” the corn dough for 12 hours, you shouldn’t leave it there for that long since it can develop bacteria quickly, damaging the dough. Therefore, the storage time will be shorter, no matter what you do after.
Keep the corn dough in the fridge
Refrigerating corn dough is the easiest and probably the most effective way to preserve it for a few days, maintaining its consistency and texture.
However, the environment offered by the refrigerator is not cold enough to slow down the development of bacteria within the mass.
Bacteria need moisture to develop, and obviously, corn dough contains a lot, which is something to keep in mind at the time of storing.
To store the corn dough in the refrigerator in the right way, just follow these recommendations that I leave you below:
- Step 1: Wrap with plastic.
The plastic for wrapping will prevent the corn dough from drying out inside the fridge.
- Step 2: Flatten.
You’re mistaken if you think you can store the big dough ball. Instead, it would be best to make the dough a lil bit flat, pressing it against the deck. In this way, you preserve the dough uniformly.
- Step 3: Put the dough inside an airtight container.
It’s time for the second “layer” of protection that will prevent the corn dough from absorbing the smell and taste of other foods.
- Step 4: Store in the coldest area of the fridge.
You must place the container at the bottom of the refrigerator in the central part, away from the door.
The corn dough can last about three days inside the fridge if you follow all these tips.
Freeze the corn dough
Can corn dough be frozen? You can freeze corn dough without any problem. However, it is essential to mention that its texture will become more brittle the longer it remains frozen, so its quality is compromised.
When you freeze the dough, it breaks its internal structures. It doesn’t affect the final flavor at all, but the texture can be gummier than usual when you thaw it.
To store the corn dough in the freezer, you just need to do the following:
- Step 1: Divide the dough.
If you are going to store a large amount of corn dough, don’t do that as a huge block. Instead, cut it into small or individuals pieces in the form of balls, small cylinders, or squares of dough.
- Step 2: Wrap.
In this case, wrapping each ball or piece of dough with film paper will prevent frostbite burns.
- Step 3: Put the portions in an airtight container or bag.
The bag or the airtight container must be suitable for freezing. You can use a vacuum sealer to get better results.
- Step 4: Tag.
As you will freeze the dough thinking in the long term, it is good to place the date of storage of the dough to know precisely how long it has been frozen.
- Step 5: Save to the freezer.
If you follow all the indications, you may freeze the corn dough for 3 to 6 months.
When you want to thaw, you should put the portions you will use in the fridge for a whole night.
You can also remove the plastic film, wrap it with a paper towel, and leave it at room temperature for about 3 or 4 hours. However, letting it overnight in the fridge is better.
Important: you can’t refreeze the corn dough after thawing.
Store corn dough from corn grains
Many people grind corn to make craft dough and get a more natural flavor in the preparation they are going to make.
If you want to preserve this type of dough, it is the same as corn dough with precooked flour (guidelines above).
However, the shelf life is shorter, as the craft corn dough can only be refrigerated for two days while frozen for 1 or 2 months.
Thawing is the same as traditional corn dough; in other words, leaving it overnight in the fridge and never refreezing it.
How do you know if the corn dough is bad?
If the corn dough is spoiled, the first thing you usually notice is the rancid or fermented smell that comes out of it, indicating its shelf life is over.
As the corn dough has a large amount of water, it quickly develops mold if it is not stored correctly. If that’s the case, you will notice dark or greenish spots; therefore, discard the dough immediately.
If its taste also changes with a rancid or fermented flavor, it is not convenient to ingest.
Sometimes, its surface dries out after being stored, especially if you did not cover it well. But this is not indicative of decomposition.
How long does corn dough last?
The shelf life of the corn dough depends on the storage method. That’s why we have this table that summarizes its different stages.
How long does corn dough last?
The corn dough does not usually last long refrigerated, but if frozen, here is a summary with the conservation time:
| Product | Duration |
| Refrigerated corn dough | 3 days |
| Frozen corn dough | 3 – 6 months |
| Refrigerated craft corn dough | 2 days |
| Frozen craft corn dough | 1 – 2 months |
What is the best way to preserve corn dough?
Because it retains its consistency and texture better, it is convenient to store the corn dough in the fridge, and if you follow the storage guidelines, it can remain in good condition for a few days.
If you need to store the corn dough for a long time, then freezing is the option to consider. However, we warn you that the longer it remains frozen, the higher the chances of a variation in its consistency and texture.
The best advice is to prepare the dough when you think you will use it since if you store the flour properly, it can last years, but if you have some leftovers, just follow the guidelines above, and you will be ok.
Preserving corn dough is pretty easy now that we know the steps. On Keep&Store, we have similar information that might interest you, so feel free to explore as much as you want.
