Wondering if you can freeze oat milk? The answer is yes, and the method is simple. We'll show you how to freeze this plant-based beverage and use it from frozen.
Due to its creamy consistency and natural sweetness, oat milk makes the perfect sustainable and cruelty-free substitute for cow’s milk in cream-heavy goods. Oat milk does not contain any gluten, soy, or nuts. That makes it an excellent alternative for people with allergies and other dietary restrictions.
Store-bought oat milk, once opened, should be stored in the fridge and used within seven to 10 days. Homemade oat milk has a shorter shelf life (around five days) since it lacks the preservatives found in commercial oat milk.
We’ve covered the basics of making your own oat milk, but you might be wondering if you can freeze oat milk. You can, but it can be grainy after thawing. So, we don’t recommend using defrosted oat milk in tea, coffee, or cereal. However, the graininess fades after cooking — making it great for that purpose.
Let’s take a look at how to freeze oat milk and the best way to thaw it to keep its texture. Then, we’ll share some great recipe ideas you can make with your frozen oat milk.
How to Freeze Oat Milk
The best way to store oat milk in the freezer is to pour it into freezer-safe bottles, an ice cube tray, or any airtight container that doesn’t allow air or bacteria to enter. Oat milk expands as it freezes, so keep plenty of room in your container.
Here are some more tips for freezing oat milk successfully:
- Pour it into a container, being sure to leave space for expansion.
- Write the date you freeze it on the container. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Place it in the freezer. Keep it away from any raw or cooked frozen meat to avoid cross-contamination.
Utopia Tip: For a more eco-friendly option, go plastic-free by ditching plastic single-use ice cube bags and investing in a stainless steel ice cube tray.
Thawing and Using Oat Milk Cubes
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Ska-te)
Now that you know how to freeze oat milk, you need to know how to thaw and use it. There are three main options for thawing oat milk:
- Using Hot or Cold Water: Put your frozen oat milk container into a basin of cold water. Make use of hot water if you’re pressed for time. If you have any frozen oat milk, this is the quickest way to thaw it. Keep in mind, though, that if you leave it thaw for a long time, this defrosting procedure increases the risk of bacteria.
- Cooking: There’s no need to defrost oat milk if you intend to use it in a recipe. Put it straight into the pot and start cooking. Your frozen oat milk will just melt away, and the heat may even cause it to thicken. When necessary, it can even be a substitute for coconut milk in certain dishes.
- Refrigeration: Slower, yet effective; all you need is time. You need to thaw the container in the fridge for roughly eight hours or so. Oat milk is best used after being refrigerated and thawed overnight from a frozen state.
Check for symptoms of spoiling before using your defrosted oat milk to avoid unpleasant surprises. Look for a foul odor or taste, lumpiness, or an off-white or yellow tint. If it contains them, discard the oat milk.
Shelf Life: Oat milk, once frozen, can be stored for up to six months. Don’t forget to label it when you store it! It will probably still be consumable after six months, though the flavor may have diminished. It should be used within five days of thawing, however, if you froze your oat milk close to the expiration date, use it sooner.
Now you have frozen oat milk to use in many tasty vegan treats, like in vegan yogurts, ice cream, vegan cookie dough, or overnight oats.
Read more:
- Overnight Oats: Three Simple Breakfast Ideas
- Proats: Easy Breakfast Recipe for Protein Oats
- Freeze Foods Without Plastic: 6 Sustainable Household Hacks
- Can You Freeze Milk? Here Is Why It Isn’t a Good Idea
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