When it comes to buying oat milk, we would prefer to buy more to store at home, especially when they’re on sale. The downside, however, is you are unsure if you’re able to consume all of these purchased oat milk before they expire.
So, you have thought that putting a few cartons of oat milk in the freezer might help preserve it. The question is, can you freeze oat milk?
Yes, you can freeze oat milk. In general, you can freeze almost any type of milk. However, your frozen oat milk separates and gets a grainy texture or watery consistency once defrosted. But don’t worry, there are a few ways to take care of it before you decide to throw them away.
In this article, you will learn the essential information about freezing oat milk, such as:
If you’re ready, let’s get cracking…
What is Oat Milk?
Oat milk is a milk choice for many health-conscious people. It is plant-based milk made from whole oat grains. (*)
They’re known for their creamy texture, natural sweetness, and oatmeal-like flavor, making a great cow’s milk alternative to cream-heavy products such as ice cream or smoothies, baked goods, and overnight oats. Furthermore, it can also be used as a tea or coffee creamer.
Aside from being dairy-free, oat milk contains no soy, nuts, or gluten. Thus, this makes a perfect milk option for most people with food allergies or sensitivities.
To make oat milk, you basically need a cup of rolled oats, a liter of water, and a pinch of salt. All of these ingredients are thoroughly blended and then strained through a cheesecloth.
Then, voila! The extract is finally your oat milk! That’s how easy to make homemade oat milk at home. Or, you can surf the internet to find a basic oat milk recipe.
Can Oat Milk Be Frozen?
As mentioned in our introduction, yes, oat milk can be frozen. However, note that the end result may turn out a little grainy once you take it out of the freezer after wholly thawed.
How Long Does Oat Milk Actually Last in The Fridge?
The answer depends to a large extent on its storage conditions. Apparently, you can keep your oat milk in the freezer for up to six months.
You should keep your oat milk refrigerated at all times. But if you really need to freeze it, it’s still acceptable to do so.
How To Freeze Oat Milk the Right Way (Store-Bought and Homemade)
Before you toss it in the freezer, you need to think twice or evaluate whether or not you must freeze oat milk. And make sure if you’ll accept the end results as well.
If you’re planning to freeze your milk, follow these tips on how to do it correctly:
1. Avoid leaving it in its original container.
There’s nothing wrong with freezing the entire carton of oat milk.
We advise you to do this because we don’t want you to thaw the entire box when you only need a few cups of oat milk.
Thus, you need to divide your milk into your preferred serving portions and keep them in clean freezer-safe bottles or airtight containers.
When transferring your milk in your freezer-safe bottle, make sure to leave at least 1 inch of headspace.
Why?
Liquid expands naturally as it freezes. Thus, leaving enough room at the top is crucial so your glass won’t break from the freezing pressure.
2. Put it in the freezer.
Make sure to keep your milk constantly frozen at 0° F.
See to it that your oat milk is stored away from foods like meats, fish, poultry, or other items with strong odors.
Milk has the tendency to absorb the smell or flavor of other neighboring foods stored in the freezer.
It won’t be a pleasant thing to have a glass of fishy-smelling oat milk, right?
Don’t forget to label your bottle with the dates when you have stored them in the freezer.
How Do You Defrost Oat Milk?
There are several ways to thaw oat milk. Let’s go through them one by one.
1. Using Coldwater
Prepare a basin of cold water and submerge your frozen oat milk container or oat milk carton in it. This is the fastest and safer way to defrost or thaw your frozen milk.
However, note that this defrosting method poses a slightly higher risk of bacterial growth, especially if you let it thaw for a long time. Also, submerging it in a warm or hot water basin is not a good idea to defrost your frozen milk.
2. Refrigeration
Transferring your frozen oat milk to the refrigerator to defrost is the best and safest way to minimize the risks of bacterial growth. Just be patient enough to wait for your milk to thaw down until ready.
3. Cooking
If you plan to use your oat milk for cooking, there’s no need to thaw it at all. Just toss it into your cooking pot! The heat will just melt your frozen oat milk away and even thickens it! Then, just let it combine with the rest of your ingredients. This is best used as an alternative for recipes that contain coconut milk.
How To Fix Thawed Oat Milk That Has Separated?
1. Use it for making smoothies, cooking, or baking.
We advise you not to use thawed grainy oat milk for your morning coffee, teas, or oat milk. Heating up the oat milk through cooking can lessen the graininess.
2. Strain it using a cheesecloth
But if you really want to add your thawed oat milk to your beverages, try straining it through a cheesecloth to improve the texture.
3. Shake the container or use a blender
You can try to fix it by using a blender to reverse the fat separation.
If you don’t have a blender, just shake the container and see if it can revert back to its homogenized state.
FAQs
1. Can You Refreeze Oat Milk?
Yes, you can refreeze thawed oat milk if you want. Note that refreezing thawed foods affect the quality, flavor, and texture. Plus, thawing then refreezing your milk increases the risk of bacterial growth.
If you need to know our thoughts about refreezing oat milk, well, we won’t advise you to do it. It is best to consume the rest of the thawed milk rather than put it back in the freezer or refrigerator.
2. Does Freezing Affect the Quality Of Oat Milk?
As mentioned earlier in this article, freezing oat milk can affect the consistency after it is thawed – it becomes grainy and watery.
Does it mean that this grainy-textured milk is not usable anymore? That’s not true at all. As long as you have kept it in the freezer properly and defrosted your milk the right way, it is still usually safe for consumption.
3. How to Know If Oat Milk Is Still Safe to Drink?
Check for signs of spoilage. Discard the oat milk away if you have observed any of the following spoilage characteristics:
- Off-white or yellowish color
- Sour smell
- Tarty or sour taste
- Thick or clumpy texture
4. Does oat milk froth well?
No. Oat milk does not froth well because it is made of oats which are ground very finely and do not have the structure to create bubbles.
Some other types of plant-based milks, such as soy milk and almond milk, froth better than oat milk because they have a higher fat content. The fats help to stabilize the foam and give it volume. But because oat milk is lower in fat, it doesn’t produce as much foam.
Conclusion
Freezing oat milk is not always the best way to store it. But if, in some cases that you really need to freeze it, just expect that your oat milk will not hold the same consistency as it was before once it is thawed.
Make sure to follow proper methods of defrosting your frozen oat milk to minimize the risks of foodborne illnesses. Don’t hesitate to throw it away if you suspect that your oat milk has already gone bad. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
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