Can You Freeze Oat Milk? Yes, Follow This Easy Guide!

Oat milk — a popular dairy-free alternative to cow milk and a tasty addition to smoothies and coffee! It also has significant health benefits!

As this vegan, plant-based milk becomes more and more popular, people often wonder: Can you freeze oat milk?

Since it’s one of my favorite smoothie additions, I was also curious whether it could be frozen for later use.

Can you freeze oat milk?

The answer is yes, you can freeze leftover oat milk!

After thawing a frozen batch, I noticed some separation but a simple stir restored its original consistency. So I could go back to creating my favorite creamy beverages.

Let’s delve into the entire process of freezing oat milk and uncover the best practices for freezing and thawing this popular dairy alternative.

While we explore oat milk’s freezing potential here, don’t miss my general guide on freezing milk (with tips for all types of milk).

Freezing oat milk: What you need

You’ll need a few things to freeze oat milk smoothly. Here’s what to prepare:

• Oat milk: The basic ingredient.
• Freezer-safe container: Glass or BPA-free plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work nicely.
• Funnel: Pour oat milk into the container without making a mess.
• Label and marker: Write the freezing date on the container.
• Measuring cup: Oat milk can be portioned correctly using a measuring cup if frozen in smaller quantities.
• Freezer space: Make sure your freezer has adequate room for the container without overloading.

Optional items:

• Ice cube trays: Freeze oat milk in smaller pieces for simple usage, such as adding it to coffee.
• Plastic wrap or parchment paper: Before closing the container, place plastic wrap or parchment paper directly over the oat milk to avoid freezer burn.
• Vacuum sealer: A vacuum sealer helps reduce freezer burn by removing extra air from the container.

How to freeze oat milk?

Here are two ways to freeze oat milk:

Method 1: Container freezing

1. Prep the container: Choose a freezer-safe container that fits your oat milk.
2. Cool the milk: Chill the oat milk in the fridge if you’ve just prepared it or it’s room temperature. This prevents container condensation.
3. Pour: Use a funnel to pour oat milk into the airtight container. Leave an inch at the top for expansion.
4. Optional wrapping: Before closing the container, lay plastic wrap or parchment paper directly over the oat milk to avoid freezer burn.
5. Label and seal: Label and seal the container with a tight-fitting lid. Write the freezing date using a marker to monitor freshness.
6. Freeze: Put the container in the freezer. Keep it upright to avoid leakage. It takes a few hours to freeze solid.

Method 2: Ice cube tray freezing

1. Prep the trays: Make sure the ice cube trays are clean and dry. Strain your oat milk if necessary.
2. Pour into the ice cube trays: Fill each compartment almost to the top but leave some room for expansion.
3. (Optional) Partial freeze: Freeze the ice cube trays for 1-2 hours to partly freeze the oat milk. This prevents the cubes from sticking together.
4. (Optional) Insert toothpicks: Put toothpicks or tiny popsicle sticks into the partly frozen oat milk cubes to make them easier to handle.
5. Freeze: Freeze the oat milk cubes completely. This normally takes 3-4 hours.
6. Transfer to a freezer bag: Once totally frozen, carefully remove the oat milk cubes from the ice cube trays. Store them in a labeled freezer-safe plastic bag. Remove all the air before closing the bag.
7. Return to freezer: Put the oat milk cube bag back in the freezer.

When ready to use, slightly defrost the frozen milk in the fridge and shake or mix it to fix the grainy texture.

As a big fan of iced lattes, I love popping a few frozen cubes into my morning coffee for a creamy, oaty kick.

How long can you freeze oat milk?

Both freeze-safe procedures keep oat milk safe for 1-3 months.

Freezing extends the shelf life of oat milk, although you may notice some quality changes over time.

Oat milk components, additives, packaging, and freezer conditions can all affect freezing time.

To ensure the best quality, I always mark my containers with the freezing date to know how long the oat milk has been frozen.

How to defrost oat milk?

There are several ways to thaw oat milk:

Refrigerator thawing

This gentle thawing procedure is advised for defrosting oat milk to retain the best quality.

1. Put the frozen oat milk in the fridge. Place it on a plate or dish to collect drips.
2. Wait until the milk defrosts. This normally takes 8-12 hours or overnight.
3. After thawing, shake or stir the oat milk to recombine any separated ingredients and guarantee a uniform texture.

Look for any spoiling indicators like a bad smell or strange appearance in oat milk. Use it in dishes or beverages only if it looks and smells fine!

Water bath thawing

A water bath can help defrost oat milk faster than the fridge:

1. Seal the frozen milk container. It prevents water from entering the container.
2. Fill a big dish with cold water and submerge the bagged oat milk container. Make sure the container is totally submerged.
3. Drain and replace the bowl with colder water if it warms up too much. This helps maintain the right thawing temperature.
4. This process takes 2-3 hours, depending on the container size. Stir periodically for even thawing.
5. After thawing, shake or stir the oat milk to mix any separated ingredients.

Check the milk for any unusual signs and feel free to use it after the thawing process!

Microwave thawing

To rapidly defrost small amounts of oat milk, use the microwave:

1. Transfer the necessary amount of frozen oat milk into a microwave-safe container.
2. Thaw the milk using the microwave’s defrost mode or the lowest power level. Microwave every 20-30 seconds to avoid overheating or cooking.
3. To achieve consistent thawing, pause the microwave and whisk the milk every 20-30 seconds. It prevents hot spots.

After thawing, verify the oat milk’s quality and consume it promptly.

Thawed oat milk may have a different texture than fresh oat milk, therefore it’s best used in recipes rather than for drinking.

Oat milk is also on the list of my best coconut milk alternatives because of its creamy texture.

How to use frozen oat milk?

Frozen oat milk is easy to use just like fresh oat milk. So make the most of your frozen milk:

• Smoothies: Blend it with your favorite fruits, veggies, and other ingredients for a healthy drink.
• Coffee and tea: It gives creamy texture and a lovely, somewhat nutty taste.
• Cereal: Pour frozen oat milk over your favorite cereal like fresh milk. The creamy smoothness complements many cereals.
• Cooking and baking recipes: Thawed oat milk works in any milk-based recipe — pancakes, muffins, sauces and more.
• Ice treats: Thawed oat milk makes wonderful ice cream and popsicles. Its creaminess makes frozen delicacies extra special.
• Soups and sauce: Add frozen oat milk to soups and sauces for a creamy dairy milk alternative.
• Oatmeal: You can prepare it using frozen oat milk instead of water.
• Blending with spices: Blend thawed oat milk with cinnamon, vanilla, or chocolate for a tasty foundation you can eat alone or add to dishes.

Frozen oat milk isn’t ideal for drinking, but it works well in any basic oat milk recipe!

I tried it in my morning oatmeal, pancakes and even hot chocolate. It worked well each time!

Among them is the Swiss Bircher Muesli. It’s a pure yumminess 🙂

How to freeze oat milk FAQ

Consider rice milk, almond milk, or coconut milk as alternatives to oat milk. They can be frozen too!Yes, you can freeze homemade oat milk just like store-bought oat milk. Try shaking or stirring it after thawing for the best texture.

Check out my blog for some helpful info on how to freeze coconut milk, and to discover the best tips for freezing almond milk!