Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

For those who do not like regular cow’s milk, almond milk is the best alternative. If you also use almond milk in excess, this question must have come to your mind: can you freeze almond milk?

And suppose you know that you can freeze it; do you know the correct process? Well, no worries, I have the answer to all your questions. You can freeze almond milk; I will explain the proper freezing method.

Why is Freezing Almond Milk Necessary?

Freezing almond milk is very beneficial. If you keep leftover almond milk without freezing it, it will get spoiled, and you will not be able to use it again. It will help you save money & avoid wasting the milk.

Another advantage of freezing it is that whenever you need it, you can unfreeze that quantity of almond milk and use it in your cooking or baking.

How Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

The freezing process of almond milk is straightforward. You can simply store it for six months:

Step 1

First of all, decide how you want to store almond milk. Do you want to store in large quantities or less? If you’re going to freeze large amounts, use containers; if you want to freeze in less quantity, use ice cube trays.

If you’re going to freeze for drinking purposes, then freeze in a large container, but if you want to freeze for cooking or baking, then ice cube trays are the best option, which I also use.

Step 2

In the next step, prepare the almond milk. Always use fresh milk; expired or old milk can spoil during freezing. When freezing milk in a container, leave some space at the top to allow for expansion.

To freeze the ice cubes in the tray, put all the milk in that tray and leave a little space at the top. Place the ice cube tray in the freezer, & once the cubes are solid, take them out of the freezer & out of the ice cube tray.

Transfer these small cubes to an airtight freezing bag & keep them in the freezer. When placing a freezing bag or container in the freezer, keep the positions unchanged.

Before freezing, label the freezing bag or container and mention the date. It will help you remember when you froze your milk.

How Can You Re-Use Frozen Almond Milk?

There are four methods to thaw frozen almond milk. Some work fast and some slow. Let’s look at all of them in detail one by one:

Refrigerator method

All of them are useful, but the refrigerator method is the best. For frozen almond milk, take it out of the freezer and keep it in the fridge for one night. The process is slow, but the quality is maintained. I use this method myself and recommend it to you, too.

Lukewarm Water Method

You can use the lukewarm water method to thaw quickly. Put lukewarm water in a bowl and then put my freezing almond milk bag or container in it. With this method, you can thaw milk within 2 to 3 hours.

Counter Method

You can also thaw almond milk by keeping it on the counter. With this, you can thaw the milk within 2 hours maximum. But I don’t recommend this method because this milk can get spoiled.

Microwave Method

The last method I am sharing is the microwave method. Keep the defrost setting on the microwave and the almond milk in a safe container. Operate the microwave at short intervals. 

You must be careful with the microwave method as the milk can overheat.

Different Types Of Almond Milk And Their Freezing Potentials

Almond milk comes in various types and is not just available in one form. It has sweetened and unsweetened varieties and homemade and store-bought options. Each has its characteristics and freezing potential.

Unsweetened vs. Sweetened Almond Milk: Which Type Freezes Better?

First, the question that comes to mind is, can we freeze both? You can freeze both, but the results will be slightly different.

Unsweetened Almond Milk

It has a lower tendency to freeze well because it has fewer ingredients that may give the appearance of changing its texture when thawed. Like all almond milk, it may become grainy after freezing and thawing, but it will still separate.

Sweetened Almond Milk

There’s a benefit to freezing, and adding the sugars in sweetened almond milk may have a different texture than unfrozen. It’s still safe to freeze, but using it in recipes after thawing may add sweetness to the flavor profile. Additionally, when defrosted, it might have a slightly different consistency than its frozen, unsweetened counterpart.

The Freezing Difference Between Store-Bought and Homemade Almond Milk

If we compare the two, store-bought milk can be stored better than homemade milk. 

Homemade Almond Milk

If your almond milk is homemade, I recommend finishing it within 3 days. If you freeze it, the ingredients will completely separate. If you want to freeze it, blending it well before using it is very important. 

Store Brought Almond Milk

Store-bought almond milk includes stabilizers, so the texture won’t be ruined if you freeze it. You can easily freeze it for up to 6 months; there will be minimal texture change, which will almost return to its original state after blending. After thawing and blending, it is very important to make sure everything combines well.

How to Fix Thick Texture in Thawed Almond Milk

1. Blending

Blending is important to fix graininess in almond milk. You can use a high-speed blender to break up clumps and mix them into a smoother texture, making your milk better to drink. 

2. Emulsifiers

 If you’re making homemade almond milk, consider adding an emulsifier like sunflower lecithin. This ingredient keeps the fat and water mixed through both freezing & thawing, which reduces graininess & separation before freezing and after thawing. 

3. Strain Again

If your homemade almond milk gets a bit grainy, strain it again. When finished, strain off any large particles so the end product will not have a grainy feeling with a smooth texture. 

4. Cooking Method

 you know what? My favorite trick here is homemade almond milk boiling after blending. The storage of this step helps avoid separation and resulting texture. 

When it’s thawed, after it’s been frozen, it results in a creamier almond milk, which tastes better and is more enjoyable. Applying these methods gives you smooth and delicious homemade almond milk with no graininess.

Can You Use Frozen Almond Milk Directly in Cooking & Baking?

You can not use frozen almond milk in cooking or baking without thawing. Its lifetime can be increased by freezing it. But, its texture may change slightly during the freezing process.

So, before using frozen milk, you should first thaw it. Its texture does not change if thawed slowly. If you need to thaw almond milk quickly, the best way to do so is by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. 

Before using almond milk in a recipe, blend it well. It will help to integrate the separated components of the almond milk and improve its overall consistency.

What Changes Happen After Freezing Almond Milk?

Freezing almond milk produces a lot of changes, but they are not very noticeable:

• Almond milk can become slushy and grainy after freezing. The main reason for this is that its ingredients are separate.

• There is also a slight change in its flavor. But it is very minimal & not very noticeable.

• The consistency of the milk may also change when you freeze it, but when you blend it again, it becomes routine.

• Freezing milk increases its shelf life, but I recommend using it within a month to ensure better quality.

Relevant Post: Can You Freeze Custard?

FaQs

Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

Yes, you can freeze it. Freezing can change its texture slightly. Blending it well before using it will help maintain consistency again.

Can I freeze milk in its original pack?  

No, that is a big mistake. Never freeze any milk in its original carton or any breakable container. It can open in the freezer, and the almond milk can spoil. Always use an airtight container for this purpose.

Can You Refreeze Almond Milk?

You can refreeze almond milk, but there are better ideas than this. Freezing changes the texture of the milk. If you freeze it again, it can go wrong.

What happens when you thaw almond milk?

Almond milk gets a bit separated once it has been thawed. Before you use it, make sure to give it a good shake. 

Can you freeze almond milk in a glass jar?

Yes, you can freeze almond milk in freezer-safe glass jars. Just remember to leave some space at the top for ice expansion. With a wide mouth, glass jars are ideal for storing large quantities of almond milk before freezing.

What are the proper ways to use almond milk?

Their texture may be different after defrosting. They are suitable for milk recipes like pancakes, muffins, or oatmeal.

Conclusion

Almond milk is used a lot. In this case, freezing the almond milk is a good option. After freezing it, you can easily use it for 3 to 6 months. But I recommend you to use it within two months only.