Can Almond Milk be Frozen?

Technically yes, almond milk can be frozen. However…

This does not mean that you should as almond milk, like most dairy substitutes, does not hold up particularly well to the freezing and thawing process. 

The color of the milk should remain the same even after it has been defrosted, unlike with dairy milk which develops a yellow hue (learn how to defrost or heat milk in the microwave here).

It will remain safe to consume, however the consistency of the milk may be widely changed.

The flavor and nutritional profile of the almond milk will be the same as a never-frozen portion. 

When you follow our instructions below correctly, you can keep almond milk fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months…

How to Freeze Almond Milk

You should never freeze expired almond milk, as this could potentially be unsafe to consume. 

Check that the carton has not puffed up in the refrigerator due to the release of carbon dioxide as the milk turns.

Another good indication of decay is if the milk smells sour, is lumpy, or has mold growing inside. If you see any of these indicators, please dispose of your milk.

There are many ways to freeze your almond milk (or freeze your coconut milk) depending on its intended use. If you simply wish to freeze small portions to use inside hot drinks, we suggest freezing almond milk inside an ice cube tray.

Measure the volume of each cube prior to pouring in the almond milk. Standard trays create 2 tablespoons volume cubes – perfect for a milky beverage. 

Place the filled ice cube tray level in the freezer and leave overnight to freeze solid. The next morning, pop the cubes out of the tray. Transfer to a freezer-safe ziplock bag and press out as much of the air as possible.

Label the bag with the contents, quantity of each cube, and the date frozen. Place in the freezer to store until ready to use. 

If you wish to freeze larger quantities, our favorite way to do this is by using a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Pour in almond milk until there is about an inch of space at the top of the bag.

Seal the bag, taking care to press out as much air as possible before sealing completely. Label the bag with the contents, quantity, and date frozen.

Lay the bag flat in the freezer to solidify as a layer. Once frozen completely, you can stack up lots of these bags for a convenient, space-saving storage solution.

How to Thaw Almond Milk

If you have opted for the ice cube tray method, you do not really need to thaw prior to use. Simply drop a cube into hot drinks and mix well to reconstitute any separation.

If you are using almond milk cubes in a smoothie you can simply blend as they are. The same applies to dropping cubes into hot dishes. 

If you want to use almond milk cubes in baking, you will need to thaw the milk first. The same applies to larger quantities of almond milk. You should remove the container of milk from the freezer and place in a large bowl in your refrigerator the night before you intend to use it.

The next morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir or shake the milk to reconstitute it. 

Can Almond Milk be Frozen? What to Consider Before Freezing Almond Milk

What will you be using the frozen / thawed almond milk in? If it is something that is likely to be cooked or blended, freezing is unlikely to have much of an impact on the finished product. 

It is important to leave approximately an inch of space at the top of freezer bags before freezing. This is because liquids expand as they freeze. Leaving this space will prevent the container from bursting under the pressure and making a mess inside your freezer.

We suggest pressing as much air out of the bags as possible as this is one of the major contributors to the development of freezer burn. Pressing out air reduces the likelihood of freezer burn, meaning that your almond milk will stay fresher for longer. 

If you are concerned about your almond milk taking on flavors or odors from your freezer, we suggest placing it inside a second freezer bag for added security.

The texture of thawed almond milk will not be the same as fresh. This should be taken into account when considering whether to freeze it. It is perfectly suitable for use as a constituting ingredient in a recipe.

However, it may not be appropriate for drinking straight or as the main ingredient in a dish. For these purposes, we would recommend purchasing a fresh carton of almond milk to use. 

History of Almond Milk

A massive 80% of the world’s almonds are grown in California, an area that has been suffering from drought for years. For this reason, many people have been growing in dissatisfaction with the environmental impacts of almond milk and it is declining in popularity.

This has not always been the case. Prior to mass modernization of almond farming, they were commonly found in North Africa, India, and the Middle East.

In the Middle Ages, almond milk took on a religious symbolism and can be found commonly referenced in Islamic and Christian texts from this period. 

It was also commonly used in Europe around the same time as a milk substitute – so vegans weren’t actually the first ones to do this! This was a common practise during Lent and also when feeding young kids as it is easier to digest than dairy milk. 

Over 1,000 years ago they made the journey to the Western and Southern areas of the world. In the 19th and 20th centuries the popularity of almond milk in the United States boomed.

This was thanks in part to the Seventh Day Adventists, who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet and would commonly use almond milk in place of dairy. 

To give you some idea of how popular it became, in 2013, more almond milk sales were made than of soy milk in the US.