Yes, you absolutely can make oat milk ice cubes! This is a simple and effective way to store oat milk, prevent waste, and add a creamy, dairy-free boost to various beverages and recipes without diluting them.
Making oat milk ice cubes is incredibly straightforward and requires minimal effort. The process is identical to freezing water into ice cubes, making it an accessible kitchen hack for anyone.
Simple Steps for Freezing Oat Milk
To transform your liquid oat milk into convenient frozen cubes, follow these easy directions:
- Pour the oatmilk into a standard ice cube tray. Ensure you don't overfill the compartments, as liquids expand slightly when frozen.
- Freeze overnight. For best results, allow at least 8 hours for the oat milk to solidify completely.
Once frozen, you can pop the cubes out of the tray and transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. This frees up your ice cube tray and makes it easy to grab a few cubes whenever needed.
Practical Uses for Oat Milk Ice Cubes
Oat milk ice cubes are incredibly versatile and can enhance a wide range of culinary creations. Here are some popular applications:
- Iced Coffee & Tea: The most common use! Instead of diluting your iced coffee or tea with regular water ice cubes, use oat milk cubes for a creamier, richer, and more flavorful cold beverage that won't get watery.
- Smoothies: Add frozen oat milk cubes directly to your blender for an extra creamy texture and a thicker smoothie, especially if you're looking to reduce the amount of fresh liquid.
- Oatmeal & Porridge: Drop a few cubes into hot oatmeal or porridge to cool it down quickly while adding a milky richness.
- Cooking & Baking: Incorporate frozen oat milk into recipes that call for liquid oat milk, such as sauces, soups, or even some baked goods, by simply thawing them or adding them directly to hot mixtures.
- Preventing Waste: If you often find yourself with leftover oat milk nearing its expiration date, freezing it into cubes is an excellent way to extend its shelf life and ensure nothing goes to waste.
Tips for Best Results
While making oat milk ice cubes is simple, a few tips can help you achieve the best outcome:
- Use Fresh Oat Milk: Starting with fresh, good-quality oat milk will ensure the best flavor in your frozen cubes.
- Consider Different Tray Sizes: While standard trays work well, larger ice cube molds can be useful for bigger servings, like in a large iced coffee. Silicone trays make it easier to pop out the frozen cubes.
- Store Properly: Once frozen, transfer the cubes to an airtight bag or container to prevent freezer burn and absorb odors from other foods in the freezer. They typically last for a few weeks to a couple of months in the freezer.
- Thawing: For recipes requiring liquid oat milk, you can thaw the cubes in the refrigerator overnight or gently warm them.
