Can You Freeze Yogurt?

Yogurt is not only delicious and nutritious but also versatile. You can use it as a marinade, as a smoothie base, as a dip, or just eat it plain. But have you ever thought of freezing yogurt? Maybe you have an excess that you want to preserve. Or maybe you simply want to try frozen yogurt.

So the question is, ‘Can you freeze yogurt?’ Yes, it’s perfectly fine to freeze yogurt in the refrigerator for later consumption. You can safely store any type of yogurt — whether it is full-fat, non-fat, strained, plain, or flavored — for up to two months (60 days). Anywhere from 40°F (4°C) to 32°F (0°C) is acceptable.

But you should be aware that freezing dairy-based products change the texture, taste, and appearance. Moreover, if you don’t store the yogurt properly, it may go bland and become inedible. Learn how to freeze yogurt properly and store it safely for up to two months.

Can You Freeze This? A Great Ultimate List

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Can You Put Yogurt In The Freezer?

When you decide to put the leftover or excess yogurt in the fridge, you have two options. One is to keep it in the trays along with the food and vegetables, and the second is to store it in the freezer. Either of the options is safe as long as you know what you’re doing.

Yogurt is prepared by heating milk along with living cultures. It changes the protein structure and creates a flimsy gel consisting of water and fat (along with other things, obviously). 

But when you place yogurt in the freezer, the water is drawn away from the gel. As a result, the established structure, which gives yogurt its taste and texture, collapses. While it doesn’t make the yogurt inedible or less nutritious, the yogurt just doesn’t taste the same.

That being said, freezing is entirely safe for yogurt. The probiotics are thermophilic and survive the treatment. So you don’t lose out on the goodness of yogurt.

If you place yogurt in the trays, it doesn’t freeze. It simply keeps the dairy-based product at a lower temperature. So if you want to preserve yogurt only for a few days and maintain consistency, store it in the trays instead of the freezer.

Best Way to Freeze Yogurt

Now that you know freezing yogurt is safe, you should know how to freeze safely.

In the yogurt container

The easiest way of freezing yogurt is by simply placing the original container in the freezer. This makes the most sense with single-serving containers as you can later thaw it as per the need. 

Yogurt tends to expand when frozen. It may break the seal. You can also place the container inside a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn or smell.

In a freezer-safe container

Containers that are freezer-safe are another way of freezing yogurt. You can purchase containers with portions and freeze yogurt accordingly. This way, you minimize waste and use yogurt in small amounts. The containers have room for the yogurt to expand. Therefore, they are pretty safe to freeze yogurt in.

In ice-cube tray

Instead of purchasing portion containers, you can use the ice-cube tray. Simply transfer the yogurt into the tray and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, it’s better to move the yogurt cubes to a freezer bag for added protection.

Using cookie scoops in a tray

The fourth way is to use cookie/ice cream scoops and put the scoops on a pan with a lined baking sheet. This option is ideal for freezing thicker yogurt like Greek yogurt and having larger tubs.

Can you eat Frozen Yogurt like Ice Cream?

Yogurt and ice cream is a match made in heaven. That’s why Froyo is massively popular. But is it possible to consume frozen yogurt like ice cream? It depends.

As already mentioned, you will not get the same texture or consistency when yogurt is frozen. But you can retain the consistency by using specific stabilizers like pectin and gelatin. 

These stabilizers support the protein network and maintain consistency even in a frozen state. So they tend to taste better. You can freeze yogurt with pectin or gelatin and eat it like ice cream. 

For better results, add some sugar, chocolate/vanilla chips, or dry fruit granules while freezing the yogurt.

Can you Freeze Yogurt for babies?

Babies above six months of age can safely consume yogurt. So, many parents wonder if they can feed frozen yogurt to their toddlers. The answer to this is yes.

Babies can eat frozen yogurt just like adults. The preparation process remains the same. 

You can serve it along with baby oatmeal or rice cereal. The high protein content and probiotics will benefit your young ones.

Just make sure your baby isn’t allergic to whey or dairy products. Some telltale signs of an allergy are itching, vomiting, stomach upset, and diarrhea.

How to Defrost Yogurt?

To defrost yogurt, you need to transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator tray. Let it sit there for a few hours until it thaws. 

To make this process faster, you can place the container at room temperature. But make sure to keep an air-tight lid on it to prevent the yogurt from spoiling. Also, consume within an hour after defrosting.

After you have thawed frozen yogurt, it’s usually not recommended to freeze it again. It further deteriorates the texture. So either take out the amount you need to defrost or consume all the yogurt.

FAQs

Does Greek yogurt freeze well?

Yes, Greek yogurt freezes better than regular yogurt since it’s thicker and has a better consistency. While some of the consistency and texture will be lost, it’ll still be better than plain yogurt.

How long can you freeze yogurt?

You can freeze yogurt for no more than two months. It also depends on brands and how long it was out in the open. So some yogurt may not last two months. To be on the safe side, store frozen yogurt for one month or less.

Is frozen yogurt healthy and safe?

Absolutely, yes. The probiotics are retained in frozen yogurt. The protein quality remains the same. And if you’ve preserved it properly, the frozen yogurt is just as safe as regular yogurt.

Conclusion

Freezing yogurt is easy and safe for the most part. The probiotics are there, the protein is retained, and all of the content. Just the texture takes a beating. That being said, enjoy the frozen yogurt with anything you want.

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About Joy

Hi, I'm Martin and my friends call me Joy. From an early age, I was interested in food, vegetables, and fruits. I even have a nutritionist certificate. While searching for some information, I didn't find the answer, so I start a page BrunchWithJoy.com

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