Can You Store Coffee Creamer In The Freezer?
Coffee creamer can be one of the hardest items to finish before it hits its expiration date. While it can last up to three weeks in the refrigerator, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture's FoodKeeper app, that may not be long enough to use it all up since you only need about 1 tablespoon or so for a morning cup of joe. Thankfully, there's a way to prevent your creamer from going bad: store it in the freezer. Just be sure to take it out of the original container first.
Like many other liquids, coffee creamer expands as it turns into a solid. This can be an issue when leaving it in its original packaging as it can crack and cause a mess in your freezer. Instead, store leftover creamer in an airtight container or bag that can not only withstand frigid temperatures, but gives enough space as the liquid transforms into an icy block.
Before you begin freezing, also check if your coffee creamer has vegetable oil in it. Frigid temperatures will cause the emulsions to come apart, and will therefore ruin the texture of the liquid. You can always work your way around this problem by making your own creamer — you won't need any oil, and it'll be much cheaper than the bottle at the store.
For better frozen coffee creamer, use an ice cube tray
Once you're ready to freeze your coffee creamer, consider using an ice cube tray to do the trick; you can keep the cubes in the tray until you're ready to use them or transfer them to a resealable container if you need your tray back. This method will keep you from having to thaw the entire batch of creamer every time you need to use a single serving, which not only wastes time but can have a negative impact on the flavor and texture over a prolonged time. As well, using a mold allows you to conveniently measure out individual portions of your creamer in advance.
Frozen coffee creamer theoretically never spoils in the freezer, as the frigid temperatures will halt the growth of bacteria and other foodborne pathogens. However, the flavor will slowly become dulled as the frost inevitably begins to break apart the components. For optimal taste, try to use it all up within six months.
Tips on thawing and using leftover coffee creamer
Once you're ready to use your frozen coffee creamer, there are a couple of options on how to best thaw it. If you've already portioned the liquid out into cubes, you can just pop one into a hot cup of coffee and watch it melt back into its original creamy form. If your leftovers aren't in cube form, transfer the amount of frozen creamer that you want to use into a bowl, and leave it in the fridge for a few hours as it thaws back into liquid form. You never want to defrost it out on the counter, as the warmer room temperature can encourage microbes to begin growing.
To finish all your coffee creamer before it spoils or goes dull in the freezer, consider incorporating the ingredient into recipes outside of regular coffee drinks. Baked goods and homemade ice cream mixes are a great option where it can add a creamy texture, and it can even act as a substitute for dairy in some cases. Creamer also does wonder for espresso martinis, as it pairs excellently with coffee liqueur and helps your cocktail have a smoother, creamier consistency.