Quick Answer
Yes, oat milk does go bad if it’s not kept refrigerated. Like most dairy and plant-based milk alternatives, oat milk is perishable and can spoil within 7-10 days when left at room temperature or warmer. To maximize freshness and avoid foodborne illness, oat milk should always be refrigerated.
How Long Does Oat Milk Last When Refrigerated?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, unopened oat milk will stay fresh for 5-10 days past the printed expiration date on the package. Once opened, oat milk will generally last for 7-10 days in the fridge before going bad. Here are some general guidelines for oat milk freshness when refrigerated:
| Oat Milk Type | Refrigerator Temperature | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain oat milk | 40°F or below | 5-10 days past expiration date | 7-10 days |
| Flavored oat milk | 40°F or below | 5-7 days past expiration date | 5-7 days |
As you can see, both opened and unopened oat milk lasts longer when stored at the optimal refrigerator temperature of 40°F or below. The warmer the fridge, the quicker oat milk will deteriorate. Flavored oat milks also tend to have a shorter shelf life compared to plain.
How to Tell If Oat Milk Has Gone Bad
Oat milk, like dairy milk, will exhibit several clear signs when it has spoiled and is no longer safe to drink. Here are the main ways to tell if your refrigerated oat milk has gone bad:
– Change in odor – Fresh oat milk has a mild, creamy, nutty smell. Spoiled oat milk will develop an unpleasant sour or bitter odor.
– Change in color – Good oat milk is white and opaque. Bad oat milk may look yellow, chunky, or watery.
– Mold growth – Check the oat milk bottle carefully for any fuzzy mold spots or film floating on the surface, which signals spoilage.
– Curdling – Oat milk that has curdled or separated with clumps means it’s past its prime.
– Expired date – If it’s past the expiry date, oat milk is likely no longer good. Trust your nose though, as oat milk can spoil before the printed date.
– Changes in taste – Sour, bitter, or strange flavors are a clear sign your oat milk has gone off. Best not to taste it if you suspect it’s bad!
How Long Does Oat Milk Last at Room Temperature?
Oat milk has a much shorter shelf life at room temperature compared to being refrigerated. Here’s how long you can expect oat milk to last if left unopened or opened on the counter:
| Oat Milk Type | Room Temperature | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain oat milk | 68°F – 77°F | 3-5 days past expiration date | 1-2 days |
| Flavored oat milk | 68°F – 77°F | 1-3 days past expiration date | 1 day |
As you can see, both opened and unopened oat milk should not be left out at room temperature if you want it to stay fresh. The warmer your home, the quicker oat milk will spoil. For maximum shelf life, be sure to refrigerate oat milk after purchasing.
Does Oat Milk Go Bad If Left in a Hot Car?
Heat and sunlight are among the worst enemies for oat milk freshness. Leaving oat milk cartons in a hot car is definitely not recommended if you want it to stay safe and palatable to drink. Here’s approximately how long oat milk will last if left unrefrigerated in a hot vehicle:
| Interior Car Temperature | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| 90°F+ | 1 day | 4-6 hours |
| 80°F | 2 days | 8-12 hours |
As you can see, heat drastically reduces the shelf life of oat milk, whether opened or unopened. Within several hours, opened oat milk left in a hot car will likely spoil and become unsafe to consume. If you’ll be out running errands, it’s best to carry a cooler bag to keep your oat milk cold.
Can Oat Milk Be Frozen?
Yes, freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of oat milk by several months. Here are some freezing tips for oat milk:
– Leave 2-3 inches of headspace in the container before freezing, as liquids expand during freezing.
– Only freeze unopened, factory-sealed oat milk. Do not freeze opened cartons.
– Most oat milk will stay good in the freezer for 3-4 months if kept constantly frozen at 0°F.
– Defrost frozen oat milk overnight in the fridge before using. Shake well before drinking as separation can occur.
– Freeze oat milk in serving-size portions to avoid waste from repeatedly opening a large container.
– Label oat milk containers with the date before freezing for easy tracking.
Freezing prevents microbial growth that makes oat milk spoil. With proper freezing methods, you can enjoy fresh oat milk even months after purchasing it.
Can You Drink Oat Milk Past the Expiration Date?
It’s not recommended to drink oat milk past the printed expiration date on the package. However, the expiration date is simply a guideline for the last day it should be consumed for best quality. In some cases, unopened oat milk may still be fine up to a week past this date. To check, you need to evaluate the odor, color, taste and overall freshness of the milk first. Your senses will tell you if it’s truly gone bad or still palatable for drinking. If there are no sour odors or separation, and the taste is normal, refrigerated oat milk just a few days past its date may be fine. Ultimately it comes down to your discretion, but it’s better to be safe than sorry if in doubt.
How to Store Oat Milk Correctly
To maximize the shelf life of oat milk once opened, be sure to store it properly. Here are some top tips:
– Keep refrigerated at 40°F immediately after opening. Do not store oat milk on the door shelves where temperatures fluctuate.
– Screw the cap on tightly to prevent leaks and seal out excess air. Air exposure speeds spoilage.
– Wipe away any drips or spills on the bottle to avoid stickiness that can attract bugs.
– Keep the opening of the bottle clean when pouring. Do not allow backwash contamination into the container.
– Store oat milk towards the back of the fridge, away from the door. The coldest zones help prolong freshness.
– Finish opened oat milk within 7-10 days. Write the open date on the bottle with marker if you tend to forget.
– Do not decant oat milk into non-sterile containers, as this introduces germs. Always store in original packaging.
With proper refrigeration and storage methods, opened oat milk can stay fresh for up to 10 days after opening. Just be diligent about keeping it cold and sealing the bottle.
Does Oat Milk Need to Be Refrigerated Before Opening?
Refrigeration is not strictly required for unopened, shelf-stable oat milk cartons before opening them. As long as the container is properly sealed and pasteurized, oat milk can be stored safely at room temperature on the shelf prior to opening. However, refrigeration will help extend the expiration date of unopened oat milk by a few extra days or weeks. If you have limited fridge space and won’t be using the oat milk soon, room temperature storage before opening is fine. Just be sure to refrigerate it once opened.
Can You Microwave Spoiled Oat Milk?
It’s unsafe to microwave or heat up oat milk once it has already spoiled. The heat does not destroy the harmful bacteria that grow in bad milk. Consuming microwaved spoiled milk can still lead to food poisoning or other gastrointestinal issues. Always toss out oat milk once it exceeds refrigerated shelf life and shows signs of spoilage like clumping, smelliness, or change in color. It’s better to be safe than sorry and not consume oat milk that you suspect has gone bad.
Common Food Safety Mistakes to Avoid
To safely handle oat milk and reduce the chances of getting sick from spoiled milk, be sure to avoid these common food safety mistakes:
– Drinking directly from the oat milk carton instead of using a glass. Backwash can contaminate the milk.
– Putting back a partially used container in the fridge. The repeated temperature changes accelerate spoilage.
– Not checking expiration dates at the store. Purchase the cartons with the furthest dates for longer freshness.
– Allowing kids or elderly to drink past-date oat milk. They’re more susceptible to foodborne illness.
– Storing the milk on the refrigerator door shelves instead of at the back where it’s coldest.
– Not washing your hands before and after handling. Unclean hands can transfer bacteria.
– Reusing containers without washing. Dirty containers can harbor pathogenic bacteria.
– Letting oat milk linger too long after meals. Get it back in the fridge fast, within 2 hours maximum.
Following basic food hygiene guidelines helps keep your oat milk fresh for longer and reduces the risk of getting sick from spoiled dairy-free milk.
Does Oat Milk Last Longer than Regular Milk?
Oat milk generally has a shorter shelf life compared to regular cow’s milk. Unopened, UHT-pasteurized cow’s milk can last 2-3 weeks past its expiry date when refrigerated. Oat milk only lasts about 5-10 days past its date. Once opened, cow’s milk will stay good 5-7 days in the fridge compared to 7-10 days for oat milk. The more complex proteins and milk fat in dairy milk help it keep longer compared to plant-based milks like oat. However, oat milk is more shelf-stable than other dairy-free options like almond milk that only last about a week when opened. Overall, oat milk has decent longevity if handled properly, but doesn’t quite match regular milk when it comes to shelf life.
How Long Does Oat Milk Last Compared to Other Plant Milks?
Here is a comparison of opened oat milk’s refrigerator shelf life compared to other popular plant-based milk options:
| Plant Milk Type | Refrigerator Shelf Life When Opened |
|---|---|
| Oat milk | 7-10 days |
| Soy milk | 5-7 days |
| Almond milk | 7 days |
| Coconut milk | 5-7 days |
| Rice milk | 5-7 days |
Oat milk comes out on top when compared to other plant-based milk options for refrigerated shelf life after opening. Coconut, rice, and soy milk have shorter lives around 5-7 days, while almond milk lasts about a week at best. So if you’re looking for a non-dairy milk with a longer shelf life, oat milk is a smart choice. Just remember to keep it chilled in the fridge.
Does Oat Milk Go Bad Faster Than Cow’s Milk?
Yes, oat milk has a shorter shelf life compared to regular cow’s dairy milk. Fresh cow’s milk lasts around 5-7 days when refrigerated after opening, while oat milk only stays good for 7-10 days. The natural enzymes and antimicrobial compounds like lactoferrin in animal milk help it keep longer. Plant-based milks lack these compounds and spoil more quickly. Proper refrigeration is key to maximize oat milk’s shelf life, since it deteriorates faster than dairy milk at warmer temperatures above 40°F. Follow the expiration date closely and use your nose if oat milk seems off. While it may not last as long cow’s milk, oat milk can still have a decent shelf life of over a week if handled properly.
Tips for Using Up Oat Milk Before It Expires
Don’t let oat milk go to waste! Here are tips for using up oat milk quickly before it goes bad:
– Make overnight oats for breakfast using oat milk instead of water for added creaminess.
– Use in place of milk for creamy soups, sauces, oatmeal, and baked goods.
– Add to smoothies for a nutrition and protein boost.
– Pour over cereal or granola for breakfast.
– Use in place of water when whipping up pancake batter.
– Mix with coffee or tea as a lactose-free creamer option.
– Make a dairy-free Alfredo sauce with oat milk, garlic, and parmesan.
– Use in place of buttermilk in baked good recipes.
– Freeze leftover oat milk in ice cube trays for later smoothies.
– Cook rice or quinoa in oat milk for added flavor.
With so many ways to use it, you can easily finish up a carton of oat milk well before it expires. Get creative in the kitchen!
Conclusion
Oat milk does require refrigeration after opening to prevent spoilage and stay safe to drink. Like most dairy-free milks, oat milk only lasts about 7-10 days in the refrigerator before going bad. For longest shelf life, store oat milk at 40°F or below and keep the bottle cap tightly sealed. Signs that oat milk has spoiled include odor changes, curdling, mold growth, and an off taste. Freezing can significantly prolong the shelf life of oat milk as well. With proper handling and storage methods, the shelf life of delicious oat milk can be extended past its expiration date. But when in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe and discard oat milk that is likely spoiled instead of risking an upset stomach.
