GoGurt is the delicious Yoplait creation that allows kids to have fun with their food! This popular snack created in the late 90’s has managed to not only survive but thrive for over the past 20 years.
However, many parents worry about this item staying fresh until mealtime in their child’s lunch bag, leaving many of us wondering “Can you freeze GoGurt”?
Generally speaking, you can freeze GoGurt. Leave it in the freezer overnight, then pull it out in the morning, and throw it in your child’s lunch bag. By noon, it will be ready to eat! Remember to never refreeze GoGurts that have been previously frozen and allowed to thaw out.
How Is GoGurt Different From Regular Yogurt?
The three main ingredients in all of Yoplait’s yogurts are cultured grade A milk, sugar, and modified corn starch.
However, their regular yogurt options also include chunks of real fruit and water. Additionally, low-fat and fat-free yogurts have even more water content.
These liquid-based elements can make freezing a less ideal option because they will expand at low temperatures. This causes the mixture to partially separate.
The company notes that by freezing these varieties, you will substantially alter the texture of the product.
In contrast, GoGurt is specifically made to be frozen! There are minimal ingredients and they add in a small amount (less than 1% of the mixture) of kosher gelatin to help maintain its creamy texture and prevent it from separating.
Additionally, the packaging has flexibility and space for any expansion that may occur when frozen.
Probiotics
Probiotics are “good” bacteria that are known for improving gut health. These can be an extremely beneficial part of your child’s diet, aiding with constipation and acid reflux.
If you are looking for yogurt with probiotics, it is important that you buy options from the GoGurt Simply line of products.
These are the only yogurt tubes that Yoplait sells that contain probiotics in the ingredients.
How To Freeze GoGurt?
This process is quite simple! Remove the GoGurt tubes from the box and lay them on a flat surface in the freezer. Leave for at least three hours and then voila! Frozen GoGurt tubes!
It is important to note that you should not refreeze GoGurt tubes once they have been frozen and then been allowed to thaw out. This can allow for bacteria growth.
Fun Frozen GoGurt Snack Alternatives
Who doesn’t love a frozen snack! If your kids are having friends over and you want to make this frozen treat a bit more fun, and healthy, we have some great GoGurt creations!
Fruity GoGurt Dollops
First, grab a tube of GoGurt and cut off the top corner. Next, take a cookie sheet that can fit in your freezer and line it with parchment or wax paper.
Then, squeeze out small little circular blobs, spaced about two inches apart.
Once you lay out the dollops of GoGurt, grab a carton of your favorite berries. Make sure to wash these thoroughly before use.
Blueberries and raspberries can be used whole. Conversely, with strawberries, you should cut them up into bite-size pieces. Finally, put one piece of fruit on top of each little dollop.
Freeze the GoGurt creations for at least one hour, or until the dollops set. You can store these in the freezer in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to two months! It is a fun and easy snack that your kids can even help to make!
GoGurt Molds
If you want to have a little extra fun, consider running to the store to purchase a few silicone food safe molds to fill with GoGurt and chopped berries!
These are a fun and easy way to make breakfast and lunchtime a little more exciting!
Remember that depending on the size, the freeze time may be extended by a few hours. Also, make sure that you serve these bite-size pieces to kids that don’t pose a choking risk.
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GoGurt Squares
For the mom with little time and a home with little hands, you can also just grab a pair of clean scissors and cut the frozen tube of GoGurt into bite-size pieces!
Remember that this option is only for kids ages five and up due to the choking concern.
However, for the babies and toddlers who still use a pacifier, consider placing small cubes of frozen GoGurt into a fresh food feeder! This is a tasty, soothing and safe option for teething babies!
GoGurt Bark
We all know and love the delicious peppermint bark that comes out each Christmas! Why not make a healthy alternative for your kids year round?
Just like with the GoGurt dollops, line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Then, squeeze out enough tubes to cover the entire tray. You want to have a thickness of at least half an inch.
Next, grab whatever ingredients you like best! Berries, chocolate chips, granola, and shredded coconut are all fun options.
Sprinkle a hefty helping of your chosen garnishes all over the tray.
Drizzle honey on top for an extra dash of sweetness and place your masterpiece in the freezer for two to four hours, or until completely frozen.
Once solid, take a knife and carefully break apart the pieces! Store the finished product in freezer-safe bags or an airtight container. They should remain fresh for up to two months.
GoGurt Drinks – Smoothies And Slushies
With all the fun flavors that GoGurt comes in, you can get quite imaginative with the various concoctions that you can make!
From the basic fruity favorites to iconic slushy flavors, Nickelodeon Slime Cotton Candy, and even Sour Patch Kids, the options are endless!
For delicious and healthy smoothies, just throw some fruit in a blender with half a cup of milk and a frozen tube of your favorite GoGurt and you will be good to go!
For fizzy and fun slushies, blend up a frozen tube of GoGurt Blue Raspberry or Cherry Slushie tubes along with half a cup of ice for the perfect poolside snack for Summer! The texture is a bit different with this option so picky eaters beware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Eat Frozen GoGurt?
Yes! You can eat GoGurt straight out of the freezer as a cold snack or you can allow it to thaw.
However, the manufacturer recommends that children under the age of five always eat this product while it is in its original refrigerated form. Otherwise, it could pose a choking hazard if they were to bite off too big of a piece.
How Long Can You Freeze GoGurt?
You can safely freeze any yogurt product for up to two months. However, it is still always best to use these products by the designated best buy date to ensure that it is safe to eat.
How Long Does GoGurt Last Once You Defrost It?
If you choose to thaw out frozen GoGurts in the fridge, make sure to use them within five days. However, if you thaw out this item in a lunch pail, in between breakfast and lunch hours, discard if not eaten.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, perishable foods should be thrown out after two hours of being removed from refrigeration. This time frame slightly increases frozen items, but not by much.
However, it is always best to err on the side of caution. This can prevent the instance of food borne illnesses.
If I Freeze GoGurt, Will The Probiotics Die?
No, if you freeze GoGurt it does not kill the probiotics. Instead, this beneficial bacteria just goes into a dormant state until you allow the product to thaw out again.
Is GoGurt A Healthy Option To Put In My Child’s Lunch?
Yogurt is a fantastic element to include in your child’s diet! It has calcium and Vitamin D built right in.
These supplements help to strengthen your kid’s ever-growing bones. It is also a great source of protein and it is low in fat.
Additionally, it contains Vitamin A (good for their eyes and skin) and iodine (regulates their growth and metabolism).
According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, “Boys and girls ages 4 to 8 need 2.5 cups of dairy products per day, while children ages 9 to 18 need three cups per day.” Therefore, GoGurt is a healthy option to incorporate into their diet!
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Can You Freeze Yoplait’s Dairy-Free GoGurt?
The dairy-free alternative is marketed as a product that you can freeze and then thaw. However, it is important to note that the first two ingredients are water and coconut cream.
These liquids tend to separate when they freeze. This will cause the consistency the change when the tubes are thawed out. Thus, if you have a picky eater on your hands, keep this in mind!
Final Thoughts
Freezing your child’s GoGurt is an easy way to ensure that the product lasts until their lunch hour and it reduces the chance of a mess in the time between!
If you choose to get creative with your frozen yogurt treat, just make sure that the individual pieces are the appropriate size for your child.
Moreover, if you intend to put GoGurt dollops, bark, or fruity shapes into your child’s lunch, remember that these will likely thaw out faster than the GoGurt tubes.
Therefore, it is always best to pack their lunch with an icepack to keep these yummy snacks in their intended consistency.
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.