• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Real + Vibrant logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tips
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Tips
    • Cookbook
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Homemade Oat Milk

    Published: May 31, 2019 · Updated: Apr 17, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A glass bottle of oat milk.

    Homemade oat milk is delicious, creamy, and perfect for smoothies, lattes, and more. Make it at home with this quick and easy 3-ingredient step-by-step recipe. Made with rolled oats, water, and a pinch of salt, it takes less than 5 minutes to make.

    A glass bottle of oat milk.

    Over a year ago, I was ordering a matcha latte when I requested nut milk. The barista gave me an option of a few dairy-free alternatives, including oat.

    It was so delicious and I loved how much creamier my matcha latte tasted. Since then, I've been making my own.

    What is oat milk?

    Dairy-free milk made with oats is great for people who have allergies to soy or nuts. It's a great alternative for those looking to cut down on their dairy-intake or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

    You can use it just like you'd use other types of milk, in coffee, smoothies, lattes, or baking. It has a creaminess that froths beautifully for coffees and lattes. In recent years, it's become increasingly popular in coffee shops.

    A bowl of oats and milk.

    Making your own oat milk at home is quick, easy, and affordable. You know exactly what's going in your milk and get to adjust the level of sweetness.

    Ingredients you'll need

    You'll need the following two ingredients to get started:

    • Old-fashioned rolled oats: Be sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick-cooking oats. These are found in the bulk or packaged section of most grocery stores these days.
    • Salt: Just a pinch.
    • Water: For both soaking and blending

    How to make oat milk

    1. Soak the oats: This will make it easier for the oats to blend, especially if you don't have a high-speed blender. Once they've soaked, the oats will plump up. Drain.

    2. Blend the oats: Combine the oats with 3-4 cups of water in your blender. Blend for no more than 1 minute if using a standard blender. However, if you're using a high-speed blender, you only need to process them for 30 seconds.

    3. Strain: With a fine sieve, a double layer of cheesecloth, or a nut milk bag, strain the milk. Note it will separate so be sure to give it a swirl. If you'd like to add more sweetener, feel free to add a sweetener of your choice.

    Pro tip: Avoid slimy oat milk by limiting the amount of time you blend it.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Storing for later

    Store your homemade milk in a glass bottle with a lid. To avoid making a mess when pouring the milk into the glass bottle, either use a funnel or pour it back into the blender first.

    Store the milk in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Be sure to shake well before using it has the tendency to separate.

    Top tips and flavor variations

    Here are some fun ways of adding flavor to your homemade oat milk:

    • Vanilla extract: Add vanilla extract to add a versatile vanilla flavor. You can do this when blending up the oats with the water and salt.
    • Add fruit: Blend with fresh or frozen strawberries to make strawberry milk or a strawberry smoothie.
    • Chocolate milk: Make chocolate milk by adding cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. Blend and voila.
    • Turmeric: Add turmeric and a few other ingredients to make a turmeric latte.
    • Matcha: Add matcha to make a delicious matcha latte.
    A bottle of homemade milk.

    More dairy-free milk recipes

    • Almond Milk
    • Cashew Milk

    If you tried this homemade oat milk or any other recipe, be sure to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more delicious recipes.

    Two glasses of homemade oat milk.

    Homemade Oat Milk

    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep time: 10 minutes
    Total time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 cups
    Calories: 128kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    Oat milk is delicious, creamy, and perfect for smoothies, lattes, and more. Make it at home with this quick and easy 3-ingredient step-by-step recipe. Made with rolled oats, water, and a pinch of salt, it takes less than 5 minutes to make.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup old-fashion rolled oats
    • 4 cups cold water
    • Pinch of sea salt

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, cover the rolled oats in water (about 2 cups of water). Stir and let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight.
    • Drain the oats and rinse with cool water.
    • Combine oats, water, and salt in a blender. Process for no more than 1 minute (only 30 seconds if you have a high-speed blender).
    • Pour the mixture into a bowl through a nut milk bag, double layers of cheesecloth, or a fine sieve. 
    • Pour the milk into a glass container to use or store for later

    Notes

    • If you'd like, pour the strained milk back into your blender so it's easy to pour into a jar or glass.
    • Store the oat milk in an air-tight glass bottle for 3-5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 2g, Sodium: 113mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 492IU, Calcium: 345mg, Iron: 2mg
    Course: Beverages
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
    « Overnight Steel Cut Oats
    21 Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners »
    7.4K shares
    • Yummly
    • Share
    • Tweet

    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mirjana says

      March 10, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      Great taste and perfect texture. Thanks for sharing!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Victoria says

      February 19, 2020 at 6:30 am

      Can I use a paper coffee filter or is that too tight?

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        March 03, 2020 at 6:01 pm

        I haven't tried using a paper coffee filter but I don't see why it wouldn't work!

        Reply
    3. Jess says

      June 08, 2019 at 10:28 am

      Just what I needed! Thanks for the tips on how not to let it get slimy!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 06, 2019 at 5:35 pm

        Hi Jess! Avoid slimy milk by limiting the time you blend it! Process the oats for no more than 1 minute if using a standard blender. However, if you’re using a high-speed blender, you only need to process them for 30 seconds. This will prevent slimy milk - good luck!

        Reply
    4. Nale says

      June 07, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Interesting, but what do you do with all the oat leftovers? Seems like a bit of waste...since they won't have much flavour left after milking.

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        June 07, 2019 at 1:58 pm

        Great question, Nale! Here are a few things you can do with the leftover pulp:
        - add it to smoothies (for a boost in fiber!)
        - add it to baked goods
        - add it to oatmeal/porridges
        - turn it into flour by using a dehydrator or just baking it on low heat in the oven.
        Thanks for the question, hope this helps!

        Reply
      • Olivia says

        January 13, 2020 at 2:51 pm

        If I wanted to add some vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean and cinnamon, when would be the best time?

        Reply
        • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

          January 13, 2020 at 2:56 pm

          Hi Olivia! I'd suggest adding it when you're blending the oats, water and salt (step 3). Alternatively, you could also add it after the oat milk is ready.

          Reply
    5. Sarah says

      June 03, 2019 at 6:03 pm

      I had no idea it was so easy to make!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        June 05, 2019 at 11:26 am

        Isn't it amazing?!

        Reply
    6. Mandy says

      June 01, 2019 at 11:11 am

      I made oat milk this morning and it turned out perfect! Farewell, expensive commercial oat milk.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        June 05, 2019 at 11:26 am

        So happy to hear!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

    As seen on

    Sites that Real + Vibrant has been featured on.

    Spring favorites

    • Mango Salsa
    • Grapefruit Margarita
    • Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Vegan Blueberry Scones

    Get your copy

    Cover for Plant Power Bowls Cookbook

    Popular recipes

    • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
    • Coconut Chickpea Curry
    • Overnight Oats with Superfoods
    • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    Footer

    Featured In

    As Featured On

    Information

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Use
    • Affiliate Disclaimer

    About

    • About Sapana
    • Press
    • Cookbook
    • Work with Me

    Follow

    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Instagram
    • Facebook

    ©2022 Real + Vibrant • All Rights Reserved

    7.4K shares