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!
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.
Homemade vs Store-Bought
So why make your own? First of all, the store-bought version is pretty pricey! The store-bought version is typically enriched with additional vitamins and minerals. It also contains additives to prolong shelf life and make it taste sweeter.
However, making your own milk at home is quick, easy, and so much affordable! Plus you know exactly what’s going in your milk and get to adjust the level of sweetness.
Ingredients Needed
You’ll need the following two ingredients to make your own oat milk at home:
- 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.
- Water: for both soaking and blending
That’s it! You can add additional flavors – see Add Flavor to Oat Milk below.
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 the oat milk with a fine sieve, a double layer of cheesecloth, or a nut milk bag. The milk will always 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 (or blend with a couple of dates).
Pro-Tip: Avoid slimy oat milk by limiting the amount of time you blend it!
How to Store Oat Milk
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.
Add Flavor to Oat Milk
Here are some fun ways of adding flavor to your homemade oat milk:
- Add vanilla extract to add a versatile vanilla flavor. You can do this when blending up the oats with the water and salt.
- Blend with fresh or frozen strawberries to make strawberry milk (or a smoothie!)
- Make chocolate milk by adding cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. Blend and voila!
- Add turmeric and a few other ingredients to make a turmeric latte.
- Add matcha to make a delicious matcha latte.
For More Dairy-Free Milk Recipes, Check Out:
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How to Make Oat Milk
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 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.
Jess says
Just what I needed! Thanks for the tips on how not to let it get slimy!
Sapana Chandra says
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!
Nale says
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.
Sapana Chandra says
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!
Olivia says
If I wanted to add some vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean and cinnamon, when would be the best time?
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
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.
Sarah says
I had no idea it was so easy to make!
Sapana Chandra says
Isn’t it amazing?!
Mandy says
I made oat milk this morning and it turned out perfect! Farewell, expensive commercial oat milk.
Sapana Chandra says
So happy to hear!