Homemade Oat Milk
Unlike other plant-based milk recipes, this homemade oat milk recipe doesn’t require any special equipment. And because you don’t need to soak the oats beforehand, it takes minutes to make homemade oat milk that’s naturally creamy and sweet, and perfect for smoothies, granola, and more. I like to add a pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla and maple syrup to sweeten it up. All you need is 5 minutes, a handful of whole rolled oats, filtered water, a fine mesh strainer, and a powerful blender. Check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions to cover any information you might be curious about.
What is Oat Milk
Oat milk is simply rolled oats and water blended together then strained to remove the pulp. The result is easy, creamy, homemade oat milk that is chuck full of wonderful nutrients.
How to Flavor Your Oat Milk
You can also optionally add sea salt, dates (or coconut sugar), vanilla extract, cacao powder, or berries when blending for flavor variations.
Notes: You can use steel-cut oats, but I found them to make the oat milk gummy and didn’t enjoy their flavor as much. Because it has a strong oat-y flavor, I don’t recommend using it in savory recipes. If you’re gluten free, be sure to get oats that are Certified Gluten Free. Do not heat or it will thicken and become gelatinous in texture.
It is not like making almond milk, where you wring as much liquid as you can out of a nut milk bag. In this recipe, your goal is to squeeze and press the mixture as little as possible. Otherwise, it will end up slimy and grainy. Here’s my method:
- Blend. First, I add the oats and filtered water to a powerful blender and blend for 30 seconds, until the water looks creamy and white. For the best texture, be careful not to over-blend.
- Strain. Next, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the oat milk through it. Some liquid may pool at the bottom of the strainer. Discard this liquid and any oat pulp below it. Do not try to press the pulp to get more liquid through the strainer, as it will make the milk slimy and gritty.
- Strain again (optional). For extra-smooth oat milk, strain the liquid twice, collecting the leftover pulp both times (for a zero waste approach, save pulp for use in any oat recipe). This step is optional, but it will yield the smoothest final texture.
- Chill, and enjoy. I like my oat milk best when it’s cold from the fridge. Unlike other dairy-free milks, don’t shake it when you go to use it. Instead, allow any leftover oat pulp to settle at the bottom of the container, and pour the creamy milk off the top.
How to Make Oat Milk
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free, or sub steel-cut oats)
- 4 cups water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 whole date, pitted or 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) maple syrup (optional)
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract (optional)
- 2 Tbsp. cocoa or cacao powder for chocolate milk variation (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh berries for berry milk variation (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the oats, water, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
- It doesn’t have to be 100% pulverized. In fact, over-blending can make the oat milk slimy in texture.
- Scoop out a small sample with a spoon to test flavor and sweetness. If it’s not sweet enough, add more dates.
- Place a fine mesh strainer or a very thin towel or a clean T-shirt over a large bowl and strain the milk without pushing any excess pulp through the strainer. In my experience, it benefits from a double strain through a very fine towel to remove any oat remnants. This will create a creamier texture that’s not gritty or gummy. A nut milk bag seemed to let too much oat pulp through.
- Add more maple syrup, to taste, if desired. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Chill overnight.
- If you want to drink your oat milk right away, I recommend adding ice-its flavor is best when well chilled. Will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days (sometimes more).
How to Use Oat Milk
Once you’ve made oat milk, use it as you would dairy milk, cashew milk, or any other type of milk you like. Perfect for cereal, baking, and drinking straight alongside baked goods. I like to chill it and drink it with ice, add it to coffee, or use it to make a matcha latte.
It would also be great in breakfast or brunch oat recipes like oatmeal, baked oatmeal, overnight oats, or no bake cookies. Alternatively, use it in any brunch baking recipe that calls for milk, like vegan chocolate cake, blueberry muffins, banana bread, or cinnamon rolls. Stay tuned for more vegan recipes using plant-based milks.
Nutrition Information
| Servings | ½ Cup |
|---|---|
| Calories | 19 |
| Carbohydrates | 3.4g |
| Protein | 0.6g |
| Fat | 0.3g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.12g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 5mg |
| Potassium | 13mg |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugar | 0.05g |
| Vitamin A | 0 IU |
| Vitamin C | 0mg |
| Calcium | 2.64mg |
| Iron | 0.21mg |
Oat Milk FAQs
How to Avoid Slimy Oat Milk
- Over-blending can make the oat milk slimy in texture, which is why we recommend blending for about 30-45 seconds.
- Soaking your oats can also make the oats more prone to sliminess. Just add to the blender with water and blend.
- Sometimes heating your oat milk can make it become slimy, so we don’t recommend it.
- We recommend straining twice to remove any of that excess starch which can also lend to a slimy texture.
- We recommend straining with a towel or clean t-shirt as nut milk bags and fine mesh strainers let too much pulp through.
Using Steel Cut or Quick Oats to Make Oat Milk
In our experience, rolled oats are the way to go. Steel cut oats are too unprocessed and make less creamy milk. Rolled oats are just right and make nice and creamy oat milk. And quick cooking oats are too finely processed and tend to create slimier oat milk.
Is Oat Milk Gluten-Free?
This can be controversial as some consider even gluten-free oats to be problematic for those with gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease. But in our experience, certified gluten-free oats make oat milk gluten-free.
How Long to Store Oat Milk?
Well sealed in the refrigerator, oat milk should last about 5 days. You’ll know it’s gone bad when it smells funny.
When Oat Milk Separates
Separation is totally normal with oat milk and many other dairy-free milks. Simply shake well before use.
How to Get Oat Milk to Froth
If you’re looking to make frothy oat milk for adding to your favorite warm beverages, stay tuned for an oat milk recipe that’s perfect for heating and frothing.
Sources:
How to Make Oat Milk Recipe – Love and Lemons
https://www.loveandlemons.com/oat-milk/
@loveandlemons
How to Make Oat Milk – Minimalist Baker
https://minimalistbaker.com/make-oat-milk/
Jul 9, 2019 – @minimalistbaker