Make your own homemade Oat Milk in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. My oat milk recipe is so quick and easy. I love that it's also nut-free, low in fat, and really budget friendly!
Two words : Oat Milk. This homemade oat milk recipe is a game-changer.
You've all heard of, and no doubt use all kinds of plant-based milks, like cashew milk and almond milk, but did you know that you can make your own milk from oats?
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Oat milk benefits
Reasons I'm loving this oat milk recipe:
- It's very low in calories and virtually fat free
- It's totally cholesterol free
- It's perfect for people who want to avoid dairy but are allergic to nuts
- Children tend to prefer it over other plant-based milks because it's so neutral and creamy with a natural slight sweetness
- It's really quick and easy to make
- It's easy to blend even if you don't have a very powerful blender
- Vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats
- Naturally thick and creamy
- Oats are very sustainable to grow so a very eco-friendly choice
- Oats are nutritious. See this article for details about their nutritional value and health benefits.
- Great in tea and coffee and does not curdle
What is oat milk?
Oat Milk is a popular dairy-free milk and is what happens when you soak oats in water, blend the mixture, and then strain it. The resulting milk-water is smooth, creamy, very slightly sweet and has a fuller texture than a lot of other plant-based milks. It's also happens to be really budget friendly to make because oats are very inexpensive.
Nut-based milks can get pretty expensive to make and buy, but this is oat milk recipe is ridiculously cheap to make. That's why I tend to use it in most recipes that call for milk, like cakes, muffins, pancakes etc.
A lot of vegan milks are nut-based and they take a little while to make because you have to soak the nuts for at least a few hours or overnight before you start. Oat Milk is different. You only need to soak the oats for about 15 minutes. Then you can jump right in and make it. You're talking 20 minutes tops from start to finish.
The number of times this Oat Milk recipe has saved me when I have been about to make something and realized I have no milk in the fridge is unbelievable.
We all do that from time to time, right? But as long as you have some rolled oats in the pantry, you are never more than 20 minutes away from having some homemade plant-based milk.
About to make some Vegan Banana Pancakes and realize you're out of milk? No worries! Make some homemade Oat milk!
Ingredient & equipment notes
This Oat Milk recipe is very quick and easy to make. Here is what you need:
- oats
- water
- optional add-ins such as a date, a pinch of salt and some vanilla
- a sieve or nut milk bag (I only use a sieve)
- a blender
How to make oat milk
(For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card).
And this is how it's you make it in just a few easy steps:
Step 1: Soak the oats but not for long (nothing about this process is long!)
Step 2: Rinse the oats well
Step 3: Add the soaked oats to a blender with the other ingredients and blend until smooth
Step 4: Strain through a sieve, nut milk bag or cheese cloth and decant into a bottle/container of choice and refrigerate.
Success tips
- I recommend straining this Oat Milk at least twice. Three times is best if you have time.
- Adjust the thickness/thinness of the milk by increasing or reducing the water used when you blend it. You can make it exactly how you like it. When made really thick and creamy it's very like store-bought creamer.
- Don't over-blend. This is particularly of note if you have a high powered blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix because they are so powerful and produce quite a lot of heat. The heat can cause the milk to turn slimy.
- Some separation will occur during storage. That is normal with homemade milk because there are no emulsifiers added like in store-bought plant-based milk. Simply shake well before using.
- This milk works really well when added to hot drinks but do not try heating it independently with a steam wand or any other method, for instance when making lattes, hot chocolate etc. When heated it becomes very thick, very quickly and ends up unsuitable for use in drinks.
- My oat milk recipe can easily be adjusted to make smaller or larger amounts to suit your usage.
- If you are making the milk for use in savoury recipes, don't add the optional vanilla and date.
How to avoid slimy oat milk
My top tips for avoiding slimy oat milk are:
- Use cold water when soaking and blending. Heat is more likely to make it slimy. Think about what happens when you make oatmeal as it warms up.
- Do not over-blend. High-speed blenders produce heat as their motor runs and warm the liquid as it blends.
- Strain at least twice.
- Let the milk run freely through the sieve or nut milk bag. Don't squeeze it. By squeezing you will release more starch which is what makes the milk slimy.
Ways to adapt this recipe
- Add ¼ to ½ a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice along with the date and vanilla when blending
- Add some cocoa powder or cacao (about 2 tablespoons should be about right) along with the optional dates and vanilla to make chocolate milk
- Use coffee instead of water to make the oat milk and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to make a mocha flavour milk
- Add some fresh or frozen berries when blending to make a delicious fruity milk
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of black pepper, plus a couple of dates or a dash of maple syrup for sweetness
- Use cold chai tea instead of water to make the milk, and add a dash of maple syrup or a couple of dates to sweeten
How to use oat milk
Homemade oat milk is perfect for using in baked goods, smoothies, on cold cereals like vegan granola for breakfast and for making overnight oats, Bircher Muesli or cold drinks like shakes.
I don't recommend you use oat milk for making hot sauces or drinks like lattes or hot chocolate because as it heats up it thickens a lot and could become a little slimy. You can however add a dash of it to tea and coffee made with water.
What to do with oat milk pulp
When you make this oat milk recipe you will be left with some oat pulp. There are a few ways you can use it:
- Make my oat pulp chocolate chip oatmeal cookies
- Add to smoothies
- Add to oatmeal
- Use a dehydrator or spread out thinly on a baking tray and bake in a low oven until completely dry then use in granola recipes or blend up into flour
- compost it
Recipe FAQs
I get asked these questions about making my oat milk recipe a lot, so thought it would be useful to have them all in one place:
Oats become slimy when they get wet. By discarding the soaking water and rinsing them well before making the milk, you wash off the slime. If you do not discard the water and rinse the oats well then your milk will be slimy. I use the discarded water to water my plants.
Oat milk will last for 3 - 4 days in the fridge.
This is completely normal. Because it is homemade it doesn't contain emulsifiers like storebought oat milk. Simply give it a good shake before serving.
You can use certified gluten-free oats if you need your oat milk to be gluten-free. If you are sensitive to even gluten-free oats then I don't recommend you make this beverage.
Want more great vegan dairy alternatives?
For more great vegan dairy alternatives, check out these very popular reader favourite recipes:
📖 Recipe
Oat Milk Recipe
Author:
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 90 g rolled oats , see recipe notes if you only have steel cut oats
- 4 cups / 960 mls cold water , plus extra for soaking
- 1 - 2 medjool dates , (optional for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , (optional)
- 1 small pinch salt , (optional)
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the oats to a large bowl or jug and cover with cold water. Leave to soak for 15 minutes then drain them through a sieve over a sink and either discard the soaking water or catch it in a container and use it to water your plants.
- Rinse the oats very well under cold running water then add them to a blender with the optional vanilla, dates and salt.
- Cover with around 3 cups / 720 mls cold water then blend until you can't see the oats anymore. In a high powered blender it shouldn't take more than 20 to 30 seconds. Don't blend it for too long as the heat from the blender can make the milk thicken or turn a little slimy.
- Check the thickness. It will likely be quite thick like cream consistency. Add enough extra water to get it to the thickness that you like and give it a quick pulse in between additions. If you are using it as a coffee creamer then it's nice left pretty thick. For other things it's better thinner.
- Strain the milk 2 or 3 times through a sieve. You can use a nut milk bag if you have one but it isn't necessary. If you use a nut milk bag straining once will be sufficient. Once strained pour into a bottle or jar and keep refrigerated.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Ghislaine says
I'm trying this tomorrow! My kids are not loving non dairy milks so far... Do you still have to strain multiple times if you're using a nut milk bag? Thanks!
A Virtual Vegan says
I would think if you use a nut milk bag straining once will be enough. I hope it's a hit with the kids!
DJ says
Try cashew milk. We add in vanilla pea protein and they love it.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This is such a great idea! I'm going to have to start making this on the weekends so I'm set for the week. I hate having to run out to the store for milk!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you. Hope you enjoy it!
Jenn says
I love how easy this is and we ALWAYS have oats!! I definitely need to try this!
A Virtual Vegan says
If you have oats in the pantry you need never run out of milk again! Let me know what you think when you try it!
Chessie says
Great detailed post and recipe! I will definitely make this, using certified gluten-free oats, and it will certainly save money over other kinds of plant milks. Thanks also for the tip about changing the ingredient amounts. Pretty nifty!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Chessie! Hope you enjoy it!
Ray Tyrrell says
Great idea ????
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you!
The Healer Within says
Great and quick recipe. I've made nut 'milks' in the past but they are time consuming and expensive, so this wa just the recipe I needed for a quick fix. Thanks!
A Virtual Vegan says
You're welcome. So glad you enjoyed it!
Becky Striepe says
I love this recipe! We were out of soy milk, and it's snowing here, so I made this oat milk. It worked great in coffee, and my 4yo son liked drinking it, too!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Becky, that's great! It's awesome for situations like that when you run out or can't get to the shop. Glad to hear it works well in coffee too. I take it black so have never tried!
Dean says
Why do you rinse the oats. Can you not use the same water. Dean
A Virtual Vegan says
Because oat get really slimy when they soak the first time. Rinsing them gets rid of the slime.
Nina says
Can my 2 and half years old daughter to drink raw oat milk?
A Virtual Vegan says
There's no reason why she shouldn't. Oats are perfectly safe for children to consume and from the age of 2 years, the contribution of milk to overall nutritional intake reduces as the range and volumes of solid foods in the child’s diet increases so drinking oat milk should be ok. Be sure she is getting all the vitamins and nutrients she needs from other sources and don't rely on the oat milk to do this. I am not qualified to give nutritional advice though so if you have any concerns about whether her nutritional needs are being met I would recommend you speak to a professional. I hope that helps!
Eileen says
Why do you soak and discard the water before blending? Why not just blend it in water from the start?
A Virtual Vegan says
Because oats get really slimy when wet. By soaking then discarding the water and using fresh water you get rid of the slime.
Sabine says
Thanks, I was wondering that, too. :)
I felt bad about wasting the oat water so I used it in the dog treats I was baking at the same time.
Eve Pilcher says
Is it possible to freeze this?
A Virtual Vegan says
That's something I have never tried. I would imagine it would be ok though. Perhaps try it out with a small quantity first just to be sure?
Stefani says
Just think of all the poor baby oats who can't have that milk now... just kidding!
I'm tickled to find this recipe because what's cheaper and easier to get than a BIIIIIG container of oats? That's right, nothing! Btw, I love cashew milk too, but only since I've started making my own. It's a hugely different animal from the watery stuff you get in a box at the store, so creamy and flavorful.
My current obsession is lavender-infused milk. I've only made that with almonds, but I'll bet it'll work with oat milk, too.
A Virtual Vegan says
Ha ha ha! That reminded me of "The hardest part about being vegan is having to wake up at 5am to milk all the almonds"!!!
And yes oat milk is super, super cheap. It's not as nice for drinking as nut milks (as least I don't think so) but it's wonderful for so many other things. I use it all the time. It's so quick to make too so you can make it as you need it. You really can't beat homemade milks.
I am loving the idea of lavender infused milk! How beautiful. I bet it's lovely warm. Imagine a great big mug with some of my Lemon Lavender Shortbread as an accompaniment....Perfect! I will be trying it. Thanks Stefani :O)
Karine says
Thank you for the recipe! Do you add the date or the vanilla extract during the blending or after the sieving ( so you put back the oat milk into the blender and blend it with the date or the vanilla extract)?
By the way, have you tried rice milk?
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Karine, Add the date and the vanilla during the blending. Sorry the instructions weren't clear. I have just amended them. As for rice milk, I don't think I've ever tried it and I definitely haven't ever made it. Perhaps I should as I love rice! Watch this space. Enjoy your oat milk :O)
Deborah says
Is it any good in coffee? I use Alpro oat milk which I know is mostly water and I've tried home made coconut milk but it's awful in coffee (it'll do when I have nothing else but only in an emergency! lol) If oat milk will work it'll be a better choice I think??
A Virtual Vegan says
I drink black coffee so have ever tried it. You could try halving the recipe and giving it a go in your coffee. That way you won't have much on your hands if it doesn't work. Its very cheap to make which is why I tend to use it in recipes that call for non-dairy milk.
Deborah says
I might do that tomorrow coz I'm out of my usual milk :-D
A Virtual Vegan says
I hope it works out in your coffee!
Deborah says
Me too :-D
Britney says
This is a great substitute for non-dairy milk. I was concerned about giving my toddler too much soy and tried oat milk. My daughter loves it and it will save me a TON using this instead of buying other non-dairy milks.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm so glad you and your daughter like it and it's an extra bonus that it saves you some cash! I loved the picture you sent of her drinking it!