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.
Deb says
Best oat milk recipe I’ve found, so easy! Great tips on straining, easier and more sustainable than other methods. Thanks!
Melanie McDonald says
Thank you Deb. I'm really pleased you are enjoying it!
Angela says
Hello! Just wondering how you go about calculating the calories for this, as I am counting. Thank you!
Melanie McDonald says
Nutritional information is calculated as a rough guide only, and this milk was calculated without the optional ingredients, and before straining (because after straining it would be impossible for me to do without laboratory analysis). Hope that helps.
Jackie says
I have just made oat milk for the first time using your recipe and it turned out brilliantly. Thank you so much - I won't be buying oat milk again. A litre costs over £1 but making it myself will cost only a few pence.
Thanks again.
Shelly Collins says
I am so Happy to have come across "You & A Vertual Vegan"..I have been wanting to take make the change, but have been extremely nervous of the unknown..No Longer the case..Look forward to trying all of your Recipe's!! Thank You in Advance ????
A Virtual Vegan says
Aaaww thank you! I'm glad my site has given you that little push you needed. Best of luck!
Angelle Newman says
Tasty as a coffee creamer. I doubled the recipe and used a Ninja blender. Worked well but had to strain about 6 times to get it smooth. I would use less water next time to make it thicker.
Great healthy alternative to dairy!
Sam says
Hi! Just wondering how long you blended it in your Ninja? That's what I have but not too sure how much it will need to be.
Debbie says
Sounds easy. I plan on trying.
Suzy B says
It was a surprise to me that I like this for my lattes as an alternative to almond milk. The only downside is it doesn't lighten up the coffee like a nut-based one. Great recipe and tips. I concur with a prior comment about rinsing the strainer. I didn't add the optional ingredients except a pinch of salt.
Tara says
Did it get too thick like she mentioned when you made your latte with it?
Lauren says
I steamed this milk in a nespresso milk steamer (the cylinder type ones) and it didn't go weird for me. Not as frothy as normal lattes would be but still nice.
Rachel Cox says
How did you calculate the calories for this recipe? Since almost all of the oat pulp is removed, wouldn't the calories be near zero per cup?
A Virtual Vegan says
The calories for all of my recipes are just there as a guide. I wouldn't include them at all if Google didn't require it. The only way to calculate the calories in this recipe is to add up the calories in all of the ingredients. Without a lab to test what's left after straining it's impossible to tell for sure.
Ahala says
Is it safe to drink the milk if the oats have been soaked for 2 days? I got pretty lazy. I rinsed the oats off a small bit since i read i'd be getting rid of the healthy stuff so it was a little slimy but is it safe to drink it? It seems people dont wanna use it if the texture is different. The oats that were soaked didnt give off a weird smell and I tasted it a bit im just worried that maybe it wouldnt be okay to drink it that way. I dont know how bad oats look.
A Virtual Vegan says
The milks lasts about 4 days before it starts to turn. You can smell it when it does start to go bad. So after 2 days of soaking it should be ok for another day or two.
Jordan says
Sort of tastes like horchata— anyway, pretty good!
Becky Richard says
This was very easy to make. I can only find one store in my city that sells oat milk and it’s over $5 a quart! Thanks so much! I used organic quick oats and my vitamix..... there was nothing in the strainer! It blended it so much the oats disappeared!
Kathleen O'Meal says
I also used a vitamix and didnt need to strain this....love this recipe so easy....I add all kinds of things to this...like other flavorings...like orange oil and roseoil, etc....so wonderful...thankyou
Sarah says
In spite of rinsing the oats obsessively & straining twice through a nut milk bag, mine came out gross & slimy with a mucousy texture. Ick. Any thoughts what could have gone wrong?
Jasmine says
You may have blended a bit too long! I learned that the longer you blend this, the slimier the texture will be. I blended mine for 30 seconds, with 4 cups water, and it came out perfect!
A Virtual Vegan says
If you over-blend it and it gets hot (more likely to happen if you have a Vitamix or other super-duper high powered blender)then it will get really weird in texture. Maybe that's what happened. Unfortunately the nature of homemade oat milk is that it does get a little slimy as it sits, but if you give it a good shake before using it shouldn't be too noticeable.Try blending in short burst rather than one big long blend next time.
Renny says
I have the same problem. I'll try to blend it shorter next time.
Kelly P says
Many homemade creamers I have tried separate. I saw you mentioned it does not curdle but does it separate?
A Virtual Vegan says
Not in coffee. No curdling or separation. It does separate when left in the fridge in the bottle as it doesn't have any emulsifiers like store bought. It takes a little while to do that though and just needs a quick shake before use.
Zena says
Can’t wait to try this
Kelly says
Just made this! Turned out great! I had no dates in the house so I added a bit of maple syrup- yum!!