Learn how to make oat milk at home! With this easy recipe, it always comes out smooth & creamy - perfect for adding to coffee, baking recipes & more!
Have you tried oat milk yet? Lately, it seems to be popping up everywhere. You can add it to your coffee at Starbucks, buy a carton of it at the store, or even pick up a pint of oat milk ice cream! I had to see what all the fuss was about, so I tried making my own homemade oat milk. I have to say, I’m hooked! It’s super easy to make, it’s smooth and creamy, and it has a yummy oat-y flavor that tastes great in coffee or tea.
Unlike other non-dairy milk recipes, this one doesn’t require any special equipment (looking at you, nut milk bags). And because you don’t need to soak the oats beforehand, it takes minutes to make. All you need is 5 minutes, a handful of whole rolled oats, filtered water, a fine mesh strainer, and a powerful blender! What are you waiting for?
How to Make Oat Milk
Making delicious oat milk is easy! But if you have made other plant-based milks in the past, a word to the wise: 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 (I use a Vitamix) 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. That’s ok! 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, discarding the leftover pulp both times. 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 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. 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/brunch oat-y recipes like oatmeal, baked oatmeal, overnight oats, or no bake cookies. Alternatively, use it in any brunch baking recipe that calls for milk, like my vegan chocolate cake, blueberry muffins, banana bread, or cinnamon rolls.
Because it has a strong oat-y flavor, I don’t recommend using it in savory recipes. You’ll find my favorite way to enjoy it in the recipe below. I like to add a pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla and maple syrup to sweeten it up!
Next, try these plant based basics: tofu, tempeh, quinoa, chickpeas, or lentils.
How to Make Oat Milk
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole rolled oats
- 3 cups water
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the oats, water, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and strain the milk without pushing any excess pulp through the strainer. This will create a creamier texture that’s not gritty or gummy.
- Add more maple syrup, to taste, if desired. Chill overnight. If you want to drink your oat milk right away, I recommend adding ice - it's flavor is best when well chilled.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Detoxinista’s method
I’ve just made it. So good. Thank you for sharing.
You should soak the oats… the rolled oats still have the husks which contain phytic acid – which inhibits the uptake of minerals like iron and zinc. All seeds grains and nuts contain this- it is the seeds defensive system. It only luckily inhibits the mineral uptake of the meal you’re eating with these foods and not subsequent food. It may be that for the relative ease of making that it doesn’t matter- everyone can decide for themselves. But it’s interesting nevertheless….
Slimy though I think she mentioned if you do so??
Great Recipe! Not slimy at all! Put everything in the Vtamix on top speed for 30 seconds then through a nut bag over a wide bowl.
Next question: Do you have a recipe for OAT MILK ICE CREAM? I guess you would have to add some oil, but I’m not sure what would work.
I’m so glad you loved it! I haven’t tried making ice cream with it. I’d probably add some type of fat, or start with half oat half coconut milk?
I have a Blendtec blender. What speed to use? Where to get the strainer?
Hi Mike, high speed. It’s just a regular fine mesh strainer, you can find one at Target, or anywhere that has kitchen things. I have a set like this: https://amzn.to/3kHfmYV
SUCCESS! Next time I will try less salt and more vanilla. Otherwise, very satisfying.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Is this any good for making yogurt?
Hi. I’m going to try this tomorrow. I have a KitchenAid blender. Should i choose the ‘smoothie, chopping or whisk’ option? I guess smoothie is the highest speed.
BTW, love your posts!
Thanks.
thanks! I’d probably go for the smoothie option.
Weird question, but you do think a steel reusable coffee filter would work for this? I have one for my pour over carafe.
Hi Sophie, I think it would if the holes aren’t too fine (or you might just have to pour slower)
I used it and it worked really well!
Loving this recipie! Also wanted to say that a hack for making this even EASIER (if that was possible) is to pour the blended mixture into a french press. The strainers are so fine that there is no need to strain multiple times or deal with the cleanup of a cheesecloth or tshirt (my previous method).
Thank you!
Oh that’s a great idea, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for this tip! I’m planning to make this and am looking for all the helpful tips!
Loved it! So yummy. I just moved and didn’t have a blender yet so used a food processor. It was messy but worked fine.
Hi Ree, I’m glad to hear that it worked out in a food processor!
Hi!
I’m new to oak milk and I’m interested in making mine own. Could I use honey instead of maple sugar?
Also I love your first book (I borrowed it from the library and still have it do to the virus & the library is still closed- ☺️ Lucky me) and I look forward to ordering your newest one. I’m a new pescatarian trying to avoid carbs/sugars. Wish I changed my diet years ago (65lbs gone in 6 months) ☺️
Hi Sophie, yep, you can use honey! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the book 🙂
Can you use the discarded oat pulp for anything (e.g. porridge)?
You could mix it into your porridge, that would be a great use. It wont be enough to make a whole bowl on it’s own.
Hi Jeanine! I can’t wait to try this recipe! I was wondering where you bought the adorable milk bottle in your photo?
Ikea!
Where did you get those beautiful glass milk bottles? <3
they’re from ikea!
Any ideas on what could be done (if anything) with the left over pulp after straining? I’m all about reducing waste….will likely put it out with the compost but any cool ideas for further consumption? Thanks!
I’d probably dry it and roll it into energy balls, or replace a similar quantity of oats in this granola bar recipe: https://www.loveandlemons.com/granola-bars-recipe/
Hope that helps! Let me know what you come up with!
Do you discard the oat pulp or can it be used and eaten
I discard it, it’s pretty foamy (unlike almond milk pulp) and there’s not a lot of it. I suppose it could be dried and re-used but I haven’t tried yet.
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Hi Vanessa, I keep it about 5-7 days (since there are no preservatives in it compared to store-bought milks).
This looks so good! Is it good in coffee?
it is!
Roughly how much oat milk does this recipe make? I have never made this before. ☺
Hi Deb, about 3-ish cups
I love this recipe, and also the blueberry scones recipe, the Shiitake “Bacon” and Egg Breakfast Tacos, and the Blueberry baked oatmeal! Thanks so much for these healthy, delicious, and reliable recipes!
Hi Dale, I’m so glad you’ve been loving the recipes!