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
Hi Leslie, whole rolled oats are best.
it worked, thanks. I used honey cuz i just ran out of maple syrup yesterday. The magic was in the fine mesh strainer. Definitely required. Thankfully I had one and your recipe reminded me that I had it.
I’m glad you enjoyed the oat milk!
I am never buying oat milk again. This is easy and perfect! I used Lakota Monkfruit maple syrup. Wish you well, Beth
I’m so glad you loved it!
Hi just tired this and not having quite the end result , we currently get our oat milk delivered in glass bottles and it tastes really creamy
When I tired this it’s really watery and white bitter I tried it with double the oats to water ratio but not much difference
Any ideas what could be doing wrong ? They are rolled oats I’m using
Would love to match the one we get to save a bit of money
Regards
Dave
Great recipe, thank you! Easy to make, requires no special equipment, and super yummy! Thank you!
I’m glad you loved it!
Looking forward to trying ! Where did you get the glass milk bottle ?
Ikea 🙂
Have you ever made this without maple syrup? I’m concerned about the carb content as I am diabetic.
Hi Dee, Feel free to skip the maple syrup! The oat milk will just be less sweet without it.
Is this recipe safe/healthy for babies (1 year olds)
It also came out kind of runny, in my opinion, as I’ve never made any kind of milk before. I put it in the fridge. Will it thicken or did I blend too long?
Hi Olivia, it wouldn’t be a formula replacement, but it’s safe. If you’d like it a little thicker, you could add some more oats next time.
Hi!
I made this today, came out fantastic.
Just a small query though,
Can we hear this milk?
Or should be eaten cold only.
Thanks
Hi Ritika, you can heat it.
So easy to make. Taste good in my coffee.
Thanks
I’m so glad you’ve loved it!
came out delicious!! perfect recipe and sooo easy!! I used my nutriblender instead of a regular blender and worked perfectly, very little residue!! How long would you keep this in the frig please? and thanks so much for a recipe that will save me money$$$
Hi Susan, we keep this in the fridge for about a week. So glad you love it!
This is a great recipe for making your own oat milk at home Love and Lemons! It’s really easy to follow and doesn’t take very long either. The instructions are clear and the result is creamy, delicious oat milk that can be used in many ways.
I’m so glad you loved it!
How many oz can you make with this?
It yields about 3 cups, or 24 oz, oat milk.
You should include this in your recipe serving size section rather than saying 4 servings.
Hi, my discarded oat mixture( with cashews and dates) is delicious by the spoonful.! Is a great meal or snack with the milk. Soo glad I came across this recipe . So easy to change up. PS: my dog loves a few small bites!
I’m so glad you love the recipe!
Yes! I also love the “discarded” oats with dates and almond butter!
Hi curious how many ounces this makes? I’m looking into getting a jug, thanks!!!
Hi
Delicious 😋 thank you. Is there a recipe that uses up the discarded oats?
Thank you 😊
Hi Bec, we haven’t tried using the discarded oats, but several readers have enjoyed preparing them like oatmeal.
I cannot believe how incredibly easy AND delicious this is! All the nasty fillers thickeners and gums in supermarket milk alternatives gone! So tasty, thank you!
Hi Courtney, I’m so glad you love it!
Love this recipe! How long can you store it in the fridge ?
about a week!
This is a great basic recipe. FWIW, A trick I use (so as to avoid any slime factor) .. . . sub a cup of the water with ice. It keeps everything super cool while blending. Love your content!
Ooh great tip! Glad you love the recipe.
I ran out of my favorite oat milk. Having a busy household a hungry teens, I am also on a budget. I made this just now and tried it. It’s delicious! I have syrup but used monk fruit. This will be my go-to and will save me so much on buying store bought.
Hi Ashley, I’m so glad you loved the oat milk!