We use oat milk all the time and although we have a delicious recipe in our FREE 10 Easy Vegan Recipes E-Cookbook, here you have another delicious oat milk recipe, which is so simple and requires only 2 ingredients: water and oats. Besides, it’s creamier because we use more oats, yay!
Homemade plant milks are much cheaper and also healthier than store bought. You can use this milk to make any recipe and you can drink it hot or cold.
MY LATEST VIDEOSThere are so many recipes you can make with the pulp, we usually add it to our smoothies to get more fiber, but you can also use it to make cookies, truffles or whatever you want.
By the way, the donuts you can see in the first picture are incredibly healthy and so tasty. We’ll share the recipe really soon. I’m obsessed with them!
Tips:
- Make the milk using just 3 cups of water (750 ml), then try it and add more water until you get the taste and thickness you’re looking for.
- We usually make unsweetened oat milk, that way we can use it to make savory or sweet recipes, but if you like your milk sweet, add any sweetener you want gently until the milk is sweet enough for you (maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, cane sugar, etc.).
How To Make Oat Milk
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 3-4
- Category: Drinks, Gluten Free, How-Tos
- Cuisine: Vegan
To make homemade oat milk is really easy and is much cheaper than store bought. Only 2 ingredients needed!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled or quick oats (100 g)
- 3-4 cups water (750 ml – 1 l), depending on how thick you like your milk
Instructions
- Soak the oats in water for at least 30 minutes. We usually soak them overnight, but it’s not necessary.
- Drain the oats and wash them (discard the soaking water).
- Blend the oats with 3 to 4 cups of clean water (750 ml to 1 liter).
- Strain the milk using a cheesecloth, a strainer, a napkin or a nut milk bag.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
When I add the clean water do I have to let it sit again for 30 minutes?
Hi Fran! No, you just need to blend the water with the oats, that’s all 🙂
When you say blender – stir up, or use a blender? <3
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Hi Kate! I use a blender 🙂
Can the soaking water and oats be used for anything besides compost?? Thanks!
Hi Angela! Have you read the full post? It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them. You need to discard the water. There are so many recipes you can make with the pulp (read the full post). Have a nice day!
I thought I read all of the post. Where are recipes for the pulp. Sorry!
Hi Angela! Read the third paragraph: “There are so many recipes you can make with the pulp, we usually add it to our smoothies to get more fiber, but you can also use it to make cookies, truffles or whatever you want.” You can find the links there. Have a nice day!
Why throw away the soaking water? What are you soaking out? It sounds like a waste of water and nutrients to me.
Hi Roger! It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them. You need to discard the water. Have a nice day!
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/new-mineral-absorption-enhancers-found/
Thanks a lot for your comment 😀
Great ideas Folks. I have oat porridge made with oat Mill nearly every day. I use vanilla when cooking and add loads of home made jam
Hi David! Thanks a lot 🙂 Sounds great!
Thank you, Roger, for the very helpful link.
Hi Diane! Thanks for your comment 🙂
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/phytates-for-the-treatment-of-cancer/
Hi Ginny! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Can I use the soaking water to water my vegetable garden?
Hi Wanda! I’m not sure, but I think it’s okay 🙂
Can use use steel cut oats?
Hi Dina! Yes, you can 🙂
Thanks for this. Can you really heat it up though? I read on other recipes for oat milk that it would congeal when heated…..
Oat milk from the shops you can heat no problem but I assumed they did something high technology wise to allow that.
Hi Lucy! Yes, you can. I think it depends on the type or brand of oats you’re using. We shared a similar oat milk recipe in our Spanish blog a few years ago and many readers have heated it up successfully. Have a nice day!
I would like to see your Spanish blog. What is the address for that one? Gracias para ayudarme.
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Hi Shari! It’s https://danzadefogones.com/ 🙂 De nada!
If using quick oats, and soaking overnight with lemon or ACV, do I still need to throw the water?
What happenst to overnight oat breakfast where oats are soked overnight with yogurt?
Hi Maria! I prefer to discard it, but it’s up to you. You can make overnight oats and eat the water of liquid, but it’s a better choice to discard it if you can. Have a nice day!
hi! do you have any idea about the calories here? of 1 cup/250 ml prepared oat milk… no sweetener, just as you have prepared. would like to try it out. thanks!
Hi Fuz! I’m so sorry, but I don’t know as most of the oats are discarted. Have a nice day!
I enjoyed this recipe. Aside of being fast, easy and economical, it resembles the taste of soy milk, which I enjoy very much, without paying the extra $$.
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Hi Jessica! So glad you liked it 😀
Hi Iosune,
Thanks for this as the oat milk turned out great! However, I was just wondering if you had anymore tips. For instance, I strained the mixture with a napkin and it took ages for all the liquid the come out (once most of it had gone through, I lost patience and poured the rest away). So do you have a particular method for straining that’s time effective? Also, I used the minimal amount of water – 750ml – but the milk seemed quite thin. I used whole grain oat flakes so could this be the problem?
Hi Heenie! I just use a nut milk bag and it tastes some time. The amount of water may vary depending on the oats you use, probably you need more water if you’re using whole grain oat flakes 🙂 Have a nice day!
I was so missing regular milk, but this is a very good alternative. Just made it this morning and at first the flavor was ok, but then I add some cocoa powder and stevia and it was great. Thanks for making it so simple!
Hi Marisol! You’re so welcome 🙂 Have a beautiful day!
Hi can you use super suave oats? i.e.: not rolled or otherwise, its almost like flour, can I use it? Thank you!
Winky
Hi Winky! I haven’t use it, so I don’t know, sorry!
The easiest way I found to strain oat or nut milks is to use the foot end of cut off panty hose or stocking. It strains more quickly and easily then a nut bag.
Hi Linda! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Quick question, do you dehydrate the pulp before adding it to smoothies? Or how do you do it?
Hi Miriam! No, I don’t, I add it fresh 🙂
Hi – do you squeeze the last drops out of the oats or do you just leave it to stop dripping? Thanks
Hi Ann-Christin! Sometimes I squeeze them, sometimes don’t, you choose! Have a nice day!
Hi!
How long do you think it would last in the freezer? I would like to make huge amounts and store then in the freezer and defrost the milk in the microwave everytime I’d like to drink it?
Do you think that it would be a bad idea? I’m not patient so waiting for it to strain will be dreading for me 🙁 love your blog!!
Hi Jane! I’ve never frozen it myself, so I can’t help you, sorry! Thanks a lot 🙂
Have you tried to make oat milk yogurt using your soy yogurt recipe and the oat milk as an alternative? Curious if that would work.
Hi Nancy! No, I don’t, sorry!
I made this for the first time this morning and this is a game changer! Thank you so much for posting the recipe! This is going to be my go to now!
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Hi Clare! You’re so welcome 😀 So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, i tried this and the result was thick and slimy. I rinsed well using a sieve and did soak for 30 minutes and added 4 cups water. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Haydee! I’m so sorry the recipe didn’t work for you. Try to use other brand or add more water/use less oats. Hope it helps!
I had the same results of it being thick and slimy, and I just kept filtering it multiple times. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about and you didn’t do anything wrong. Also to add on to extra filtering after add some more water, it may make the milk thin but it’s still better than it being slimy.
Hi Lapiz! Try to was really well the oats after soaking it and add more water to the blender if needed. Hope it helps!
Why you discard the water after soaking the oatmeal there? what is the reason?
Hi Rodrigo! It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them. It’s better to discard the water. Have a nice day!
I love this but when I put in coffee it sinks to the bottom and becomes sludge. Any tips to avoid this? I shake before use every time. Thanks
Hi Jen! I’ve never made this milk to make coffee, so I’m not sure. How did you strain the milk? A plant milk bag works better than a strainer. You could also add more water to the milk. Hope it works!
Gonna try this tonight. Thanks for sharing!
Can i use this for my diet?
Hi Jhazz! Of course, this milk is super healthy 🙂
great great,
Miss
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Thanks a lot Walter 🙂
Hello, I now am trying to not to drink cow milk and changing to plant based milk. Thank you for your vegan recipes. I also read your rice milk recipe and I have a question. When you make rice milk, you did not strain rice and if you have power blender. But for oat milk, why you strained it? Or if I have power blender, don`t I have to strain oat?
Thank you again and surely I will try to make plant base milk. At first, I was thinking that I might buy from supermarket. However, I checked the ingredients of it and I didn`t like it.
Hi Haelim! Cooked rice is softer than oats, so the rice milk has a softer texture, so I don’t strain it, but it’s up to you, you could straing them both if you want. If you do have a powerful blender, try the oat milk and if you like the texture, you don’t need to strain it either. Hope it helps!
What a find! We ran out of oat milk over the Easter weekend so my wife and I followed your really simple recipe – great results, and so simple!
My wife is using the remaining pulp as an exfoliant wash as I type!
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Hi Richard! So glad you liked it 🙂 I use oats mixed with water as an exfoliant, but I’ve never used the pulp, it’s a great idea!
Plant-based milk is so expensive here in Nigeria compared to cow’s milk so I decided to try this recipe as an alternative to the soy milk I always make. I was prepared for it to be horrible but it’s actually ok. I also added it to coffee (with granulated sugar) this morning and it was great. So, thank you!
Hi Olusola! So glad you liked it 🙂 Have a nice day!
“It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them. It’s better to discard the water”
Why is it better to discard the water?
Hi Abi! To avoid phytic acid 🙂
Loved this simple recipe – it came out perfectly in my high-speed blender and passed a few times through a fine sieve.
I also worked out that even using organic whole oats, it cost me 10p per 750ml, compared to £2 for the same amount from the supermarket! ^^
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Hi Méabh! So glad you liked it 😀
This was SO easy and is delicious in coffee! My favorite milk alternative for coffee I’ve found to date. Thank you!
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Hi Karen! So glad you liked it so much 🙂 Thank YOU for making the recipe!
I’m wondering why you’re discarding the soaking water? Since it’s pretty milky looking, I thought it would only add flavor, nutrients, and a richer and creamier consistency to the milk. Replacing all that goodness with clean, flavorless water seems strange to me, lol. Could you please explain the reason. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Karolina! It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them. That’s why I discard the water and also because I prefer my oat milk less thick 🙂
Can you heat it? One blog said it will become gelatinous if you do but they did not soak the oats….that may be the difference?
Hi Julianna! Yes, you can reheat it 🙂
When you wash your oats do you rinse until the water runs clear or just rinse them a little? I’m trying to perfect oat milk because my son is super fussy but I hate the idea of wasting all that packaging every time…
Hi Sophie! I rinse them until the water is pretty clear, but it’s up to you 🙂
Hi- will this come out ok with gluten free oats?
Hi Jen! Of course, it also works using gf oats 🙂
I tried this oat milk and it is refreshing and lighter than cows milk. Thanks. I want to incorporate a plant base diet into my regular eating habits but I’m not ready to go completely plant base diet. Thanks for all the recipes.
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Hi Vivian! You’re so welcome 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it!
This looks awesome, I love oat milk and make my own nut milk but never tried this one. Will def have a go!
What sort of blender do you use?
Hi Kristina! I used a Vitamix blender 🙂 Hope you like it!
I tried your oat milk but when heated it get’s slimy and thick…. any ideas how to prevent this? I would love to add it to my coffee.
Hi Katja! Maybe you need to wash the oats longer. If it doesn’t work, I would add more water or less oatss. Hope it works!
I read on another site’s recipe that if you heat the milk it curdles. I heat bought oat milk every morning and it never curdles. if you can offer some clarification i would be grateful.
kat
Hi Kat! Not all homemade oat milks curdles, but I don’t know why some of them do. I think it’s because you need to wash the oats really well.
Hey i tried to make oat milk but it was not tasty it was yucky why is it so???
Hi Leon! Have followed all the steps? If you tell me more about the milk, I could help you… Maybe you could add more or less water or some sweetener 🙂
Hi, I just made this recipe. I compared it side by side with a store bought oat milk. The bought one is significantly sweeter (about twice as sweet as cow milk) although they claim that it is only naturally occurring oat sugar. Except for that, the home made stuff came out very good in comparison. I wonder if there are any large geographical differences in oats (I live in the Netherlands and the store bought product is Swedish).
Hi Michal! I don’t know… I thought oats were pretty similar in the whole world… I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Did you mean you have to store milk for 5 days before using it or that you can use immediately and it will be ok to use for 5 days? Thank you
Hi Maureen! You can use it immediately and then keep leftovers in the fridge for about 5 days 🙂
I’m wondering if anyone else felt their oat milk turned out kind of mucous-y? I did 1 cup oats, 3 cups clean water (for the blending part) after soaking overnight. Then I strained through a strainer and again through cheesecloth. It isn’t thick, per se, but the viscosity is off-putting for me.
Hi Laura! I don’t know why, but some people loves this recipe and others complains about the texture of the milk (mucous-y as you mentioned). If you wash the oats really well after soaking them or don’t soak them and just blend them with water, your milk will have a good texture 🙂
Can you tell me why you discard the soaking water when you’re soaking oats to make milk?
Thanks
Hi Marion! It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them, so it’s better to discard the water.
Do i lose oat nutrients by discarding the soak water, especially if soaked overnight? I know it’s OK to discard water when you soak oat groats or other intact grains. But since the rolled oats are crushed, am I washing away goodness from the oats? I’m wondering why people soak rolled oats overnight and then cook the oats by adding more water on top of what it was soaked in ie 1 cup oats soaked in one cup water and then add another cup water in morning and cook. And how come they soak oats overnight and then eat it raw in morning? Thanks
Joy
Hi Joy! It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them, so it’s better to discard the water, but it’s optional, so you can make whatever works for you 🙂 Oats can also be eaten raw. Hope it helps!
Just made this and had a yummy hot chocolate out of it. The straining was annoying but thats just because Im so impatient if anyone has any speeding up hints and tips Im all ears.
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Hi Anna! So glad you liked it 🙂
I’m surprised you don’t recommend using organic jumbo oats which haven’t been processed to death quite as much prior to arriving in the supermarket?
Hi Carol! I recommend any type of oats, this way everbody can made this recipe. If you want to use organic oats, good for you!
Can you heat this milk without it going like glugy glue texture?
I made one yesterday and it did this
Hi Erica! It depends on the type/brand of oats you’re using. I’ve heated it successfully in the past. Washing your oats really well after soaking also helps.
Hi, I really want to try this recipe but I don’t have a proper blender. I only have a hand held soup blender. Do you think this could work or would I need to borrow something better? (Don’t have to cash to buy one). Thanks!
Hi Jasmin! I’ve never used one myself to make this recipe, but I think it could work…
Great! Easy, cheap and didn’t curdle in my coffee!!
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Hi Sue! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Can you use steel cut oats?
Hi Lisa! Yes, any type of oats will do 🙂
So can it be used immediately after soaking for 30 minutes and straining!? Thanks !
Hi Joshua! Yes, it can 🙂 Hope you like it!
Help me out very useful
Hi Zulekha! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you liked it!
I made this but it came out really slimy and I don’t know why. I followed the recipe.
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Hi Alyssa! You need to wash your oat really well, it’s really important. You could also add more water or less oats if you prefer a thinner consistency. Hope it helps 🙂
Hi!! I just want to say I found this recipe 3 weeks ago gave it a shot and OMG! I love it! Thank you! One thing I wanted to ask was when I’m making the oat milk (I have been experimenting A LOT with the recipe) when I add the 3 cups of water I also add 2 bananas with some sweetner not a lot and it comes out good just wondering if maybe you have something similar to that or anyone and if so is it correct the way I did it? Basically I want to add some other flavors to the oat milk
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Hi Jay! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 I’ve never added other ingredients to make this milk, so I can’t help you, sorry. Have a nice day!
does it matter the types of oats …steel or reular
Hi Teresa! Any type of oats is okay 🙂
Why discard the water after soaking the oats,- why not just blend it as it isand then sieve off any bits?
Hi Peter! It’s important to soak grains to soften, increase digetibility and eliminate phytic acid, which is an antinutrient that binds important minerals preventing your body from fully absorbing them, so it’s better to discard the water. Have a nice day!
I think you might consider reading up on this.
https://www.drweil.com/diet-nutrition/nutrition/are-phytates-bad-or-good/
Hi Julia! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Do you have a use for the oats afterwards?
Hi Terri! You can add it to your smoothies, soups, make burgers, cookies or these truffles: https://simpleveganblog.com/chocolate-hazelnut-truffles/ Hope you like them 🙂
Hi. Can the soaking oats be left on the counter or do they need to go in the fridge?
Hi Laura! You can leave it on the counter or in the fridge, you choose 🙂
Can I soak the oats in cows milk? And then rinse the oats?
Hi Chaz! You should use water, it’s much healthier, cheaper and also cruelty-free 🙂
I have never tried oat milk before and I usually just buy prepackaged milk. I have recently bought a couple of canister of oats for $0.50 each and now I’m going to have to try this and compare the taste. Thank you for the recipe share.
Hi Daisy! You’re so welcome 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
Hi, So I made this and followed the directions… but it tasted really bad. 🙁 I don’t know what I did wrong. Is the one you make naturally sweet? The one I made was really bitter.
It was a little bit bitter for mine too. I used some agave sweetener to hide the bitterness and it turned out great. I recommend that.
Hi Lapiz! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Hi Roxy! This milk shouldn’t be bitter. What kind of oats did you use? You could try to wash really well the oats after soaking it and also add some sweetener to get a better taste. Hope it helps!
Do you know how to determine the nutrition information for this recipe?
Hi Kim! It’s not easy, as you discard part of the oats…
I combined the oats with some leftover almonds and the milk turned out great! I suggest using Agave Sweetener instead of sugar because the agave adds a unique taste similar to honey. I have found that it’s better to let the sweetener dissolve in the container for half an hour in the fridge instead of drinking it right away if you want it to taste the same every time. The oat milk was delicious and I am definitely making it again! Thank you.
Hi Lapiz! You’re so welcome 🙂 Thank YOU for your valuable comment 🙂
Followed instructions, soaked for 3 hours. Tasted like cloudy water with no real substance, texture or flavour.
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Hi Freddie! I’m so sorry the recipe didn’t work for you, but this milk is really tasty. If you tell me more, I could help you. Have a nice day!
Excrllent
Hi Nasir! Thanks a lot 🙂
Simply super. Really fantastic.
Hi Farida! Thanks a lot 🙂
I see your links for pulp recipes, but the recipe (at least the cookie one) doesn’t call for pulp…what should I substitute the pulp for? It will be wetter than the oat flour…
Hi Avigail! You can adjust the recipe by using some pulp instead of some of the oats in the recipe, then add more or less liquid until you get the perfect consistency. Hope it helps!
Hi. I use a lot of oat milk so was delighted to find this recipe. I made it but find it’s not as creamy as the commercial one. Would decreasing the volume make it creamier or just thicker.
Sorry, meant to put decreasing the volume of water
Hi Sandra! I’m not sure, I think it should be both, creamier and thicker. It depends on the store-bought oat milk you’re used to, mine was as creamy as this one 🙂
Brilliant I’ve always hated using Tetra packs. This is cheap and better for the planet. Thank you
Hi Jo! You’re so welcome 🙂 Have a nice day!
Good texture but a bit bland tasting. I added some maple syrup to liven it up a bit. Next time will probably incorporate some almonds as mentioned by lapiz above.
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Hi Sue! Oat milk is not as tasty as other plant milks, but feel free to add any ingredient you want 🙂
I was excited to see a recipe with no dates or sweetners that yielded a reasonable amount of milk (3 cups) – I only need a little for tea and coffee. just made this & was very satisfied with the results – did not soak my plain rolled oats, blended a couple minutes in my vitamix on high, and poured through a fine-mesh strainer into my milk jug – a very quick-to-make, satisfying and frugal alternative to milk!
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Hi Judith! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Have a nice day!
Made it and am so chuffed: found a 3kg bag of organic oats for £8.50 and am going to be saving on my shopping as you usually get a 1 L carton for around £1.70 I can make 3 L for around a pound. And I don’t have Tetra Pak cartons adding to my rubbish. I also add Maca powder for extra protein.
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Hi Rachel! I’m so happy to hear that 🙂 Have a nice day!
Phytic acid also has considerable health benefits to it – consuming phytic acid ( which is in all nuts ) won’t stop your body from absorbing certain nutrients permanently, as long as you have an otherwise healthy diet .
If you eat a handful of nuts , those nuts will temporarily stop the absorption of certain nutrients as you eat them but it won’t permanently make you incapable of absorbing those trace elements and minerals providing you have a healthy diet otherwise . Phytic acid is useful in cancer treatments etc so I’ve really no idea why you keep insisting on discarding the soaking water . Removing phytic acid doesn’t increase digestibility of the milk but it may improve the texture by washing off excess starch . That’s all.
Hi Kay! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂 Have a nice day!
First time making it – let the pats soak overnight and used 3.5 cups of water and added vanilla extract. The consistency was good but a bit bland. Will try adding other flavors next time.
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Hi Perla! Try to add less water next time or add a pinch of salt and a sweetener of your choice. Hope it helps!
Works well. I found it quite thin and went with 2 cups water in the end.
Hi Caroline! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Sounds interesting. Do you steep the mixture before straining or does it make the “milk” immediately?
Hi Paula! Once you strain the mixture, you can drink the milk immediately 🙂