Ready to learn how to make oat milk? It's creamy, healthy, and made with 4 ingredients in just 15 minutes. It tastes so good!
Here you'll learn how to make oat milk, one of the most popular kinds of plant-based milk. It’s light, tasty, and lactose-free, but it’s hard to find store-bought oat milk that is not full of sugar and chemicals.
By making it at home, you’ll make sure that your drink contains only natural and healthy ingredients, and it’ll also be much more affordable! Besides, it's a great way to start switching from dairy milk to plant-based milk.
To make this homemade oat milk you only need 5 simple and easy to get ingredients and it’s ready in just 15 minutes, which is awesome.
It’s perfect to make plenty of other recipes and you can enjoy it plain or sweetened. Whether you drink it hot or cold, this healthy, soft, and delicious oat milk needs to be a must in your meals!
How to make oat milk - Step by step
- Soak the oats in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Drain the oats and rinse them.
- Add the oats, 4 cups of clean water (1 liter) and all the remaining ingredients to a blender (photo 1) and blend until smooth (photo 2).
- Strain the milk using a cheesecloth, a strainer, a napkin or a nut milk bag (photos 3 and 4).
- Serve your oat milk hot or cold.
Pro tips
- You can use 1-2 Medjool dates (double the quantity if they are Deglet Nour) or any other sweetener if you like your milk sweet.
- I usually make unsweetened oat milk so I can use it to make savory and sweet recipes.
- Salt is optional, but it enhances the flavor.
- To make the milk, use just 3 cups of water (750 ml), try it and then add more water until you get the taste and thickness you’re looking for.
- Oat milk goes well with everything. Drink it plain, sweetened, with cocoa, or even add it to your coffee or tea to make a healthy and delicious hot beverage for the cold winter days!
- Use the leftover oat pulp to bake spectacular vegan donuts, vegan oatmeal cookies or even make energy balls or truffles. You can also add it to your smoothies to incorporate more fiber into your diet.
What is oat milk?
Oat milk is a beverage made from oats and water. It is 100% plant-based and dairy-free, and it works as a great substitute for cow's milk.
Is oat milk good for you?
Yes, it is! Especially if you make it at home, that way you can make sure to only use whole and healthy ingredients and avoid artificial additives and preservatives. Besides, it will not raise your cholesterol levels.
Is oat milk gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they sometimes can be contaminated with gluten. So if you have gluten sensitivity or suffer from gluten intolerance, remember to buy certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe.
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How To Make Oat Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 3-4 cups water, I make my oat milk using 4 cups or 1 liter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup or 1-2 Medjool dates, optional
- A pinch of salt, optional
Instructions
- Soak the oats in water for at least 30 minutes. I usually soak them overnight, but that’s not necessary.
- Drain the oats and rinse them. Discard the soaking water.
- Add the oats, 3 to 4 cups of clean water (750 ml-1 liter) and all the remaining ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more or less water depending on how thick you like your oat milk.
- Strain the oat milk using a cheesecloth, a strainer, a napkin or a nut milk bag.
- Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can use 1-2 Medjool dates (double the quantity if they are Deglet Nour) or any other sweetener if you like your milk sweet.
- I usually make unsweetened oat milk so I can use it to make savory and sweet recipes.
- Salt is optional, but it enhances the flavor.
- To make this oat milk, use 3 cups of water (750 ml), try it and then add more water until you get the taste and thickness you’re looking for.
- Use the pulp to bake spectacular vegan donuts, vegan oatmeal cookies, or even make energy balls or truffles. You can also add it to your smoothies to incorporate more fiber into your diet.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in March of 2020, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in February of 2022.
kat says
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
Iosune says
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.
Katja says
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.
Iosune says
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!
Kristina says
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?
Iosune says
Hi Kristina! I used a Vitamix blender 🙂 Hope you like it!
Vivian says
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.
Iosune says
Hi Vivian! You're so welcome 🙂 I'm so glad you liked it!
jen says
Hi- will this come out ok with gluten free oats?
Iosune says
Hi Jen! Of course, it also works using gf oats 🙂
Sophie says
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...
Iosune says
Hi Sophie! I rinse them until the water is pretty clear, but it's up to you 🙂
julianna says
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?
Iosune says
Hi Julianna! Yes, you can reheat it 🙂
Karolina says
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! 🙂
Iosune says
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 🙂
Ceejay says
But what about the phosphate content of the oats, you would be washing that away surely as phytate is the main source of phosphate in a plant based diet. Shouldn't it be about balance? If you aren't taking this with foods that are high in calcium, iron and zinc which phytates bind to, then there wouldn't be a need to throw that water away.
It's like having tea with a meal or just after your meal. It reduces iron absorption too while vitamin C promotes absorption. Do you suggest avoiding tea with meals also?
Iosune says
Hi Ceejay! I don't know, I'm not a doctor 🙂 Have a nice day!
Karen says
This was SO easy and is delicious in coffee! My favorite milk alternative for coffee I've found to date. Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Karen! So glad you liked it so much 🙂 Thank YOU for making the recipe!
Méabh says
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! ^^
Iosune says
Hi Méabh! So glad you liked it 😀
Abi says
"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?
Iosune says
Hi Abi! To avoid phytic acid 🙂
Olusola says
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!
Iosune says
Hi Olusola! So glad you liked it 🙂 Have a nice day!