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.
Bethan Gwilym says
I know this sounds like a silly question, but do I need to strain the milk if I'm using it to make porridge?!
Iosune says
Hi Bethan! You can do whatever you want, but I would strain it 🙂
Carl says
Can you use instant oatmeal in packets with cinnamon and spice since it's already sweetened?
Iosune says
Hi Carl! I don't understand your question... If you're asking if you can use this milk to make instant oatmeal, yes, you can 🙂
Walker says
I think Carl is asking if you can use instant oatmeal to make oat milk.
Instant oatmeal often contains milk powder, so wouldn't be vegan unless it specifically states it on the packet.
Iosune says
Hi Walker! Thanks for your comment 🙂 I've never tried it myself. I've only used rolled and quick oats and both work amazing.
Mike says
Thank you for this simple recipe. I can now enjoy this delicious and healthy beverage for a fraction of the cost of a store brand.
Iosune says
Hi Mike! You're so welcome 🙂 Have a nice day!
Bethan Jordan says
Hello! You mentioned the healthy doughnuts in this article but I can't find it on your website. Could you point me in the right direction?! Making the oat milk now, thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Bethan! This is the recipe you're looking for: https://simpleveganblog.com/vegan-gluten-free-donuts/ 🙂
Eli says
I do not use electric mixers or juicers, so used my suribachi (Japanese ceramic sesame-grater bowl) to first grind the soaked oats, and then used a whisk in a glass bowl to blend the spring water with the ground oats. It is the first time I have drunk oat milk, but the ultimate test was in a cup of coffee, and it was delicious! It is much easier than making soy milk (which I use only occasionally, as only fermented soy should be consumed regularly), so I suspect I will be making a lot of this. Thank you for your helpful informative site!
Iosune says
Hi Eli! You're so welcome 🙂 Thank YOU for your comment!
Peggy LeBoeuf says
I made your recipe and it is as easy and tasty as you indicated. I'm now approaching day 5 and wonder how I can tell if my milk is no longer good. Can you explain?
Iosune says
Hi Peggy! If it tastes, smells and looks good is okay 🙂
Maryelle says
Hi there what can I make with the remain oat after straining the milk? Any suggestion?
Iosune says
Hi Maryelle! You can add it to your smoothies, make cookies, burger patties, compost it, etc. Hope it helps!
Eli says
You could use it as a gentle facial mask for lovely soft skin.
I think it would freeze well, too, for later consumption in food or as a facial cleanser.
David says
I don't even bother straining mine. Since all I use it for is my morning cereal, I just shake and pour.
Iosune says
Hi David! It's a great idea 🙂
Scott says
Put half the strained oat's back in the blender with, 1 large very ripe banana, cinnamon, a little squeeze of agave syrup and enough of the oat milk to make a thick pancake batter, so good!
Iosune says
Hi Scott! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
~Carole says
Trying to cut cow and soya milk from my diet for health reasons. I make my own almond milk but am concerned about calories. Does oat milk contain less calories?
Iosune says
Hi Carole! Don't worry about calories, just eat healthy food 🙂 However 1 cup oat milk = 130 calories, approx. Hope it helps!
Louise says
Do you use the pulp for anything afterwards, would be interesting to know if I can use the "waste" in another recipe. Thank you
Iosune says
Hi Louise! You can add it to smoothies or soups to add more fiber, make veggie burgers, balls, cookies, whatever you want!
Cara says
Is this suitable for freezing?
Iosune says
Hi Cara! I've never tried it myself, so I don't know, sorry!
Marla says
I just came across your website on a search for oat milk recipes, as we ran out of creamer and I wanted to try making my own oat milk this morning. It was very easy. I blended it in my Vitamix for quite a while, and had almost NO leftover fiber in my cheesecloth after straining the oat milk. I must have gone crazy blending it LOL. It is delicious and now I plan to visit often. That arepa recipe is next on my list. Thanks so much!
Iosune says
Hi Marla! You're so welcome 🙂 Hope you enjoy the arepas too!
David says
We were just talking and can't think why you would discard the first soaking water?
Iosune says
Hi David! Because I get a better texture discarding it as it has starch in it 🙂
Dana says
Thank you for the simple recipe. My blender is a Kitchen Aid and it did not blend the oats as smoothly as the photo in you blog. What blender brand and model do you use?
Iosune says
Hi Dana! You're so welcome. I used a Vitamix 5200 🙂
Mark says
Hi Iosune ! I love oat milk and prefer it to dairy and nut mills, but I have never made it myself I am receiving my Vitamix 750 tomorrow along with a dry mix container to make flour and bread dough, do you think using oat flour to make this after starting with rolled oats would be ok ? Don’t laugh, you guys , I am a newbie at this cooking thing !
Iosune says
Hi Mark! I'ver never tried it myself, but I think probably rolled oats are a best choice. You could try, though...