How to Make Oat Milk (3 Flavors, Easy Guide)

Want to learn how to make oat milk at home? Here are 3 oat milk flavors for homemade oat milk and a full guide on how to make it yourself.

There’s nothing like a glass of cold milk in the summer, or warm milk in the winter or evening. We use milk in a multitude of ways, we could even say that milk is like the forefront of civilization. We depend on it while being breastfed during our first months of life. Chocolate milk was probably one of your favorite things to have at breakfast during middle school. I know mine was. Not to mention all the configurations of milk and coffee out there, that gave birth to the cappuccino and the flat white.

Milk is used in many recipes, too, not just drinks. You can barely make a cake without it. So you could say milk is pretty essential in the kitchen. But what if you can’t drink milk?

Lactose intolerance is a pretty serious problem to consider when you want to follow a diet. Lactose intolerance comes in many forms – perhaps consuming lactose makes you bloated, or maybe it lands you directly in the hospital. Point is, you can’t risk it with real milk. Or you could be following a vegan diet!

There are many alternatives to cow’s milk and it’s so easy to make a milk-like substance from a variety of other ingredients. Today we’ll talk about how to make one of my favorite types of milk – oat milk.

Is it cheaper to make oat milk?

Making oat milk at home can be more cost-effective compared to buying commercial oat milk, especially if you consume oat milk regularly. The cost savings come from the lower price of oats in bulk compared to store-bought oat milk.

Is it healthy to make your own oat milk?

Making your own oat milk can be a healthy option because you have control over the ingredients. You can choose to omit or reduce sweeteners and additives, making it a purer and more natural alternative to store-bought versions. However, it’s essential to ensure the oats are well-rinsed and properly blended to avoid grittiness.

Is oat milk as healthy as milk?

Oat milk is generally considered a healthy dairy milk alternative, especially for individuals who are lactose intolerant or have dairy allergies. It can be as healthy as milk when it is fortified with vitamins and minerals to match the nutritional content of dairy milk. However, the nutritional profile can vary between brands and homemade versions, so it’s essential to check labels or make informed choices based on your dietary needs.

Benefits

Oats are a reliable source of nutrients for people who are otherwise allergic to lactose or nuts – so almond milk is out of the question. A glass of oat ‘milk’ does contain less protein than a regular milk glass, but it also contains 0 saturated fats and contains much more fiber than real milk, which doesn’t contain almost any. So today we’ll be looking at how to make oat milk, and then I’ll show you some tasty applications! 🙂

Vanilla Oat Milk

In case you want to experiment even more, here’s one simple but super effective suggestion: vanilla oat milk! All you need to do to create it is to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the blender when you are mixing the oats and voila – the perfectly flavored plant-based milk is ready!

This is the recipe that I always prepare because I think it’s perfect for drinking by itself or for adding it in your coffee. The vanilla flavor is subtle but it perfectly completes the entire mix!

Golden Milk / Turmeric Latte

Another cool recipe I might suggest is a delicious turmeric latte recipe featuring oats milk – or golden milk as some people like to call it. Turmeric latte is a healthy and delicious alternative to your morning coffee, and you can use any type of milk to make it, but just for the sake of the argument, we’ll be talking about turmeric latte made with oats ‘milk’ this time.

Assuming that your oat ‘milk’ is ready, you will have to add it to a saucepan, along with ground ginger, ground turmeric, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. And some ground black pepper for taste, it’s up to you if you add this one or not. Add over medium heat, stir, and serve. Add a little cinnamon to each cup according to taste.

Turmeric latte is a great replacement for your daily coffee. It has the nutrients to provide you with a healthy energy boost for the day, and I would recommend that you try it out, even with real milk if you want! 🙂

Cocoa Oat Milk

Here’s a fun idea: Cocoa oat ‘milk’! Once you’ve gotten the gist of making oat milk, there’s no reason not to enjoy it with cocoa. You can use dates as well to sweeten your milk, as I said before. You have to add the cocoa powder to the mix before you start blending, of course.

You will have to figure out your taste in cocoa to milk ratio yourself, but as a pointer, you’ll have two teaspoons of cocoa extract for every three cups of water added to the mix. Stir and serve cool, and there you have it. A perfect glass of cocoa oat ‘milk’, rich in the nutrients you need and deserve! Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, or vegan, I recommend that you try this one out for yourself!

Needless to say that cocoa oat ‘milk’ is perfect even for the little ones, especially for breakfast! Give it a try and I’m pretty sure everyone will love it!

I hope you enjoyed making oat milk, and if you tried some of the other two recipes that use it, please don’t hesitate to tell me how they turned out!

How to use oat milk in recipes

Oat milk is a versatile dairy milk alternative that can be used in various ways. Here are some common ways to use oat milk:

• Cereal and Oatmeal: Pour oat milk over your favorite cereals or use it to prepare oatmeal. It adds creaminess and a slightly sweet flavor to your breakfast.
• Coffee and Tea: Oat milk is a popular choice as a coffee creamer or tea enhancer. It provides a rich and creamy texture that complements the taste of your beverages.
• Smoothies: Add oat milk to your smoothie recipes for a creamy and dairy-free base. It pairs well with fruits, greens, and protein powders.
• Baking: You can substitute dairy milk with oat milk in most baking recipes, such as pancakes, muffins, and cakes. It works well as a milk replacement without compromising the texture or taste.
• Cooking: Oat milk can be used in savory dishes like soups, sauces, and creamy pasta recipes. It adds a mild, neutral flavor while providing a creamy consistency.
• Lattes and Hot Chocolate: Use oat milk to make lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolate. It froths nicely and creates a creamy foam on top of your hot drinks.
• Sauces and Gravies: Oat milk can be used as a dairy-free alternative in sauces and gravies to achieve a creamy texture. It’s suitable for both sweet and savory applications.
• Desserts: Incorporate oat milk into your dessert recipes, such as puddings, custards, and ice creams, for a creamy and dairy-free option.
• Drinking Plain: Oat milk can be enjoyed on its own as a refreshing beverage. You can try the flavored oat milk varieties, but plain oat milk has a naturally sweet taste.

Overall, oat milk is a versatile and delicious plant-based milk that can be used in almost any way you would use dairy milk. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a dairy-free, nut-free, and soy-free alternative with a creamy texture and a subtle, naturally sweet flavor.

How do you make oat milk?

Oat milk is typically made by blending rolled oats with water and then straining the mixture to separate the liquid from the solid oat pulp. Some recipes may include additional ingredients like sweeteners, salt, and stabilizers for flavor and consistency.

Equipment needed

Making homemade oat milk is a simple process that requires minimal equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Blender: A high-speed blender is the primary equipment you’ll need. It will help you thoroughly blend the oats and water to create a smooth and creamy oat milk.
2. Fine-Mesh Strainer or Nut Milk Bag: You’ll need a fine-mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or a nut milk bag to strain the oat milk after blending. This step removes any oat solids or residue, leaving you with a smooth milk.
3. Large Bowl or Pitcher: You’ll need a bowl or pitcher to catch the oat milk as it’s strained from the blender. Make sure it has enough capacity to hold the entire batch.
4. Storage Container: To store your homemade oat milk, you’ll need an airtight container. Mason jars or glass bottles work well for this purpose. Ensure that the container is clean and sanitized.

Optional equipment for flavoring or sweetening your oat milk:

5. Sweetener: If you prefer sweetened oat milk, you can add sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, or dates. A small saucepan may be useful for heating and mixing sweeteners into the oat milk.
6. Vanilla Extract or Flavorings: To enhance the flavor of your oat milk, you can use vanilla extract or other flavorings like cinnamon. A measuring spoon may be handy for precise measurements.

While these are the basic equipment and optional items for making oat milk, you can customize your oat milk with additional ingredients and flavors to suit your taste preferences. Homemade oat milk allows you to control the ingredients, sweetness, and flavors, making it a versatile and delicious dairy-free milk alternative.

Tips: Don’t blend the milk for much longer than a minute, if you don’t want your milk to be slimy in texture. After blending the oats, you will have to strain the mix through your favorite strainer. Oat ‘milk’ should definitely be refrigerated for some time after blending and straining so that the whole thing becomes homogenous.

The problem with oat ‘milk’ is that you can’t heat it up – it will lose its texture and become jelly-like. So the applications of oat ‘milk’ are a bit limited. You can still use it in your morning coffee, add it to the smoothie of your choice, and even cooking. Oat ‘milk’ is naturally creamier so some applications will benefit from that.

Oat Milk Recipe