Homemade Oat Milk
Making your own oat milk saves you the cost and the additives found in store-bought cartons. When done correctly, you get a clean, neutral base that works just as well in your coffee as it does in your morning cereal.
Temperature and timing are everything.
Using warm water makes the starch in the oats release too quickly, resulting in a thick, slimy consistency. Stick to cold water and keep the blending time brief.
- High-speed blender
- Large mixing bowl
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Flour sack towel or nut milk bag
What goes in.
- 1 cupold-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
- 4 cupsice-cold filtered water
- 1 pinchsea salt
- 1 tspmaple syrup (optional)
The Gentle Press
Do not wring the towel like a mop. Gather the corners and let the liquid drip through on its own; squeezing forcefully pushes starch through the mesh, which ruins the texture.
The method.
Soak the oats
Place the oats in a bowl, cover with water, and let sit for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse until the water runs clear to remove excess surface starch.
Blend
Add the rinsed oats, fresh ice-cold water, salt, and sweetener to the blender. Pulse for 30 seconds.
Strain
Place the towel over a bowl and pour the mixture through. Allow it to gravity-drain for a few minutes, lifting the towel to help flow if needed.
Bottle
Pour the milk into a glass jar and refrigerate. It will settle, so give it a firm shake before every pour.
Other turns to take.
Vanilla Bean
Add half a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract before blending for a aromatic finish.
Chocolate Oat
Whisk in two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder after straining.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Discard the leftover oat pulp or use it in muffin or pancake batter.
Store in the refrigerator for no more than three to four days; it will lose its freshness quickly.
If the milk is too thick, adjust your water-to-oat ratio, but remember that thinner milk separates more easily.
The ones that keep coming up.
Why is my milk slimy?
You likely over-blended the mixture or used warm water. Keep the blender time short and use chilled water to keep the starches inactive.
Can I use steel-cut oats?
No. Steel-cut oats do not blend into a smooth liquid and will leave you with a gritty, unpalatable result.
How real cooks make it.
No one’s shared their version yet. Be the first to put your kitchen on the map.
Cook this your way?
Share your version — your steps, your story. We’ll feature it right here.
Add your recipe