My quick and easy homemade oat milk recipe can be made with both steel cut and rolled oats, and produces creamy, smooth oat milk every time. I explain why I make mine with steel-cut oats when I can, and I’m also giving you all the tips and tricks for out-of-this-world oat milk!
Oat milk is a plant-based milk substitute with only 2 ingredients. It’s a popular non-dairy alternative that you can make cheaply at home by blending oats and water into a pulp with a high-speed blender.
Why this Recipe Works
This recipe works with or without sweeteners and with both steel-cut oats or rolled oats. This makes it easy to make with whatever you have on hand, and to your sweetness liking.
The secret to smooth, creamy oat milk and not slimy oat milk is to avoid over-blending the soaked oats and water. You should blend them together for 30 seconds maximum to achieve the perfect texture.
This recipe is made with a high-speed blender, yielding a natural thickness and sweetness that you won’t get if using a regular blender.
Steel cut vs. rolled oats
This recipe works great with both steel-cut and rolled oats, so you get to use whatever you already have on hand. Here are some things to consider:
- Steel cut oats – Using steel cuts oats produces a nuttier flavor in the oat milk – that tastes amazing! Although this is my preference, it does require soaking the oats overnight, which we don’t always have time for.
- Rolled oats – Although rolled oats don’t come with the same flavor punch as steel cut oats, you only need to soak them for 20 minutes so this is a more speedy and convenient option.
Do not use instant oats for this recipe. It will yield a sloppy mush, which no one wants!
Sweeteners
Sweeteners are optional when making oat milk. I prefer to sweeten my oat milk as I use it because different uses call for different sweetness levels. If you’d like to sweeten the oat milk when you make it be sure to also add a pinch of sea salt to round it out.
Here are some sweetener options that I recommend using in this recipe.
- Dates (1-2, pitted)
- Maple syrup (1 tablespoon)
- Agave syrup (1 tablespoon)
- Simple syrup (1-2 tablespoons)
Add any of these to the recipe when the oats and water are added to the blender. Once blended, taste, and add more if desired.
You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your oat milk for a subtle vanilla flavor throughout. This is especially tasty for use in teas and coffees.
Equipment
High-speed blender – You need a high-speed blender because it has sharper, higher-quality blades and a higher-powered motor. This allows you to break down the oats more, so you get more of the oats in the final product.
Strainer or nut milk bag – Either work to strain the oats from the water.
Airtight container or jar with lid – You’ll use this to safely store the oat milk.
How to make this recipe
Start by rinsing your oats thoroughly and draining the excess water. Then, cover the oats with more water and soak them.
- If using steel-cut oats, they will need to soak for 8 hours.
- If using rolled oats, they need to soak for 20 minutes.
Strain the oats from the water, and add the drained oats to a blender with a fresh three cups of filtered water, and (optional) sweetener. Blend the oats and water together for 30 seconds maximum. The key culprit for slimy oat milk is over-blending your oats. Don’t blend for any longer than the 30 seconds recommended for the best non-slimy texture.
If using a regular, fine-mesh strainer or sieve, strain the oats and water mixture 3-4 times until you are left with your oat milk liquid.
If using a nut milk bag, simply strain it through the bag once. You can the leftover pulp it to bake oatmeal cookies like these, and in other baked goods like muffins or banana bread. You can also add it to your smoothies or use it for overnight oats!
Transfer it to a sealable container, and it will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. The oat milk will separate when left in the fridge, so shake well before using it again.
How to Flavor Oat Milk
At this point, you can add the oat milk back to the blender and gently blend in one of the following flavorings. Here are some of my favorites:
- Chocolate oat milk – add cocoa powder to your desired preference
- Vanilla oat milk – add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- Matcha oat milk – add 1 tablespoon of matcha powder to your desired taste
- Lavender oat milk – add a lavender simple syrup like the one I make here
- Cinnamon oat milk – add powdered cinnamon to your desired strength of flavor
Tips for Using and Storing Oatmilk
Refrigerate your oat milk and it will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. Make sure to shake well before use! This is because it separates if left too long.
If heating your oat milk, take care. You can heat oat milk, but be careful. If you heat it up too quickly or for too long, the oat milk will cook and become thick and lumpy, like oatmeal.
More Homemade Dairy-Free Recipes
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Homemade Oat Milk
Print Recipe SaveIngredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats oats or rolled oats
- 3 cups drinking water
- sweetener optional, see notes below
Instructions
- Start by rinsing your oats thoroughly and draining the excess water. Then, cover the oats with more water and soak them.If using steel-cut oats, they will need to soak for 8 hours.If using rolled oats, they need to soak for 20 minutes.
- Strain the oats from the water, and add the drained oats to a blender with a fresh three cups of filtered water, and (optional) sweetener.
- Blend the oats and water together for 30 seconds maximum.
- If using a regular, fine-mesh strainer or sieve, strain the oats and water mixture 3-4 times until you are left with your oat milk liquid.If using a nut milk bag, simply strain it through the bag once.
- Transfer it to a sealable container, and it will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. It will separate, so shake well before use!
Video
Notes
- dates (1-2, pitted)
- maple syrup (1 tablespoon)
- agave syrup (1 tablespoon)
- simple syrup (1-2 tablespoons)
- Steel cut oats – Using steel cuts oats produces a nuttier flavor in the oat milk – that taste amazing! Although this is my preference, it does require soaking the oats overnight, which we don’t always have time for.
- Rolled oats – Although rolled oats don’t come with the same flavor punch as the steel cut oats, you only need to soak them for 20 minutes so this is definitely a more speedy and convenient option.
I love all the excellent info on this post!! Thanks!! I’ll definitely be making some next week!!
Can’t wait to hear what you think, Aline!
Oh yay! Can’t wait to hear what she thinks!
I’ve never tried oat milk but now after reading this I feel like I really need to give it a chance. Sounds wonderful!
I can’t wait to hear what you think, Jess!
I have had oat milk from the store but never made it myself. I don’t care very much for the taste of cow’s milk so I’ve been drinking nut milk for years now. Love that I can now try my own oat milk too 🙂
I’m the same way, Tammy… Love that you’re making it now, too!
I am really excited about how easy it looks to make oat milk with your recipe. Definitely something to experiment with in the beginning of the month!
Can’t wait to hear what you think, Elaine!
I had no idea making my own oat milk at home could be so easy. Next time I’m skipping the store brought carton.
Yay! No more wasting money at the grocery store!
This is fantastic as I am such a DIYer. I’ve got my first batch soaking right now. Question, can I use the soaked & strained oats in something else? Maybe you mentioned it and i missed it, but I hate to throw them away if there are still some benefits from including them elsewhere (muffins, cookies)?
I’m so happy about it, Tara! You can definitely use it in baking. I have used it to make cookies – oatmeal cookies. Try these oatmeal raisin ghee cookies.
Thanks so much for all the info! I’ve been interested in jumping on the oat milk craze, and I love the idea of making my own.
Can’t wait to hear what you think, Amanda!
Such a great recipe! I didn’t know it was that easy and fast to make your own oat milk! Thank you for the inspiration!
So happy to hear you were inspired to make your own… enjoy, Nicoletta!
This was really interesting. I have been drinking almond milk for years but never have seen oatmeal milk. I’ve tried making my own almond milk but it just seemed not to be worth the cost but I can see how oatmeal would be much more inexpensive. Definitely going to try this!
So happy to hear it, Denise! Almond milk can really be so expensive. This is such a great (and hearty) alternative.