Making oat milk isn’t as daunting as it might sound it’s surprisingly easy! Being one of the most popular dairy-free milk varieties, my DIY oat milk gets a little sweetness from maple syrup and vanilla extract and makes a perfect substitution for dairy milk in baking, for breakfast, or even just in your cup of coffee. I’ve spent a long time perfecting my oat milk recipe so it doesn’t turn out slimy, has a deliciously creamy taste, and is quick and easy to make.
Oat Milk Ingredients
Rolled Oats: I prefer to use organic oats, but you can use any you have to hand, including steel-cut oats and certified gluten-free oats. Cold Water: It should be ice cold. Salt: Just a pinch of salt will bring out the sweetness in the milk. Maple Syrup (Optional): I like to add this as a sweetener, though you can substitute it with honey (either ordinary or vegan) or agave nectar. Vanilla Extract (Optional): I also use this for flavor, though you can adjust the amounts based on your taste.
Flavored oat milk
You can flavor your oat milk – just add your desired flavoring either when blending or when ready to drink. These are some of my favorite options:
Vanilla Maple Syrup – or your favorite sweetener. Medjool dates can also work great here if you prefer. Cocoa – cocoa powder will make a delicious chocolate oat milk – great for kids! Strawberry or your favorite berries. Coffee.
How to make oat milk
Add your rolled oats, water, salt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup (if using) to a high-speed blender and blend for 10 seconds (15-20 seconds if you’re not using a high-speed blender). Once the oats have been fully blended, pour the mixture into a nut milk bag or a fine mesh strainer lined with a few layers of cheesecloth. I recommend having the bag in a bowl already before you pour the oat mix in. Using your hands, strain the milk through. You should have a thin liquid with no lumps or extra mix in it and the pulp still in the bag. For super-smooth milk, strain the oat milk twice.
Top tips to avoid slimy oat milk
If you want to make your own oat milk – you don’t want a slimy result! These are my top tips for getting perfect oat milk every time:
Use Dry Oats: Your oats should be completely dry when you add them to the blender. If they’re wet, they won’t soak up as much of the liquid and will give the milk an unpleasant texture. Don’t Over Blend: High-speed blenders work quickly, so you don’t need more than 10 seconds to get the right texture. Over-blending causes heat and friction, which changes the overall composition of the oat milk – making it slimy. Don’t Over-Squeeze: The trick when straining is to handle the oat milk as little as possible. Too much squeezing causes more of the starch compounds from the oats to end up in your milk, which results in a slimy thick texture. Double-Straining: Straining the oat milk mix twice in the bag will remove any extra pulp and starch that could make the milk slimy.
How to use oat milk
Use as an alternative to creamer or milk in coffee – try it in a matcha green latte or TikTok favorite, a Dalgona latte. Substitute in vegan baking and add to my favorite chocolate chip cookies or my healthier chocolate digestives. Use for breakfast favorites – this milk is great for chia seed pudding, overnight oats, and smoothie bowls.
What to do with the leftover oat pulp
The leftover pulp can also be used in a variety of ways – and it’s easy to make this recipe completely no waste. Use the pulp for:
Breakfast dishes, especially overnight oats, muesli, oatmeal, and chia seed pudding. Use in baking for extra fiber – it works great for cookies, brownies, and muffins. Add to smoothies for fiber and protein. Use around the house – you can use it to make face masks, body masks, and compost.
Can you heat oat milk?
Yes – but it’s best to do it slowly. Heat it gently over low to medium heat and stir it until it’s reached your desired temperature. Just be careful to not overheat, as it can thicken and get a strange taste if it’s heated too fast.
How long does homemade oat milk last
Once it is ready, transfer it into pre-sterilized containers or glass jars. Stored in the refrigerator, the homemade milk should be kept for up to 4-5 days. If you decide to use extra flavorings in your oat milk, this can affect the shelf life, so keep an eye on it after a few days.
More homemade plant-based milk recipes
Coconut Milk Soy Milk Almond Milk
If you try this oat milk recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
