Homemade oat milk [Non-Slimy Recipe!]

Have you ever wondered how to make oat milk? This homemade oat milk recipe is easy to make, with step-by-step instructions to teach you how. Milking oats has never been easier with this nutritious and eco-friendly recipe.

Oat milk is currently very trendy. And for a good reason! It’s a delicious, plant-based alternative that’s easy on digestion and the planet. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love good almond milk (try this homemade almond milk!), but did you know that almonds are one of the most water-consuming plants? The almond business is booming here in California, but it’s also putting a lot of pressure on our already fragile water supply.

So I decided it was time to explore some other alternatives. There are a few store-bought versions – namely Oatly – but they can be expensive and almost always contain some type of added oil (usually canola) that acts as an emulsifier, and lots of sugar. Homemade oat milk certainly does not need an emulsifier and is actually incredibly easy and inexpensive. But before I share some tips on how to prepare this oat milk recipe, here are some of your answered questions:

What is oat milk?

The name is pretty self-explanatory, but basically it’s a delicious, vegan, plant-based milk alternative made from oatmeal. You essentially soak raw oats, grind them with water, and then strain them. Because oats are fairly cheap and accessible, they’re a great alternative for people who want to reduce their dairy consumption without breaking the bank.

Is Oat Milk Good For You?

Absolutely! There are many benefits of oat milk, including fiber, plant-based protein, B vitamins, and minerals including iron, calcium, and magnesium. It’s safe to say that oat milk is healthy for you and a great non-dairy milk. In full transparency, it doesn’t contain nearly as much calcium as regular milk, but there are many other protein sources that don’t contain cow’s milk. Just make sure you are aware of this when making the switch.

Ingredients in homemade oat milk

The process is very simple. All you need is oatmeal, water, and a few other ingredients to add flavor and a touch of sweetness.

• Quick Cooked Oats – Buy the pressure cook type to speed up the process + we find it makes for a less “slimy” mix, but regular oatmeal is fine in a pinch. Do not use oatmeal!!!
• water – both for soaking and mixing
• sweetener – we like maple syrup, but date syrup or honey work well
• Spices – a pinch of cinnamon provides a fine aroma – don’t forget a pinch of salt!
• Nut Milk Bag/Cheese Towel/Fine Mesh Strainer or Strainer – to strain your mix

Homemade oat milk [Step-By-Step]

STEP 1: SOAK OATS

Soak your quick-cooked oatmeal in water for 30 minutes.

STEP 2: DRAIN + MIX

Drain oats then add to blender. Pulse in blender about 20 times or blend for about 30 seconds. Oats will be crushed, but it won’t be a perfectly smooth mixture.

STEP 3: WORRY

Strain the oat milk through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl.

STEP 4: SWEET + STORE

Stir in sweetener and/or spices, if desired, and transfer to a glass bottle or mason jar for storage.

Avoid Slimy Milk + Other Homemade Oat Milk Tips

-Be sure to use quick-cooked oats and not rolled oats or rolled oats. You can use oatmeal instead of Quick Cook, but you’ll need to soak a little longer and we find it makes for a more “slimy” mixture.

-For gluten-free people, this oat milk is absolutely gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free oats

–Don’t overmix! It’s easy to get mad about blending, but it will actually result in a stickier texture, so try to keep blending to a minimum (instructions below).

-Heat oat milk? Be sure to keep the heat on medium-low and only cook for 3-4 minutes, as too much heat will overcook the mixture and make it gelatinous (no bueno!) – separation is normal. Give your oat milk a generous shake before using.

How to use oat milk

You can use homemade oat milk instead of milk or any other milk, but here are some ideas:

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One of my favorite ways to enjoy this recipe is in oat milk lattes! I’ll be honest it took Jess so many rounds to master this one as the texture is a bit tricky when it comes to heating oat milk. However, if you follow the directions provided, you will enjoy one of the creamiest lattes you will ever have. Choose between matcha, mocha and chai – there is something for everyone!

Try one of these oat milk latte recipes!