Homemade Oat Milk Is Easier To Make At Home Than You Might Expect

Americans spent more than $2.9 billion on plant-based milks in 2023 (per Statistica), with oat milks among the most popular choices. If you're one of the many handing over hard-earned cash for a carton of Oatly, you'll be pleased to know that homemade oat milk is a cheaper alternative and easier to make than you might think. Making your own oat milk allows you to adjust the texture and flavor to suit your needs, and you'll know exactly what goes into it.

All you need is old-fashioned rolled oats and cold, filtered water. Avoid steel cut oats as they are harder to break down, resulting in a chalky texture, while instant oats break down too quickly, which creates a slimy oat milk. Add 1 cup of oats and 4 cups of water to a high-powered blender and blend for 30 seconds to one minute, or until smooth and creamy. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the oat pulp, but avoid squeezing, as this will release slimy starches.

Your oat milk is ready to use or can be transferred to an airtight jar and stored for around five days in the fridge. Some separation will occur as it sits, so simply shake before using. See? Very simple.

At this point, you might notice that your oat milk doesn't taste quite like your favorite commercial brand, but it's a basic recipe that can be tweaked depending on what you plan to do with it. For adding to smoothies, or drinking as is, blend the oat milk with a tablespoon of maple syrup, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt for balance. Add two tablespoons of coca powder and you have almost-instant vegan chocolate milk.

If you're something of a home barista, you can create an oat milk that froths like dairy simply by adding 2 tablespoons of neutral oil to the mix before blending. The extra fat will help create velvety foam for an oat milk chai latte.

Oats have a natural sweetness, which makes oat milk ideal for baking, but don't overlook using it in savory dishes. By adding a good pinch of salt, you have the secret to a vegan bechamel sauce or dairy-free mashed potatoes.