Say hello to my go-to dairy-free milk I’ve been crafting up for my beloved moringa and matcha lattes, granola, baking, and beyond!
It’s made with unsweetened coconut flakes and hemp seeds and sweetened with dates, making it a 3-ingredient recipe that’s made easily in the blender. Let us show you how it’s done!
This recipe is as easy as blending up coconut flakes, hemp seeds, dates, water, and an optional pinch of sea salt, then straining through a nut milk bag.
And not only is this milk simple to prepare and tastes way better than store-bought, but it’s loaded with nutrients and is more affordable! Read on for the details.
Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are the nuts of the Cannabis sativa plant. Unlike the leaves of the plant, the seeds contain only trace amounts of (if any) CBD or THC.
Instead, they’re packed with nutrition and offer a variety of health benefits:
- Rich in vitamins and minerals, including B1, B2, B3, B6, folate, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, iron, and potassium. (source)
- Excellent source of essential fatty acids (including alpha-linolenic acid, an important anti-inflammatory fat known as “the plant omega-3”). (source)
- Contain all of the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein). (source)
- Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a moistening laxative and found in a variety of different formulations used to support health. (source)
Cost of Homemade vs. Store-Bought
It’s easy to say it’s more affordable, but you want the proof, right?
We did the calculations, and here’s what we found: Homemade is ~3-4 times less expensive than store-bought!
Cost of Homemade
For our homemade calculation, we visited Natural Grocers and determined that the cost of required ingredients was:
1 cup organic coconut flakes = $0.52
1/4 cup hemp seeds = $0.46
2 pitted dates = $0.38
TOTAL = $1.36 for ~6 cups coconut hemp milk = $0.23 per cup
Cost of Store-Bought
The only store-bought brand of coconut hemp milk we have seen is Living Harvest Tempt.
For a 32-ounce carton, the cost was $2.99 = $0.75 per cup
Now, we know that doesn’t factor in the cost of labor and electricity, but the freshness and flavor of homemade are enough to win us over! The greater affordability is just an added perk.
We hope you LOVE this dairy-free milk! It’s:
Coconutty
Nutty
Creamy
Smooth
Perfectly sweet
Versatile
Refreshing
& Delicious!
It’s perfect for adding to hot and iced lattes! And it would also be delicious alongside energy bites, brownies, cookies, and more!
More Ways to Enjoy Hemp Seeds
- Dark Chocolate Hemp Energy Bites
- Banana & Berry Hemp Seed Pudding
- Roasted Broccoli Pasta Salad with Hemp Pesto
- Sautéed Kale with Lemon, Tahini & Hemp Seeds
- Super Kale Pesto from Cookie and Kate
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Creamy Coconut Hemp Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds (hulled) (also known as "hemp hearts")
- 2 pitted dates (or sub maple syrup // omit for less sweet coconut milk)
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- 5-6 cups warm filtered water (for creamier milk, use lesser amount and for thinner milk, use greater amount)
Instructions
- Add coconut and hemp seeds to a high-speed blender along with pitted dates and salt (optional). Cover with warm (not hot) water (the lesser amount for creamier milk, the greater amount for thinner milk). Allow to soak covered (with the blender lid on) for 10 minutes to allow the dates and coconut to soften.
- Blend on high for 1 minute 30 seconds or until completely smooth and few visible bits of hemp seeds and dates remain.
- Strain into a large mixing bowl through a nut milk bag. Squeeze until all that’s left is dry pulp, which can be composted or frozen and added to smoothies (this wouldn’t be ideal for drying or using as “meal” or flour due to its texture).
Brittney says
I’ve been making your oat milk for awhile and while I love it so much the process of squeezing it from the nut milk bag is time consuming. I switched to your coconut milk and have been loving how quick and easy it is to make so I tried this recipe today and it is my absolute favorite. It’s not as intensely coconut as the other and it’s so creamy, delicious and easy to make.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Brittney. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Julie says
I have some unofficial tips for using the leftover pulp, I am not a food blogger so I’m sorry I can’t give you exact amounts! I was seeing some recipes using psyllium husks with coconut flour and letting the mixture sit and absorb water. So I tried making some coconut flour recipes that turned out okay using my leftover pulp from this milk. I doubled the amount of coconut pulp figuring it had already absorbed a lot of liquid, added a tablespoon of psyllium husks and a tablespoon or so of flax meal per each half cup of coconut pulp. I increased the baking powder a bit. Then I let it sit for at least 5 minutes before making both pancakes and muffins. It will take some tweaking, but they turned out okay and I felt better about being able to use all that good stuff.
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, Julie!
Isabel Gregório says
Hello.
Thank you for sharing 🙏🙏
I simply love This milk with matcha and everything.
But the leftover Pulp make me guilt. Can i dried it in the oven like almond meal. Any other ideas?
Thank you so much
Hi Isabel, we’re so glad you enjoy this milk! You can use it similarly to almond pulp. Inspiration here. Hope that helps!
Julie Jimenez says
I couldn’t wait for my nut milk bag to make this, so we drank it a little gritty for a week or two, but it was great even then! I tried it as-is and also tried adding 2 T of flax seeds. I didn’t find the flax seed version to be slimy or taste bad, so I may keep throwing those in. Love this! So easy and economical to make this healthy alternative milk.
Amazing! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Julie!
Priyanka says
We made this yesterday and we looove it!! It was ready in 15min flat. It’s so creamy and it barely separates. I mixed it with some puréed mango for a sweet drink and couldn’t tell that it wasn’t regular milk. And it’s such a great source of omega 3/6’s! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Woohoo! Sounds so delish. Thanks for the lovely review, Priyanka!
Ira says
So Happy I found your site ! I am new here and I am sure I will love the recipes. Thank you and have a nice day! Greetings from Holland.
Welcome, Ira! Enjoy! xoxo
Rachel says
I made a half-batch of this and it is scrumptious. I haven’t even waited for it to cool, I just mixed it with cinnamon for a very non-traditional but delicious horchata-like drink.
We’re so glad you enjoy it! Love that cinnamon idea. Thanks for sharing, Rachel!
Ah says
Do You have to strain?
You don’t have to, but it will be more textured. It would work well in something like a porridge, but if drinking on its own or adding to another beverage, we’d suggest straining.
Katy Ionis says
Yum! So creamy even with 6 cups water! I made it without dates or salt to keep it neutral and it was great in a hot cocoa heated up on the stove – I didn’t boil it, just got it to steamy and it didn’t separate at all. Thank you!!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! And that it worked well for hot cocoa =) Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
amity says
Where did you get this carafe??? It’s so cute.
At a thrift store!
Amanda says
Often when I make coconut milk, a solid layer of fat forms on the top after I refrigerate it. Would adding hemp, like in this recipe, solve this problem?
Yes actually it does! This recipe doesn’t form the fat layer on top (which, by the way, in the future you can just scoop off and add to smoothies).
Jess says
I had high hopes for this! I’ve been trying to find a homemade milk alternative to use in making chai (in the traditional way on the stovetop). This tastes delicious cold out of the fridge, however it failed big time being heated on the stove making tea. It completely separated. :-(
Oh no- sorry to hear that, Jess! We wonder if it might work better to add it toward the end? Did you make sure to not let it boil?
Sophie K. says
I love how easy this was to make. It didn’t turn to sludge in the bag, which can make the squeezing take a long time. I have tried soy milk several times, both with and without my pressure cooker, and this is a constant issue. Dana, if you ever develop a stellar soy milk method, I would sing your praises.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sophie! We’ll add it to our ideas list =)
Sophie K. says
Wonderful coconutty flavor! I will definitely be making this again. I kept it unsweetened so I can use it in savory recipes as well.
Alex says
Hi
It sounds Amazing! Can you reuse the rest of the coconut flakes and hemp heats? More milk or something else?
I share a few ideas in the instructions.
Ethan says
This is the first dairy-free milk I’ve made that I’ve actually liked! Any idea if the pulp would work instead of almond in your almond pulp brownie bites?
Love it! I haven’t tried that but I don’t think so because it’s quite a different texture. However, if you try it let us know!
Tammy says
Delicious and easy to make!! Creamy and smooth consistency. I’ll definitely make it again! Thank you for the great recipe!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Tammy! Thanks for the lovely review! xo
Celestine says
Does this milk turn gummy when heated up?
Not in my experience, no. It’s quite smooth and creamy and froths nicely (but doesn’t thicken).
Margo Ruschmann says
I calculated the cost of hemp hearts at 1/4 cup (46 cents)comes to $5.i8 per pound in your recipe. I have not found hemp hearts to cost that low anywhere. Can you tell us where you were able to purchase?
We found them for that price at Natural Grocers. Hope that helps!
Sylvia says
I plan to make this. It sounds delicious! Does the milk separate like nut milks?
In my experience, no. Let us know if you try it out!
Sylvia says
I made this today and love the taste! It was super easy to whip up. Can’t wait to try it in some recipes however, it may disappear before that happens. Yum!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Sylvia!
Bridgette Pinder says
I think your using hemp hearts and not hemp seeds? Are the hulls off the hemp or still on? I’m a hemp grower and have lots of seeds but this looks like your using the inside of the seed, called the hemp hearts…
I just want people to have the correct info and me to if you do actually use the seed ill make it that way.
Thanks for the pointer! We use hemp hearts. Will note that distinction!
Barb says
This is delicious with great flavor and texture. I didn’t have dates but otherwise followed recipe exactly. Loved the flavor unsweetened but also good with a little maple or honey. The combo of coconut and hemp is just right.
Love it! thanks for sharing, Barb!
Shari R. says
Hi there!
I just happened to have hemp seeds and coconut flakes lying around so I made this!
I am a bit stumped on how to use the leftover pulp – would it be possible to use it in a quick bread? Also, I imagine that this milk can be used for curries and desserts as well.
Love it! I haven’t tried making bread with the pulp but I’m sure it’s possible! Let us know how it goes.
Ru says
Hello, I mistakenly bought the smaller coconut flakes ;) the type for your muffin recipes. Will this work? Thank you
Yes it should work!
Alex says
Hello guys. Can I replace hemp seeds with hemp powder (protein powder)?
Hmm, I wouldn’t recommend it because that’s an extracted form of hemp that has a very strong flavor.
Brittany Morgan says
This looks delicious! Would unsweetened shredded coconut work too?
Yes!
Susan says
Could I use shredded coconut instead of coconut flakes?
Yes, should work!
Teresa says
Where can you buy the milk container shown here?
It was from World Market years ago but I don’t think they carry it anymore.
Maria says
Hey! If I use shredded coconut will I get the same result??
Should work!