Want to make creamy oat milk at home with just 2 ingredients, 1 blender, and in 5 minutes! Let us show you how!
What is Oat Milk?
Oat milk is simply rolled oats and water blended together then strained to leave the pulp behind. The result is easy, creamy, DIY oat milk!
How to Make Oat Milk
To make oat milk simply add 1 cup rolled oats + 4 cups water to a high-speed blender and blend on high for 30-45 seconds. Then strain through a clean t-shirt or towel for best results.
We found nut milk bags let too much pulp through. Fine mesh strainers also let too much pulp through, so we don’t recommend using them.
This method yields creamy oat milk every time that’s perfect for adding to coffee, matcha, cereal, oats, baked goods, granola, and more!
How to make Flavored Oat Milk
You can also optionally add sea salt, a date, vanilla extract, cacao powder, or berries when blending for added flavor!
Oat Milk FAQs
How do you make oat milk not slimy?
- Over-blending can make the oat milk slimy in texture, which is why we recommend blending for about 30-45 seconds.
- Soaking your oats can also make the oats more prone to sliminess. Just add to the blender with water and blend!
- Sometimes heating your oat milk can make it become slimy, so we don’t recommend it. Good news: We have an oat milk recipe coming soon that’s inspired by Oatly Barista milk and is perfect for heating / frothing!
- We recommend straining twice to remove any of that excess starch which can also lend to a slimy texture.
- We recommend straining with a towel or clean t-shirt as nut milk bags and fine mesh strainers let too much pulp through.
Can you use steel cut or quick oats to make oat milk?
In our experience, rolled oats are the way to go. Steel cut oats are too unprocessed and make less creamy milk. Rolled oats are just right and make nice and creamy oat milk. And quick cooking oats are too finely processed and tend to create slimier oat milk.
Is oat milk gluten-free?
This can be controversial as some consider even gluten-free oats to be problematic for those with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. But in our experience, certified gluten-free oats make oat milk gluten-free
How long does oat milk last?
Well sealed in the refrigerator, oat milk should last about 5 days. You’ll know it’s gone bad when it smells funny.
Why did my oat milk separate?
Separation is totally normal with oat milk and many other dairy-free milks. Simply shake well before use!
How do you get oat milk to froth?
If you’re looking to make frothy oat milk for adding to your favorite warm beverages, check out our Cashew Coconut Oat Milk (Our Oil-Free Take on Oatly Barista Milk!).
Want to make more dairy-free milk?
Check out our Guide to Making Dairy-Free Milk!
How to Make Oat Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if GF // or sub steel-cut oats*)
- 3-4 cups water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk!)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 whole date, pitted (optional // for sweetness // or 1 Tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 2 Tbsp cocoa or cacao powder for “chocolate milk” (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh berries for “berry milk” (optional)
Instructions
- Add oats, water (the lesser range will yield thicker, creamier milk, the higher range will yield thinner milk), salt, and any additional add-ins (optional) to a high-speed blender. Top with lid and cover with a towel to ensure it doesn't splash. Blend for about 30 seconds – 1 minute or until the mixture seems well combined. It doesn't have to be 100% pulverized. In fact, over-blending can make the oat milk slimy in texture.
- Scoop out a small sample with a spoon to test flavor/sweetness. If it’s not sweet enough, add more dates.
- Pour the mixture over a large mixing bowl or pitcher covered with a very thin towel or a clean T-shirt. In my experience, it benefits from a double strain through a very fine towel to remove any oat remnants. A nut milk bag seemed to let too much residue through.
- Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days (sometimes more). Shake well and enjoy cold. DO NOT HEAT or it will thicken and become gelatinous in texture. It's delicious as is or added to granolas, smoothies, and baked goods!
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with no additional add-ins, and the oat “pulp” nutritional content removed.
Nutrition (1 of 8 servings)
Liked this recipe? Check out our Guide to Dairy-Free Milk for 5 more dairy-free milk recipes!
Nora McDowell says
This is actually a question.
The commercial oat milk I buy says it has 4 g of protein per cup.
This recipe says .6 g / 1/2 cup.
Why is it so much lower?
Hi Nora, perhaps the brand you’re using has an ingredient besides oats that’s contributing to the protein content.
brenda pasieka says
I just made this and it’s wonderful. I used the pulp as a face mask, very nice
Great idea, Brenda! Thanks so much for sharing!
Lori says
I have a question, i made this but I didn’t like how it had a watery taste, so I added more oats but then it was too thick.I would like something in between. How can I change that?
Hi Lori, it might have gotten thicker because more oats were added later? You could try increasing the amount from the beginning (something in between the total amount you tried) and see how it goes. We also have a cashew coconut oat milk you might like!
Ali says
Planning to try this soon. Is it possible to freeze the oat milk?
Yes!
Jen says
the milk separate into two layer when settle. how to prevent this?
Hi Jen, most plant based milks will separate when stored. We suggest giving it a good shake before using it!
LMS says
Would a paper coffee filter work well for straining?
Hi LMS, we haven’t tried it ourselves and we aren’t sure if the filter might be too “fine” for the liquid to get through. Let us know how it goes if you try it!
Julie R Edwards says
What do you do with the “waste” product of making oat milk (the oats that get filtered out)? Can it be used as porridge?
Hi Julie, that could work! You can use it similar to almond milk pulp, which we have ideas for here. Hope that helps!
Jade says
So I tried this just now and it came out watery. I used quick oats so that might be why but it’s so watery tasting. I must be doing something wrong
Hi Jade, sorry to hear that! Quick oats could be causing that, but we haven’t tested with them. We’d suggest adding more oats to see if that helps.
shirley tong says
i m very keen to know what brand of juicer you are using. looks so good n nice its cover (transparent)
Hi Shirley, we used this high speed blender for this recipe!
Anna Maria Kjellgren says
Why would you say this takes a total of 10 minutes when simply ONE straining takes AGES??
Hi Anna, the straining time will depend on how fine of a material you’re straining through. For a quicker strain, we’d suggest using something less finely woven.
Charlotte says
I made this with the date and the vanilla essence and it is great! Thank you for the recipe. Do you have any suggestions of what to do with the pulp?
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Charlotte! You can use the pulp similar to almond pulp. We have some inspiration here!
Jay says
I love oat milk for it’s subtle taste. Thank you for your great recipe.
I’ve recently bought a dehydrator and wish to make powdered oat milk, for the convenience of always having it on hand.
Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Hi Jay, we’re so glad you enjoyed it. We are not sure about making powdered oat milk, but let us know if you try it!
Tony says
How can this be made for a cup of tea? It always leaves my tea looking dark and watery.
Hi Tony, you could try adding less water to make it thicker. Or we’d recommend this cashew coconut oat version instead.
Waseela Mohamed says
Thank you so much.mine came lovely n creamy. God bless.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the lovely review, Waseela! xo
Giselle says
Can I use this oat milk to make yogurt? Or will heating it change the consistency? (I use Oatly oat milk to make yogurt)
Hi Giselle, we haven’t tested that, but fear it wouldn’t thicken fully. Let us know if you try it!
Isabelle says
Do not heat… So don’t put in coffee?
You can put it in coffee. We just don’t recommend heating it on the stovetop.
Erin Mehaffey says
Is there a recipe for making oatmilk that will be steamed for a latte?
Hi Erin, we have this one!
Joshua says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I have always wanted to use oat milk for our overnight oats but store bought oat milk is too pricey. May I ask for the recipe for the oat milk that can be heated? Thank you!
Hi Joshua, the only recipe we have that might be what you’re looking for is our cashew coconut oat milk. It’s our homemade take on Oatly barista milk and it can be heated. Hope this helps!
CJ says
Delicious! The ratio of 4 cups water to 1 cup oats was perfect. Blending for 35 seconds in the Vitamix (high power; 10) made for a creamy and non-slimy consistency. I strained it once through a nut milk bag and decentered the oat milk into a Weck jar. So easy, will not but store bought again. I added vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg for added flavor. Thank you, Minimalist Baker
Sounds delish! Thanks so much for the great review and for sharing your modifications, CJ!
Janice says
First batch was 1 cup of oats to 4 cups of water. Result was too watery so did 2.5 cups of water to 1 cup of oats which came out more creamy. Tried the tee shirt, but took forever to strain and ended up using my nut bag twice which worked well.
Love it! Thanks so much for the review and for sharing your experience, Janice. So glad you enjoyed the results!
Gina says
Do you do something with the leftover “pulp”. I think maybe cookies, but wanted to ask before
Yes! You can use it similar to almond pulp – we have recipe ideas here. Hope that helps!
Grace says
This is really good, I needed milk to make waffles and this worked perfectly. I left out the dates. I would totally do this again and it’s so easy!! I used muslin cloth the strain the milk, where would you getthe actual stuff to strain it with?
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Grace! We typically use a thin kitchen towel (available at any kitchen/home goods store). Hope that helps!
Maggie says
I just made this today for the first time, and I followed some of the suggestions in the comments to use a 1:3 ratio of oats to water. However, I found the result to be much too watery to my liking, so I tried a 2:3 ratio and found it to be much creamier, though it took a litter longer to strain through a thin shirt than it did the first time due to the increased amount of pulp. I just mixed it in with some iced coffee and it’s not too bad! I still prefer the Chobani extra creamy, Planet Oat, or Oatly brands from the store, but this is a great recipe to have in a pinch or when trying to save money in these times.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful review, Maggie!
Milda says
Thanks for the recipe! I made this and double strained it, but there seems to be two issues still. It takes forever to strain. It took about five minutes to have half a cup full, and I think I’ll just stick the entire batch in the refrigerator so it can drain and I can go about my life for the next hour or so. The second strain was done over something a little bit denser than a cheesecloth. Did it take this long for you?
Also, even with the double strain, it taste a little bit gritty. any suggestions on how to improve?
Hi Milda, Have you tried squeezing it (similar to how you would a nut milk bag)? If that’s not the issue, it does sound like the material you’re using to strain it might be a little too dense. For the grittiness, we’d suggest trying to blend a little longer, especially if not using a powerful blender. Hope that helps!
Britt says
So warming it up to cook oatmeal is a no? 😭😭
Hi Britt, we think it would be fine in oatmeal!
Jacq says
I’ve made this several times and it is consistently delicious. So much cheaper and healthier than store bought. Not to mention it frequently saves me a trip to the store! Thanks for all of the simple and tasty recipes!
Woohoo! So glad you enjoy this recipe, Jacq. Thanks so much for the great review!
Kimberly Kuhn says
You mentioned a towel would a tea towel or cheese cloth work for this ?
Yes!
Tomas Albracht says
I appreciate articles like this, but I hate drinking from plastic or metal. Even Lexan tastes weird to me. My solution? Buy Voss glass water bottles and reuse them. They have a slightly enlarged opening which makes it easier to pour water, tea or juice in. The oversized caps don’t strip out, and the hefty design takes abuse without failing. Granted the weight is a real penalty, if you are carrying it.
gresham says
Hello,
The Oat Milk turn out well. I use it mostly for baking and cooking. My wife likes it in her coffee. What I did notice is that it curdles/ separates when put into the coffee or hot liquid. In store bought oat milk they add things to the milk to keep it from doing this. Would you have any suggestions? I do not wish to add oils or binding agents that are hard to purchase or make the milk less palatable.
Thanks for your time.
Kindly Gresham
Hi Gresham, another reader mentioned that baking soda can help prevent curdling, but we haven’t tried it. Hope that helps!
gresham says
Hi and thanks for that recommendation. I will sprinkle just the bare minimum of bi carb on it. If too much you can easily get the bitter soda taste.
I will let you know what comes of it.
Cheers
gresham
Veronika says
Hi Gresham!
Did you try it? What was the end result? Do you have further tips? We only want to use it to put it in coffee.
Thank you!
Veronika
Paulo says
When I make coffee using oat milk, I add a few tbs of cold water to the cup, then I add the coffee, then the oat milk. This way I find that the slightly lower temperature of the coffee with the cold water reduces curdling significantly. Of course, you could wait for the coffee to cool slightly before adding the oat milk, but adding the cold water is quicker if you need to get on with other things.
Joanne Morrison says
What do you do with the oats that are left?
Hi Joanne, you can use it similarly to almond pulp. We have some ideas for that here. Hope that helps!
Allison says
Will quick oats work for this recipe?
Hi Allison! We haven’t tried it so we can’t say for sure, but we think it should work!
Lilly says
Hi,
Just made it for the first time and it looked and tasted like oat milk, even better than some supermarket brands I’ve had! Do you have any suggestions how to use the pulp? Seems abit of ashame it goes in the bin.
Thanks,
Lilly
Hi Lilly, we’re so glad you like it! You can use it similar to almond pulp (recipe inspiration here).
Michele says
Appreciate these basic vegan product recipes—would be so easy to make instead of buying oat milk! I have been buying unsweetened almond milk for smoothies, but i am wondering if there is a preference for nut vs grain milks in different uses—does oat milk perform as well in baking without that protein? Any applications where one is or is it recommended (other than your latte milk)?
Hi Michele, we find oat milk subs well for almond milk in almost all recipes, including baking. Hope that helps!
Jennifer says
Is your recipe ready for an
Oat milk that can be heated? I have a recipe that I want to use it for. Thank you!!
That should work, yes!