Ever wondered how to make oat milk at home? It takes three ingredients, a blender, and about five minutes. No additives, no gums, no refined oils. Only oats, water, and a pinch of salt, exactly how you want it. Here's our simple recipe.
Ingredients
100g rolled oats 1000ml cold water Pinch of salt Equipment Blender Straining cloth or muslinMethod
1 Fill a blender with 1000ml of cold water, then add the oats and a pinch of salt. Any oats work, but regular rolled oats blend best. Jumbo oats take longer. There's no need to soak them first; dry oats work well.
2 Blend for 30 - 45 seconds until smooth. Don't over-blend. The oat milk can heat up and turn slimy if you do.
3 Pour the blended milk through a straining cloth. If the milk won't pass through, switch to a less fine cloth.
4 Give it a taste. If you like it au naturel, it's ready to enjoy. For sweeter or creamier oat milk, see the variations below.
Tips
Use cold water Cold water keeps the blend from heating up, which is the main cause of slimy oat milk. Don't be tempted to use warm water to speed things up.
Don't over-blend 30 - 45 seconds is plenty. Longer than that generates heat, which releases more starch and turns the milk slimy and thick.
Shake before using Homemade oat milk separates naturally without emulsifiers. Give it a good shake before each use. It's not a fault, just physics.
FAQ
Why is my oat milk slimy? You've most likely over-blended it, which heats the mixture and releases starch. Try blending on a lower power or for less time. If it's still slimy, a finer straining cloth can also help. Instant or quick oats may also produce a gooey milk as they're pre-cooked and release more starch. Stick to rolled oats for the best results.
What can I do with the leftover pulp? The leftover oat pulp makes a great porridge. Just add a little water and some extra oats and heat through. It can also be used in baking like muffins or flapjacks.
Why is my oat milk too watery? Your straining cloth may be too fine, or you may want a richer milk. Try using slightly more oats with the same amount of water, or blend in a little nut butter to add creaminess.
Why has my oat milk separated? This is completely natural. Shop-bought oat milk uses emulsifiers to stop it separating. Homemade doesn't, so just give it a shake before use and it'll come straight back together.
Variations
Sweetened If you like your oat milk sweeter, add 2 - 3 teaspoons of maple syrup or date syrup. A small amount makes a big difference.
Creamier For a thicker, creamier milk, blend in a handful of soaked cashew and a couple of Medjool dates. This adds body and richness while keeping ingredients raw and natural.
Vanilla or chocolate Add ½ tsp vanilla extract or 1 tbsp cocoa powder along with a little sweetener for a delicious flavoured oat milk.
Barista Blend in 1 tablespoon of hemp hearts or 2 tablespoons of light neutral-tasting oil, like avocado oil, for a foamable coffee-ready milk.
Why make oat milk at home?
No additives Big brand oat milks nearly always contain additives like refined oils, preservatives, and gums. With DIY oat milk, you're in control of exactly what goes in.
Better for the environment Since shop-bought oat milk is 90% water, adding the water at home cuts transport emissions. Fewer lorries, less CO2.
Customisable and fun Add whatever you like and adjust the recipe to your taste. Sweeter, creamier, flavoured. It's entirely up to you!
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