How to Make Oat Milk

Learn how to make oat milk at home! With this easy recipe, it always comes out smooth & creamy - perfect for adding to coffee, baking recipes & more!

Oat milk

Have you tried oat milk yet? Lately, it seems to be popping up everywhere. You can add it to your coffee at Starbucks, buy a carton of it at the store, or even pick up a pint of oat milk ice cream! I had to see what all the fuss was about, so I tried making my own homemade oat milk. I have to say, I’m hooked! It’s super easy to make, it’s smooth and creamy, and it has a yummy oat-y flavor that tastes great in coffee or tea.

Unlike other non-dairy milk recipes, this one doesn’t require any special equipment (looking at you, nut milk bags). And because you don’t need to soak the oats beforehand, it takes minutes to make. All you need is 5 minutes, a handful of whole rolled oats, filtered water, a fine mesh strainer, and a powerful blender! What are you waiting for?

Oat milk recipe ingredients

How to Make Oat Milk

Making delicious oat milk is easy! But if you have made other plant-based milks in the past, a word to the wise: it is NOT like making almond milk, where you wring as much liquid as you can out of a nut milk bag. In this recipe, your goal is to squeeze and press the mixture as little as possible. Otherwise, it will end up slimy and grainy. Here’s my method:

  1. Blend. First, I add the oats and filtered water to a powerful blender (I use a Vitamix) and blend for 30 seconds, until the water looks creamy and white. For the best texture, be careful not to over-blend!
  2. Strain. Next, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the oat milk through it. Some liquid may pool at the bottom of the strainer. That’s ok! Discard this liquid and any oat pulp below it. DO NOT try to press the pulp to get more liquid through the strainer, as it will make the milk slimy and gritty.
  3. Strain again (optional). For extra-smooth oat milk, strain the liquid twice, discarding the leftover pulp both times. This step is optional, but it will yield the smoothest final texture.
  4. Chill, and enjoy! I like my oat milk best when it’s cold from the fridge. Unlike other dairy-free milks, don’t shake it when you go to use it. Instead, allow any leftover oat pulp to settle at the bottom of the container, and pour the creamy milk off the top.

How to make oat milk

How to Use Oat Milk

Once you’ve made oat milk, use it as you would dairy milk, cashew milk, or any other type of milk you like. I like to chill it and drink it with ice, add it to coffee, or use it to make a matcha latte. It would also be great in breakfast/brunch oat-y recipes like oatmeal, baked oatmeal, overnight oats, or no bake cookies. Alternatively, use it in any brunch baking recipe that calls for milk, like my vegan chocolate cake, blueberry muffins, banana bread, or cinnamon rolls.

Because it has a strong oat-y flavor, I don’t recommend using it in savory recipes. You’ll find my favorite way to enjoy it in the recipe below. I like to add a pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla and maple syrup to sweeten it up!

Next, try these plant based basics: tofu, tempeh, quinoa, chickpeas, or lentils.

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How to Make Oat Milk

rate this recipe:
4.92 from 359 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
There's no need to get store bought oat milk when you can make your own at home! Creamy and smooth, it's perfect for adding to coffee, baking recipes, or cereal!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the oats, water, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
  • Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and strain the milk without pushing any excess pulp through the strainer. This will create a creamier texture that’s not gritty or gummy.
  • Add more maple syrup, to taste, if desired. Chill overnight. If you want to drink your oat milk right away, I recommend adding ice - it's flavor is best when well chilled.

Notes

If you're gluten free, be sure to get oats that are Certified Gluten Free.
As the oat milk sits in the fridge, natural separation will occur. You can shake it, if you like, but I like its texture best when I leave pulp at the bottom and pour off the top.

Recipe adapted from Detoxinista’s method

485 comments

4.92 from 359 votes (238 ratings without comment)

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Jeanine Donofrio
    07.19.2023

    Hi Leslie, whole rolled oats are best.

  2. cb
    07.13.2023

    it worked, thanks. I used honey cuz i just ran out of maple syrup yesterday. The magic was in the fine mesh strainer. Definitely required. Thankfully I had one and your recipe reminded me that I had it.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.17.2023

      I’m glad you enjoyed the oat milk!

  3. Beth
    07.10.2023

    5 stars
    I am never buying oat milk again. This is easy and perfect! I used Lakota Monkfruit maple syrup. Wish you well, Beth

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.10.2023

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  4. Dave
    07.04.2023

    Hi just tired this and not having quite the end result , we currently get our oat milk delivered in glass bottles and it tastes really creamy

    When I tired this it’s really watery and white bitter I tried it with double the oats to water ratio but not much difference

    Any ideas what could be doing wrong ? They are rolled oats I’m using

    Would love to match the one we get to save a bit of money

    Regards

    Dave

  5. Courtney
    06.30.2023

    5 stars
    Great recipe, thank you! Easy to make, requires no special equipment, and super yummy! Thank you!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.03.2023

      I’m glad you loved it!

  6. kw
    06.28.2023

    Looking forward to trying ! Where did you get the glass milk bottle ?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.29.2023

      Ikea 🙂

  7. Dee Emm
    06.22.2023

    Have you ever made this without maple syrup? I’m concerned about the carb content as I am diabetic.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      06.23.2023

      Hi Dee, Feel free to skip the maple syrup! The oat milk will just be less sweet without it.

  8. Olivia
    06.20.2023

    Is this recipe safe/healthy for babies (1 year olds)

    • Olivia
      06.20.2023

      It also came out kind of runny, in my opinion, as I’ve never made any kind of milk before. I put it in the fridge. Will it thicken or did I blend too long?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.21.2023

      Hi Olivia, it wouldn’t be a formula replacement, but it’s safe. If you’d like it a little thicker, you could add some more oats next time.

  9. Ritika
    06.06.2023

    Hi!
    I made this today, came out fantastic.
    Just a small query though,
    Can we hear this milk?
    Or should be eaten cold only.
    Thanks

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.08.2023

      Hi Ritika, you can heat it.

  10. Jo
    05.26.2023

    5 stars
    So easy to make. Taste good in my coffee.

    Thanks

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.30.2023

      I’m so glad you’ve loved it!

  11. Susan
    04.30.2023

    5 stars
    came out delicious!! perfect recipe and sooo easy!! I used my nutriblender instead of a regular blender and worked perfectly, very little residue!! How long would you keep this in the frig please? and thanks so much for a recipe that will save me money$$$

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      05.01.2023

      Hi Susan, we keep this in the fridge for about a week. So glad you love it!

  12. Carla Davis
    04.19.2023

    This is a great recipe for making your own oat milk at home Love and Lemons! It’s really easy to follow and doesn’t take very long either. The instructions are clear and the result is creamy, delicious oat milk that can be used in many ways.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.20.2023

      I’m so glad you loved it!

  13. Maya
    04.16.2023

    How many oz can you make with this?

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.20.2023

      It yields about 3 cups, or 24 oz, oat milk.

      • Indiajdavidson@gmail.com
        07.31.2023

        You should include this in your recipe serving size section rather than saying 4 servings.

  14. Jennifer Marie
    04.05.2023

    5 stars
    Hi, my discarded oat mixture( with cashews and dates) is delicious by the spoonful.! Is a great meal or snack with the milk. Soo glad I came across this recipe . So easy to change up. PS: my dog loves a few small bites!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.07.2023

      I’m so glad you love the recipe!

    • Kathy Papineau
      07.01.2023

      5 stars
      Yes! I also love the “discarded” oats with dates and almond butter!

  15. Michelle DiBiasie
    03.26.2023

    Hi curious how many ounces this makes? I’m looking into getting a jug, thanks!!!

  16. Bec
    03.10.2023

    Hi
    Delicious ? thank you. Is there a recipe that uses up the discarded oats?
    Thank you ?

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.10.2023

      Hi Bec, we haven’t tried using the discarded oats, but several readers have enjoyed preparing them like oatmeal.

  17. Courtney
    03.05.2023

    5 stars
    I cannot believe how incredibly easy AND delicious this is! All the nasty fillers thickeners and gums in supermarket milk alternatives gone! So tasty, thank you!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.09.2023

      Hi Courtney, I’m so glad you love it!

  18. Shaylee
    02.27.2023

    Love this recipe! How long can you store it in the fridge ?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      02.27.2023

      about a week!

  19. sadie
    02.11.2023

    This is a great basic recipe. FWIW, A trick I use (so as to avoid any slime factor) .. . . sub a cup of the water with ice. It keeps everything super cool while blending. Love your content!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      02.16.2023

      Ooh great tip! Glad you love the recipe.

  20. Ashley
    02.11.2023

    5 stars
    I ran out of my favorite oat milk. Having a busy household a hungry teens, I am also on a budget. I made this just now and tried it. It’s delicious! I have syrup but used monk fruit. This will be my go-to and will save me so much on buying store bought.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      02.16.2023

      Hi Ashley, I’m so glad you loved the oat milk!

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.