How to Make Oat Milk at Home

Oat milk is a creamy, naturally sweet, and dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk. It’s easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Here’s how to make oat milk from oats at home:

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free oats, if needed)
4 cups water
Optional: 1-2 tsp maple syrup, vanilla extract, or a pinch of salt for flavor

Instructions:

Rinse the Oats:

Place the oats in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them under cold water to remove any excess starch. This helps prevent the oat milk from becoming too slimy.

Blend the Oats:

Add the rinsed oats and 4 cups of water to a blender. You can also add a sweetener like maple syrup, a splash of vanilla extract, or a pinch of salt for added flavor, but this is optional.
Blend on high for 30-60 seconds until the oats are fully blended and the mixture looks creamy.

Strain the Milk:

After blending, strain the oat milk through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or jug to separate the liquid from the oat pulp.
If you don’t mind a little extra thickness, you can skip straining and just leave the pulp in. However, straining will give you a smoother consistency.

Store the Oat Milk:

Pour the strained oat milk into a clean jar or bottle and store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Shake well before use, as oat milk tends to separate over time.

Optional – Use the Pulp:

Don’t discard the leftover oat pulp! You can use it in smoothies, baking, or even in oatmeal. Or, dry it out in the oven on low heat to make oat flour.

Tips for Perfect Oat Milk:

For Creamier Oat Milk: Add a little less water or use more oats.
Avoid Slimy Texture: Be sure to rinse the oats before blending, and don’t over-blend the milk.
Sweeten It: Customize your oat milk with sweeteners like maple syrup, agave, or a few dates. Add a dash of vanilla for extra flavor.
Flavor Variations: You can infuse oat milk with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor.

Making oat milk is quick, easy, and budget-friendly. Enjoy it in your coffee, smoothies, cereal, or as a dairy substitute in cooking and baking!