How to Make Oat Milk

Jenna UrbenUpdated: May 12, 2023

Jenna Urben for Taste of Home

You can make creamy homemade oat milk in minutes, using four simple ingredients.

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I’m sure you’ve heard of soy milk and almond milk, but have you caught on to oat milk? It’s the latest and greatest nondairy milk—and it’s here to stay.

This dairy-free milk alternative is delicious as-is, stirred into coffee, poured over cereal or used in place of regular milk when baking. It’s naturally thick and creamy, making it absolutely irresistible.

This oat milk recipe is simply rolled oats and water blended together, then strained. You can adjust the sweetness and flavor depending on your personal preferences. A high-speed blender is preferred but any will do. Here’s the blender we in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.

Oat Milk vs. Other Nondairy Milk

Compared to other popular milk alternatives, oat milk has more fiber and protein but is higher in carbs. By making your own oat milk, you’re guaranteed a short ingredient list. Plus, you can decide how much sweetener (if any!) gets added.

Learn more about how oat milk compares to other dairy-free milk alternatives in a blind taste test.

How to Make Oat Milk

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
4 cups water
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt

Tools

Fine-mesh sieve ($8) or cheesecloth

Instructions

Step 1: Blend everything together

Add oats, water, maple syrup and salt to a high-speed blender; blend for about a minute.

Step 2: Strain until smooth

Place a fine-mesh sieve (or cheesecloth) over the container and strain the mixture. Pour the oat milk into a mason jar, pitcher or a recycled glass milk bottle.

Step 3: Chill before serving

Cover the oat milk and chill for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy as-is, in your coffee or poured over cereal.

Editor’s Tip: You can also use homemade oat milk in your favorite desserts! Use these tricks to master dairy-free baking.

Oat milk Jenna Urben for Taste of Home

Tips for Making Homemade Oat Milk

Over-blending can lead to slimy oat milk. Yuck! For a creamy consistency, don’t blend longer than one minute.
Unlike homemade nut milk, oats do not need to be soaked prior to blending. Simply combine the oats with water, sweetener and salt, then blend.
If you want a smoother texture, strain the oat milk mixture two or three times.
Separation in dairy-free milk is natural. Simply give it a stir or shake before serving.
Adding homemade oat milk to hot drinks (like tea and coffee) is great. However, when heated on its own, the oat milk will thicken.
To make gluten-free oat milk, use certified gluten-free oats!

How Long Does Oat Milk Last?

Oat milk keeps well in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the oat milk for up to 1 month.

Dairy-Free Cookies to Dunk in Oat Milk

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Great-Grandma's Oatmeal CookiesThis yummy cookie—a favorite of my husband's—goes back to my great-grandmother. At Christmastime, we use colored sugar for a festive touch. —Mary Ann Konechne, Kimball, South Dakota