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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Milks & Creams

    April 4, 2022 30 Comments

    Homemade Creamy Oat Milk (secret ingredient)!

    701 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Oat milk is all the rage but purchasing the store-bought brands can be a bit pricey. So if you're trying to save a few bucks, or if you just prefer making things from scratch, today I'm sharing with you my Homemade Creamy Oat Milk (which includes a secret ingredient that makes it extra creamy)! This oat milk is so easy to make and takes just 5 minutes to whip up. Creamy dreamy goodness is just a blend away!

    Oat milk is all the rage but purchasing the store-bought brands can be a bit pricey. So if you're trying to save a few bucks, or if you just prefer making things from scratch, try my Homemade Creamy Oat Milk (which includes a secret ingredient that makes it extra creamy)! This oat milk is so easy to make and takes just 5 minutes to whip up. Creamy dreamy goodness is just a blend away!

    So what makes extra creamy oat milk? The secret ingredient to making creamy oat milk? Drumroll please... after testing I found that adding ¼ unsweetened shredded coconut made the oat milk extra rich and creamy! You do not taste the coconut flavor, it's just a quick simple hack that really takes this oat milk recipe to the next level. Need a sub? Swap the shredded coconut with ¼ cup softened cashews. Cashews will also make the oat milk creamier but you will need to soak them first by soaking them in water for 6 hours or overnight. For this reason, I prefer using the coconut as there is no planning or prep needed.

    Common Questions:

    Why is homemade oat milk slimy? When oats are heated, the starches thicken, just like when you cook oatmeal. It's the heat that makes oat milk slimy which can come from the friction in your blender. The key to ensuring your oat milk isn't slimy is to keep the ingredients cold. I have three tips for this. 1: use cold water. 2: add a handful of ice to ensure it's extra cold. 3: blend for only 30 - 45 seconds, any longer and the oat milk can start to heat up.

    How long can you keep homemade oat milk? When kept in an air-tight container in the fridge it should keep for 5 days or maybe a bit longer.

    Does homemade oat milk taste good? OMG yes!! While some homemade oat milk can taste thin or bland, my recipe is super creamy and flavorful with a smooth silky texture. I love drinking a glass of it along with a vegan chocolate chip cookie for dunking.

    What to do with oats after making oat milk? You can save the leftover oat pulp and stir it into your oatmeal or overnight oats, add it to your smoothies, make my Almond Pulp Crackers (but sub the almond milk pulp with your oat pulp), or use it to substitute some of the flour in your baking such as making cookies or pancakes.

    What happens if you boil oat milk? I do not recommend heating homemade creamy oat milk as it will thicken due to the starches in the oats.

    Blend all the ingredients to make the oat milk

    How to make Homemade Creamy Oat Milk:

    Add the water, ice, oats, shredded coconut, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to your blender, and blend on high for 30 - 45 seconds. I recommend using a high-speed blender for the best result, but a regular blender should work fine as well.

    I prefer using rolled oats for this recipe as no soaking is required but if using steel cut oats, you will need to soak them first for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

    Make sure you blend it for 45 seconds max to ensure it doesn't get slimy.

    Do not blend any longer than 45 seconds or you run the risk of warming the oat milk which will make it slimy. If you are gluten-free make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

    Pour through a nut milk bag

    Line a large bowl with a nut milk bag and strain the milk through the bag. If you do not have a nut milk bag you can use a thin tea towel or a strainer lined with cheesecloth.

    And gently squeeze to extract the milk

    Gently squeeze the bag until all of the milk is strained through. Make sure to squeeze the bag lightly, as squeezing it too much can make too much oat pulp leak through. Discard the pulp or use it in any of the ways listed in the recipe notes.

    Transfer the oat milk to a sealable container and pop it in the fridge. Use as desired. The oat milk will naturally separate as it sits so just give it a shake before using. This homemade oat milk recipe will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days or longer.

    Oat milk is all the rage but purchasing the store-bought brands can be a bit pricey. So if you're trying to save a few bucks, or if you just prefer making things from scratch, try my Homemade Creamy Oat Milk (which includes a secret ingredient that makes it extra creamy)! This oat milk is so easy to make and takes just 5 minutes to whip up. Creamy dreamy goodness is just a blend away!

    Flavored oat milk ideas:

    • Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or cacao powder plus an extra tablespoon of maple syrup to make chocolate oat milk.
    • Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries (such as strawberries or raspberries) to make a berry-flavored oat milk

    This homemade creamy oat milk is...

    • creamy
    • easy to make
    • takes just 5 minutes
    • super tasty!

    More vegan oat recipes:

    Strawberry Oat Bars
    Banana Bread Oatmeal
    Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
    Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Easy Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties
    Homemade Dog Treats

    For another favorite non-dairy milk recipe try my recipe for Strain-Free Cashew Milk. If you want to see more plant-based milk recipes from me such as almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk, let me know in the comments!

    If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
    Bon appetegan!
    Sam Turnbull.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 10 votes

    Homemade Creamy Oat Milk

    This oat milk is so easy to make and takes just 5 minutes to whip up. Creamy dreamy goodness is just a blend away!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    ingredient tag: coconut, oats
    Servings: 8 (makes about 4 cups)
    Calories: 65kcal
    Author: Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups cold water
    • 1 handful ice cubes
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 pinch salt
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add all of the ingredients to your blender, and blend on high for 30 - 45 seconds. Do not blend any longer than 45 seconds or you run the risk of warming the oat milk which will make it slimy.
    • Line a large bowl with a nut milk bag and pour the milk into the nut milk bag. If you do not have a nut milk bag you can use a thin tea towel or a strainer lined with cheesecloth. Gently squeeze the bag until all of the milk is strained through. Make sure to squeeze the bag lightly, as squeezing it too much can make too much oat pulp leak through. Discard the pulp or use it in any of the ways listed in the recipe notes.
    • Transfer the oat milk to a sealable container and pop it in the fridge. Use as desired. The oat milk will naturally separate as it sits so just give it a shake before using. Oat milk will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days or longer. I do not recommend heating homemade oat milk as it will thicken due to the starches in the oats.

    Notes

    How to use leftover oat milk pulp: stir it into your oatmeal or overnight oats, add it to your smoothies, make my Almond Pulp Crackers (but sub the almond pulp with your oat pulp), or use it in your baking. 
    How to use homemade oat milk: use it on cereal, in a smooth, as a refreshing drink, in coffee or tea, or in baking. I do not recommend heating homemade oat milk as it will thicken due to the starches in the oats.
    Flavored Oat Milk Ideas:
    • Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or cacao powder plus an extra tablespoon of maple syrup to make chocolate oat milk.
    • Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries (such as strawberries or raspberries) to make a berry-flavored oat milk
    Coconut substitute: replace the coconut shreds with ¼ softened cashews. Soften the cashews first by soaking them in water for 6 hours or overnight.
    Maple syrup substitute: sub agave, white or brown sugar, or 1 - 2 pitted dates.
    Nutrition: please note that the nutrition is based on all of the ingredients including the pulp. So the actual nutrition will differ slightly. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving (recipe makes 8 servings) | Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken

    More dairy-free milk recipes you might enjoy...

    « Vegan Creamy Pancetta & Pea Pasta
    The Best Air Fryer Tofu »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melyssa says

      October 19, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      Is it possible to omit the maple syrup? Would I need to make any other changes to "make up for it"? I love oat milk but find it to always be too sweet (even the unsweetened!). Seems this recipe would be perfect if I can remove that extra sweetness. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. A. Kafi says

      July 01, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      How do you use the “leftover’ oats? Can it be used in another recipe?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        July 20, 2022 at 8:58 am

        I included that info in the notes of the recipe: "How to use leftover oat milk pulp: stir it into your oatmeal or overnight oats, add it to your smoothies, make my Almond Pulp Crackers (but sub the almond pulp with your oat pulp), or use it in your baking. " 🙂

        Reply
        • Rhiannon says

          September 30, 2022 at 5:12 pm

          You should try making oat pulp cookies! It sounds weird but they are surprisingly yummy. We always demolish the batch in one day. Do not expect your typical cookie texture haha.

        • Sam Turnbull says

          October 06, 2022 at 12:11 pm

          I'll look into it, thanks!

      • Joseph says

        August 29, 2022 at 9:23 am

        I just made this. Best recipe for my oat milk so far and I've been making iat milk for years. I love the suggestion to use cold water or ice. I think I will use less cashews next time as I don't need it that creamy.
        Thank you, as a beginner vegan yours is a go to website for me.

        Reply
        • Sam Turnbull says

          September 02, 2022 at 3:48 pm

          So happy you loved it!!

      • Joseph says

        August 29, 2022 at 9:26 am

        5 stars
        I just made this and I used the leftover pulp to which I added chia seeds, chopped almonds, salt, and raisins, for my morning breakfast poridge/pudding.

        Reply
        • Sam Turnbull says

          September 02, 2022 at 3:48 pm

          Yum!

    3. P Thomas says

      June 10, 2022 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      I can't wait to try this recipe, but I'm curious, does the addition of the shredded coconut make the oat milk taste like coconut? I'm not a coconut fan. Is this addition to sweeten the oat milk or produce a thicker/creamier texture? I read another recipe that used dates. Would that be a substitute for the coconut for the same purpose?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        June 13, 2022 at 9:23 am

        I don't find there is a strong coconut taste, but I love coconut, so it might not work for you.

        Reply
    4. Kurt says

      May 12, 2022 at 2:37 am

      Heating oat milk thickens it...I recently research whether oat milk could be substituted for milk in rice pudding recipes and I found a number of them. So for rice pudding, you want the oat milk to thicken. I haven't tried using oat milk for rice pudding yet though.

      Reply
    5. Merci says

      April 17, 2022 at 11:14 am

      5 stars
      Came out creamy and delicious...thanks!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        May 26, 2022 at 9:34 am

        Yay! Happy you enjoyed 🙂

        Reply
    6. Stan says

      April 07, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      Have you tried freezing a cup of the water in an ice cube tray then using that in the recipe for extra cold while blending? It seems like it would either not blend correctly OR it could make blending for longer periods of time possible for that extra creamy texture.

      Reply
    7. Bronwen says

      April 05, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      Most commercial oat milks have added calcium. As a 60 year old lady with FODMAP issues, how can I add calcium in to keep my bones strong?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        April 06, 2022 at 6:25 pm

        Personally, I get my calcium from foods, soy, beans, lentils, almonds, tahini, seaweed, and spinach are all good sources 🙂

        Reply
        • Bronwen says

          April 08, 2022 at 2:44 am

          Unfortunately I cannot tolerate soy, beans, lentils which are all high FODMAP. I even have to watch how many almonds I eat. So I feel more confident if I can get a bit of extra calcium in my oat milk.

        • Sue says

          April 10, 2022 at 10:17 am

          Thanks for educating me Sam. I only made oat milk once, and now I know why it was yucky slimy. I will try your recipe next time, and not let it get warm in the blender. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

        • Sam Turnbull says

          April 14, 2022 at 5:08 pm

          You're most welcome 🙂

      • Stan says

        April 07, 2022 at 12:10 pm

        You could try flavorless calcium powders or crushed Tums/Rolaids if you can find a way to mask/integrate their flavor? I've never made this so no promises but seems like it could work (perhaps an extra tbsp or two of water to make up for the dry powders?)

        Reply
        • Bronwen says

          April 08, 2022 at 2:46 am

          Worth looking at...if calcium powders are sourced from plants. Fingers crossed.

    8. Lisa says

      April 04, 2022 at 11:49 am

      Have you tried this recipe in the Almond Cow?

      Reply
      • Jennifer N Dean says

        April 04, 2022 at 10:06 pm

        I am curious too!

        Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        April 05, 2022 at 9:42 am

        Yes, it works wonderfully!

        Reply
    9. Haverwench says

      April 04, 2022 at 11:28 am

      I keep seeing that the secret to keeping oat milk from going slimy is to keep it cold, but I like milk mainly in hot drinks. So this advice does not work for me. Commercial oat milk does not turn to slime when heated, so is there a way to make homemade oat milk that doesn't? An article in Popular Science said adding amylase would help; have you tried this?

      Reply
      • Sav says

        April 04, 2022 at 9:42 pm

        You can actually use digestive enzymes from a capsule and spilt it open when soaking your oats! I heard that oatly does something like this to help with the slime.

        Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        April 05, 2022 at 9:42 am

        This oat milk is lovely in coffee or tea. I just wouldn't recommend boiling the oat milk.

        Reply
    10. Sandra says

      April 04, 2022 at 11:09 am

      This sounds wonderful -- thank you! Would it work to strain with a coffee filter?

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        April 05, 2022 at 9:41 am

        Yes you can! 🙂

        Reply

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