The Best Oat Milk Recipe (And 5 Ways to Enjoy!)

Eco-friendly, vegan, cheap, healthy and easy to make—it’s no wonder oat milk has skyrocketed in popularity. For vegans, oat milk is a sustainable plant milk that produces less carbon than cow milk production and uses less water to grow than almonds. For those with nut allergies or dairy intolerances, oat milk solves both of these issues. Finally, oat milk is rich in protein. 

To make oat milk at home and enjoy creamy dishes and sweet treats, try out this simple oat milk recipe. It only takes 30 minutes! 

Oat Milk Recipe

In its most basic form, an oat milk recipe only needs ½ cup of whole rolled oats and 3 cups of water. If you’re only going to use your milk for sweetened coffees and baking treats, you can add maple syrup and vanilla for a tasty touch. However, you will want to avoid these ingredients if you plan on whipping up savory dishes. 

You will also need a mesh strainer and blender to find the right consistency. 

Making oat milk requires: 

• ½ cup whole rolled oats
• 3 cups of water (can be tap water)
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional: for sweetened versions)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla (optional: for sweetened versions) 

1. Combine all ingredients in the blender. Blend on high for 30 seconds. The mixture will now look like pulp and liquid.

2. Place your mesh strainer over a bowl and dump the blended mixture into the strainer. Try to not prod and push the pulp as we will want a creamier texture. Discard the pulp or save it for other recipes.

3. Refrigerate the liquid in a closed container or jug. If sealed correctly, your oat milk will last 5-7 days. 

Dishes and Desserts

Now that you have a delicious jug of oat milk in your fridge, you can fill the kitchen with mouth-watering dishes. Luckily, oat milk acts similarly to cow’s milk, so it can almost always be a direct substitute.

However, if you’re opting for one of these savory dishes, make sure your oat milk recipe does not include vanilla and maple syrup. After all, vanilla-flavored mac and cheese does not sound all too appetizing! 

1. Coffee and Lattes

Most people use oat milk in their coffees or hot drinks. In brewed coffee, oat milk adds a hint of sweetness and creaminess. Latte drinkers find oat milk to be extra frothy and paired well with flavors like cinnamon and mocha. 

Matcha and antioxidant-rich turmeric tea lattes are also popular favorites among hot drink aficionados. If the bitter taste of coffee or tea isn’t your style, an oat milk hot chocolate combines the creaminess of both chocolate and oat milk for a delectably substantial sip.

2. Banana Bread

Remember how we said you could save the oat pulp for later? You can substitute ½ of a banana for ½ cup of leftover oat pulp in one loaf of banana bread. Oats, nuts and bananas are a classic combination and the pulp adds another level of moistness to this quick bread. 

Utilizing older bananas and leftover ingredients makes this a truly sustainable recipe. 

3. Creamy Soups

Though we typically associate oat milk with sweetness, the creamy texture is perfect for soups and pasta in the savory realm. Creamy soups like butternut squash, broccoli cheddar, cream of mushroom and tomato all rely on heavy cream or half-and-half for their texture. 

Substituting with your oat milk takes thick and hearty soup textures up another notch.

4. Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a staple of pasta cuisine, but it can be heavy on the stomach. To pack a protein-filled punch while lightening it up, swap oat milk for heavy cream or half-and-half.

5. Pasta Sauce

On the stovetop, you can make hearty pasta sauces for cold winter nights. Add flour or cornstarch with the oat milk to make a thickening base. Sauces like bechamel and alfredo rely on this creamy texture, and the addition of oat milk only enhances this quality.

Oat-ally Delicious Dishes

With this oat milk recipe, no longer will you need to search the grocery store for expensive cartons. Instead, all you need is some oats and water from the sink to make the creamiest soups, desserts and hot drinks ever.

Relying on sustainable swaps like these introduce better health for our bodies and the planet, so pull up a glass and enjoy!