How to Make Homemade Oat Milk (Easier Than a Smoothie!)

I used to be so intimidated by the idea of making oat milk at home. I mean… it just sounded like one of those Pinteresty things that people say is easy but actually takes forever, right?

Wrong.

This is honestly easier than making a smoothie. No fancy equipment. No long prep. No weird ingredients. Just pure, creamy oat milk in under 5 minutes.

Why Make Your Own Oat Milk?

If you’ve ever flipped over a carton of store-bought oat milk, you’ve probably noticed a long list of ingredients. Let’s just say… not everything in there is something I’d put in my body on purpose.

Here are a few common additives you’ll find:

• Rapeseed/canola oil – inflammatory and totally unnecessary
• Gums and stabilizers – like gellan gum, locust bean gum, or carrageenan (which can irritate the gut)
• Natural flavors – which can mean literally anything
• Synthetic vitamins – like added calcium carbonate or synthetic B vitamins your body might not absorb well
• Added sugar – even in “unsweetened” varieties, depending on the brand

Homemade oat milk = none of that. Just oats, water, and whatever you want to flavor it with.

Ditch the Plastic: Why Glass is Better

Once you make your oat milk, I highly recommend storing it in a glass bottle or jar. Why?

• Plastic can leach chemicals into your milk (especially if it’s warm or acidic)
• It absorbs smells and flavors over time (nobody wants oat milk that smells like last week’s stir fry)
• Glass is reusable, non-toxic, and more eco-friendly

Now let’s get to the good stuff—how to actually make it.

Homemade Oat Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats (organic if possible)
• 4 cups cold filtered water
• Optional: 1-2 tsp maple syrup or honey, ½ tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Add oats and water to a blender.
2. Blend for 30 seconds to 1 minute—no more, or it may get slimy.
3. Strain using a nut milk bag, clean thin towel, or fine mesh strainer (strain twice for extra smooth milk).
4. Pour into a glass bottle and refrigerate. Shake before each use!

Lasts about 3-4 days in the fridge.

Tips:

• Don’t over-blend. That’s what makes it slimy.
• You can save the leftover oat pulp for baking, smoothies, or face masks!
• Add cinnamon, cocoa powder, or a date for fun flavor twists.