Oat milk is a natural and healthy alternative to milk. It is perfect for people that suffer from dairy allergies and lactose intolerance. The sweet, oat flavor also offers a little variety to a diet. Oat milk can cost much more than traditional milk. Budget watchers, as well as those that like to keep track of all the ingredients in their food, will love how easy it is to make oat milk at home.
The basic recipe is gluten-free and vegan and uses only three ingredients. The list includes rolled oats, water, and salt. Rolled oats produce a better consistency than steel-cut oats. You can add variety to the recipe with the addition of flavorings like vanilla or cinnamon, but this is entirely optional. Some people even like to add cocoa powder or fresh fruit. Below are the simple instructions for homemade oat milk.
Gather the following:
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 4 cups of water
- 1 pinch of salt
- Added sweeteners or flavor enhancers, as desired
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for one minute. Larger pieces of oats may still be in the mix, but straining removes them. Over-blending to remove the pieces can cause the milk to have an unpleasant texture. Strain the blended mixture through a thin piece of cheesecloth or cotton. Pour the milk into a container and store in the refrigerator. Shake the container before using.
The mixture will make about four cups of oat milk and can last in the refrigerator for up to five days or for 30 days in a freezer. If the mixture seems too thin, cut back the water used. Other ways to sweeten the milk naturally include the use of honey or maple syrup.
Use the oat milk to flavor baked goods or smoothies. Add to lumpy oatmeal to loosen without watering down the oat flavor. Some people enjoy the milk as a topping for their granola or other cereal or to just enjoy by the glass. The mixture thickens when heated, so it is not always appealing as a milk substitute in coffee or hot cocoa.
It's so easy – go ahead and give it a try!
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