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I have to admit that at first I was an oat milk hater. Oat milk? Doesn’t oats plus water equal oatmeal? Why would I pay 75 cents extra to put it in my coffee when I already had oatmeal for breakfast?
When a friend called me from the grocery store asking my opinion on which one of the oat milk brands that had inundated the “milk” market to buy, all I could say was, “Seriously? What’s next? Wheat water?” But then I tried the creamy deliciousness that is oat milk and I’ve never looked back. I love it and I’m not the only one.
Oat milk has become so popular that in April, coffee giant Starbucks announced that just one month after offering the brand Oatly oat milk at all of its US stores, it had run out “due to high demand,” according to CNN Business. Swedish company Oatly, credited for starting the oat milk craze, just went public in May and is valued at $10 billion. Oat milk is now the second most popular plant-based milk in the US.
What is oat milk?
Oat milk is basically just oats and water with some additions. That might not sound delicious or explain why it’s so good in a latte. It’s all in how it’s made.
Store-bought oat milk contains water, oats and less than 2% other ingredients including oil, salt, and vitamins A and D. The oats and water are blended together and strained, creating a creaminess that’s similar to cow’s milk. The texture and added vitamins are what makes it an alternative to cow’s milk and so good in coffee.
“If you’ve never had an oat milk latte, now is the time to try one,” Weelicious and One Potato founder, Catherine McCord, said to Mom.com. “Oat milk is a barista’s dream come true as it gets super frothy and creamy sip after sip.”
What are the benefits of oat milk?
McCord likes oat milk for its clean, pure taste that also makes it a good addition to smoothies and breakfast cereals, including oatmeal. “Since it’s nut, lactose, soy, vegan and can be gluten-free, it’s perfect for as an allergy-friendly milk for kids and adults,” she said.
Oat milk contains more protein and fiber than other plant-based drinks, but it also has more calories and carbohydrates, according to Cleveland Clinic. Oat milk doesn’t contain cane sugar, but when the oats are broken down it creates a natural sugar, which is what makes it mildly sweet.
Compared to almond milk, oat milk has about double the calories. But one concern with almond milk is its impact on the environment. “Oat milk also has less of a carbon footprint than almond milk, which uses almost 400% more water than oats to grow,” McCord said.
If you’re one of the growing number of people who are trying it out or already use oat milk, you may have noticed that it isn’t cheap. A half gallon of oat milk can cost up to $5. But don’t worry, it’s fairly easy to make at home for much less.
DIY: How to make oat milk
Ready to make your own oat milk? McCord shared her recipe with Mom.com, along with some variations that incorporate strawberries, chocolate, and matcha.
Catherine McCord’s Homemade Oat Milk
Makes 3 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned oats
3 1/2 cups water
1 date, pitted, or 1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Place oats and water in a high speed blender and puree for 30 to 45 seconds or until oats are almost pulverized (it’s OK if small pieces of oats remain). If the milk isn’t sweet enough, add another pitted date or maple syrup to taste and puree an additional 15 seconds.
- Place a white T-shirt or kitchen towel over a pitcher or bowl and slowly pour the mixture in. Squeeze the T-shirt or towel to squeeze out as much oat milk as possible.
- Store in a covered container for up to five days.
Strawberry milk: Add 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries in step 1.
Chocolate milk: Add 2 tablespooons cocoa powder in step 1.
Matcha milk: Add 2 teaspoons green tea powder in step 1.
