Why I Stopped Buying Oat Milk and Started Making It at Home

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I’ll be honest with you—I never thought I’d be the type of person who makes oat milk at home. A few years ago, the only time I thought about oats was when I tore open a packet of instant oatmeal and nuked it in the microwave while running late for work. But here we are, and now I find myself excitedly pouring homemade oat milk into my morning coffee like it’s some kind of magic potion. And let me tell you—it actually feels like magic.

The best part? It’s cheap, easy, and I get to control exactly what goes into it. No weird gums, no preservatives, no unpronounceable ingredients. Just oats, water, and a few extras if you want to make it taste fancy.

Let me walk you through it, and I’ll share the exact things I bought from Amazon to make the process painless.

Why I Even Tried This in the First Place

One Saturday morning, I was making pancakes, and I realized I’d run out of milk. I stood in my kitchen, staring at the fridge like it was going to magically refill itself. Out of desperation, I Googled “homemade oat milk” and realized I already had everything I needed in my pantry. Five minutes later, I was sipping my first glass, and honestly? I haven’t looked back.

Now, every time I see that $5.99 carton of oat milk at the store, I kind of smirk and think, Nah, I got this covered.

What You’ll Need (and Where I Got Mine)

Here’s the short grocery list of ingredients and tools. I’ll link to the exact Amazon products I’ve used so you don’t have to hunt around.

1. Rolled Oats – I like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Organic Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats. A 32 oz bag lasts me forever.

2. Filtered Water – Any clean water works, but I use my Brita Water Pitcher because my tap water tastes… questionable.

3. Sweetener (Optional) – Sometimes I add a little Pure Maple Syrup. Honey works too, but maple feels cozy.

4. Vanilla Extract (Optional) – I like a splash of McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract.

5. Salt – Just a pinch. I use Morton Fine Sea Salt.

6. Blender – A high-powered one like the Ninja Professional 72 Oz Blender makes this quick and creamy.

7. Nut Milk Bag – Sounds fancy, but it’s basically a fine mesh strainer bag. I got a Pro Quality Nut Milk Bag and it’s been life-changing.

8. Mason Jars for Storage – I keep my oat milk in Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars. They make me feel like a homesteader… without actually having a farm.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Oat Milk

Step 1: Measure Your Oats

I scoop out one cup of oats. Simple as that. I’ve learned the hard way that using steel-cut oats is a disaster—they make the milk slimy. Stick with rolled oats. Trust me.

Step 2: Blend It Up

I toss the oats into the blender with about four cups of cold filtered water. Cold is key—it keeps the texture smooth. Then I hit blend for 30–40 seconds. Not a minute more, or it gets goopy. Learned that the messy way.

Step 3: Strain the Milk

This is where the nut milk bag comes in. I pour the blended oats-and-water mix into the bag over a big bowl, then squeeze gently. Don’t Hulk-smash it—gentle pressure keeps the milk creamy instead of slimy.

Step 4: Add Flavor (Optional but Fun)

At this point, I stir in a pinch of salt, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a splash of vanilla. Sometimes, if I’m feeling bold, I’ll toss in a sprinkle of cinnamon. My kids call it “cereal milk,” and it disappears faster than I can make it.

Step 5: Store and Chill

I pour the finished oat milk into my mason jars and pop them in the fridge. It stays fresh for about 4–5 days. Pro tip: always shake before you use it because it tends to separate. The first time I forgot and poured it into my coffee, I thought something had gone horribly wrong. Nope—just nature doing its thing.

The Little Joys of Homemade

What I didn’t expect was how much satisfaction I’d get out of something this simple. Every time I make oat milk, I feel like I’m winning some tiny battle against overpriced grocery store nonsense.

Plus, there’s something fun about customizing it. Sometimes I make it thicker for lattes, sometimes lighter for cereal. Once, I even tried a chocolate version with cocoa powder and a little sugar. It didn’t last long in my house.

And the leftover oat pulp? I toss it into pancake batter or overnight oats. Waste not, want not.

Cost Breakdown (Why It’s Totally Worth It)

A carton of oat milk at my grocery store runs me about $5–6. But when I do the math, a single bag of oats makes about 10–12 batches of oat milk, which comes out to less than a dollar per batch. Even with the extras like vanilla or maple syrup, it’s still pennies compared to store-bought.

That means more money for, I don’t know… fancy coffee beans, or that guilty pleasure of mine: late-night Amazon browsing.

Why You Should Try It

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to be a health nut, a hipster, or someone who wears “plant mom” shirts to enjoy this. If you drink coffee, eat cereal, or just want to feel like you’ve outsmarted the grocery store system, making oat milk at home is your move.

It’s quick, it’s fun, and it’s surprisingly satisfying. The first time I offered my husband a glass, he looked skeptical—like I was trying to trick him with “healthy” stuff. But after one sip, he shrugged and said, “Not bad.” And in my house, that’s basically a Michelin star review.

Let’s Be Real for a Second

Look, I’m not saying this is going to change your life… but also, it kind of might. At least your mornings. You’ll save money, skip the additives, and maybe even impress your friends when they come over. (Warning: they will ask you to make it for them. Set boundaries early.)

So grab your oats, dust off that blender, and give it a try. Worst-case scenario? You’re out one cup of oats. Best-case scenario? You become that person who casually says, “Oh yeah, I make my own oat milk.” And let me tell you, that feels pretty good.

Over to You

Have you ever tried making oat milk at home? Or are you loyal to the store-bought cartons? Drop a comment and let me know—especially if you’ve tried any wild flavors. (Pumpkin spice oat milk, anyone?)

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that once you start making oat milk, it’s hard to stop experimenting. And honestly… that’s the fun of it.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, but this does not affect my recommendations.I only suggest products I’ve personally vetted.

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