Move over, soy, almond, and coconut milk! There’s a new star rising to the top of dairy-free alternatives, and we think it has some serious staying power.

Why we love it
Made from strained oats, oat milk is both dairy- and nut-free. Compared with some of its competitors, it’s also lower in fat and higher in protein and contains some of the most fiber! Not only does it offer nutritional benefits, but oat milk is creamy, sweet, and a perfect add-in to your favorite latte.

First introduced to the United States in 2017, oat milk has been a hot commodity in local coffee shops. According to a New York Times article, popular Swedish oat milk brand Oatly spread from 10 locations in NYC to over 1,000 in just one year. And due to the expansion and success of dairy-free milks, we’re expecting this trend to continue.

Plus, there’s more! The process of making oat milk is significantly more sustainable than other non-dairy alternatives. It requires less time and a lot less water, and purchasing rolled oats (especially in bulk!) is cost-effective.

Our guess is that by later this year, oat milk yogurts and “nice creams” will start popping up everywhere.

How to make it
Making oat milk is DIY-friendly and super simple! It requires only two ingredients and can be made in less than five minutes.

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup rolled oats (steel-cut or gluten-free)

Directions:

1. Add oats and water to blender. Blend for one minute or until mixture seems smooth and well combined. Be careful not to overdo it! You’ll want the consistency to be creamy but not too watery.
2. Pour mixture over a large bowl covered with a thin towel. The towel will act as a strainer to remove any oat remnants from your milk.
3. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate!

Drink your homemade oat milk as is or add it to granola, smoothies, or even baked goods!

Optional: You can add flavor to your oat milk with a few natural sweeteners! We recommend adding a whole date, a few fresh berries, two tablespoons of cocoa, or 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Have you hopped on the oat milk bandwagon yet? Let us know in the comments below!