This is a recipe for vanilla almond milk from scratch. 10 minutes of your time in the kitchen and you can truly make this creamy milk. Plus, let me show you my secret to get your almond milk to last longer!
When I'm in a good rhythm I will make nut milk for the family every week and this homemade almond milk is the BEST milk alternative I've tasted. Save the leftover almond pulp (like me) and make these chocolate chip energy balls for snacks!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Is homemade almond milk good for you?
- Ingredients needed
- Almond milk to water ratio
- Detailed instructions
- Equipment needed
- How to make homemade almond milk without a nut bag
- How to make almond milk creamer
- How long does almond milk last in the fridge?
- Why is my almond milk separating?
- Is homemade almond milk cheaper?
- Do I really need to soak the almonds so long?
- Variations of almond milk
- Snacks to make with almonds and almond milk
- Amazing Almond Milk from Scratch
- Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Tastes AMAZING you will never want to buy store-bought almond milk again!
- You truly only need 2 ingredients, the rest are optional.
- Lactose intolerant? Dairy-free? Or looking for a new vegan-friendly milk? Try this!
- Creamy and smooth, you will find it has a lovely almond flavour too!
Is homemade almond milk good for you?
Homemade almond milk is made from only a very few ingredients that are all nutritiously dense, making a healthy choice of milk!
Conventional grocery store almond milk has a big ingredient list of sugars, gums, thickeners, and emulsifiers. These are in the milk to make the right texture right and make them stay shelf stable.
When I need to buy almond milk I look for the shortest ingredient list and one that is unsweetened.
Ingredients needed
Almonds: Use raw organic nuts if possible. Specifically, look for unroasted unsalted almonds as there is oil and salt on these nuts that will change the taste of the milk.
Water: Use filtered water, or whatever water you drink.
Optional (but recommended!):
Dates: Adding dates sweetens the almond milk. Use soft medjool dates or if your dates are hard soak them in hot water for 5 minutes first. Be sure to remove any date pits before adding them to the blender.
Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt makes a robust flavor.
Vanilla: Pure vanilla or a part of a vanilla bean makes this vanilla almond milk extra delicious!
Almond milk to water ratio
After making this milk over the last 4 years or so I've found this is the ratio that makes creamy delicious milk. To make around 5 cups or just over 1 litre of almond milk, use 1 cup (140 grams) of almonds and 5 cups of water.
Detailed instructions
Follow these step-by-step photos from my kitchen showing the process of making fresh frothy almond milk from scratch.
- Soaking: Cover 1 cup of almonds with 2 cups of water, and leave them on the counter for 4-8 hours. The nuts will absorb the water and become larger. This makes them easier to blend and makes the milk more creamy. It is especially important to soak the nuts if you don't have a high-power blender.
2. Sanitize (*the secret to longer-lasting almond milk!*): Pour boiling water over all the equipment you will use - the blender container, the bowl you will squeeze the milk into, the funnel, and then the container you will store the almond milk in. I find my milk lasts 2-3 more days if I do this.
3. Drain: After 4+ hours of soaking the almonds, place a strainer in the sink, pour the almonds in to drain them, then rinse them.
4. Blend: Add 5 cups of fresh water to the blender along with the soaked almonds. Start the blender and turn it to high for 1-2 minutes depending on the blender. You should see no chunks of almonds when it is done.
5. Strain: Place the nut milk bag (or tea towel) over the sides of the bowl and pour the milk into the bag, carefully bring the sides of the cloth together.
6. Squeeze: Using your hands squeeze the nut milk bag firmly until all the milk goes into the bowl and no more liquid drops out.
7. Almond pulp: Set aside the leftover nut pulp. (Use the remainder of the almonds to make energy balls or dry it out and sprinkle it on granola.)
8. Flavor milk: If you want to add vanilla, or sweeten the milk, pour the milk back into the blender container (no need to wash the blender first).
9. Add salt, dates, & vanilla: Now you can add the additional ingredients listed to flavor the milk. Blend for 45 seconds until the dates have been fully incorporated. Note: If the dates are hard soak them in boiling water for 3-5 minutes first.
10. Store milk: Using a funnel pour the milk into the sanitized jar, secure the jar with a lid, store it in the fridge and enjoy within 3-6 days.
Equipment needed
- Large glass bowl with handle
- Blender
- Nut milk bag OR dish towel
- Funnel
- Glass container to store almond milk
How to make homemade almond milk without a nut bag
When making creamy nut milk at home it's important to strain homemade almond milk so there is no grainy texture. If you don't have a nut milk bag you can use:
- several layers of cheesecloth
- a cotton or linen pillowcase
- a thin tea towel (this can be a bit tricky but I have done it many times by placing it over the bowl, only pouring a little milk at a time, and pulling the edges together right away)
If you don't want to strain your nut milk I recommend making cashew milk, here's a recipe from Lisa at downshiftology to try.
How to make almond milk creamer
To make homemade almond milk creamer for coffee or tea you half the water in this recipe. Instead of using 5 cups of water use 2.5 cups of water to blend the almonds with, then it will be thicker and creamier!
How long does almond milk last in the fridge?
When I first started making almond milk it would go bad within 2-3 days! However, when I started sanitizing my equipment first by pouring hot water over it, the almond milk lasted 3-6 or even 7 days in the fridge. Using a super clean bowl, blender, and jar, is the key to making homemade almond milk last longer.
Why is my almond milk separating?
This is a natural occurrence that your almond milk will separate, no need to be alarmed, simply give it a little shake before drinking or using it.
Is homemade almond milk cheaper?
This recipe costs about $1.50-$3 (for almonds) and another $1 for the additional ingredients making 5 cups (or just under 1 litre) of almond milk. Keep in mind buying almonds in small quantities is more costly than buying bulk almonds, and buying organic or raw almonds will be more expensive.
Do I really need to soak the almonds so long?
Almonds soaked longer will make creamier milk. If you cannot wait and need almond milk sooner, pour hot water on the almonds and let them sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour with a pinch of salt to break them down faster. Lastly, use a high-power blender for best results.
Variations of almond milk
Love chocolate almond milk? Or want to make it extra rich with a little coconut? Mix it up with these alternatives!
- Sweetened: I like to use 2-3 Medjool dates to sweeten almond milk but you can also use a little stevia, maple syrup, or honey.
- Unsweetened: To make homemade unsweetened almond milk don't add the dates at the end of the recipe. This works well if you want to make something savoury with the milk.
- Chocolate: Add 3 tablespoon of cocoa powder with the dates to the blender and pulse until thoroughly mixed.
- Almond coconut milk: I often add ½ cup untoasted coconut flakes to my soaking almonds to get extra creamy coconut almond milk!
Snacks to make with almonds and almond milk
Did you make almond milk from scratch? Would you take 10 seconds to scroll down to share what you thought of this recipe, and give this recipe a star rating? I love hearing from you and what you think!
Amazing Almond Milk from Scratch
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds (unsalted, unroasted) soaked 4-8 hours
- 5 cups water
Instructions
- Soak: Cover almonds in water for 4-8 hours.
- Sanitize: The secret to making almond milk last longer is to start by sanitizing all your equipment by pouring boiling water over - the blender container, the bowl you will squeeze the milk into, the funnel, and then the container you will store the almond milk in.
- Blend: Drain and rinse the almonds that have been soaking. Add the almonds and fresh water to the blender to blend for 1-2 minutes until creamy.
- Strain & Squeeze: Place a nut milk bag over a bowl, pour the milk on top, careful gather the sides and squeeze all the milk into the bowl. If desired save the leftover nut pulp to make energy balls.
- Optional (but encouraged): Pour the milk back into the blender container (no need to wash the blender first). Add salt, soft pitted dates, & vanilla. Blend for 45 seconds until the dates have been fully incorporated.
- Store milk: Using the funnel pour the milk into the sanitized jar, secure the jar with a lid and store it in the fridge and enjoy within 3-6 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for homemade smoothies with almond milk? Try this cherry raspberry smoothie!
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.
Liz says
So simple but so yum!