If you haven’t yet tried oat milk then you’re missing out. This delicious alternative to dairy is packed with nutrients without foregoing the same creamy deliciousness. It’s becoming a firm favorite amongst baristas who love it for its ability to froth like cow’s milk. You’re likely to have seen it in the grocery store next to other dairy-free kinds of milk but perhaps have been reluctant to try it.
In this post, we cover everything you need to know about oat milk. Including its health benefits, taste, uses, and review some of our favorite tasting kinds of oat milk currently on the market.
Our Top Picks for Best Oat Milk 2022
#1 Best Oat Milk for Latte: Califia Farms’ Unsweetened Oatmilk
For silky smooth milk that is perfect for lattes, this oat milk is the perfect choice.
#2 Best Barista Oat Milk: Pacific Natural Foods’ Barista Series Oat Milk
For Barista quality coffee, this oat milk is the choice for a professional quality finish.
#3 Best Oat Milk for Frothing: Oatly’s Barista Edition Oat Milk
For the frothiest oat milk in town, this is the oat milk that makes cappuccino lovers happy.
#4 Best Flavored Oat Milk: So Delicious’s Dairy Free Oatmilk Creamer with Vanilla
For an oat milk adultered with the delicious undertones of vanilla, this luxurious oat milk is great in smoothies and coffee or even on its own.
#5 Best Pancakes Oat Milk: Califia Farms Unsweetened Oatmilk Barista Blend
For an oat milk that makes light and fluffy pancakes, this oat milk is just the ticket.
#6 Best Oat Milk Yogurt: Chobani Oat Blend, Vanilla
For a non-dairy yogurt that is even more delicious, check out this oat milk-based yogurt flavored with vanilla.
How is oat milk made?
Oat milk was first created in the early 1990s by the Swedish food scientist Rickard Öste as a sustainable alternative to dairy milk for those that are lactose intolerant. It is made from a process of blending water with oats which creates a creamy milk which is then strained to remove any oat pieces. It can be made at home (see later in the article) but some of the best oat milk brands use enzymes to thicken the oat milk which means homemade oat milk is often a little different.
What does oat milk taste like?
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Many who follow a dairy-free diet prefer oat milk to other non-dairy alternatives as it tastes the most like cow’s milk. It has a smooth and creamy flavor that makes it delicious to drink on its own or to be used in the same way you would use regular milk.
What can oat milk be used for?
Oat milk can be used for all sorts of purposes both sweet and savory. It can be used as a thickener for vegan recipes such as soups, stews, and even curries. Oat milk can be used in a protein shake but it doesn’t contain as much protein as dairy milk. Look out for the best oat milk with protein if you’re wanting to up your protein intake.
Oat milk is a great choice if you’re a coffee lover. It can steam and froth up well and creates the perfect cup of cappuccino, latte or flat white. Even some dairy drinkers are switching to oat milk in their coffee thanks to its subtle but delicious flavor. The best oat milk for coffee is generally regarded to be the Oatly Barista Edition which makes perfectly frothed milk every time.
You can also add oat milk to smoothies, milkshakes, cups of tea, cereals, etc. The possibilities are endless and, with a longer shelf life than cow’s milk, you can keep a carton in your fridge for a while without it going off. If you’re looking for the best oat milk to put in a milkshake then look out for ones that promise to be super creamy.
Is oat milk good for you?
The health benefits of oats are numerous. They are full of fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals. There has also been some research to link the consumption of oats with a reduced risk of contracting heart disease. While consuming oats is undoubtedly healthy, there hasn’t been enough research into the effect of drinking oats in the form of a beverage with the additional thickening agents that may have been added to it.
To ensure you’re getting the healthiest oat milk possible, make sure you go for the unsweetened variety and always check the sugar content of the carton you’re buying. The best tasting oat milk will generally be that with a higher oat content. When you’re looking for the best vegan oat milk always check the label to make sure the breakdown of nutrients is contributing to a healthy and balanced plant-based diet.
How to make oat milk
Perhaps you fancy making your own oat milk so that you know exactly what’s in it. It is pretty simple to make and can be created using an ordinary blender. Here is how.
#1 Ingredients
- 1 x cup of rolled oats
- 4 cups of water (this can be altered depending on your desired consistency, 4 cups will make a thin oat milk)
- ¼ tea spoon of salt
#2 Method
- 1. Add all of your ingredients to a blender and blitz until you have a smooth mixture.
- 2. Next, strain the oat milk mixture through a cheesecloth over a bowl to release your oat milk. Squeeze the cheesecloth to ensure you get out the maximum oat milk possible. You can strain the milk through again if you’re concerned about it not being smooth enough.
- 3. If you want your oat milk to have some sweetness you can add a sweetener at this point such as stevia, maple syrup or even some mashed up banana.
- 4. Store your oat milk in the fridge in a sealed container. It should last for up to five days.
Best Oat Milk 2022: Our Top Picks
If you’re looking for the best-rated oat milk then look no further. Here are our top picks of some of the best kinds of oat milk currently on the grocery store shelves.
#1 Best Oat Milk for Latte: Califia Farms’ Unsweetened Oatmilk
To make the perfect latte you need to make your milk silky, smooth, and sexy. Fortunately, this is some of the best oat milk for steaming which makes it easy to reach that ideal texture you crave when making a latte. This milk froths up well though, so be sure to keep an eye on it as it steams so you don’t push it into cappuccino territory.
Other good things about this perfect oat milk for lattes are that: it is a great price and some of the cheapest available whilst not shirking on quality; it is completely free from gums and stabilizers making it healthier than many alternative oat milk brands; it is allergen-free, including nuts, soy, and dairy, and; it is low in calories in comparison to other oat milk brnads and even cow’s milk.
#Oat_Milk_For_Lattes_#Latte_Oat_Milk_#Steamed_Milk_#Steamed_Oat_Milk_#Lattes
#2 Best Barista Oat Milk: Pacific Natural Foods’ Barista Series Oat Milk
Whether you run a coffee shop or simply want barista-quality coffee available on-demand at home, this oat milk is the professional quality you’re looking for and is the best oat milk for baristas. Free from stabilizers this dairy-free milk alternative is suitable for vegans. However, you don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy this milk and many people who try oat milk actually find they prefer it even to full fat cow’s milk.
Other pluses of this barista coffee are that: it is a great price; it works great in all types of coffee, from a smooth flat white through to a frothy cappuccino; it can be kept for a full-year on the shelf when left unopened, and; you can buy it in a multipack. The downside of this milk is that it contains dipotassium phosphate and it actually contains more calories than cow’s milk.
#Barista_Oat_Milk #Barista_Milk #Barista #Baristas #Oat_Milk_For_Barristas
#3 Best Oat Milk for Frothing: Oatly’s Barista Edition Oat Milk
If you love the taste of oat milk in your coffee but have been disappointed with the amount of froth you’ve been getting, then you should check out this great blend. Designed with baristas in mind, but at a fraction of the cost, this oat milk delivers a light froth suitable for cappuccinos and lattes. If you’ve been let down my oat milk froth before don’t worry, this will not disappoint.
Other pros about this oat milk for frothing are that: it is both nutty and creamy in texture making it ideally suited for coffee and even better than milk; it is free from lactose, soya, and gluten; it lasts for a full 5 days once opened in the fridge, and; it is also nut-free, unlike many dairy-free milk alternatives. The downside of this milk is that it is made in the UK so delivery is somewhat slow.
#Oat_Milk #Frothing_Oat_Milk #Frothy_Milk #Oat_Milk_Cappuccino #Creamy_Milk
#4 Best Flavored Oat Milk: So Delicious’s Dairy Free Oatmilk Creamer with Vanilla
If you haven’t tried coffee with a hint of vanilla, then you should definitely give it a whirl with this lightly flavored oat milk. As the vanilla flavoring is not overpowering, it combines with coffee like a dream you never could have imagined. This stuff also tastes delicious on its own or whisked up into a strawberry and vanilla milkshake due to the fact it is so creamy. For incredible drinks, try this vanilla-flavored oat milk.
Other pleasing things about this flavored oat milk are that: it is a great bit of added luxury to add to a vegan diet when you feel you are missing dairy in your life; it works great added to hot drinks with spice, like a chai or a pumpkin pie latte; it is smooth, thick and creamy, and; it is a great price. The downside of this oat milk is that it is such a small pot and it does not steam or foam up well.
#Flavored_Oat_Milk #Vanilla_Milk #Vanilla_Oats #Vanilla_Oat_Milk #Vanilla
#5 Best Pancakes Oat Milk: Califia Farms Unsweetened Oatmilk Barista Blend
Califia make a range of great oat milk and this one is no different. Made for baristas, this oat milk is actually the perfect consistency to make rich, tasty, and fluffy pancakes that will brighten up any dull morning breakfast table. Oat milk is heavier than cow’s milk but as this milk is designed for frothing up it is lighter than other oat milk helping you to make the fluffiest dairy-free pancakes in town.
Other benefits of this oat milk for pancakes are that: you get plenty in the carton to make a healthy portion of pancakes and a delicious cappuccino or latte to wash them down with; it is gum and stabilizer free; it creates a full-bodied foam that holds together, retaining air bubbles in your pancake mix, and; it tastes deliciously creamy. The downside of this milk is that it is not as thick as some other oat milk.
#Pancake_Milk #Pancakes_Oat_Milk #Oatmilk #Oat_Milk #Pancake_Mix
#6 Best Oat Milk Yogurt: Chobani Oat Blend, Vanilla
Whether you are vegan, lactose intolerant, or just love the alternative milk revolution, you’ll love this yogurt made from oat milk. Flavored with vanilla, this yogurt is as rich and smooth as dairy yogurt but perhaps even creamier. Indeed, one of the best things about the new types of milk being made to suit different dietary needs is that everyone gets to enjoy their new delicious flavors.
Other pros about this oat milk yogurt are that: it is high in fiber; it is free from lactose, soy, gluten, nuts, and preservatives; it is also available in a range of other flavors, from coconut to peach, and; it is safer to take out as a snack than milk as is less prone to go off quickly. The downside of this oat milk yogurt is that it is relatively pricey and there are no multi-buy reductions on the cost.
#Oat_Milk_Yogurt #Oatmilk_Yogurt #Yogurt #Vanilla_Yogurt #Vanilla-Oatmilk_Yogurt
Conclusion
Oat milk is growing in popularity thanks to its rich and creamy texture and flavor that is akin to cow’s milk. It is simple to make, or there are multiple options available from the grocery store in sweetened and unsweetened varieties. Oat milk can be used for practically everything dairy milk can, including as a thickener for soups and stews, making milkshakes and smoothies, adding to tea and coffee, and splashing over your breakfast cereal.
If you’re interested in trying oat milk then check out our top picks reviewed in this article. Whether you’re after oat milk as an alternative to dairy or just fancy trying something new, this versatile milk is a great ingredient to have to hand in your fridge.
