Homemade Almond Milk Recipe

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One of the items you will always find in our refrigerator is almond milk. Whether it is plain, vanilla, or chocolate, it's a go-to non-dairy milk substitute we love. While there are many wonderful brands on the market, making this homemade almond milk recipe is a simple option that gives you a delicious beverage you will know all of the ingredients for. If you are plant-based, vegan, or lactose intolerant, this is a perfect non-dairy option.

wood platter holding almonds next to a glass cup of almond milk

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Almond Milk Recipe
Ingredients
Kitchen Tools Used
How do I Make Almond Milk at Home?
Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade Almond Milk Recipe

Almond Milk Recipe

One of the things I love most about making this homemade almond milk recipe is how versatile it is. You can use it as a base for smoothies, add it to your coffee or tea, or even use it in recipes that call for milk. Plus, it's free of preservatives, additives, and sweeteners, so you can feel good about what you're putting into your body.

Another benefit of making your own almond milk is that it's much more cost-effective than buying it at the store. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a blender, and a little bit of time. Plus, you can customize it to your liking by adding sweeteners like dates or honey, or flavors like vanilla or cinnamon.

One thing to keep in mind when making almond milk is that it does require a bit of planning ahead. You'll need to soak your almonds for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to soften them up and make them easier to blend. But trust me, it's worth the wait!

Not sure how to use this in your menu? It's the perfect base for this vegan oat smoothie with peanut butter. Delicious and packed with fiber and protein!

glass jar of almond milk with colorful design on wood tray with small glass of milk

Ingredients

Makes: 3 cups

1 cup raw unpeeled almonds
3 cups water
2-3 pitted dates
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt

round white ramekins of ingredients for almond milk recipe

Kitchen Tools Used

Measuring cups and spoons: Every kitchen needs good tools for measuring ingredients. I recommend keeping a set of measuring spoons, dry measuring cups, and liquid measuring cups on hand in various sizes.
High-speed blender: I personally have a Ninja unit, but any high-quality blender works. You could use a food processor in a pinch for this.
Cheese cloth: Straining the milk after it is made is essential. The best way to do this is with cheesecloth that will get even the most minor bits of almonds and dates out of the milk.
Bottle or jar with lid: You'll want to store this in your refrigerator. I prefer mason jars, but you could use any jar or beverage pitcher.

glass jar and cup o milk on wood platter sitting on marble table

How do I Make Almond Milk at Home?

This process requires you to have at least 6 hours of time to process. While the steps are simple, you do need to soak the almonds. So, plan ahead.

In a large bowl, cover the almonds with cold water and then set them aside, loosely covered, for at least 6 hours, up to overnight.

After they have soaked, you will then drain them, and place the almonds into the blender alongside the salt, dates, vanilla extract, and 3 cups of water. Blend for around 1 minute, or until the almonds and dates are now fine or smooth. It will be a thicker liquid.

Now, set up a piece of cheesecloth or a fine sieve over a bowl. Pour the blended liquid over the cheesecloth and squeeze as much liquid out of the mixture as possible.

Once strained, pour the almond milk into your bottle with a lid, and refrigerate until time to use.

almond milk being poured into a glass jar

gray napkin on table by serving tray holding milk in small glass by glass jar

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to soak almonds before making almond milk?

Absolutely. It's necessary to soak the almonds for at least 6 hours but no longer than overnight. This allows you to soften the almonds but not let them sit so long that they create bacteria or mold.

How long can I store homemade almond milk?

Homemade almond milk is good for up to 6 days when refrigerated in an airtight container. While you can store it in a pitcher, this will take on flavors in the refrigerator, so I recommend pouring it into a jar with a lid.

Can I add sweeteners or flavors to almond milk?

Definitely! For this recipe, I used dates as a natural sweetener. You can use any favorite sweetener to taste. I recommend starting with a small amount, tasting, and adding until you find the flavor you prefer.

Is homemade almond milk healthier than store-bought almond milk?

This really depends upon the brand of almond milk you purchase, and what you consider healthy. Making your own is nice to save money if you are able to purchase the almonds at a good price in bulk. Otherwise, the benefits are limited amounts of preservatives, if any, which are in general thought to be much healthier.

How much almond milk does one cup of almonds yield?

This depends upon your preferred richness, thickness, and flavor. Using 1 cup of almonds would be reasonable for making 3 cups of almond milk, but depending upon your preferences, it could be up to 4 cups of milk.

tall glass pitcher on tray holding homemade almond milk recipe next to blue napkin

More Vegan Basics Recipes

When you first begin a non-dairy, plant-based, or vegan lifestyle, you'll find yourself missing some basic foods. Replacements are easy to find in the market, but making homemade options is sure to be a better choice with better flavors. Below are some more of those classic items you can make to replace what you used to buy in the market. Bookmark, print, or pin your favorites from this list!

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