Creamy Homemade Almond Milk – Learn to make creamy non-dairy almond milk at home. Use in place of dairy milk in coffee, over cereal or on its own!
In response to your requests, I will be covering how to make several different dairy free milks over the next few months. This week I’m sharing how to make almond milk, which is probably the most popular nut milk out there. Sure, you can buy almond milk at the store, but making it yourself at home ensures that the milk is raw and full of its optimal nutritional power. When you make it at home, you also have total control over the ingredients. I don’t know about you, but I prefer knowing exactly what is going into my food… and subsequently into my family’s bellies!
Almond milk, in its most basic form, is made from filtered water and almonds. It’s a non-dairy milk, which means it contains no lactose. Almond milk is easily digested by most folks who are lactose intolerant (except for those who have a nut allergy… I’ll have an option for you coming up in a future post!). Because you’re making it at home, you have total control over the flavor– the sweetness level, the texture, the fat content and the overall taste. For those who keep kosher, it’s a terrific substitute for dairy milk in recipes that you would like to keep pareve. I prefer homemade nut milks to non-dairy creamers, which often contain chemicals and preservatives. No strange additives here!
Unlike dairy milk, almond milk is cholesterol free… in fact, consuming almond products on a regular basis can actually lower your LDL-cholesterol. Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats, the same type of “good fats” that can be found in olive oil. These types of fats have been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Almonds are also a rich source of Vitamin E, magnesium and potassium.
In its pure unsweetened form, almond milk makes a fine substitute for plain milk. When using it on cereal or in my tea, I like to give it a touch of sweetness (throwing a whole date into the blender works great, or use honey, stevia or agave nectar). Adding a little vanilla and salt rounds out the flavor. Depending on what you plan to use your almond milk for, you can experiment and adjust the ingredients to taste. A nut milk bag will help you strain the milk to achieve a thin, grit-free texture; if you don’t have one and don’t want to order one, a fine mesh strainer, clean tea towel or multiple layers of cheesecloth will work just dandy.
How many almonds does it take to make almond milk?
This recipe calls for 1 cup of raw, unsalted almonds, which is about 100 almonds.
How long does homemade almond milk last?
Homemade almond milk will last for 3-4 days if kept in the refrigerator.
Is it cheaper to make your own almond milk?
Some comparisons have shown that the cost of making your own almond milk is around the same as buying store bought almond milk. However, making your own allows you to add your own flavors and doesn’t call for additional preservatives or additives, so for many this benefit makes the cost worth it.
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How to Make Almond Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw unsalted almonds, skin-on
- 4 cups filtered water, plus more water for soaking almonds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, or one whole pitted date (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Dash sea salt (optional)
NOTES
Instructions
- Place raw almonds in a bowl and cover with cold water. Allow to soak overnight up to 48 hours, then drain and rinse. If soaking longer than overnight, change the cold soaking water every 12 hours.
- After soaking, drain and rinse the almonds. Do not peel the almonds; according to my recipe testing, keeping the skins on actually helps to reduce the grittiness of the almond milk (counter intuitive, I know!). Combine soaked almonds and 4 cups of filtered water in a blender.For a whole milk texture, I use 4 cups of water to 1 cup almonds. For a thinner texture, feel free to add more water-- you can adjust the texture to taste. The more water you add, the lower in fat the milk will be per serving; however, you don't want to add too much liquid or it will turn watery. Best to add water in small batches till the texture seems right to you.
- Blend on low, then slowly raise the speed to high for 1-2 minutes till the milk is completely smooth and no chunks of nuts remain. If desired, add sweetener, vanilla and/or salt to taste, then blend again to combine (if using a date, make sure you blend till it's completely pulverized). Feel free to adjust the sweetness to taste.
- Strain milk through a fine mesh strainer, tea towel, cheesecloth or nut milk bag into a storage container. A nut bag will work best for keeping your milk smooth and chunk-free. I usually strain the milk into a quart mason jar, which works perfectly with the 4 cup to 1 cup ratio of water to almonds.
- If using a mesh strainer, you will need to agitate the solids a bit to help all the milk drip through. I don't scrape them (this can push the solids through the strainer), but I do gently stir and move the solids around to make room for the liquid to come through. Similarly, if using a nut bag, you will need to gently squeeze the bag till all of the milk seeps through.
- Transfer milk to the refrigerator and chill thoroughly. It should keep for 3-4 days if refrigerated. I usually shake mine a bit before pouring to make sure it's well blended.
- Once you're finished straining the milk, you will have a small amount of leftover almond pulp. This can be discarded or dehydrated into almond flour and used as a gluten free breading for fish or chicken or mixed into baked goods. To do this, first adjust your oven to the lowest heat setting. Place the leftover almond pulp in a mesh strainer for about 30 minutes to allow any remaining liquid to drain off.
- With a rubber spatula, spread the pulp as thinly as possible onto a baking pan lined with parchment or a silicone baking sheet. Place in the oven at 200 degrees.
- Allow the paste to dehydrate for a few hours up to overnight. Check every couple of hours; when the meal hardens into a dry sheet, it's finished.
- Break up the dehydrated paste and pulverize using a food processor for 1-2 minutes. You can also use a fork, but a food processor will give you a much finer grind.
- You will be left with about ½ cup of almond flour.
- Use almond milk anywhere you would use regular milk-- in coffee or tea, on cereal, or as a milk substitute in recipes.
jenn says
Hey, thanks for sharing this! I cant wait to try. As far as cost, anyone try looking at Target? I got a large jar of raw almonds for $3-4. I tried to measure it, and to the best I could tell,it was 6 cups. I’m going to try this tomorrow after soaking, and will have the added benefit of having a container to put the almond meal in when I’m done! Not sure if it is organic, but good for a start. Hope this helps someone 🙂
Rose says
Very delicious, indeed. I will use the flour more after I now know how to make it. Thank you! 🙂
Tori Avey says
You’re welcome Rose!
Rae says
Very tasty as-is! I only use a splash of milk in my coffee (and no sweetener). So I will make half the recipe next time because I’m not sure I can use up the whole amount in three to four days. I can’t imagine throwing out all that lovely almond meal. It’s in the oven with the pilot light on. 🙂
Selma says
You can buy a tray that makes very small ice cubes which yo can fill up with almond milk and freeze. Just the right amount for using in coffee. Once you freeze them put cubes into freezer bag and use as needed.
marge201 says
LB, thanks for saying that. I never thought of freezing it and yes, it’s a bit of a pain making it every few days. I will now have almond milk cubes too!
LB says
I have frozen my homemade almond milk with no problem at all. I have a hard time going through it all on my own and I don’t like having to make it every 3 days.
reneeh63 says
What is the purpose of discarding the soaking water…even multiple times? Doesn’t that further dilute the taste as well as the nutrient value?
Tori Avey says
Hi Renee– soaking the almonds releases enzyme-inhibitors and tannic acids which can be hard to digest. Discarding the water gets rid of those enzymes.
sally says
Thanks Tori for the tip, next time I will try to make a small batche.Yes,Mashugana, you’re right I used skinless almond, I was trying to get real white milk, lol.I guess that’s what messed up the whole recipe.I will try it again with skin and distilled water, and let you know if there is a difference.
Mashugana says
I use filtered water but when I have mine in the pitcher I leave a spatula in the pitcher and from day one blend it. I notice that mine has a little nut residue on the bottom but when I have purchased packaged nut milks, they always have a residue on the bottom, ESPECIALLY soy milk, yukko!
I make the almond milk every other day, and it is delicious 0-)
Tori’s recipe says to use almonds with the skin, could you be using the other kind?
sally says
Sorry, meant distilled water (I used a filtered water)
sally says
Thank you for the recipe.I have tried it but my milk does separate when it sits in the cooler, i get like whey on the top and cream in the buttom,and also when I tried to warm it,it curdeled and become chunky.would you please give any hints about what went wrong .I suspect the water may be I should have used a filtered one.
Tori Avey says
Hi Sally– I’m not exactly sure, but it sounds like you might be keeping the milk too long. It will only last a few days because it is raw almond milk. It is not pasteurized and does not have preservatives, unlike many almond milks sold at the supermarket. While it may settle a bit in the fridge (as all nut milks do), shaking it a bit should do the trick… that’s why all store-bought milks say to shake before pouring. That said, if it is gathering thick whey on top, it is likely spoiled… and it shouldn’t curdle when heated. If you think it might be spoiled after reading this, try making smaller batches and finish the milk within 3-4 days before spoilage occurs. I’m not sure the distilled water makes a big difference, but it might.
Mashugana says
I found an easier way to make the milk. I prepared as directed but this time used a large opened strainer. I placed it above a large opened pitcher where it leaned. Then I placed a brown paper coffee filter and poured the blend over it.
Bonus, let gravity work! This time just had the fine dry almond waste which I threw out because it was such a small amount. LOVE EASY!
BTW, I the draining in the sink and came back in a half an hour. Lazy is good 0-)
Tori, I drink it plain with out vanilla or sugar, it is perfect for me, and thank you for your recipe!
Mashugana says
Arella
I would speak to your doctor about adding extra calcium or vitamin D. Vitamin D comes in drop form and one drop can be added to a glass of this almond milk. Calcium comes in liquid form and has a citrus taste and powder would change the texture of the almond milk.
There are blood tests for adults and children that your doctor can order. Our veggies and other foods have plenty of calcium.
Tori Avey says
Thanks Mashugana! Arella I’ve never fortified the milk before but I know a lot of vegans do that, Google “fortify almond milk with calcium” and you should get several results. 🙂
Arella says
Absolutely love this. I’ve had issues finding kosher almond milk in my area and have lactose intolerant kids. Have you played around with additional calcium and vitamin D supplements with this recipe? Although almonds do contain some calcium, I’d like to sneak some more in.
Aliece Dice says
Thank you! I will go try that now. The milk turned out great. I did need the nut milk bag strainer though as the milk was a bit gritty (or scratchy) as it was going down my throat. I have one ordered from amazon. I used a regular metal strainer/sifter. We use the milk for low calorie smoothies so a gritty milk is fine for now because you can’t tell but my stepson likes to drink it by itself so ill get the nut milk bag strainer so it is more like the kind you buy. Thanks for this post and idea!!
Tori Avey says
Great to hear that Aliece! The nut bag will definitely help smooth out the texture for you. I like using it in smoothies too. 🙂
Aliece Dice says
My leftover almond meal paste is still sitting on the baking sheet and is still gooey. It’s been 24 hours. What should I do to dehydrate it?? Any suggestions?
Tori Avey says
Hi Aliece! Try placing it in a 250 degree oven for 30-60 minutes. Keep a close eye to make sure it doesn’t get overly brown or burned.
Iris Miller says
I buy the California brand of almond milk and am happy to see your recipes for this as I don’t use it daily and hate to have a half gallon container go to waste.Sometimes I buy the unrefirgerated smaller box off the shelf, but it doesn’t last either. My question: If I use Tori’s recipe for almond milk that lasts 3-4 days, can it be frozen for future use? What happens to it after 4 days?Does it sour like milk? Is it harmful if swallowed after expiration? Is the nutritional value based on the amount of nuts used?
Tori Avey says
I’ve never frozen the milk Iris, I’m not sure! We go through it pretty quickly here so it doesn’t usually go bad unless we’re leaving on vacation or something. You will be able to tell when it goes bad; it sours quickly and thickens to a lumpy texture. I wouldn’t try it after expiration, since I’m not sure how safe it will be (or how your tummy will react!).
Marge says
Ugh, I have a run-on sentence. Wish I could edit. I’d like to state for the record that I know that 2 complete sentences need a period or semicolon separating them!
Claudio says
Marge: You mean between “water” and “mine”? It’s so good to find someone who knows how and when to use a semicolon… Seems a forgotten art; most people these days do not know what to do with a semicolon. In fact, you don’t see one often enough. All the best. (I’ll –lemme rephrase: “my wife will”) try both recipes…)
marge201 says
Yes, Claudio, that is exactly where I missed the end-of-sentence punctuation. Yes, a semicolon is a lost art but a more important lost art is knowing where a sentence ends. Run-on sentences are rampant.
I’m now off of almond milk and have hopped onto the unhulled organic sesame seed bandwagon. I throw them into everything. When I make milk, it’s sesame milk. Tons of calcium in the unhulled is the reason. Hoping it helps!
Claudio Di Gregorio says
Sesame milk, eh? It sure helps.
This thread gets better and better.
I found this link to brown and black sesame milk:
http://poxacuatl.wordpress.com/tag/black-sesame-milk/
Thanks
Marge says
2 ounces of raw almonds is more than 1/3 cup and less than 1/2 cup, so figure about 40% of a cup. So Tori’s I’m sure fabulous almond milk is a ratio of 1 part nuts to 4 parts water, mine is 1 part nuts to 10 (or so) parts water. As with anything that costs money, it’s a good exercise to see how low can we go and still enjoy. This works for me. Others I’m sure would find it watery.
Mashugana says
I went to my local Health Store but was concerned about where the almonds came from and they were extremely expensive.
I went to Costco and they have the Almonds with the skin on three pounds for 13 or 14 dollars. Purchased two bags, and one woman who was shopping, heard my conversation with DH, and she will contact me.
I will make two batches Marge and Tory’s versions.
JenE says
Does Costco carry the organic raw almonds? If so, I’m heading down there tomorrow!
Mashugana says
My Costco does not at this point have organic almonds, but have been adding plenty of new organics daily!
Since, it is Costco, I will use their almonds because they have EXCELLENT quality control.
I purchase powdered skim milk for a family member. The store chain I prefer not to mention, and the only one that has that consistency is organic. When mentioning to friends, they were so surprised.
Marjorie says
I have been looking for this information, I love the almond milk. We have used it for a long time because it is low in carbs, I have lost 62 pounds and am not pre-diabetic anymore. My husband is on insulin and glimepride. His last A1C hemoglobin test is lower,also.