Let’s make this easy! Today we are looking at how to make plant-based milk at home.
You don’t need any fancy equipment. Just a blender (any blender will do).
I’ll show you how to make them with and/or without a nut milk bag.
I’m sharing 4 different, easy plant-based milk recipes.
All made slightly differently.
First of all, let’s quickly look at some super helpful tips. Also be sure to take peek at the easy to follow video tutorials that I made to make your plant-based milk making so much easier!
Plant-based milk recipes in this article…
- Hemp seed milk
- Cashew milk
- Almond milk
- Hazelnut milk
Do I need to use a nut milk bag to make nut or seed milk?
Yes, and no. It basically depends which nut or seed you are using.
When do you NOT need a nut milk bag?
If you are making plant-based milk with softer nuts or seeds, such as shelled hemp seeds, cashew nuts or walnuts then you’ll be pleased to know that do not need a nut milk bag.
When DO you need a nut milk bag?
If you are making plant-based milk with harder nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, hulled hemp seeds (with shells still on), pumpkin seeds or macadamia nuts then it’s best to use a nut milk bag to strain off the pulp.
Do I need equipment to make nut or seed milk?
All you really need is a blender. The sort of blender that most households have these days. Any blender will do.
If you want to strain your nuts or seeds then you will also need a nut milk bag or a piece of muslin cloth.
You don’t need any specialist machines or fancy equipment to make your own plant-based milk at home.
The secret ingredients to making the best plant-based milk
Simply using nuts and/or seeds plus water will yield a delicious plant-based milk. Cashews are especially deluxe nuts to use for this!
If you want your plant-based milk to sing, then it helps to add a tiny dash of sweetener. This takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
In my recipes (below) I’ve used any of the following sweeteners in small amounts…
- Dates
- Maple syrup
- Coconut sugar
For a delectable ‘oh my god this is amazing’ taste you can also add a touch of vanilla extract.
Which is the best nut or seed to make a plant-based milk with?
It depends what you are looking for in your plant-based milk recipe.
- For health, I would say hemp seed milk comes packed with the most balanced nutritional goodness.
- To get a powerful boost of essential fats, including omega 3, then walnuts pack it in nicely.
- For delectability, then definitely go for cashew & vanilla or hazelnut milk.
- A good all-rounder would be almond milk.
How to make plant-based milk with and without a nut milk bag
Plant-based milk recipes using different nuts and seeds.
Ingredients
- 50g to 75g shelled hemp seed or cashews
- 500ml to 750ml water
- 1 to 2 teaspoons coconut sugar or maple syrup
- ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- There is no need to soak your hemp seeds or cashew nuts in advance, unless you have a really low powered blender. For most blenders you can blend them up without soaking, as they are soft enough already.
- Vary the amount of hemp seed or cashew nuts, depending on how creamy you want your milk.
- Add any sweetener or vanilla according to your preferred taste.
- Add the water and then blend for upto a minute. Your milk should be creamy smooth by this point. If it's not, then give it a little longer.
- Pour your plant-based milk into a glass bottle and put it in the fridge to chill.
- You will likely find that your milk separates after sitting over night in the fridge. This is perfectly normal because you don't have any additives or gums in there. Simply give it a shake before use.
- Your plant-based milk will keep up to 3 days in the fridge.
How to make plant-based milk WITH a nut milk bag
A recipe for making hazelnut or almond milk using a nut milk bag.
Ingredients
- 75g to 100g hazelnuts or almonds
- 3 pitted dates (or 1 tablespoon maple syrup)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 500ml to 750ml water
Instructions
What equipment do you need?
For this method you will need a blender. You will also need a nut milk bag or a muslin cloth to strain the pulp after blending.
You will need to soak your nuts
- The first step in the process of making plant-based milk with a nut milk bag is to soak your nuts overnight. This will make them soft enough to blend.
- If you don't have as much time then soaking for 5 hours works too.
- If you have got no time to soak, then use cashews as per the recipe above this one.
- If you are going to use dates rather than maple syrup, then make sure they are pitted and soak them along with the nuts.
Make your nut milk
- Once you have soaked your nuts they should be more plump.
- Strain them and rinse under a running tap.
- Put into a blender and add any maple syrup, vanilla and water as required.
- Blend for about a minute.
- Use a nut milk bag or a large piece of muslin square to strain off any pulp. Squeeze out the nut milk (see video directly below for a demo of this) into a bowl until you can't get any more out.
- Pour into a glass bottle and put into the fridge.
- This should last three days if kept chilled.
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Another easy plant-based milk recipe with walnuts…
Pin this guide for making homemade plant-based milk, with or without a nut milk bag here…
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