Zero Waste Oat Milk Recipe

I’ve been dairy-free for over 5 years now. I’ve tried ALL the plant milks. Some are just downright awful (I’m looking at you pea milk). And some, like oat milk, are a creamy, beautiful delight. It’s really only gained popularity in the last few years and I’m so glad. Out of all the different kinds of plant milk, oat milk actually has the smallest carbon footprint.

You can read more about the different environmental impacts different plant milks have, here.

Most commercial oat milk has a lot of additives and gums in them which for someone like me with a lot of gut issues, isn’t ideal. Don’t get me wrong, I still buy oat milk sometimes out of convenience. But I prefer to make my own and am working on weening store-bought oat milk out completely. Plus making your own helps to eliminate wasteful packaging.

Zero Waste Oat Milk Recipe:

I love this recipe because it only requires a few ingredients and comes together so quickly.

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary)
• 3 cups cold, filtered water
• 1 pitted date (or 1 tbsp maple syrup)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt

The method: 

1. Start by rinsing your oats. This helps to prevent your oat milk from getting slimy.
2. Add your oats, water, date (or syrup), vanilla and salt into a blender.
3. Blend for only 30-45 seconds. You don’t want to over blend your mixture.
4. Time to strain your oat milk. You can do this using a nut milk bag, but I prefer to do it in a french press. It’s easier and WAY less messy.
5. Keep the liquid (oat milk) in a sealed container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Natural separation will occur, just give your bottle a shake before use!

Because this oat milk recipe doesn’t have any added preservatives, it won’t last nearly as long as store-bought oat milk. But that’s ok and actually better for you! It should be good for up to two weeks in the fridge. You can always make smaller batches depending on how much oat milk you use!

To make this recipe extra zero waste, here is an amazing recipe to use your oat milk pulp!

Oat milk pulp brownies

What you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup oat pulp (leftover from your oat milk)
• 2 mashed bananas
• 1 egg (sub 1 flax egg if vegan)
• 1/2 cup flour of choice(I used gluten free all-purpose flour)
• 1/4cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup oat milk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Chocolate chips and chopped almonds (optional but soooo good!)

The method:

1. Mash your bananas and add in the oat pulp, eggs and oat milk and stir to combine
2. Add in your flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and stir again
3. Lastly, fold in your desired amount of chocolate chips and chopped almonds!
4. Transfer to a lined or greased pan
5. Bake for 20-30 at 350 degrees
6. Let cool and enjoy!

These brownies are chewy and such a great way to further reduce fod wste!

Read more about reducing food waste here.

I hope you enjoyed this easy zero waste oat milk recipe and decide to try it out for yourself!

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