Learn how to make almond milk with just 2 ingredients for unsweetened or add a few more for chocolate almond milk or strawberry almond milk! Better than store bought.
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Whether you cannot find almond milk or you are looking to create your own to control what goes into your food, you have likely wondered how to make almond milk from scratch.
We’re here to tell you that it’s literally one of the fastest and easiest things that you can create.
In fact, it’s almost wrong to call this a recipe with how easy it is to make.
When you learn how to make almond milk, it’s going to be one of those moments where you are like WHATTTTT. Why have I never done this before. And then you never go back to buying store bought again.
Now let me know you before you ask.
Is there a cost benefit or does it cost more to make almond rather than buying it already made?
The answer isn’t clearly set in stone; however, the answer is yes, it can be.
If you can find bulk almond for at or below $0.35 an ounce, then it is definitely cheaper to make, especially once you factor in that you are also getting almond flour the the almond milk as well.
Tip: To make this the easiest way, use a nut milk bag.
Almond Milk Recipe Ingredients
You only need 2 ingredients to make an unsweetened, unflavored almond milk.
Those two ingredients are raw almonds and water.
Salt is optional.
And then if you want sweetened or flavored, you can add vanilla or another extract and maple syrup or cane sugar.
Below, we’ll share how to do strawberry and chocolate too.
How to Make Almond Milk
- The first thing that you want to do is soak the almonds overnight in cold water with salt (optional). If you do not have that kind of time or just want it to go faster, then you can also soak the almonds in a pot of boiling water for 2 hours.
- After the almonds are soaked, drain and rinse thoroughly the water from the almonds.
- Add the soaked almonds and new water to a high speed blender and blend until you almost can’t see any almonds (no large chucks remain).
- If you are adding other option ingredients, then you can do so at this post and just blend to combine.
- Once that is ready, then you need to pour the mixture through a nut milk bag, kitchen towel, or even a very fine mesh strainer (we prefer the first option).
- Squeeze until all the milk comes out.
- Once all the milk is squeezed out you can add in other flavors as desired.
- Save the pulp and make almond flour (see below).
How do you make almond flour?
Once your milk is squeezed from the bag, you are going to take the pulp and crumble it onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
Once you have all the pulp crumbled into small pieces, you are going to bake it, flipping, at every 30 minutes for the first 90 minutes. Then, for the last 30 minutes, flip every 10 minutes, making sure that nothing gets burnt.
After that, add it to a food processor or high speed blender. Grind until small, flour granules have been formed.
Once finally turned into almond flour, store or use in things like gluten free pancakes and more.
Almond Milk Recipe Variations
How do you make strawberry almond milk?
In order to make vegan strawberry almond milk, you are going to make your almond milk exactly as directed.
Then, you are going to make a strawberry syrup. Add your strawberries, sugar, and water to a saucepan and let cook on medium heat until the strawberries break down, pushing down as needed.
Once the strawberries are broken down, about 7-10 minutes, strain It through a sieve.
Then use that to mix into your almond milk.
You can use the strawberry pulp leftover in muffins or on top of pancakes for zero waste.
How do you make chocolate almond milk?
In order to make vegan chocolate almond milk, you are going to make your almond milk exactly as directed.
Then, you are going to make a chocolate syrup. Add your chocolate powder, sugar, vanilla and water to a saucepan and let cook for about 3 minutes. Then add in the powdered sugar.
Whisk well and then let reduce by about half, about 7-10 minutes, and then strain it through a sieve.
Then use that to mix into your almond milk.
Can I make milk with other types of nuts?
Yes, you could repeat the process with other similar types of nuts.
How to store Homemade Almond Milk
When you store the milk properly, homemade almond milk can last for 3-5. We recommend an air tight container
Can you freeze almond milk?
Fresh almond milk is always best! But we know that you might not be able to use it before it spoils. The good news is you can freeze almond milk!
There are two ways to freeze almond milk:
- In an air tight container with a lid.
- In ice cube trays individually. When frozen, pop out and into an air tight bad.
Tips: It’s important to remember that liquids expand when frozen, so leave extra room at the top no matter which way you choose. Also remember to date the bag or container so you know when to toss. Use within 3 months.
Ways to Use Homemade Almond Milk
You may be wondering what are some ways to use the almond milk once you have it. Any way that you would use store bought almond milk, you can use this almond milk.
Whether that’s a glass by itself, in your cereal, or in a recipe, that possibilities are endless. Here’s a few of our favorite recipes:
- The Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Glazed Vegan Donuts
- Try one of our delicious vegan smoothies
- 5 Ingredient Vegan Everything Dough (learn how to make 1 dough with 5 ingredients and turn it into over a dozen recipes)
- Or just use it to dip in some delicious Vegan Triple Chocolate Cookies
Homemade Almond Milk FAQs
Listen, we are all about zero waste; however, you do not want to use the leftover water from the almonds soaking.
The reason is because almonds, when soaked, release a high level of phytic acid which blocks the absorption of many ingredients.
Almond milk can go bad. You need to use fresh almond milk within 3-5 days or you can freeze it up to 3 months as long as it’s frozen before it goes bad fresh.
The taste of bad almond milk will be bitter or sour, while the smell will also be sour or just funky.
It’s normal for fresh almond milk to separate after the first day a bit, but it shouldn’t be curdled.
Almond milk by itself is just almonds and water. Nothing else is need, therefore, it’s not sweet.
However, if you would like sweetened or flavored almond milk, like you find in the store, you can use sweeteners or flavorings, like vanilla, to customize your almond milk to your liking.
You should not leave your almond milk sitting out for more than 2 hours without being refrigerated as longer than that you run the risk of bacterial growth.
How Almond Milk is Made: Pin for later!
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How Do You Make Almond Milk
Ingredients
For Unsweetened, Unflavored
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 tsp salt, optional
- 4 or 5 cups water (4 for thicker, 5 for thinner) + more for soaking
For Sweetened
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup (or vegan cane sugar)
For Vanilla Flavored
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Strawberry Flavored
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
For Chocolate Flavored
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup vegan cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Soak the almonds overnight in cold water with salt (optional). To go faster, boil a pot of water and pour over almonds, cover and wait 2 hours.
- Drain and rinse soaked almonds thoroughly. Discard any water.
- Add the soaked almonds and 4-5 cups new water to a high speed blender and blend until no large chucks remain. *Four cups for thicker milk, 5 cups for thinner.
- If adding vanilla or can sugar/maple syrup, then do so at this post and just blend to combine.
- Once that is ready, pour the mixture through a nut milk bag or even a very fine mesh strainer (we prefer the first option).
- Squeeze until all the milk comes out.
- Once all the milk is squeezed out refrigerate and use within 3-5 days.
- If making strawberry or chocolate you can add and blend the entire amount or just add to a cup at a time.
For strawberry almond milk
- Make almond milk exactly as directed above.
- Add your strawberries, sugar, and water to a saucepan and let cook on medium heat until the strawberries break down, pushing down as needed, until reduced by half, about 7-10 minutes.
- Strain it through a sieve.
- Mix into your almond milk as desired.
- Use the leftover pulp inside muffins or on top of pancakes.
For Chocolate Almond Milk
- Make almond milk exactly as directed above.
- Add chocolate powder, sugar, vanilla and water to a saucepan and let cook for about 3 minutes. Then add in the powdered sugar.
- Whisk well and let reduce for 7-10 minutes.
- Mix into your almond milk as desired.
Making Almond Flour From Almond Pulp
- With the leftover pulp after squeezing milk, crumble it onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
- Bake it for 2 hours, flipping, at every 30 minutes for the first 90 minutes. Then, every 10 minutes for the last 30 minutes. Until completely dried.
- Add it to a food processor or high speed blender. Grind until small, flour granules have been formed.
- Use right away or store in an air tight container for up to 3 months.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Love it! Thank you for the step by step! I think my almonds taste funny because I used tap water to soak them? Thoughts?
While we have used tap and not had a problem, doesn’t mean that where you are it couldn’t be different depending on what’s in your water. Maybe try distilled and see if you like better
I made the sweetened almond milk version and my family loved it. I’m on my 3rd round of making this. It’s running out way quicker than the store bought almond milk I used to buy. It used to sit in the fridge sooo long. Thus recipe is a definite winner. Maybe I’ll try the chocolate version this weekend 😋
So glad to hear that you’re loving it so much!
I just made the sweetened vanilla version and it’s so creamy and tasty. My kiddos love it and I can’t wait to use it in my overnight oats.
YAYYY!!! We’re so excited to hear that you loved the recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we appreciate it so much