How to make almond milk from almond butter at home with just two ingredients, in 2 minutes, using one of three methods (using the ‘instant nut milk’/ ‘almond milk hack’). Best of all, these methods works with all seed and nut butters!
Over the past few years, I’ve found myself turning more towards dairy-free milk options, particularly integrating options like homemade almond milk and oat milk into my day-to-day routine. I love to make it at home to avoid the extra added gums and stabilizers in most store-bought options (unless you want to pay a premium!).
However, I’m definitely not the most organized and I run out at the most inconvenient times when I don’t have the time to make more from scratch OR pop to the shops. So when I discovered the ‘almond milk hack’ to make instant almond milk (and other nut milks!), I was more than impressed!
Chef’s note: Throughout this post, I will be mainly referring to almond milk and almond butter; however, these methods work for all nuts and seeds you usually see as ‘milk.’
By using one of three simple methods, you can prepare what’s needed in advance and store it in the refrigerator for ready-to-make 2-minute almond milk for months. In fact, if you have nut butter in your pantry right now, then you can make some milk right now!
Within this post, I’ll take you through not only how to make instant almond milk right now (as long as you have almond butter in your kitchen). I will also show you how to prepare for the future with a quick fridge or freezer homemade option, so you can have almond milk for months to come.
Why Make Almond Milk From Almond Butter?
- It’s fast: like 2-minutes kind of fast (or less!)
- You can avoid additives: simply use natural nut butter and you get to avoid all the gums and additives in various store-bought nut milk brands.
- No straining necessary: unlike when you make nut milk from scratch, using almond butter allows you to skip the straining step.
- No waste: if you make nut milk from scratch then you’ll know it always results in a lot of leftover pulp that needs using. However, this method is virtually waste-free (apart from some almond skins in method 3!).
- Milk for months: unlike store-bought options that require cartons and cartons of storage space, all three methods mentioned below use very little storage space for weeks, if not months, of instant nut milk.
How Does It Work?
If you’ve ever made homemade nut milk, you’ll know that the process basically involves blending the nut down into a rough paste before adding water, blending, and straining – until you have creamy, smooth milk.
Using this nut milk hack allows you to basically skip the first part of the process. Just use prepared smooth almond butter (or nut/seed butter of your choice) and combine it with water.
Even better, as the nut butter starts off really smooth, you get to skip the straining step too!
How To Make Almond Milk From Almond Butter
Within this post, I’ve included three simple methods for making nut butter milk. The first uses store-bought nut butter for a truly ‘instant almond milk’ that you could potential make right this second. The second and third require homemade nut butter, but can be made rarely and stored for months of milk-making opportunity!
Although the latter methods do take a little effort, it’s only required very infrequently. More so, it ends up more cost-efficient than buying store-bought nut butters, and you can be 100% in control of the ingredients!
The Ingredients
- Nut/Seed Butter: use a creamy, natural butter that contains just 2 ingredients if possible (the nut/seed plus salt). If your nut butter has added oils and other ingredients it may affect the way it blends up.
- Water: using filtered water is best but not necessary.
(Optional) Sweetener: this instant nut milk will naturally be unsweetened. If you want to add a little natural sweetener you could use maple syrup, honey, or even a little date paste. Use 1/2 tsp per cup to begin and increase as needed.
Other add-ins: I’ll often add a little vanilla extract or cinnamon.
Method 1: Using Store-Bought Almond Butter
Okay, this is the almond butter hack you’re probably all here for (initially anyway). Using store-bought nut butter (that you probably have in your kitchen right now), you can prepare almond butter in literally two minutes: no prepping, no straining, no waste! How? you ask…
- All you need is 1 tablespoon of almond butter per 1 cup of water.
- Blend both ingredients in a high-speed blender for between 40-60 seconds until creamy and thoroughly incorporated – voila!
Check the Ingredient notes above for selecting the best nut/seed butter.
Method 2: Using Homemade Almond Butter
If you already have some in your fridge then, yay! You can use the exact method as above and have creamy almond milk in minutes.
For this method, you can prepare Almond Butter (or your nut/seed butter of choice), according to these recipes. However, the process is simple – all you need is just the nut/seed, a pinch of salt, and a high-speed blender. Once prepared, almond butter has at least a two-month shelf life or even longer if kept in the fridge or freezer; for months of potential almond milk.
Once prepared, you can use it as in method 1 – combining it with water to make creamy, rich milk.
Best of all, the homemade 2-ingredient nut/seed butter can be used as a butter and for milk; two-for-the-price-of-one!
Method 3: Using Homemade blanched almond butter ‘cubes’
Okay, this final method takes a little forethought but will provide you with almond milk for 3-4 months. Just minutes of fairly low-effort (and a little patience for the hands-off prep time) prepped 3-4 times a year is more than worth it in my eyes.
Within this process, blanch the almonds (which is technically optional but yields super white, creamy results) then blend them into a puree to freeze into 1 Tbsp ice-cubes. The white nut mixture makes rich, creamy almond milk.
For this method you’ll need 1 1/2 cups almonds (raw or roasted), a pinch of salt, and water.
First, rinse and soak the almonds in cold water overnight (8-12 hours).
Once soaked, rinse the almonds once more.
To blanch the almonds – follow this blanching method – which takes just a few minutes and surprisingly little effort!
Chef’s Note: you can also buy already blanched almonds. Then just give them a quick rinse and process with the next steps.
Then, add the almonds to your high-speed blender with a pinch of salt and blend until you obtain a buttery consistency. Add a little water if necessary to help the almonds blend; up to 1 cup.
Once blended, transfer to an ice cube tray (ideally 1 Tbsp per ice-cube), and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the ice cubes to a freezer-safe container of your choice and keep them in the freezer for between 3-4 months.
When you want instant almond milk, remove as many cubes as is required. Add the cubes to a cup, add water and mix well – this works with both warm or cold water, depending on what drink you want to make. Alternatively, you can add the cubes with the water to a blender and blend for 30-60 seconds until smooth.
If enjoying warm, I recommend adding a little vanilla, cinnamon, and the sweetener of your choice and enjoying as is!
How To Store
If you prepare a large batch of instant milk, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Just note, there are no stabilizers, so sediment from the nut butter can sink. Make sure to thoroughly shake the jar/container before using it.
Of course, it’s best to use the frozen cubes and only make as much instant milk as needed. The frozen almond butter cubes will keep in the freezer for 3-4 months.
FAQs
Do I have to use almond butter?
Definitely not. You can make cashew milk from cashew butter, peanut milk from peanut butter, sunflower seed milk, pistachio milk, etc. Really any nut or seed butter that you buy or can make could be made into instant milk; even coconut butter works.
Will any almond butter work?
It’s best to use a natural almond butter (or nut/seed butter of your choice) with just the nut/seed in question and salt (which adds to the flavor and is usually used within the milks anyway). It can be raw or roasted.
Avoid nut butters that have added oils and tons of additives because they can affect the flavor and texture (and will generally not be as healthy).
You can use chunky nut butters too, just make sure to blend them a little to begin, to smooth them out. If needed, you can always sieve/strain the nut milk if there are little bits in it.
Is almond butter milk healthy?
It’s a common misperception that because you can see ‘oil’ which has separated from the almond butter, that it must be super unhealthy. The oils found in almond butter are from the almonds themselves though, so they naturally separate after blended.
As long as you are using almond butter that just contains almonds and salt, then the ‘butter’ is literally just the finely ground nuts – so yes, it’s no less healthy than if you had a glass of water and some almonds as a snack.
Top Tips & Method Notes
- When making either homemade nut butter: feel free to soak the nuts if you’re worried about the anti-nutrients within them and digestive issues.
- Feel free to increase/decrease the amount of almond butter used based on how rich and creamy you want the instant milk to be. Just note this will increase the fat/calories (as well as cost per cup).
- This hack works with any creamy nut or seed butter; even this homemade Nutella!
- I’ve had no issues using this instant milk in hot drinks without separation.
- No high-speed blender is required: if you plan on using pre-made nut butter for this hack!
Related DIYs & Recipes
- A Comprehensive Guide To Vegan, Dairy Free Milk
- The Ultimate Guide: Homemade seed & Nut butter recipes
- Guide to Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Easy 5-ingredient Golden Milk (Turmeric Milk)
- How To Make Homemade Coconut Condensed Milk
- Simple Oat Milk Creamer (Oat Cream)
- How To Make Cashew Cream
If you try this instant nut milk method, let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. I’d also really appreciate a recipe rating and would love to see your recreations – just tag @AlphaFoodie.
Instant Almond Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
To make blanched almond butter 'cubes'
- 1.5 cups blanched almonds
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water start with just a bit
Instructions
Method 1: Using store-bought almond butter
- All you need is 1 tablespoon of almond butter per 1 cup of water.
- Blend both ingredients in a high-speed blender for between 40-60 seconds until creamy and thoroughly incorporated – voila!
Method 2: Using homemade almond butter
- If you already have some in your fridge then, yay! You can use the exact method as above and have creamy almond milk in minutes.
- Or, prepare Almond Butter (or your nut/seed butter of choice), according to these recipes. The process is simple – all you need is just the nut/seed, a pinch of salt, and a high-speed blender. Once prepared, you can use it as in method 1 – combining it with water to make creamy, rich milk.
Method 3: Using homemade blanched almond butter 'cubes'
- If you start with almonds with their skins on, rinse and soak the almonds in cold water overnight (8-12 hours). Once soaked, rinse the almonds once more.
- Blanch the almonds – follow this blanching method – which takes just a few minutes and surprisingly little effort!You can also skip these 2 steps and buy already blanched almonds, which you only need to rinse.
- Add the blanched almonds to your high-speed blender with a pinch of salt and blend until you obtain a buttery consistency. Add a little water if necessary to help the almonds blend; up to 1 cup.
- Transfer the almond butter to an ice cube tray (ideally 1 Tbsp per ice-cube), and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the ice cubes to a freezer-safe container of your choice and keep them in the freezer for between 3-4 months.
- When you want instant almond milk, remove as many cubes as is required. Add the cubes to a cup, add water and mix well – this works with both warm or cold water, depending on what drink you want to make. Alternatively, you can add the cubes with the water to a blender and blend for 30-60 seconds until smooth.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Very happy with this! Thanks Samira. I made the blanched almond/version 3. My only complaint is that there is some sediment. I have a blendtec and use the special small twister jar meant for making nut butter (I don’t recommend blendtec products) and it got very hot even when giving it breaks, on low setting, and added 1/2 cup water overall. I bet using a better appliance there would be a smoother consistency and no sediment. Glad to have healthy instant milk on hand, and saving lots of money too.
Loved this content!!
Hi I just made it and was wondering what the ratio from cube to water is?
Hi Alexis,
When using the frozen almond butter cubes, it’s really up to personal taste how much to use. Depending on the size of the cubes, I suggest first using just 1 or 2 with 1 cup of water to see if you like the taste. You can then adjust as needed. I hope this helps.
I’ll definitely try this. Tnx for easy and fun recipes ❤️
Alpha Foodie recipes and food is amazing!
Amazing content! So detailed and well laid-out! Your DIYs make me never feel like never buying again!! Very easy to follow I have yet to find a hack/recipe I don’t like on here.
Thank you for your comment, Rachel. Glad you are enjoying these DIYs.
I wonder if this also works with rice? I mean they make rice milk, so does it have the same preparing as nuts? Nice work!
Hi Claudia,
There is a rice milk recipe here on the blog – https://www.alphafoodie.com/simple-homemade-rice-milk-2-ingredients/
The process is different but still easy. I hope this helps.
I love a lot!! That’s incredible. Thank you si much Samira. Your work is
wonderful
I love everything you do!!
Amazing hack!
Loved. This !! Thank you soo much! Love from Colombia!!!
I tried this just to see how it would work and it definitely worked out! Really appreciate this recipe and will definitely keep these cubes in the freezer
Genius hack!!
Love it!
Amazing. Will surely try it
You’re so creative! I love this
Thanks for sharing!!
You are The Best
I have learned so much from you. Thanks for always posting such informative and useful tips, recipes and food facts!!
Thank you so much for your comment, Aiasha.
Great!!
Fantastic idea! Will definitely do it
Well done!nice job!!
YOU ARE A GENIUS!!!!
you’re so kind, thank you so much 🙂
Totally love love this idea since the store bought milk should be consumed within 5days. So thank you for this , it will be more worthed and cost saving making the almond butter and use it as milk
Thank you for your comment, Candice.
For homemade milk, it’s also recommended to consume within 5 days. But at least you can adjust and make smaller amounts if needed. Also, check this post for instant almond milk using long-lasting frozen almond butter cubes (all homemade with an easy process) https://www.alphafoodie.com/instant-nut-milk/
This recipe made my day as I had many problems after I removed my gallbladder. Tasting the almond milk from grocery make me feel sick. So I think your way is much better I will try it and hopefully its gonna work for me. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your comment, Dorsaf. I hope you liked the recipe.
Amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
This absolutely amazing. Your ideas rock girl ! 🙂
You are a genius❤️❤️ I keep rewatching ur nut milk video on insta, definitely trying this!!
Thank you so much Milena, so glad you liked this ❤️❤️
Love the idea!!!
I always thought such things are more complicated to make but they’re simple and I absolutely love the content.
Loved this recipe amongst the endless other recipes by Alpha Foodie!
you’re so kind, thank you so much Kiri 🙂
So great !
Great
amazing recipe!! loved the flavour
This is so helpful!
I have never seen this before!!! So cool and creative
Thank u so much for this!
Wow! I think u just made my life easier coz where i live nut milk is so hard to find
Your content ALWAYS so thorough and high quality…absolutely love your style of sharing how to make delicious things in the kitchen. Thank you so much!!!
You’re so kind, thank you so much 🙂
Thank you so much for your amazing content- I’m happy to subscribe:]
You’re very welcome Helen, so glad to have you here 🙂
This is pure genius!
When making almond milk the usual method, it always feels off to separate the solids with a cheese cloth because what about all those fibers and other delicious things? (I know the stuff that remains in the cheese cloth can be used in a million ways, but still) with this recipe though, there’s nothing left over to deal with and I can already picture myself popping a delicious almond cube into my morning coffee, yay!
Thank you, Ronak. Yes, there’s nothing left over with this method. I hope you gave it a try 🙂
This is so useful! Never gonna run out of almond milk again. Thank you!
Brilliant! I’m definitely going to use this. Thank you so much for putting in all the effort to develop amazing hacks like this. My family thanks you too.
Thank you so much, Jenny. I hope you gave this hack a try 🙂
Seems very easy
I love how you show creative recipes on your Instagram stories and feature vegan and enviro-friendly hacks (like long-life nut milk)!
Thank you for your comment. I hope you give some of the recipes a try 🙂
I love your cool ideas!!!!
I love your Almond milk process and the fact that you store them as cubes! So smart and easy 🙂
Hi Manuela, thank you so much! So glad you liked it :-).
All your content is what I had been searching for since I cannot even remember❤️ I love your clear and very important explanations! You answer the “Why” and “How” perfectly too! Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Manuela. ❤️
This is such an amazing idea!!!
I can’t wait to try this!!!!
Excelente blog! Love all your receipts and investigations. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Muito legal, nunca tinha visto essa dica. Vou tentar. Obrigada e beijos do Brasil!!
Very nice, Never seen this tip before. I will traz. Thank you and kisses from Brasil!!!
Thank you, Marília. I hope you gave this recipe a try
I can’t wait to try this!!!! Love your work!!!!
Always love your food hacks and it inspired me many times to make my own fresh milk, cheese, tofu and so many other dishes.
Thank you for all the time you put in to this blog ( and Instagram)
Thank you so much for your comment, Ramona. I am so happy you’ve tried my recipes.
The best!
I love this idea! Will do it for sure!!!
Love your almond milk hack
I love your creations!
Thank you for sharing
This is going to save me so much money! Love it!
I love all your recipes and hacks!! Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve been addicted to your instagram for a while since I saw you on Crazy Delicious and now that I finally clicked to see your blog…WOW!! Im so impressed with the amount of things you already have here! When I was reading I was constantly like “I have to click on this recipe later and that one and that one!”. Congratulations for having so many nice hacks, foods and meals, you’re amazing!!
Thank you so much for your comment and kind words, Juliana. I hope you give some of the recipes a try 🙂
You are the Lionel Messi of cooking…..I have no words
Love you so much you are a legend!!!!
awwww you’re the sweetest Karlo, thanks a million, sending you lots of love xx
Thank you for sharing this with us!
This is so cool! Thanks!
You’re amazing!
Can’t wait to see all of the other things you will come up with!!
Amazing hacks !!!! Ive leatn so muchhh thank you ! Love your blog ❤️
Wow nice
Gonna try it now
Amazing recipe. All the recipes you curate are great
Super easy and super healthy recipe ❤️
The best idea ever love all your recipes ❤
Amazingly simple!!! Love it
This is amazing! I will definitely try.
Thank you ! This will be a game changer for me !
Love the recipe! I love almond!
Wow! I love the fact that I can keep it in the fridge. Thank u!
You’re very welcome Sophia, glad you like it 🙂
That’s brilliant thanks Samira!
Great recipe!! Love this almond milk
Thank you for all all your efforts and best advices!!
This is amazing, such a good tip!
I looks healthly an practical to have in the fridge, I will try do to it. Thank you for the explanation
Thanks, Carla. I hope you give it a try.
Love this method
Super interesting stuff always. Appreciate all the effort that has been put in testing different methods / recepies and detailed explanations.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Suvi.
You have such an incredible work ethic. This isn’t even your main source of income! You’re a professor which is so cool 🙂 I love every single post by you and your authenticity. You are fantastic and I respect you for your dedication and consistency towards this blog!
Thank you so much for your comment, Veena. You are so very kind. ❤️
Great idea, love it!
Love it!
This is awesome, will make a batch on the weekend! Thanks for sharing
I love your recipes, your attitude, you are giving everything you’ve got from heart, you are just amazing chef, personality and soul!❤️
awww you’re so kind Yulia, thank you so much for your love and support. Your words mean so much to me ❤️❤️❤️
Wow this is such a cool hack. I don’t feel like having nut milk all the time, so with this method I can consume it whenever I want. Awesome!!
Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I appreciate you!
Easiest way ever to make almond milk! I used to do this in a very similar way with my mom and dad when I was a child. Thanks for bringing me back to memory
those happy moments!
Thank you for your comment, Kima. It’s such an easy way, isn’t it 🙂
Awesome method. Learnt so much from you. Always looking forward to your blogs and videos
Thanks a million Remya, you’re so kind ❤️
Love love love your recipes and DIYs always inspiring!
Awesome recipe, so handy, saves a lot of time. Thank you for coming up with new & helpful stuff. Very inspiring
So innovative! Thank you!
As always, incredible hacks and recipes! Love your content!
I have been trying all your recipes these days and all I can say is I havent seen anyone sharing stuff like you do. Everyday is a new learning . It is fun to see and to try your recipes literally . I made zoodle pasta in dinner , prepared overnight oats for tomorrow and berry compote thanks to you for all the recipes .. I just soaked the almonds and will be making the milk. So much love and respect for you! Keep sharing amazing recipes , ideas and knowledge on the stuff.
Thank you so much for your comment, Deepika. So kind of you! I am so happy you are trying and enjoying my recipes. ❤️
You always come up with such great recipes and hacks! Definitely going to try this one!
Big fans from indonesia
Thank you so much Fauziah :), greetings from Oxford!
This blog is awesome!!! Tomorrow I will do the almond butter hack!!! Loved the idea!!!!
Samira.
You are amazing, what you are posting every day is always a guarantee of success.
I thank you so much
You are sharing Love.
Simona
Thank you so much for your kind word, Simona. ❤️
Great idea ! Have to try it!
love it!
You are truly the best!!!
Best hack ever!
Absolutely brilliant!
Purely genius!
Yet another awesome hack/recipe! Mostly follow the stories on instagram but the daily inspo is reeaaall!! Thanks and keep it up!
Thank you so much, Rachel. I hope you give this hack a try 🙂
Amazing recipe, really love your methods!!
Such an approachable method. Thank you!
This hack its top!! I will try it. Thank you so much!!!
Genius !!
Well explained!!love the little details you explain!!!
Love all the inspiring content you show us! Thank u
Gréât!
The best food blog ever! Please never stop ❤️
You are genius!! I love the idea
This is so helpful, Samira! Thank you for bringing such great tips everytime!
Omg I love this!! I am never buying almond milk again!
You’re amazing! Love all your hacks and hard work testing things for all of us! Everything I’ve made is amazing!
Absolutely an amazing hack thanks so much
OMG o love your idea thanks for sharing x
Love it❤️❤️❤️
Such an amazing idea! That’s how I’ll be making from now on!
Thank you so much! Glad you are enjoying this hack.
Love it!
Amazing Hack. I never considered making almond milk in my kitchen but this is a game changer !
Thank you so much Iman, so glad you liked it :))
This is great!