How to Make Almond Milk at Home

4.98 from 34 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

How to make almond milk with just 2 ingredients in 10 minutes. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, whole30, and free from gums and emulsifiers – perfect for coffee, cereal, baking, etc. Flavored options included!

A bottle with homemade almond milk

Homemade plant-based, dairy-free milk has become a staple in my kitchen for several years. As convenient as it is to buy a carton, the best homemade almond milk is also cost-effective, can easily be naturally flavored, and is really simple to prepare. And you are 100% in control of the ingredients, which means no unwanted additives, thickeners, gums, or stabilizers.

Plus homemade tastes so much better than store-bought almond milk! Just blend soaked almonds with water until creamy, and voila – a dairy-free, plant-based milk alternative that is wonderfully creamy and nutty. As an added bonus, almonds are a great source of heart-healthy fats and contain plant-based protein, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and more.

So let’s dive right into making homemade almond milk!

Pouring homemade almond milk in a glass

Almond milk ingredients

There are just three ingredients and one is optional!

  • Almonds: It’s best to use raw, unsalted almonds. In a pinch, you could use unsalted roasted almonds, though it won’t be as creamy, and you’ll end up with more pulp.
  • Water: I like to use filtered water, but you can use tap water (if safe) too.
  • Sea salt: (Optional) A pinch of sea salt will enhance the flavor.

FUN FACT: If you don’t have raw almonds, you can still make a quick almond milk in 2 minutes: no prepping, no straining, no waste! How? you ask…
– All you need is 1 Tbsp 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!

Ingredients for homemade almond milk

How to make almond milk

Soak

First, leave the almonds to soak in a large bowl covered with cold/room-temperature water for 8-12 hours. This step is necessary because soaking the nuts makes them easier to blend and more easily digestible. Plus, the antinutrients within (like phytic acid) are neutralized for higher nutrient absorption.

Soaking almond in a bowl with water

Optionally add a teaspoon of salt (to help “activate” the nuts and further neutralize the enzyme inhibitors). Alternatively, do a “quick soak” by leaving them in hot water for 3-4 hours (no salt needed).

Blend

After soaking, drain and rinse the nuts. Transfer them to a high-speed blender. Add fresh water and blend until it’s creamy and milky (usually a couple of minutes in a high-speed blender).

Steps for blending almonds into milk

Strain

Finally, pour the almond milk mixture through a nut milk bag (or layers of cheesecloth within a fine-mesh strainer) to strain any remaining pulp/solids. Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible. Enjoy it immediately or funnel it into a glass bottle!

Steps for straining homemade almond milk

How to flavor

Almond milk has a slightly nutty but mild flavor that pairs well with many ingredients. Add your extras when blending and then strain, as usual.

  • Sweetened: Add 1 Tbsp maple syrup/agave/honey OR 2 Medjool dates (or date paste).
  • Vanilla almond milk: Sweeten and add around 1 tsp of vanilla extract or powder.
  • Chocolate: Add 2 pitted Medjool dates, 1/2 Tsp vanilla extract & 1 Tbsp cacao/cocoa powder.
  • Strawberry: Add 2 pitted Medjool dates, 1 Tsp vanilla extract & 1 cup fresh strawberries (or other berries).
  • Spiced: combine sweetener with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, etc. – to taste.
  • Almond golden milk: Add golden spice or golden paste.

Ways to use almond milk

You can enjoy this DIY almond milk in many of the same ways as regular dairy milk:

  • As the liquid base for smoothies and smoothie bowls,
  • In coffee, iced coffee, tea, or hot chocolate,
  • With cereal and granola,
  • Use for oatmeal or overnight oats,
  • To make chia pudding,
  • In baking – to make batter for cakes, pancakes, etc.,
  • Add it to sauces and soups,
  • To drink as is – either plain or flavored.
Pouring homemade almond milk in a bottle

What do you do with almond pulp

There are plenty of ways you can use the leftover almond pulp:

You can also dry it out in the oven at 200ºF/90ºC (usually for between 1 ½-2 hours) and use it as-is or blend it into almond flour/almond meal to:

Storage instructions

Refrigerate: Store it in an airtight, sterilized bottle in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. If it has a sour smell and taste, it’s gone bad.

It’s important to shake it each time before using it, as the lack of stabilizers means the drink separates as it sits in the fridge.

Freeze: I like to freeze mine in ice-cube trays so it’s “portioned” and I can pop a few cubes out, as needed. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Chef’s Tip: If you want to heat almond milk, make sure to do so slowly over low-medium heat. Stir often so it doesn’t come to a boil. This will prevent it from curdling.

Other nut milk recipes

If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!

How to Make Almond Milk at Home

4.98 from 34 votes
By: Samira
How to make almond milk with just 2 ingredients in 10 minutes. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, whole30, and free from gums and emulsifiers – perfect for coffee, cereal, baking, etc.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 
 

  • 1.5 cup almonds raw unsalted
  • 4 cups water filtered or tap if safe to drink
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt optional

Instructions 

  • Leave the almonds to soak in a large bowl covered with cold/room-temperature water for 8-12 hours. You need 4 cups of tap water for soaking them.
    Optionally add a teaspoon of salt (to help "activate' the nuts and further neutralize the enzyme inhibitors in nuts. Alternatively, do a "quick soak" by leaving the nuts in hot water for 3-4 hours (no salt needed).
  • After soaking, drain and rinse the nuts.
    If you don't use salt, you can use the soaking liquid to water plants. Don't drink it!
  • Transfer the almonds to a high-speed blender. Add fresh water and blend until it's creamy and milky (usually a couple of minutes in a high-speed blender).
  • Pour the mixture through a nut milk bag (or layers of cheesecloth within a fine-mesh strainer) to strain out any remaining pulp/solids. Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible.

Storage Info

  • Store: Store it in an airtight, sterilized bottle in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
    It's important to shake it each time before using it, as the lack of stabilizers means the drink separates as it sits in the fridge.
    Freeze: I like to freeze mine in ice-cube trays, so it's "portioned", and I can pop a few cubes out, as needed. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

The ratio of almonds to water:
  • For “regular” milk (like 2% milk): Use ONE cup of almonds + FOUR cups of water.
  • Creamier (like half and half): Use ONE cup of almonds + THREE cups of water.
  • Light, subtle milk: Use ½ cup almonds + FOUR cups of water. It will be slightly creamy but with a milder, more watery flavor/consistency.
Check the blog post for how to flavor the milk and for serving recommendations!
Course: DIYs, Drinks
Cuisine: American, Global
Freezer friendly: 3 Months
Shelf life: 4-5 Days

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 86mg, Potassium: 399mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Calcium: 154mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




28 Comments

  1. I was wanting to try your recipe to make almond yogurt. I like a thick, creamy, Greek-like yogurt. If I make the thicker milk (with the higher almonds to water ratio), will I mess up your almond yogurt recipe?