Looking for a dairy-free alternative to traditional cow's milk? Almond milk is a delicious and nutritious option that's easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Creamy and nutty, almond milk can be enjoyed alone or used as a substitute in your favorite recipes. Follow this easy recipe to make your homemade almond milk with whole raw almonds, filtered water, and a few optional additions like vanilla extract and sweetener. Whether vegan, lactose intolerant, or just looking for a healthy and tasty beverage, this recipe is a great choice.
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What is Almond Milk?
Almond milk is a plant-based milk alternative made from ground almonds and water. It is a popular dairy-free and vegan-friendly option known for its nutty flavor and creamy texture. It can be used as a substitute for cow's milk in many recipes and grocery stores in refrigerated and non-refrigerated forms. In addition, it is often fortified with vitamins and minerals, like, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E, to provide additional nutrition. It is also low in calories and fat compared to cow's milk, making it a popular choice for maintaining a healthy diet.
Brief Highlights Of Our Almond Milk Recipe:
- Taste: Homemade almond milk has a creamy texture and a mild, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness if you choose to add honey or maple syrup.
- Texture: It has a smooth and creamy texture, making it a versatile dairy-free milk alternative.
- Method: Making almond milk at home allows you to control the ingredients and flavor to suit your preferences. It's a simple process that requires only a few ingredients and a blender. Homemade almond milk is a fresh and delicious alternative to store-bought versions.
Almond Milk Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Whole Raw Almonds: Almonds are the main ingredient in this recipe and provide the nutty flavor and creamy texture of almond milk. They are a great source of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals like E, magnesium, and calcium.
- Filtered Water: Water is used to blend the almonds and create the milk. Filtered water is recommended to remove any impurities or chlorine taste that may affect its flavor.
- Kosher Salt: A pinch of kosher salt can enhance the flavor. It is optional and can be omitted if desired.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds sweetness and flavor to it. It is optional and can be substituted with other flavorings like almond extract or cinnamon.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Honey or maple syrup can be added to it to sweeten it. They are optional and can be adjusted to taste. Honey is a natural sweetener and provides antibacterial properties, while maple syrup adds a unique flavor and is a good source of antioxidants.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Almond Milk
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Place the almonds in a medium bowl and cover with 2 cups of cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until softened and plump, at least 8 hours but preferably overnight. Drain the almonds through a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse well. Reserve the sieve for later. Transfer the almonds to a blender and add 2 cups of fresh cold water. Blend on high until very smooth, about 2 minutes. It's okay if the mixture looks slightly grainy.
Line the reserved sieve with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and place it over a medium bowl. Working in batches, pour the blended mixture through the cloth in the sieve, separating it from any grainy bits. Gather the edges of the towel together and use your hands to squeeze out any remaining milk. Stir in vanilla, salt, honey, or maple syrup to flavor and sweeten almond milk. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Substitutions
- Whole Raw Almonds: If you have a nut allergy or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute the almonds with other nuts like cashews, hazelnuts, or pecans. Remember that the milk's taste and texture will differ with each substitution.
- Filtered Water: While filtered water is recommended to create the best flavor, you can use tap water if filtered water is not available. However, the taste may differ slightly depending on the tap water quality.
- Kosher Salt: If you prefer not to use salt or do not have any on hand, you can omit it from the recipe. It does not affect its overall texture of it.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness and flavor, but you can substitute it with other flavorings like almond, cinnamon, or cocoa powder.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Honey or maple syrup can be substituted with other sweeteners like agave nectar, stevia, or coconut sugar. Remember that the sweetness level may differ depending on the substitution, so adjust the amount to your taste. If you prefer an unsweetened version, you can omit the sweetener altogether.
Variations
- Chocolate Almond Milk: Add 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the blender and the almonds to make chocolate almond milk.
- Spiced Almond Milk: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to the blender and the almonds to make spiced almond milk.
- Matcha Almond Milk: Add 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder to the blender along with the almonds to make matcha almond milk.
- Strawberry Almond Milk: Add a handful of fresh or frozen strawberries to the blender and the almonds to make strawberry almond milk.
- Salted Caramel Almond Milk: Add 1-2 tablespoons of caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt to the blender and the almonds to make salted caramel almond milk.
- Vanilla Bean Almond Milk: Split a vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds. Add the seeds to the blender and almonds to make vanilla bean almond milk.
How to Serve
This recipe is a versatile and delicious almond-based milk that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you drink it straight up or use it in your coffee, smoothies, or baking, almond milk provides a rich and nutty flavor that's hard to resist. It's also a great dairy-free and vegan-friendly option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.
With just a few simple ingredients, including whole raw almonds, filtered water, and optional sweeteners and flavorings, you can easily make it at home and enjoy it in all your favorite recipes. So next time you're looking for a healthy and tasty alternative to cow's milk, try almond milk!
How to Store
Properly storing is critical to maintaining its flavor and texture. To store it, transfer it to a covered container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before using to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
Tips for Making The Best Almond Milk
- Soak the almonds: Soaking them for at least 6 hours or overnight can make them easier to blend and improve the texture of the almond milk.
- Use filtered water: Using filtered water can help improve the taste of the almond milk, as it removes any impurities or chlorine taste that may affect the flavor.
- Strain well: Make sure to strain the almond milk well to remove any large pieces of almond pulp, which can affect the texture of the milk.
- Add flavorings: Adding vanilla extract, cinnamon, or other flavorings can enhance its flavor and make it more enjoyable to drink.
- Sweeten as desired: If you prefer sweetened almond milk, add a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Store properly: Store it in a covered container in the refrigerator and shake well before using, as some separation may occur.
- Experiment with different nuts and flavorings: Be bold and try nuts like cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, or other flavorings like cocoa powder or matcha to create unique and delicious almond milk variations.
FAQ
Is almond milk healthy?
Yes, almond milk is a healthy alternative to cow's milk. It is low in calories and fat, high in protein and fiber, and contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium.
Is it suitable for vegans?
Yes, it is a vegan-friendly option made from plant-based ingredients.
Is Homemade better than store-bought almond milk?
It is often better than store-bought almond milk because it contains fewer additives and preservatives. It also lets you control the ingredients and flavorings, resulting in a more personalized and healthier version.
Can it be used in cooking and baking?
Yes, it can be used as a substitute for cow's milk in most recipes, including baking and cooking.
Can it be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen for 2-3 months. Be sure to leave room for expansion in the container or ice cube tray, and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Is it safe for people with nut allergies?
No, it is not safe for people with nut allergies. Other non-dairy alternatives, such as soy or oat milk, can be used instead.
Is it suitable for people with lactose intolerance?
Yes, it is an excellent alternative for lactose intolerance as it is dairy-free.
Notes:
- Soaking the almonds beforehand removes the enzyme inhibitors naturally present in their skins. If these enzyme inhibitors are consumed, they may cause digestive discomfort, which is why I recommend soaking the almonds first, then draining and rinsing thoroughly. The soaking water should not be used in this recipe because it contains the toxins you just removed!
- You can use the almond pulp for all kinds of things like oatmeal, hummus, homemade granola, smoothies, cookie, muffin batter, etc...
- Feel free to substitute any other nuts or seeds, to create a variety of dairy-free milk; Brazil nuts and Hazelnuts don’t need to be soaked before blending, as they do not contain enzyme inhibitors like other nuts.
Related Recipes:
Recipe
Easy Almond Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole raw almonds
- 4 cups filtered water (less to thicken, more to thin), divided
- Pinch kosher salt , optional
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Honey , or maple syrup, optional
Instructions
- Place the almonds in a medium bowl and cover with 2 cups of cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until softened and plump, at least 8 hours but preferably overnight.
- Drain the almonds through a fine-mesh sieve, then rinse well. Reserve the sieve for later. Transfer the almonds to a blender and add 2 cups of cold water. Blend on high until very smooth, about 2 minutes. It's okay if the mixture looks slightly grainy.
- Line the reserved sieve with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and place it over a medium bowl. Working in batches, pour the blended almond mixture through the cloth in the sieve, separating the almond milk from any grainy bits. Gather the edges of the towel together and use your hands to squeeze out any remaining milk.
- Stir in the vanilla, salt, and honey or maple syrup to flavor and sweeten the almond milk. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Soaking the almonds beforehand removes the enzyme inhibitors that are naturally present in their skins. If these enzyme inhibitors are consumed, they may cause digestive discomfort, which is why I recommend soaking the almonds first, then draining and rinsing thoroughly. The soaking water should not be used in this recipe because it contains the toxins you just removed!
- You can use the almond pulp for all kinds of things like oatmeal, hummus, homemade granola, smoothies, cookies, muffin batter, etc...
- Feel free to substitute any other nuts or seeds to create a variety of dairy-free milk; Brazil nuts and Hazelnuts don’t need to be soaked before blending, as they do not contain enzyme inhibitors like other nuts.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.