How to Make Oat Milk Like Oatly (2024)

Learn how to make oat milk that's creamy, smooth, lightly sweet, and not slimy, even when heated or blended. Inspired by processes used by Oatly and other manufacturers, the trick is to add enzymes that break down starch into sugars. But don't worry, it's not as tricky as it sounds! I'll walk you through it step by step so that you can make oat milk at home that performs and tastes just like store-bought, for a fraction of the cost!

Not interested in the science behind using enzymes to make oat milk? Use the Jump to Recipe link at the top of the page or the Table of Contents to skip to the recipe.

The REAL Trick to Non-slimy Oat Milk

I share a lot of recipes made with oats, from oat flour in baking to oat milk in desserts and sauces. So naturally, I've wanted to share an oat milk recipe for ages! But I didn't want to do it until I figured out how to make a better oat milk.

If you've made oat milk before, you know exactly what I mean. It's finicky, and often feared, because oats get slimy when combined with liquid.

There are a few tricks you can use to reduce the sliminess, like using ice cold water and only blending for 30 seconds, but you're still left with an oat milk that can't be heated without becoming thick and gelatinous

As a side note, sometimes it's fun to use that "oat slime" to our advantage. It's great for creating extra creamy vegan ice cream, chocolate sauce, and even dairy-free sweetened condensed milk.

But for the best homemade oat milk, I wanted to learn more about how Oatly and other manufacturers use enzymes to transform starch into sugars.

So I went down the rabbit hole on this one! I reviewed dozens of articles, recipes, YouTube videos, and random comment threads.

Others have experimented with using enzymes in recent years, like Sauce Stache on YouTube, Modernist Pantry, and even Popular Science. But ultimately, we're all just guessing how the pros really do it. And I noticed that everyone's guess is a little different.

So I decided to order a few different enzymes and start experimenting. Each test batch taught me something, and eventually I landed on a recipe that makes sense to me. The ingredients are affordable, the results are consistent, and I feel confident I can teach you how to recreate the best oat milk in your kitchen!

What does amylase do to oat milk?

Amylase is an enzyme produced by the salivary glands and pancreas. It breaks down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars, which our bodies then use for energy.

You can think of amylase like a cleaver, acting at random locations along the starch chain, chopping it up into shorter chains.

Amylase is also manufactured (most often from plant or microbial sources, not animals) and commonly used in brewing and distilling to break down starches into fermentable sugars.

Oat milk manufacturers use a multi-step process (source), adding enzymes at two different stages, liquefaction and saccharification.

This is why store-bought oat milk tastes sweet, even without sugar in the ingredient list.

Temperature and time are also important factors. I found that heating the water to around 150 degrees Fahrenheit encourages the enzymes work more quickly.

That all sounds pretty simple, right? Well, it turns out there are several types of amylase, and they don't all do the same thing!

Alpha amylase breaks down longer starch chains into dextrins. Then, either beta or gamma amylase or glucoamylase breaks down the dextrins into sugars. This is key for removing the gritty, starchy mouthfeel, preventing slimy oat milk, and creating a naturally sweet taste.

During recipe testing I tried using alpha amylase that I'd purchased from a brewing supply company, but the results weren't great. It was like the job was only half complete.

Surprisingly, this 365 digestive enzyme supplement created the best tasting oat milk. As you can see on the label, the supplement contains two types of amylase PLUS glucoamylase.

Ingredients

How to Make Oat Milk

This is a basic overview of the process. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe below.

1. Heat the water to about 150 degrees. A thermometer is nice but not necessary. Stir in the oats and enzyme powder, and let soak for 30 minutes. During this time the water will develop a sweet flavor as the enzymes do their work.
2. Blend the mixture for 30 seconds (or a little longer if not using a high-speed blender). Strain the oat milk twice directly into a pot or large saucepan. I like to place one nut milk bag inside another, creating a double layer.

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3. Note: most oat milk recipes stress the importance of not squeezing the bag. But since this recipe solves the slime problem, it's fine to squeeze the bag with moderate pressure.
4. Whisking occasionally, bring just to a simmer, about 190 degrees F. Remove from heat, and stir in the salt and vanilla.

Let the milk cool before storing in a covered jar in the refrigerator.

Alternatively, you can add oil at this stage for a thicker milk similar to Oatly. Let the oat milk cool to room temperature. Then pour it into the blender (be sure to rinse out the blender first!), and slowly drizzle in the oil while the machine is running.

Helpful Equipment

Equipment plays an important role. The great news is that once you have these items, you'll be able to make endless batches, saving money and reducing waste!

• large bowl - to soak the oats with the enzymes
• blender - I use a Vitamix, but a standard blender should also work since the oats are very soft. It is a large volume, though, so you may want to blend it in two batches.
• nut milk bag(s) - I use basic nylon nut milk bags; I like to strain the milk twice by placing one bag inside another.
• thermometer - helpful for measuring the temperature of the water for the initial soak and the strained milk during the final stage of heating.
• large saucepan - during recipe testing, I found that heating the strained milk improves the mouthfeel (probably by transforming any remaining starch) and helps prevent separation during storage.

Variation: Chocolate Oat Milk

Use this basic oat milk to create all of your favorite flavors! Get creative with ingredients like powdered strawberries, extracts, cocoa, and spices.

For chocolate oat milk - per 1 cup of milk, add 1 medjool date, or your sweetener of choice, and 1.5 to 2 Tbsp cacao or cocoa powder.

Oat Milk FAQs

BONUS! And now that you know the process and have the ingredients on hand, you can also make your own dairy-free oat milk coffee creamer!

More Recipes With Rolled Oats

Are you excited and ready to make oat milk at home? If you try the recipe be sure to come back and comment below to let us know your favorite ways to flavor and use it!

Recipe