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Want to learn how to make almond milk? You only need 5 minutes, a couple ingredients, and a high speed blender to make the richest and creamiest almond milk you’ll ever have. Vegan, Whole30, and paleo!
My family and I, we drink a lot of almond milk.
We usually buy it by the carton, but even the healthiest of brands has an ingredient list longer than my thumb.
But this girl doesn’t have time for complicated processes when it comes to healthier switcheroos. Nope. If it requires thinking ahead, planning, soaking… I’m out. I just totally forget! I can barely keep up with “wacky sock day” at preschool or when my client proposal is due. And if learning how to make almond milk requires planning ahead, it’s just not happening.
This process for how to make almond milk is the answer to my prayers! Not only is it super, super easy and quick, but it produces an almond milk that’s richer and creamier than anything you’d find at the store, and the ingredients are squeaky clean, healthy, and easy to pronounce!
Why This Homemade Version Is So Good
- It’s made in five minutes, start to finish.
- Learning how to make almond milk produces the best almond milk you’ll ever have! It’s so much richer and creamier than store-bought.
- It uses only a handful of simple ingredients. If you want to learn how to make plain almond milk, all you need is almonds and water!
- You can include dates and vanilla extract for a healthy lightly sweetened vanilla almond milk.
- This almond milk uses only clean ingredients, and you can pronounce everything on the list.
- Did I mention it only takes 5 minutes?!
Do you need to soak the almonds when you make almond milk?
Nope! So long as you have a high-speed blender, like a Vitamix or Blendtec, you do not need to soak the almonds. You do want to make sure you use raw almonds and blend for long enough. But soaking is not necessary in my experience.
How to Make It
It’s a super simple 2-step process. Ready?
- Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until totally smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Strain the liquid through a nut milk bag.
That’s it!
Ingredients
Want to learn how to make almond milk? Here’s what you need for the simplest recipe:
- Raw almonds
- Water
That’s it!
If you’d like to make a vanilla or lightly sweetened version, you’ll add
- Pitted dates
- Vanilla extract
It really couldn’t be simpler.
Can I make almond milk with a regular blender?
You can, but you will need to soak your almonds for at least 4 hours if you do not have a high-speed blender. Soaking the almonds overnight is even better.
Do I need a nut milk bag?
I love using a nut milk bag to strain the almond pulp out of the homemade almond milk because it’s so, so easy. However, you can absolutely use a couple layers of cheesecloth to sieve out the solid parts of your almond milk. Simply line a strainer with 2-3 layers of cheesecloth and pour the mixture through, then twist the ends of the cheesecloth and wring out as much liquid as possible. Discard the almond pulp or use it in a recipe.
Storage Instructions
Now you’ve learned how to make almond milk! Store your rich and creamy dairy-free milk in an airtight glass or metal container, preferably a bottle for easy pouring. It will last a few days in the fridge, but it’s best fresh. Make sure to shake it prior to use; it will separate.
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
How to Make Almond Milk (In 5 Minutes)
Equipment
- high-speed blender
- nut milk bag or cheesecloth and strainer
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 4-5 cups water
Vanilla Almond Milk
- 1-2 dates pitted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Start with 4 cups water. Cover and blend on high for 2 minutes until completely smooth. Add the remaining 1 cup water to reach the desired texture.
- Place a nut milk bag or strainer, lined with 2-3 layers of cheesecloth, over a bowl. Pour the mixture through then wring the bag or cheesecloth to squeeze out the remaining liquid from the pulp.
- Discard pulp or use in an almond pulp recipe. Keep homemade almond milk in a glass or metal jar or airtight container in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
Video
For a lightly sweetened vanilla almond milk, use the almonds, water, dates, and vanilla extract. For an almond creamer, you can use even less water. Start with 2 1/2 cups and work up to 3 1/2-4 cups water. If on Whole30, omit dates and vanilla extract.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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So if you want it as a creamer for your coffee, do you use less water?
We didn’t test it that way but you can definitely try that! Please let us know how it turns out!
I made it in 2 batches and I added dates and I adjusted the water level (to taste) and it is perfect. It is not too sweet, the taste of almonds is so good. One question any suggestions of what I can make w the left over grounded almonds?
Thank you so much, Abby, I’m so glad you enjoyed the almond milk! We don’t have any recipes using the leftover almond pulp, unfortunately, but if you Google “almond pulp recipes”, several great options come up!
Hai Cheryl…. I’ m Monika from Indonesia.
Which one is better, using raw skinless almond or raw almond with skin?
Hi, Monika! We used almonds with skin in this recipe, but skinless would be delicious as well. Hope this helps!
Very easy to make and it tastes yummy
So glad you enjoyed it, Pam! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
It just doesn’t taste the same. I usually buy almond milk 60. I followed the recipe using 2 pitted dates. Should I have used more?
It’s hard to say if you needed more dates – it just depends on the flavor you were trying to get at the end! I’m not familiar with almond milk 60, but if it’s a sweeter almond milk, then it’s definitely possible you may have needed more dates.
To get creamy milk for coffee with less pulp I used 1 cup raw unpastureized soaked almonds to 3 cups water. Blended 4 minutes in vitamix. Does blending that long cause any health problem?
Nope!
Looks so good! Where are those glasses from? That you poured the milk into
They are Weck brand.
I have a plastic bottle from the last store-bought almond milk I bought. Could I not use that and keep plastic out of the landfill a bit longer?
Absolutely! We’re all about reusing things to help the environment.
What recipes would you use the nut pulp in?
We would probably use it in some form of baking, energy bites, ice cream, smoothies, etc.
I don’t know why I never take the time to make my own almond milk because this just sounds AMAZING and I love how easy it is! That’s a genius idea to throw in dates as well 🙂 Sounds delicious! I bet it would be amazing to use for dairy free ice cream as well!
Thank you!!!
So easy and fast. No need to soak the almonds for a big win! I put maple syrup in it. Perfect for smoothies and so much healthier and cheaper. Thanks for the recipe!
So glad you loved it, Janine! 😊