If you're wondering how to make nut milk, let me tell you that it's easy. And it also saves money making it home. I also enjoy knowing what's going into my nut milk, and skipping the unnecessary additives often found in store-bought brands.
I use the same process to make milk from seeds. And it's just as simple!
How to Make Nut Milk Using Hazelnuts or Other Nuts
So what types of nuts can be used to make nut milk? I have used the following:
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Brazil Nuts
- Cashews
From this list, almonds and hazelnuts are my personal favorites.
Using Seeds to Make Milk
Just like nuts, seeds also make great-tasting and nutritious milk. So if you have some pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds in your pantry, this is another tasty way to use them. Here is a list of all of the types of seeds I use to make milk:
- Sesame Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
I haven't tried flax seeds, but you can also use those too. Out of all of the seeds, hemp seeds have an impressive omega 3 content. But I find their taste a little bitter. So you can either sweeten the milk with a date or a touch of sweetener like maple syrup.
How to Prep the Nuts and Seeds
To prepare the nuts and seeds, I recommend soaking them in water for 7 hours. This helps to soften the nuts and makes them more digestible. It also helps to remove some of the phytic acid found in nuts.
After soaking the nuts or seeds for 7 hours, drain them through a strainer. Then place them in a blender and add fresh water. I like to use the NutriBullet blender when making smaller amounts of nuts or seed milk. It's small but mighty!
Optional Ingredients
I often make my nut milk or seed milk with literally just 2 ingredients: nuts or seeds + water. And that's it! But, if you prefer, you can add any of the following extras:
- Medjool dates (just remember to remove the pits!)
- Vanilla: either the pure vanilla extract or the scraped out vanilla bean powder from a vanilla bean pod
- Sea Salt: This helps with digestibility and adds a subtle depth of flavor. I always prefer the Redmond Sea Salt, and they have offered a 15% discount to the Natural Kitchen community. Just visit here and enter the code "NaturalKitchen" when checking out.
Using a Nut Milk Bag to Strain the Nut Milk
While you don't necessarily need a nut milk bag to make nut or seed milk, it makes it a heck of a lot easier.
For awhile I just used a fine mesh strainer like this one. I poured the milk through the strainer into a bowl. Then I pressed the pulp like crazy with the back of a large spoon to get as much of the milk out of the pulp as possible.
But when I eventually treated myself to a nut milk bag I realized how much milk was getting wasted. So I do recommend getting a nut milk bag, especially if you're planning on regularly making your own nut or seed milk at home.
To use it, you just drape it over a container that you want to use to strain the milk into. I use a simple 32-ounce plastic container like this. Then pour the blended milk through it. Carefully lift up the bag and gently squeeze the milk through it. It's a little bit of an art to do this without spilling it all over the place, so take your time.
Storing the Nut Milk or Seed Milk
How long will it last?
Freshly made nut milk will only last around 3 days in the refrigerator, so don't make more than you think you will use. It's so easy to make, you can quickly whip up another batch as long as you plan ahead with soaking your nuts or seeds.
What kind of containers to use?
You can use plastic, but I like to use glass mason jars. Either one works, and just be sure to give your nut or seed milk a good shake before serving since some of the fiber may settle and leave the more watery part at the top.
I hope you found this article helpful, and that you now feel inspired to make your own batch of nut or seed milk! Comment below if you end up trying it, and what ingredients you used. I'd love to hear!
If you enjoyed this, check out:
- This recipe for Almond Milk, which includes sunflower seeds
- Our Green Smoothie recipe that includes nuts (or you could swap seeds for the nuts)
How to Make Nut Milk or Seed Milk
- Yield: 1 ½ cups 1x
Description
It's fun and easy to make your own nut milk or seed milk. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a good blender, and you'll be on your way to tasty, homemade, plant-based milk!
Ingredients
½ cup hazelnuts or any other nut, or pumpkin seeds, soaked in water for 7 hours
1 ½ cups water
Instructions
Drain the hazelnuts or pumpkin seeds through a strainer. You can either reserve the soak water or use all fresh water. Basically you want the ½ cup nuts or seeds plus 1 ½ cups water.
Blend for 1 minute on high speed. Drape a nut milk bag over a tall, plastic container like this. Pour the nut or seed milk through the nut milk bag. Gently pull the bag up and carefully squeeze the milk through the bag.
Notes
- This milk will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. Shake before using.
- Feel free to double this recipe as this makes a small amount.
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- Cuisine: Vegan
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