Dairy-free milk is only growing in popularity. But with so many different kinds to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start.

One that’s always a win, though? Oat milk. It’s delicious, needs less water to produce than other options (particularly its almond milk lookalike!), and can be used in everything from your morning coffee to dairy-free desserts. You can also learn how to make oat milk at home in seconds.

Making your own oat milk is easy. All you need is a blender, some good ol’ fashioned oats, and a strainer. While the only two must-have ingredients are oats and water, Samira Kazan of Alpha Foodie recommends adding in Medjool dates and vanilla extract to up the sweetness and flavor. Pure maple syrup is a great option, too.

Another pro-tip: Lisa Bryan of Downshiftology says to avoid hot water when making your oat milk, which “can make the oats more starchy and gummy (just think what happens when you make oatmeal),” she says.

When you use ice-cold water instead, you’ll get a much smoother blend. Additionally, you can soak the oats for 10 minutes before blending, which helps create an even creamier consistency. Here’s how to make oat milk at home in record time.

How to Make Oat Milk at Home

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
3 cups cold water
1 Tbsp maple syrup (optional)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add rolled oats and cold water to a blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth. If you want an even thinner consistency, add a little extra cold water.
3. Add in maple syrup and/or vanilla for extra sweetness and flavor.
4. Strain and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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