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This Almond Milk recipe is an easy dairy-free alternative that tastes even better than the store-bought variety. All you need is 2 ingredients to get started!

almond milk poured into a glass with almonds around it.

For those who can’t tolerate cow’s milk, almond milk is an easy lactose-free option. You can use it in smoothies, soups, sauces, cereal, and more!

Homemade almond milk tastes far superior when compared to store-bought almond milk, so be warned– you may never want to buy the prepared version again. 

Store-bought almond milk relies on preservatives for a longer shelf life and often has gums and thickeners added to make the milk have a uniform consistency. When you make almond milk at home, you can skip those added ingredients, so it tastes better.

Wondering what to do with the pulp?

Use the leftover almond pulp to make Almond Pulp Hummus or Almond Pulp Brownies

Ingredients You’ll Need

The only two ingredients you need to make almond milk are almonds and water. I tend to use almonds that are not roasted or salted, so the almond milk will have a neutral, mild flavor. However, roasted nuts will work, too! 

If you want to make flavored almond milk, you can also add vanilla extract and a splash of maple syrup, for sweetness. 

Check out my Vanilla Almond Milk and Chocolate Almond Milk variations for guidance. 

almond milk ingredients labeled on marble surface.

How to Make Almond Milk

  • Soak the almonds. 

Research doesn’t necessarily support the idea that soaking nuts improves digestion or reduces anti-nutrients, but soaking almonds ahead of time can make them softer and help them break down in your blender more easily. 

If you want to take the time to do this step, cover the almonds with at least 2 inches of water, so they have room to expand as they soak. (I usually use 2 cups of water to cover 1 cup of almonds.) Let them soak for up to 8 hours, then drain away the soaking water by pouring the almonds into a fine mesh strainer. 

You can skip this step if you already have a high-speed blender that can break down almonds effortlessly, or if you’re simply short on time!

almonds soaked in water and drained through fine mesh strainer.
  • Blend. 

Add the almonds into a high-speed blender, along with 4 cups of fresh water. Secure the blender’s lid and blend until the almonds are broken down and the mixture looks creamy, about 60 to 90 seconds. 

There should be almost no visible almond pieces when it’s done blending. 

almonds in blender blended until creamy to make almond milk.
  • Strain. 

Arrange a nut milk bag or cheesecloth over a large bowl, then pour the blended almond mixture into the bag. Carefully squeeze the bag, removing as much liquid from the almond pulp as possible. 

almond milk poured into nut milk bag and squeezed.
  • Enjoy!

You can use the almond milk right away, or add any extra flavorings to taste, such as vanilla, maple syrup, or a pinch of sea salt. Transfer the almond milk to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Because this recipe doesn’t call for any preservatives, it won’t last as long as store-bought milks do. (You’ll be able to tell it’s gone off when the smell or flavor goes sour.)

Be sure to make only what you’ll drink in a week, or plan on freezing the leftovers. You can easily scale the recipe as needed!

reserved almond pulp in bag and almond milk poured into glass jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is drinking almond milk good for you?

Almonds contain important vitamins and minerals, like vitamin E and magnesium. Magnesium is involved in many processes in the body, including blood sugar control, so drinking almond milk may help you meet some of your nutrient needs. It’s also helpful if you are dealing with lactose intolerance, and need a dairy-free alternative. 

Why do you wait to add the flavoring?

Straining the almond milk is significantly more difficult when you add cocoa powder into the mix, so it’s best to strain the almond pulp before adding flavoring. This also keeps the almond pulp neutral-flavored, so you can use it in other recipes later (like hummus, which would not work with sweet almond pulp).

What can you do with leftover almond pulp?

You can use the wet almond pulp immediately to make a batch of almond pulp hummus, or you can dry the almond pulp in a dehydrator or low-heat oven and save it to use a flour alternative. It’s not quite the same as almond meal, because some of the fat content has been removed, but it can also work similarly to oat flour in recipes. 

How can I use almond milk?

Try using it in chia pudding, or over granola, or stirred into your morning oatmeal. It’s also can be frothed to make a foam for lattes or used in a chai latte or healthy hot chocolate

Looking for more dairy-free milk ideas? You can make homemade oat milk for an affordable option, or try hemp milk for extra plant-based protein.

homemade almond milk on a cutting board with almonds on the counter.

How to Make Almond Milk

4.88 from 78 votes
Homemade Almond Milk is super-easy to make at home, and tastes better than the store-bought version! All you need is 2 simple ingredients to get started.
prep10 mins cook0 mins total10 mins
Servings:4 cups

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup almonds
  • 4 cups filtered water

Instructions

  • To soak the almonds before blending, cover them with 2 cups of water in a large bowl or jar, and let them soak for 4 to 6 hours. This step is optional, but may help with blending later if you don't have a powerful blender. Drain the almonds through a fine mesh strainer before moving on to the next step.
  • Add the almonds and 4 cups of fresh water to a blender. Secure the lid and blend on high-speed for at least 60 seconds, until no pieces of almonds are visible and the mixture looks creamy.
  • Pour the almond milk through a nut-milk bag or cheese cloth, squeezing well to extract the milk. You can save the remaining almond pulp for another recipe (see the full post for ideas) or discard. If you would like to flavor the almond milk with vanilla or chocolate flavorings, this is the time to whisk in any additions.
  • Store the almond milk in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. (You can freeze leftovers, if needed, for up to 3 months, too!)

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for roughly 1 cup of almond milk, but keep in mind that the nutrition calculator is just an estimate. It doesn’t remove the fiber from straining, and it’s hard to estimate how much of the natural fat stays with the almond pulp, or is extracted into the almond milk.
See the full post above for vanilla or chocolate flavor variations.

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.2g | Protein: 4.2g | Fat: 9.8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond milk, how to make almond milk

If you try this almond milk recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it!

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

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Comments

  1. My homemade almond milk separates when used for a cup of coffee. I keep having to turn the spoon otherwise it doesn’t look too appetizing. is there any way to stop the milk from separating in the coffee?

  2. I just made this. So simple and tasty. I love the fact that it is 2 ingredients. Never buying store bought again. I Can’t wait to make the hummus. Bravo and thank you.

  3. Very easy to make. I soak my almonds for 11 hours and used 31/2 cups of water to blend. I favored the milk with vanilla and sugar free maple syrup. I used the pulp and made almond hummus, that came out really good too!

  4. Can I use raw sliced almonds to make the almond milk? Would I use the same amount of nuts?