So this plant milk or cream if you like, is a gem I've been really into lately! A beautifully creamy and smooth oat milk, it's great for making cappuccino, cafe latte, or as a little addition to your black tea. And what's the best thing about it? It foams up beautifully when heated and the foam even holds a sprinkle of cinnamon or my delicious spiced sugar!
So you can create amazing hot beverages in your home, just like you would get in a coffee shop.
Actually I really like dairy products in general, but I prefer plant-based alternatives in my coffee or tea. When I have my "coffee or tea with milk", I want my beverage to be creamy and ideally with a fine foam. I want it to taste great, taste lightly sweet and be easy to digest and I achieve all of that with this homemade alternative.
I feel that for most of us plant-based alternatives to milk are just a substitute for milk for vegans and for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergy . Um... after all, it's in the name "plant-based milk alternative" so to speak.
But plant-based milks have been enjoyed for a very long time! And although it wasn't until the end of the 20th century that the first oat milk saw the light of day, almond, soy or coconut milk are traditional drinks in many countries. Although they are consumed slightly differently from our traditional milk. So don't be hooked by labels and look at the world of plant milks and beverages as a world of new experiences and new flavors! <3
How does oat creamer taste in coffee?
In this oat creamer, it is the oats, or rolled oats, that can be mostly noticed. The coconut and the sweetness of the dates go well with the taste of oats and complement each other beautifully. The almonds or cashews are a little more subdued in taste, but they soften the taste of the coconut. This way, you won't feel like you're drinking coconut milk, which could also overpower the taste of your coffee or tea of the tea of your choice.
Are you familiar with oat drinks called 'Barista'?
It is a classic oat milk that is enriched with oil , usually rapeseed oil, to give it a higher fat content so that the milk can be whipped easily and has similar properties to milk.
I don't know of any trick to perfectly blend any oil into oat milk, but I do know how to substitute it in oat milk and how to achieve the same effect, resulting in smooth milk and a creamy frothy drink! This time, we're going to add just enough fat from natural and minimally processed sources, which means nuts!
What is the difference between plant-based creamer and plant-based milk?
Plant-based creamer is usually thicker than milk. In our recipe, the creamy consistency is achieved by using less water. If you would like to make a thinner consistency, there is nothing easier than increasing the amount of water in the recipe!
However, this is the thick cream I like to make the most. Because you don't have to use it only in coffee or warm beverages! This oat creamer is absolutely perfect for baking, thickening soups or creamy sauces!
Why make a homemade version of plant-based creamer?
The question is whether it is worth making a plant-based creamer at home when it is already easy to find in the groceries! Although it's easy to buy a carton of plant milk or cream at the store, and I buy them myself "to stock up" so I have something to reach for in a pinch, it's still convenient to make this homemade version too! Here are a few reasons:
- You know what you eat - you only need a few ingredients to make this oat creamer, which you most likely already have at home anyway. Store-bought versions often contain added ingredients such as guar gum, starches, sugar, oil, flavorings and emulsifiers. Whereas with the homemade version, you only use minimally processed ingredients.
- Easy to make - really, making oat creamer is as easy as making your favorite smoothie.
- Save money! - you can choose the quality of the ingredients yourself and thus create a plant-based creamer for literally a fraction of the money.
- Made in a few minutes - when you have all the ingredients ready, you can have your creamer ready in no time!
- It's fun - watching these few ingredients become milk is a strangely satisfying experience!
- Taste delicious - each ingredient has its own specific flavor, and together they create a creamer that's perfect in almost anything.
- It's easy on the digestion - when combined with coffee or tea, plant milk is easy on the digestion, and trust me, you won't feel bad even after drinking a whole cup!
- So versatile! - you don't have to strictly use the cream in coffee or drinks, it's great for baking and cooking too!
What ingredients do we need to make oat creamer?
Making your homemade oat (coffee) creamer is very simple! We only need 6 basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or sitting on your kitchen shelf anyway!
- rolled oats - we will ideally need the big ones (JUMBO), they make the creamiest and tastiest milk
- almonds I use almonds with the skin on, which means they contain more nutrients and don't worry, the milk will still stay beautifully white. You can also use blanched almonds or cashews instead.
- Coconut slices - you can use sliced or coarsely grated unsweetened coconut. The coconut will give the milk the necessary fat for a nice whipped texture, a mild flavor and also a beautiful white color.
- dates - try the sweetest Medjool dates, and pitted of course, you better check this at least twice so there really isn't a bite! Dates add a mainly sweet taste to the milk.
- pinch of salt - salt enhances the flavor so it must not be missing in this oat creamer as well!
How to make homemade oat creamer?
The day before , soak whole almonds in water, so the almonds soften and blend well. They should be soaked for at least 8 hours. If you don't have that much time, you can use cashews, which only need to be soaked for 30 minutes.
The next day, put the oats, strained almonds or cashews, coconut slices, dates, salt and water in a blender/food processor and blend finely. If you have a small blender, you will need to make in two batches.
In a large bowl, prepare a sieve and place a cheesecloth or a special nut milk bag. Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth and then squeeze out as much "milk" as possible.
Pour the oat creamer into a clean airtight container where it will keep good for approximately 5 days if stored properly in the fridge.
TIPS:
- the oat creamer will separate the water from the other ingredients over time. Therefore, before each use, stir or shake the creamer thoroughly to bring everything back together
- to make a cappuccino, heat the cream gently in a saucepan and then froth it with a whisk or immersion blender . The mixture should not be boiled, otherwise the consistency and qualities of the creamer will change
- You can also flavor the oat creamer to your liking with ground vanilla or extract, ground cinnamon, gingerbread or chai spices, cardamom or add a touch of color with turmeric.
- The cocoa version is also delicious - in that case, add more dates or a little more maple syrup!
- You can also completely replace the dates with maple syrup or with honey, agave syrup, coconut syrup or just regular sugar
Recipe
Recipe for 500 ml
Homemade oat creamer
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (100 g) oats (large)
- ½ cup (75 g) almonds (with skin) or cashew nuts
- ½ cup (30 g) coconut slices
- 2 pitted dates
- pinch of salt
- 3 cups cold boiled or filtered water
Instructions:
-
- The day before , soak whole almonds in water to soften. They should be soaked for at least 8 hours. If using cashews, they only need to be soaked for 30 minutes.
- The next day, put the oats, strained almonds or cashews, coconut slices, dates, salt and water in a blender/food processor and blend finely. If you have a small blender, you will need to make in two batches.
- In a large bowl, prepare a sieve and place a cheesecloth or a special nut milk bag. Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth and then squeeze out as much "milk" as possible.
- Pour the oat creamer into a clean airtight container where it will keep good for approximately 5 days if stored properly in the fridge.
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