Almond Milk Recipe: How To Make Nut Milks At Home

If you’ve ever wondered how to make almond milk at home, you’re not alone. With growing awareness around food ingredients, toxins, and unnecessary additives, more people are choosing to make their own almond milk instead of relying on store-bought options.

Years ago, after realizing that my guy wasn’t tolerating cows milk, I started consuming almond milk instead. But at the time, I had no clue that most nut milks on the market are loaded with added sugar, gums and stabilizers. When I learned all about what is actually in store bought almond milk, I made a commitment to myself to no longer drink it, unless I was making it from scratch, at home. 

The good news? This homemade almond milk recipe is an easy way to create fresh, creamy almond milk using just a few simple ingredients. Once you try it for the first time, you may never go back to store-bought versions again.

Why You Should Make Almond Milk at Home

Many store-bought versions of almond milk contain added gums, stabilizers, and sweeteners that simply aren’t needed. Even unsweetened almond milk often includes flavor enhancers or thickeners. Making your own almond milk gives you full control over the ingredients and quality.

Common ingredients found in store-bought options:

• Carrageenan or gums: Used for texture but can irritate digestion for some people
• Added sugars or artificial sweeteners
• Low almond content: Some brands contain only part almonds or as little as 2% almonds

When you learn how to make almond milk, you skip the fillers and enjoy a fresh almond milk made with whole almonds, cold water, and optional natural flavorings. It’s a healthier alternative to cow’s milk and other non-dairy milk options like coconut milk.

How to Make Almond Milk: Base Recipe

This is the base recipe you can customize in so many favorite ways.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup organic raw almonds
• 4 cups of water (filtered, cold water)
• Optional: pinch of sea salt
• Optional: 1–2 dates or pure maple syrup
• Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract, cinnamon, or cacao powder. Try my homemade vanilla extract here

Note: You can use blanched almonds for a smoother texture, but whole almonds work great too.

Instructions:

1. Soak the almonds
   Place 1 cup of almonds in a small mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Soak overnight or for at least 4 hours. This helps reduce phytic acid and makes blending easier.
2. Drain and rinse
   Drain the soaking water and rinse the almonds thoroughly.
3. Blend
   Add soaked almonds and 4 cups of fresh filtered water to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, until completely smooth and milky.
4. Strain
   Pour the blended mixture through a nut milk bag, nut bag, cheese cloth, or fine mesh strainer over a mixing bowl. Squeeze well to extract all liquid, leaving behind the leftover almond pulp.
5. Optional flavoring
   For creamy almond milk with flavor, pour the strained milk back into the blender with vanilla extract, dates, cacao powder, or a pinch of sea salt. Blend again briefly.
6. Store
   Transfer your smooth almond milk to a glass jar or mason jar. Refrigerate for 4–5 days and shake well before using.

Tips for the Best Almond Milk

• Use less water (parts water) for a creamier milk

• Adjust cups of water to almond ratio for thicker or lighter milk

• Blend longer if you prefer ultra-smooth almond milk

• Make a large batch and store in multiple jars

This homemade version is fresher, cleaner, and tastes better than most store-bought options.

What to Do With Leftover Almond Pulp

Don’t toss the leftover pulp or remaining water-soaked almonds! The leftover almond pulp can be dried and used in:

• Almond flour or almond meal

• Baking muffins or cookies

• Homemade granola

• Smoothies

• Almond butter

It’s one of the great options for reducing food waste and stretching your ingredients.

Health Benefits of Homemade Almond Milk

Learning how to make almond milk at home isn’t just about taste—it’s about supporting your health with cleaner, more nourishing ingredients. This homemade almond milk recipe offers several benefits compared to store-bought options and even cow’s milk.

1. No Additives, Preservatives, or Gums

One of the biggest advantages of homemade almond milk is what it doesn’t contain. Store-bought versions often include gums, stabilizers, and preservatives to improve shelf life and texture. These additives can be hard on digestion for some people.

When you make your own almond milk, you get a smooth almond milk made with whole almonds, cold water, and optional natural flavorings—nothing else. It’s real food, in its simplest form.

2. Easier to Digest

Soaking raw almonds before blending helps reduce phytic acid, a naturally occurring compound that can interfere with mineral absorption. This soaking process makes the almonds easier to digest and allows your body to better absorb nutrients.

For people who experience bloating or discomfort from cow’s milk, homemade almond milk can be a gentle non-dairy milk alternative that supports digestion without sacrificing creaminess.

3. Higher Nutrient Density

Many store-bought options contain very few almonds per carton—sometimes only part almonds mixed with large amounts of water. When you make almond milk at home, you control the ratio of cups of almonds to cups of water, resulting in a more nutrient-dense and creamy almond milk.

Whole almonds provide:

• Vitamin E for skin and immune health

• Healthy fats that support satiety

• Plant-based antioxidants

Using organic almonds further reduces exposure to pesticides and unwanted chemicals.

4. Supports Blood Sugar Balance

Unsweetened homemade almond milk contains no added sugars, making it a smart option for supporting stable blood sugar levels. Unlike sweetened store-bought versions, you can choose exactly how—and if—you sweeten your milk.

This makes homemade almond milk a great option for people following a clean eating, low-sugar, or whole-food lifestyle.

5. Naturally Dairy-Free and Lactose-Free

For those avoiding dairy due to lactose intolerance, sensitivity, or personal preference, almond milk is an excellent alternative. Homemade almond milk provides a creamy texture similar to cow’s milk without the digestive issues dairy can cause.

It also works well in coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, and baking—making it one of the most versatile non-dairy milk options.

6. Freshness Matters

Fresh almond milk simply tastes better—and freshness matters when it comes to nutrition. Homemade almond milk hasn’t been sitting on a shelf for months. It’s vibrant, clean, and full of flavor, making it easier to enjoy and stick with as a healthy habit.

Final Thoughts

Once you learn how to make almond milk at home, it becomes second nature. This easy way to create fresh almond milk gives you better taste, better ingredients, and better nutrition than most non-dairy milk alternatives. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been making nut milk for a long time, this truly is the best almond milk for everyday use.

Want more healthy recipes and favorite ways to use non-dairy milk? Check out these recipes below 👇

Hot Matcha Tea Recipe
Immune Boosting Smoothie: Green Mango Superfood Blend

OR try try this almond milk recipe with my Crunchy Homemade Granola!