Oat Milk

Is oat milk better for you than dairy? 

So, like with all vegan alternatives, the big question is whether oat milk is better for you than cow’s milk. The answer is - it’s complicated. For one thing, how nutritious an oat milk is will depend on the brand. Every brand will use a slightly different recipe, so, the best brands will be the ones that are the most nutritious and it is important to look out for this when you buy oat milk.

The good news is that almost every vegan oat milk variety is fortified with the same vitamins and minerals as dairy milk, to make it just as good, if not better than cow's milk. For example, some contain Vitamin B-2, a vitamin not even found in dairy milk. Oat milk also often contains more carbohydrates than cow’s milk. 

However, it must be noted that plant-based milk often contains less protein than cow’s milk, and can contain more sugar.

So, our advice is, take a good look at the UK oat milk producers and what ingredients they use, so you can get the best nutrition for you. And, if you have any questions, speak with your doctor, or a dietician!

Is oat milk a good choice for people with food allergies and intolerances?

A big, fat YES! Oat milk is a fantastic choice for people with food allergies and intolerances. Why? Because naturally, it is free from lactose (tick), soy (tick), and nuts (tick). So, as some people suffering from intolerances or allergies may struggle with soy milk, dairy milk, and almond milk, oat milk is a great alternative that ticks all of the right boxes. 

The only problem? Not all milk from oats is certified to be free from gluten, so if you have gluten intolerance, don’t go shopping without looking at the packet. The good news? There are plenty delicious gluten-free oat milks on the market. These are plant-based milks that have been made with gluten-free oats, made especially for people with gluten intolerance. So, if you are celiac, look out for these varieties next time you do your vegan grocery shopping!

How is oat milk made?

It’s a plant milk made from soaking oats in water and then blending them. Amazingly, this plant-based process produces a deliciously drinkable substance, very similar to cow’s milk, only made from oats. 

Making organic oat milk at home couldn’t be easier, tastes delicious, and is ready in 10 minutes! Here’s how…

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Rolled Oats
• 3-4 Cups Water
• 1 pinch of Salt
• Tbsp Maple Syrup

Directions:

• Add the oats, water, salt, and maple syrup to a blender and mix for 30 seconds or until well combined. 
• Place a thin towel over a large bowl and pour over the oat mixture to strain it. 
• Pour into a milk jug or container, refrigerate and enjoy!

Yes, making it yourself at home really is that simple. But, if you want to save yourself the hassle, buying organic oat milk is even easier and it will also be fortified with important vitamins and minerals (which you can’t do at home). It’s hard to pick the best UK brand, but we recommend trying this Minor Figures Organic Barista Oat Milk for example - it’s just as good as homemade! If you are not sure where to buy oat milk, have a look online at PlantX! It’s oat milk heaven!

More oat milk recipes 

Once you have your oat milk (homemade or shop-bought) there’s no end of possibilities for what you can do with it! Here are three of our top tips on how to use it…

Fruity Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• A handful of mixed berries
• A handful of fresh spinach
• 400 ml oat milk
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

1. Place the banana, berries, spinach, oat milk, and maple syrup in a blender and blend until combined.
2. Add more oat milk to achieve your desired consistency.
3. Enjoy!

Vegan Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:

• 150g cashews
• 150ml oat milk
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• A handful of fresh chives
• A squeeze of lemon or lime juice

Directions:

1. Boil the cashew nuts for 15 minutes and then strain and leave to cool. 
2. Add the cashews, oat milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon or lime juice to a food processor and blend until combined.
3. Add the fresh chives chopped and serve!

Vegan Frothy Coffee

Ingredients:

• Your favourite coffee
• Tree of Life Barista Oat Milk

Directions:

1. Make your black coffee as you normally would.
2. Use a milk frother to froth up your oat milk.
3. Pour your oat milk into your black coffee and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oat Milk good for kids? 

Vegan oat milk is completely safe to drink for any child that is older than 12 months. In fact, it can be a great healthy option for growing kids! While it does not contain as much protein as cow’s milk, most oat milk is fortified with all of the same vitamins and nutrients, and oats are also packed with fibre, B vitamins, and minerals. 

Oat milk may also be a great option for your kids because of its high beta-glucan content. Beta-glucan is a soluble fibre that has been researched for its believed ability to reduce cholesterol levels. Oatly Oat Milk contains ⅓ of your daily beta-glucan requirement per 250ml serving - we like those stats! 

What does dairy-free oat milk taste like?

Generally, it has a mild and slightly sweet taste, reminiscent of the oats it is made from. While it is creamy and oaty, its taste is not overpowering. This makes it perfect for sloshing into teas and using in recipes for baked goods. 

However, not all oat milk will taste the same. It can be bought sweetened or unsweetened. For example, this Glebefarm - PureOaty Barista Style Oat Drink is a great unsweetened option. It also comes in various flavours, including vanilla, and chocolate. Organic oat milks, like this Rude Health Organic Oat Drink, and other natural plant-based milks also boast their own unique flavours. 

Can I use oat milk in coffee?

So, this beverage ticks a lot of boxes, but can it be used in coffee? A big fat yes. In fact, it couldn’t be a better option for coffee because, not only does it’s mild creamy taste marry perfectly with your roasted beans, but, there are special brands out there making the perfect barista blends for us. Take the Minor Figures Organic Barista Oat Milk for example! It’s specially designed to be extra creamy and ideal for your morning brew. It even froths up if you want it to. Pretty cool, right? 

Does Oat Milk Contain Preservatives?

Whether or not oat milk contains preservatives will depend on the brand. For example, when you buy oat milk, some brands may contain preservatives, however, here at PlantX UK, we make sure to stock only the best UK oat milk producers that make plant-based milks that showcase natural flavours - with nothing artificial. For example, this Rude Health Oat Milk is 100% organic and this Planted British Oat Milk is made with 100% British oats!