Homemade cocoa oat milk made with oats, cocao, water and a natural sweetener. A wholesome treat made with whole foods, ready in 5 minutes.
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Have you got a spare 5 minutes? That is all it takes to make this chocolate oat milk. It’s a great way to get some healthy goodness into you, rather than drinking store-bought chocolate milk which is generally filled with unwanted sugar and preservatives.
Blend up a large batch and store it in the fridge for a few days to enjoy whenever you like.
This flavoured oat milk is nice and thick, not too sweet and can be enjoyed on its own, with cereals, in baking or part of a vegan milkshake (see variations below).
😋Why you’ll love this recipe
- All natural, made with whole foods
- Adjust the sweetness as you please with no added refined sugar
- Made in minutes - super easy
- Vegan, gluten free*, nut free, soy free and corn free
✔️What You’ll Need
🥘 Ingredients Notes
Unsweetened cacao powder is used and not cocoa. Cocoa generally will contain some form of sweetener. Use a good quality brand such as this.
Rolled oats are easy to blend and work well when blended with water. Add the rolled oats as is directly into the water. Please note you must read the label for “gluten-free” if you require this.
If you've got a lot of rolled oats, check out my creamy potato and leek soup featuring them.
Cold filtered water is ideal, especially if you would like to consume this cocoa oat milk immediately.
Salt only a smidge is needed to help elevate the sweetness.
Natural sweetener - I have used both maple syrup and whole Medjool dates (pitted). Both work well.
With the maple syrup add a spoonful at a time until the desired sweetness is achieved. I have found one medjool date per cup of water is the right amount of sweetness, you can adjust this to suit.
You can of course sweeten with whatever ingredient suited to you.
🔪 Step by step guide
Step 1 - Add all ingredients into a blender and process on high for 30 seconds.
Step 2 - Pour mixture into a cheesecloth* (affiliate link) over a bowl and squeeze out cocoa oat milk into a container. Drink immediately or store in the fridge in a sealed vessel.
Place cheesecloth into a bowl and pour in the freshly made chocolate oat milk 
Squeeze
💭 Pro Tips
Oats are naturally gluten-free, however, they need to be certified gluten-free as they are generally processed and handled in facilities where gluten products have been. Always check the labelling.
Avoid using steel cut oats or quick oats. Steel-cut oats are coarser and may not blend as well and quick oats can contain additional unneeded ingredients.
A limited blending time of up to 30 seconds is highly recommended, any longer and the oats will turn slightly viscous.
Straining can be achieved with a fine-mesh sieve if you don’t have cheesecloth. Alternatively, you can also use a milk bag to strain the contents. I like to use this organic, non-bleached cheesecloth* (affiliate link).
Storing cocoa oat milk is easy, place it into an air tight vessel in the refrigerator. It will store for up to 5 days. Shake or stir before using as there will be some separation which is evident at the bottom of the bottle.
🥛Variations
Leave out the cacao and make yourself a batch of homemade oat milk.
Cocoa powder can be used instead of cacao powder, you will need to add more of this rather than cocoa as it isn’t as strong in chocolate flavouring. Cacao can also be used in this all-natural chocolate persimmon pudding.
Oat milk can be swapped with almond milk, check out my quick video of how to make almond milk. Or you can use any nut milk your like.
Chocolate flavour can be swapped with vanilla. Add half a teaspoon at a time until your desired vanilla flavour has been achieved. Thought this is no longer chocolate oat milk.
Spices can be used such as cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger. Start by adding a pinch and build up the flavour profile until you like it.
Make it into a vegan milkshake by blending through frozen banana and or your favourite plant-based / vegan ice cream.
Vanilla extract can be added if desired.
❓FAQ
Leftover oat pulp can be used in baking, smoothie bowls, added to nice-cream or to no-bake bars. It can also be added to overnight oats or puddings.
💡Related Recipes
You might also be interested in these liquid meals banana avocado smoothie or mango strawberry banana smoothies. Are you a chocolate lover? Check out these two other chocolate recipes; Chocolate Zucchini Cake and No Bake Chocolate Pretzel Slice
Did you enjoy making this cocoa oat milk recipe? I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below and give me a rating. This will help me sustain Plant Based Folk. This recipe was adapted from The Conscientous Eater.
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Janelle x
📖 Recipe
Cocoa Oat Milk
Ingredients
- ½ cup Rolled oats
- 2 cups Filtered water
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 Medjool dates pitted
- 1 tablespoon Cacao powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and process on high for 30 seconds.
- Pour mixture into a cheese cloth and squeeze out cocoa oat milk into a container. Drink immediately or store in the fridge in a sealed vessel.
Hilda
Janelle, I’ve been having this chocolate oat milk since you released it. So easy, I would never have thought of this. Bless you.