Almond milk has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people switch to dairy-free diets. While you can easily buy almond milk at the store, making your own at home has some great advantages. It's fresher, customizable, and often cheaper.
The traditional way of making almond milk involves soaking almonds overnight, blending them with water, and then straining out the pulp. But there's an even easier shortcut - using almond butter instead of whole almonds!
Why Make Almond Milk from Almond Butter?
Almond butter provides a shortcut to homemade almond milk for several reasons:
- It's fast - Almond milk can be made in just 2 minutes by simply blending almond butter and water. No lengthy prep is required.
- No straining - Since the almonds are already finely ground into butter, there's no messy straining step.
- No waste - You use the entire almond when making almond butter. There's no leftover pulp from the milk-making process.
- Shelf-stable - Almond butter lasts for months in the pantry before opening. It's easy to keep on hand for spontaneous almond milk needs!
- Ingredient control - With only 2 main ingredients (almond butter and water), you control exactly what goes into your milk.
- Affordable - Making your own almond milk with almond butter can cost just $0.08 per cup, compared to $0.50+ for store-bought.
- Customizable - It's easy to tweak the recipe to your taste, adding vanilla, cinnamon, dates, or more.
- Fresher taste - Homemade almond milk tastes brighter and richer than grocery store versions.
So if you love almond milk, learning this easy almond butter method is a great trick to have on hand!
Almond Butter to Water Ratio
The basic ratio for making almond milk with almond butter is:
- 1 tablespoon almond butter per 1 cup water
This produces milk with a nice creamy consistency. But feel free to experiment! Add more almond butter for an extra thick, rich milk. Or use a bit less for a thinner, more drinkable milk.
How to Make Almond Milk with Almond Butter
Ready to whip up a batch? Follow these simple steps:
Almond Milk with Almond Butter
Ingredients
- Almond butter
- Water
- Pinch of salt (optional, enhances flavor)
- Sweetener like maple syrup, dates, or honey (optional)
- Vanilla or cinnamon (optional flavorings)
Instructions
- Add almond butter and water to a high-speed blender. For 1 cup milk use 1 tablespoon almond butter and 1 cup water.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 30-60 seconds.
- Add any extra flavorings and blend again briefly to incorporate.
- Pour into a jar and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake before using as separation can occur.
And that's it! Couldn't be easier. The next time you need almond milk in a pinch, you'll be ready.
Tips for the Best Tasting, Creamiest Milk
Here are some tips and tricks for customizing and perfecting your homemade almond milk:
- For a smoother texture, use blanched almond butter rather than almond butter made with almond skins. The skin can cause grittiness.
- Soak dates in hot water for 5-10 minutes before blending for easier mixing and sweetness distribution.
- Add a pinch of salt to balance out sweeteners and enhance overall flavor.
- Flavor ideas: vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, citrus zest.
- For thicker milk, increase the almond butter-to-water ratio. For thinner milk, decrease the almond butter or add more water.
- Sweetener ideas: maple syrup, pitted dates, honey, agave. Add to taste.
- Store in an airtight container and shake before using to recombine any separation.
How Long Does It Last?
The shelf life of homemade almond milk made with almond butter is approximately:
- Fridge: 5-7 days
- Freezer: 1 month
For maximum freshness, try making smaller batches that you use up quicker. The flavors tend to diminish over time.
Uses for Almond Butter Milk
Homemade almond milk can be used just like regular dairy milk in most recipes and drinks. Here are some ideas:
- Pour over cereal or oatmeal
- Froth into lattes and hot chocolate
- Blend into smoothies
- Use in chia pudding or overnight oats
- Mix into batter for cakes, muffins, or pancakes
- Drizzle over fruit bowls
- Stir into creamy soups, sauces, and curries
- Sip chilled on its own
You can also get creative and use it to make:
- Almond milk popsicles - for a refreshing summer treat
- Almond milk yogurt - just add some yogurt cultures
- Almond milk kefir - for a tangy probiotic drink
- Almond milk ice cream - for a creamy vegan dessert
- Almond milk eggnog - a holiday twist on the classic
Homemade almond milk is endlessly versatile, so get creative with it!
Storing and Freezing Almond Milk
To extend the shelf life of your homemade almond milk:
- Store in air-tight glass jars or bottles in the refrigerator.
- Shake or stir well before using, as separation can occur.
- For longer-term storage, freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to an airtight container.
- Thaw frozen almond milk cubes before using them in smoothies or other recipes.
Equipment Needed
One of the great things about this method is that you don't need any specialized equipment! All you need is:
- A blender - A high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Ninja provides the smoothest consistency, but a regular blender will also work.
- Jar or airtight bottle - For storing the milk in the fridge. Glass mason jars work great.
- Fine mesh sieve (optional) - If your almond butter is gritty or your blender leaves bits, you can strain for smoother milk.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts or seed butter?
Yes! This almond milk hack works great with any nut or seed butter you have on hand - cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, hemp seed butter, etc. The possibilities are endless.
What's the difference between almond milk and almond drink?
They're essentially the same thing - a non-dairy milk substitute made from almonds. In some countries like the EU, commercial producers can't legally call it "milk" so the products are labeled as almond "drinks." But homemade almond milk and almond drinks are identical!
Does it work with chunky almond butter?
You can use chunky almond butter, but for the smoothest consistency, it helps to blend the almond butter briefly before adding water to break down the larger almond pieces. A totally smooth butter works best.
Can I make a big batch?
Yes! This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or multiplied to make as much almond milk as you need. Store any extras in the refrigerator.
Can I use the soak water from almonds to make milk?
It's best to use fresh filtered water rather than the soak water for the cleanest, purest taste.
How does it compare to traditional almond milk?
Traditional homemade almond milk takes more effort with lengthy soaking and straining steps but provides a Blank overall taste and texture. The almond butter shortcut is remarkably close in flavor while being fast and easy. Give both a try!
Conclusion
Whipping up fresh, homemade almond milk couldn't be simpler using this easy almond butter shortcut. In just minutes, you can create creamy, nutty, and sweet almond milk that puts store-bought versions to shame.
With full control over the ingredients and flavor, you can customize it to suit your tastes - amp up the almondiness, add warm spices, blend in dates for sweetness, or keep it simple.