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Looking for a dairy-free milk that's rich, creamy, and froths up well? If you're looking for an option that tastes delicious on its own and can make great cappuccinos or lattes, consider oat milk! This type of milk is nutritious, high in fiber, and provides you with essential vitamins, including vitamins A, B12, and D. Plus, it's often free from gluten, soy, and nuts.
However, there are a lot of similar options on the market. If you're having a hard time finding a tasty oat milk online, take a look at our list of favorites. Oatly's Original Oat Milk ranked first on our list due to its rich, creamy texture and added nutrients. For more tips for choosing the best oat milk, give our buying guide reviewed by a barista and coffee educator a look!
My name is Justin McMillan, and I am a barista trainer, latte artist, and coffee enthusiast. I assist common individuals in becoming excellent baristas as part of my job. I prefer to focus on the needs and desires of each individual to help them reach their personal goals.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Oat milk has a rich and creamy taste, making it an excellent non-dairy option. To help you find the best oat milk, we've created this buying guide with everything you need to know!
Just like other non-dairy milks, like almond or cashew, oat milk doesn't froth as well as cow's milk. However, many manufacturers create barista-style oat milk to help you replicate coffeehouse drinks like lattes or cappuccinos at home.
Barista-style oat milk is usually higher in fat and has a creamier texture. The higher fat content allows the milk to whip into a nice foam! However, be aware that oat milk will heat up faster than cow's milk, and you may need to whip it a little longer to get it to stabalize.
A barista blend might also contain an acidity regulator such as dipotassium phosphate. This ingredient alters the milk's pH level, increases its protein stability, and prevents it from separating when heated.
The best milks for excellent lattes are Califia Oat Barista Blend and Oatly. The best milk for steaming is Califia Farms' oat milk. If the milk appears to be too foamy, let it to settle for 20 to 30 seconds before swishing it around to improve the texture. Some barista milk blends do not steam nicely. Most oat milks, in my opinion, aren't as nice as the two stated above.
Oat milk is naturally sweet with a mild flavor, but brands offer varying levels of sugar and different flavors. Some options work better with coffee, while others are ideal for drinking.
Plain oat milk with nothing added allows you to taste the nutty flavor and the natural sweetness of the oats. Its simple flavor makes it versatile, meaning it can be used in many different recipes.
If you want something different, look for flavored oat milk! Vanilla and chocolate are the two most common flavors. Some oat milks also use coconut cream for a thick and luscious consistency and a hint of coconut flavor. There are options infused with spices like cinnamon, too!
Both plain and flavored oat milk are great for drinking and in coffee. Flavored options are similar to flavored coffee creamer, while plain options let the taste of the coffee shine through. For cooking, plain options may be best since flavors like chocolate or cinnamon may not mesh with some ingredients.
Oat milk can be unsweetened or sweetened. However, some unsweetened oat milks have several grams of sugar per serving, even though the ingredient list contains no added sugar.
Many manufacturers produce oat milk using enzymes to break down the oats' starches to keep them from becoming slimy. In this process, maltose, a type of sugar, is produced, thus giving the oat milk a naturally sweet flavor and a few grams of sugar per serving.
Since the Food and Drug Administration considers maltose an added sugar, it's shown in the nutrition facts but not in the ingredient list. So, don't get confused if there's sugar on the label of an unsweetened product!
If you're using oat milk in coffee, you may want something sweeter to balance the bitterness. If you're using it with sweeter foods, like cereal, or in recipes, consider an option with less sugar.
Oat milk is largely made of just oats and water. To add more nutritional value, many are enriched with vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamin D, riboflavin, and calcium. These essential nutrients naturally occur in dairy milk but are not found in most non-dairy milks, including oat milk.
Oils with a neutral flavor, such as sunflower oil and rapeseed oil, might be added to oat milk to increase its fat content, making it more flavorful. These oils give oat milk a smooth and creamy texture, too!
Oat milk is safe as a dairy milk replacement for children that are at least 12 months old, but it must be fortified to provide adequate nutrition. We also recommend looking for options high in protein and fat to support healthy development. If you're concerned, it never hurts to consult with your pediatrician!
Many oat milks are made with thickeners such as carrageenan and gella gum. These thickeners are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are generally safe to eat. Carrageenan is a synthetic ingredient that can help thicken and preserve oat milk. However, carrageenan might lead to bloating and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Therefore, we recommend choosing oat milk with gella gum instead! It's a natural texturizing agent that's extracted from plant sources. It stabilizes the ingredients in oat milk and prevents sediment from forming at the bottom of your cup.
Oat milks are generally gluten-, soy-, and nut-free, but make sure to check the label to confirm allergen information. If you have a severe allergy, make sure that the oat milk is made in a dedicated facility to avoid cross-contamination.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oatly Original Oat Milk | $4.99 Low Mid | Best Classic Fortified Oat Milk for Everyday Use | ||
2 | Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend | $21.48 High Mid | Best for Rich, Creamy Lattes | ||
3 | Califia Farms | $5.99 Low Mid | Best Oat Milk High in Protein, Omega 3s, and Calcium | ||
4 | Oatsome Organic Plant-Based Oat Milk | $17.52 High Mid | Best Organic Enriched Oat Milk That Tastes Like Diary Milk | ||
5 | Planet Oat Oatmilk | $3.59 Low Mid | Best Sweet Vanilla Flavor | ||
6 | Silk Full Fat Oat Milk | $3.69 Low Mid | Best Rich, Creamy, and Sweet High-Fat Oat Milk | ||
7 | Mooala Unsweetened Coconut Oatmilk | $29.95 High Mid | Best Sugar-Free Oat Milk With Added Flavors | ||
8 | Elmhurst 1925 | $42.99 High | Best Low-Sugar Oat Milk With Only 3 Ingredients | ||
9 | Oatsome Organic Chocolate Oat Milk | $19.57 High Mid | Best Decadent Oat Milk for Chocolate Lovers | ||
10 | Minor Figures | $8.79 Mid | Best Barista Blend That's Extra Eco-Friendly |
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This option is a great choice for a basic, everyday oat milk. Its plain flavor makes it versatile, and it's fortified with vitamins and minerals. It's especially high in vitamin B12, with 50 percent of the recommended daily value. We also like that it has three grams of protein per serving since most oat milks only have around one.
This oat milk is many reviewers' favorite as it's rich and delicious without any weird aftertaste! They add that the consistency is also thick and creamy. Plus, many confirm that it's an excellent substitute for dairy milk for drinking straight, adding to coffee, or using in recipes.
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If you're looking for oat milk that's great for coffee, consider this option by Califia Farms. It derives its creaminess from sunflower oil and is higher in fat, meaning it foams easily for cappuccinos or lattes. Plus, it only contains three grams of sugar per serving.
A few reviewers have concerns about the freshness of this oat milk from Amazon, so we also included a link for Walmart. Still, most rave about the rich taste and creamy, smooth texture of this barista blend. They say it works beautifully in coffees and teas! They also appreciate this oat milk's mild natural sweetness.
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This plain oat milk is unusually rich in calcium, omega 3s, and healthy fats, and it has an impressive eight grams of protein! Most oat milks only have one to two grams, making this a more filling choice. It also has only three grams of sugar per serving, which is low for oat milk.
There are some reports that the added protein and omega 3s give this oat milk a bit of an aftertaste. Still, many reviewers love that it's very thick and creamy, saying it's especially great for smoothies and lattes. They also are impressed by its nutritional value and high amount of protein, noting that it's more filling.
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This oat milk by Oatsome is certified organic by the USDA and has 40 percent of your daily dose of riboflavin and vitamin B12. It also has a few grams of healthy fats. Plus, sunflower oil adds richness.
There are a few reports saying that the packaging isn't user-friendly, like having issues with the tab that opens the milk ripping. Nonetheless, many love its mild flavor, saying it tastes similar to dairy milk with a natural sweetness. Some reviewers also note that their kids love it!
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This oat milk from Planet Oat is lightly sweetened and naturally flavored with vanilla for added taste and fragrance. It's also fortified with calcium and vitamins B2, B12, and D. It's delicious to drink on its own but is also great for vanilla lattes.
A few reviewers note that this oat milk has a thin consistency. On the other hand, the majority say the vanilla flavor is delicious in coffee and cereal, and many enjoy drinking it as is. They add that the sweetness level is just right.
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Silk's sweetened oat milk is fortified with minerals and vitamins, including calcium, vitamin D2, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12. It has nine grams of fat, which is higher than most oat milks, giving it a creamy texture that's ideal for coffee. It's also unusually high in healthy fats that support general well-being.
Although a few reviewers note that it doesn't froth well, many like using it as a coffee creamer. They enjoy its rich and sweet flavor. However, its biggest point of praise is its consistency! Reviewers love that it's very thick and creamy.
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This option is made with coconut cream and cinnamon for a more flavorful oatmilk. These ingredients give it a sweet flavor, but it doesn't have any sugar! On top of that, it's fortified with prebiotic agave fiber and calcium.
Most buyers love this oat milk's mildly sweet flavor with a hint of cinnamon. They like its creamy, thick texture, saying it's similar to cow's milk. Buyers add that this oat milk works well in many things, including smoothies, coffees, and oatmeal.
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It's uncommon to find oat milk without additives or fortification, but this option from Elmhurst 1925 is as simple as it gets. It only has three ingredients: oats, water, and salt. It is lower in vitamins and minerals, but it does offer four grams of protein and 20 grams of whole grains per serving.
The oats are not organic; however, they are certified to be free from glyphosate, a common weedkiller sometimes used in oat production. Most love the simplicity of this oat milk, saying it has a pleasantly subtle sweetness and pure flavor, making it excellent for drinking or use in recipes. They also appreciate that it's free from additives and is very low in sugar, unlike other options.
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This sweetened oat milk is a great option for chocolate lovers! It's made with cocoa powder for a chocolatey taste. It's fortified, with especially high amounts of riboflavin and vitamin B12. It's also got just over three grams of healthy fats per serving.
Many happy buyers share that the chocolate flavor is rich and delicious. They add that this chocolate oat milk isn't too sweet and say the texture isn't too thick or thin. Some also report that their kids enjoy it!
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While oat milk is generally much better for the environment than cow's milk, this brand takes it a step further by being completely carbon-neutral. Plus, this oat milk is specifically for coffee, and it contains rapeseed oil for a creamier texture.
Most reviewers report that it froths well, although some struggle to get the technique down. Still, many love it in lattes and as creamer, saying it's thick and doesn't overpower their coffee. Reviewers also enjoy it in cereal, smoothies, and baked goods.
Califia has great oat milk. It has a great flavor and makes really good foam for latte art.
Recipe:
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Justin also took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about oat milk.
"Yes," Justin explains. "Oat milk is a plant-based milk created by combining oats with water and then filtering away the solids. Oat milk has a creamy texture and a mild oat flavor. It is frequently used as a milk substitute for people who want to eliminate dairy in their diets."
"The nutritional composition of oat milk differs from that of dairy milk," Justin explains. "Oat milk contains fewer nutrients than dairy milk, and the majority of those nutrients are fortified. That is, they are added during manufacturing rather than occurring naturally.
People who cannot consume dairy milk can drink oat milk instead. Oat milk also has a distinct creaminess that is super-rich and delivers a distinct flavor profile from ordinary milk. The mouthfeel is close to whole milk in terms of creaminess."
If you're searching for more creamy and tasty non-dairy milks, check out the articles below for some suggestions!
Interested in exploring other kinds of oat milk? Check out Amazon's best sellers for more options!
No. 1: Oatly|Original Oat Milk
No. 2: Califia Farms|Oat Barista Blend
No. 3: Califia Farms |
No. 4: Oatsome |Organic Plant-Based Oat Milk
No. 5: Planet Oat|Oatmilk
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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