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As one of the most popular dairy free milk alternatives, almond milk is everywhere these days. And while it’s convenient to buy it at the store, learning how to make almond milk at home is worthwhile if you use it frequently. The ingredients in this unsweetened almond milk recipe — with options for vanilla almond milk or other flavors, too! — are cleaner, it tastes better, and it only takes a few minutes.
If you like the idea of homemade almond milk but can’t have almonds, you can use the same method with other nuts, or make hemp milk for a nut-free option.
What Is Almond Milk?
Almond milk is a plant-based (vegan) milk that’s made out of almonds and water.
What does almond milk taste like?
Almond milk has a slightly nutty, slightly sweet, but very mild flavor.
How is almond milk made?
Store bought almond milk is made by soaking and blending almonds with water, straining out the solids, and then adding preservatives and bottling.
Making almond milk at home is similar, but no preservatives and bottling necessary! My method also skips the soaking step, but I’ll also explain how to do it below if you prefer.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Almond Milk Recipe
- Better flavor than store bought
- Silky smooth consistency
- Clean ingredients
- Easy to make in only 5 minutes
- Just 3 ingredients
- Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
- Much lower carbs and calories than dairy milk
- Delicious flavor options
Homemade Almond Milk Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for making almond milk, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Almonds – Use unsalted, raw almonds. You can also use unsalted almond butter or other unsalted, raw nuts.
- Water – Use cold, filtered water for best results.
- Sea salt – Optional, but just a pinch of sea salt will help to bring out the sweetness.
See the section below on how to make vanilla almond milk, as well as chocolate and hazelnut!
TIP: Unsweetened almond milk doesn’t need sweetener, but for flavors, I prefer to add Besti powdered sweetener. It’s natural, sugar-free, and dissolves effortlessly in cold liquids, making it an ideal choice for sweetening your nut milk. Some people prefer to add honey or maple syrup, but it would no longer be sugar-free or low carb.

How To Make Almond Milk
This section shows how to make almond milk with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Grind. Use a spice grinder or small food processor to grind almonds until powdered.
TIP: You can soak the almonds in water instead of grinding. Simply cover them in water and let the almonds soak overnight, then drain the water and rinse the almonds. From there you can proceed to the blending step below using the whole nuts, instead of grinding first.
- Blend. Place ground almonds into a blender, add water and salt, and blend until creamy.


- Strain. Pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer (sometimes called a sieve), nut milk bag, or cheese cloth, over a large bowl, to remove any almond pulp. Even a dish towel will work if that’s all you have. If using a bag, towel, or cheese cloth, squeeze to release all the milk.
TIP: You can make almond meal with the pulp. Simply spread it on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 2-3 hours at about 200 degrees F, or the lowest temperature your oven has, stirring a couple of times during baking.
- Blend again. Pour the strained mixture back into the blender and add your favorite add-ins (if any — see below!). Blend again. Enjoy!


How To Make Vanilla Almond Milk + Other Flavors
Don’t be limited by the classic vanilla almond milk! Here is how to make other flavors, in addition to vanilla, too.
- Vanilla almond milk: Add vanilla extract. Or if you want to, use real vanilla bean seeds.
- Chocolate almond milk: Blend in cacao or cocoa powder with the vanilla in the final blending step.
- Hazelnut almond milk: Replace some of the almonds with hazelnuts.
- Strawberry almond milk: Here’s a strawberry almond milk recipe to try.
- Spiced almond milk: Add an interesting twist by adding cinnamon, or other warm spices like cardamom, cloves, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, coriander, and cumin.

Unsweetened Almond Milk Nutrition
One of the reasons I like unsweetened almond milk is because of it’s very light. It’s low carb, low calories, and a good balance between protein and fat.
The nutrition info is approximate, because some of the nutrient content gets caught in the sieve and doesn’t make it to the final vanilla almond milk. This is why almond milk actually has fewer calories (and everything else) than the almonds that were used to make it.
To be fair, almond milk does lose many of the benefits of whole almonds — just like any keto nuts that you would use for nut milk. Almond milk nutrition just can’t match up to that of the original nuts. This is because we filter out most of the almonds to make the milk, and the end result is mostly water.
How many carbs in almond milk?
There are 1 gram net carbs (2 grams total carbs) per cup of almond milk.
How many calories in almond milk?
Each cup has just 40 calories.
How much protein in almond milk?
There is 1 gram protein per cup of homemade almond milk.
How much sugar is in almond milk?
There are 0 grams sugar in a cup of this almond milk recipe. Be sure to check labels if you buy it, as sugar is often added — look for unsweetened vanilla almond milk so that there’s no sugar.
Does almond milk have calcium?
Homemade almond milk does not have calcium. Some store-bought versions will be fortified with calcium, but it depends on the brand.
Is almond milk dairy free?
Yes, almond milk is dairy free.
Is almond milk keto?
Yes, this easy almond milk recipe has just 1 gram net carbs. Sugar and carb levels will vary depending on if a sweetener was used and what it was!
Is almond milk good for you?
Is almond milk healthy? Yes! It’s a light milk alternative, and it’s sugar-free. And, this homemade almond milk does have anti-inflammatory properties [*].

Storage Instructions
Does almond milk need to be refrigerated?
Yes, you should refrigerate almond milk. Since there are no stabilizers, it will settle and thicken over time. You can simply thin it out with more liquid, if needed, and give it a quick blend.
TIP: For less fuss, store almond milk in a glass jar and shake before serving. Much less cleanup than transferring to the blender.
Can almond milk go bad?
Wondering how to tell if almond milk is bad? Simply give it a smell. If it smells bad or sour, toss it.
How long does almond milk last?
This vanilla almond milk recipe lasts about 3 days in the fridge. I kept mine for about a week without a problem, so use your best judgement. Remember, there are no preservatives!
Can you freeze almond milk?
Yes, you can freeze unsweetened almond milk! You can use any size containers you like, leakproof bags, or even an ice cube tray.
It’s best to freeze almond milk in the container size that you are likely to use at one time. That way, you’ll only have to defrost what you plan to use soon. Always defrost in the fridge, which may take a while. Just move it to the fridge the day before you’ll need it.

Almond Milk Recipes
One of the reasons I love unsweetened almond milk so much, is that it’s so versatile. Here are a few ways you can use it:
- Coffee Drinks – Try it in iced coffee, sugar-free coffee creamer, dalgona coffee, or simply your favorite latte.
- Baking – Almond milk is the perfect liquid for baked goods like low carb banana bread, yeast bread, or chocolate chip muffins.
- Soups – Adding almond milk is a light way to make creamy soups! Try it in bacon cheeseburger soup, cream of mushroom soup, or cream of asparagus soup.
- Smoothies – Add it to smoothies, like a strawberry avocado smoothie, protein smoothie, or chocolate peanut butter smoothie.
- Hot or Cold Cereal – Almond milk can set foods like chia pudding and keto oatmeal, or be used as a milk substitute for granola.
- Ice Cream – Almond milk ice cream is dairy-free, sugar-free, and absolutely delicious.
Tools For Making Almond Milk
- Food Processor – For grinding the nuts for almond milk. You can also use a spice grinder.
- Blender – This one is powerful enough for making almond milk. Plus, it’s large, so you can make a double batch if you like.
- Fine Mesh Sieve – Use this in combination with the nut milk bag below.
- Nut Milk Bag – Used to strain the nut solids form the milk, this little bag is ideal for making unsweetened almond milk.
Unsweetened Almond Milk Recipe
How To Make Almond Milk (In 5 Minutes!)
Learn how to make almond milk at home – with just 2 ingredients + 5 minutes! This easy unsweetened almond milk recipe can be plain, vanilla, or chocolate.
Recipe Video
Tap on the image below to watch the video.Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes weekly! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Plain Unsweetened Almond Milk:
Vanilla Almond Milk:
Chocolate Almond Milk:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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If using nuts or seeds, put them in your spice grinder or small food processor and whiz until powdered or beginning to take on a thick butter consistency, about 1 minute.
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Put the ground nuts or seeds, or the nut or seed butter, into your blender and add the water and salt (if using). Once you get used to this recipe, you can adjust the liquid amount up or down to suit your desired consistency. Blend for 30 to 60 seconds, or until creamy.
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Pour the liquid through a sieve lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag to remove any remaining nut bits.
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Return the milk beverage to your blender (add the vanilla or chocolate add-ins at the same time if you want flavored almond milk), and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. (You can also stir it in instead if you prefer.)
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Store in an airtight bottle or container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will settle and thicken as it sits. Simply thin with more liquid, if needed, and give it a quick blend.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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50 Comments
Josee
0Very good!!! I recommend a pinch of salt to make it tastier. For my chocolate version, I use 2 tbsp cacao and 1 tbsp maple syrup… Delicious and healthy hot chocolate 😋
With the pulp I found a really good recipe for cookies, it gives me about 8 cookies and so easy to make.
Chenée
0Looks absolutely perfect! I love how easy this almond milk is to make, and all the fun ways it can be customized!
Andrea
0We love almond milk and use it in all our smoothie recipes and protein shakes. I love the idea of making my own at home and can’t believe how easy it is! I will definitely give it a try now that you’ve provided such detailed instructions. Sounds easy enough!
Loreto & Nicoletta
0Three ingredients, silky smooth, ready in 5 minutes, and no preservatives! That is the almond milk we like!
Liz
0I love adding almond milk to smoothies, but I’ve never tried making it at home!
Jessica
0I’m going to try this next week. For some reason, I always assumed you’d need more almonds to make it. Half a cup is not too bad – much more affordable than I thought. Thanks for the recipe!
Heather
0I love how easy this is with only minimal ingredients and how I can tailor the sweetness to my palette! Thank you!
Tammy
0Honestly, I never realized how easy it was to make your own almond milk. I love almond milk and since I can only tolerate milk alternatives this is perfect.
Marta
0Such a money saver! I bet it will taste 100-times better. Thank you!
Ramona
0I finally don’t need to constantly buy almond milk anymore when I can make it at home! This looks super delicious and I bet it tastes even better than shop-bought almond milk. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to try this out!
Colleen
0I can’t believe how easy it is to make almond milk at home. We go through a lot of it, so thanks for these great instructions!
Tristin
0We drink a ton of almond milk. I love that I can now make it at home with your easy to follow recipe!!
Amy
0I have made this several times and it tastes so much better than store bought. My kids even enjoy it!
Kristyn
0This is so good to know!! With not being able to find things I need at the store, I am stocking up on the ingredients to make this! Love almond milk & homemade is so much better!
Laura
0SO easy to make! Thanks!!
Katie
0This is such a great resource! I like that almond milk is so doable at home.
Natalie
0I love this!! I use almond milk in so many recipes, especially smoothies & sometimes it would be nice to make our own. Thanks for the inspiration!
Betsy
0So much easier than I thought it would be! This is really great! Thank you!
Matt
0This homemade almond milk recipe is awesome and super fast to make. I think I like it better than the popular soaking method. So easy to make too!
Fay
0So easy to make! Thank you for the great tips!
Martin
0Did you try with just the almond flour ? Instead of the whole almond you grind anyway ?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Martin, this recipe has not been tested with almond flour. I suggest using whole almonds or almond butter.
MinMu
0Love it! Thank you for sharing
Kristyn
0Some of us in the family prefer almond milk over regular milk. This is so easy to make & tastes so good!
Natalie
0Thank you for sharing this!! We love almond milk & we are excited to make some!
Er
0This is so helpful! Loved all of the tips to getting this milk to come out just right!
Katie
0This is so good to know! I use almond milk for just about everything these days.
Amy L Huntley
0I didn’t realize how simple this was to make. It taste so much for fresh than the store bought too! Not sure that I can go back to the store bought now!
Kathy Ward
0I’ve been making almond milk for awhile. I always soak my almonds over night and then drain the water off, throw them in the vitamix with fresh water (1:4 ratio), blend and then strain. Is there a benefit I am not aware of to grinding the almonds first?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Kathy, This recipe skips the soaking step, so grinding the almonds down to a paste-like consistency will ensure you are getting the most out of your almonds without soaking. If you prefer to soak your almonds, then you can use whole, chopped, or ground almonds.
Jill
0This was so easy and tastes awesome. All I had was roasted almonds and it worked great.
Carolyn
0Thank you!! I’m not crazy about buying almond milk, but love the idea of making my own. Have a couple of questions, do u think roasted almonds (have a full bag) would work? And would leaving the almond meal in be ok? I know the goal is to get a liquid, but I enjoy “bits” in my drink. Also, do u think freezing the almond meal would work? I love the idea of making crackers and what not with it? Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely a grateful beginner.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Carolyn, Roasted almonds will give you milk a richer, more complex flavor. Blanched almonds will produce a more neutral flavor. Either are excellent choices. Personally, I would strain the meal out of the milk, but I don’t think there would be any harm in leaving it in if that’s your preference. Yes, you can freeze the almond meal to use for other recipes. Be sure to store it in an airtight container and it will keep well for a couple of months. Best of luck!
Magda Huelle
0I filter my almond milk through a re-usable coffee filter (one of the golden ones) which is super fine. This works really well, never have any bits in my almond milk 🙂
Carrie
0Do you know if Marcona almonds would work here
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Carrie, Yes you can use Marconas, but they are pricy to use for almond milk!
Marion Kok
0Great recipe for almond milk, I’m working the recipe… Thanks
Marcia A Mosley
0Can I use my Vitamix to make the almond milk by adding water and the 1/4 cup almonds and blend till almonds are liquified?
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Marcia, you can use any high-powered blender but you’ll still want to strain the mixture afterward.
Mike
0Are you sure that the nutritional info is for only 1/4 cup serving?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Mike, The nutrition info is for a 1 cup serving, not 1/4 cup.
Jill G
0I want to use this for smoothies. Could I just use 1/4 cup almonds and 1 cup water amen mix togetherness with my smoothie to get the whole almond benefit?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Jill, Sure, you can do that!
Sheila J Truman
0Can you just use a food processor if you don’t have a blender? Thank you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sheila, Yes, you can. It tends to be just a little bit less smooth, though.
Linda Sutley
0I have been making my own almond milk (just raw almonds and filtered water) for three years. It is a puzzlement to me what to do with the almond meal that remains after you strain the milk. I put a small amount of it in salmon patties in lieu of breadcrumbs or cornmeal, and it works well there. What else is it good for? Any ideas?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0That’s awesome, Linda! Salmon patties are a great idea. It would probably work anywhere you might need a replacement for breadcrumbs, like meatballs or meatloaf.
Aja
0Yes! I have found several good recipes for the almond pulp! Crackers and bread. I can email them to you if you’d like!
Pat Katz
0And thank you so much for the almond butter idea for almond milk!!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0You’re welcome, Pat! Alisa’s recipe is one of my favorites.