Whether you're making a batch of baked goods or preparing a creamy soup, dairy products can pose a problem for many. Plant-based, dairy-free and low-allergen diets all recommend steering clear of dairy-based products like milk. So, what do you do when you're making a recipe that calls for it? At Bob's Red Mill, we choose to use nut-based milk instead. Plant fueled milk like almond milk is an excellent vegan-friendly substitute that can help you create any recipe you dream of.
Why almonds? When it comes to nut-based milk, certain nuts are more problematic than others. If you or someone you're baking for is allergic to nuts like peanuts or cashews, they'll love knowing that the treat you whipped up is made with almonds instead. Need a bit more convincing? Continue reading as we dive into the benefits of plant-based milk and provide step-by-step instructions on how to make almond milk at home.
Benefits of Almond Milk
While there are several benefits of almond milk, some stand out more than others. We find that almond milk is an excellent dairy substitute for the reasons listed below.
Almond Milk is Vegan
Almond milk has two ingredients: water and almonds. It's a plant-based drink that is entirely dairy-free, making it suitable for individuals with an allergy to cow's milk. Additionally, this milk substitute works well when creating vegan recipes like this Vegan Mozarella Cheese, as its light flavor doesn't change the recipe too much. In fact, we'd bet that those enjoying the baked goods you make won't even be able to tell the difference.
Almond Milk is Lactose-Free
When individuals have a milk allergy, it's not always the protein in dairy-based drinks that causes problems; it can also be the sugar. Lactose intolerance is when people cannot digest the natural sugars found in animal milk known as lactose. Because almonds are lactose-free, almond milk is an excellent alternative for those allergic to lactose.
Almond Milk is Low in Calories
When compared to animal-based milk, almond milk is significantly lower in calories. This makes it an excellent option to enjoy if you're following a specific diet/calorie plan.
Almond Milk is Full of Vitamins
While almond milk contains a wide variety of vitamins, it includes the most significant amounts of Vitamin E. An important antioxidant, vitamin E, helps your body maintain healthy skin and eyes and supports the immune system. Because vitamin E is naturally found in almonds, almond milk doesn't have to be fortified in any way to prove to be a good source of it. This makes it an excellent milk substitute for individuals following a plant-based diet.
Almond Milk Is Not Ideal For Everyone
While almond milk can be enjoyed by many, some individuals should not swap almond milk as a plant-based milk alternative. Here are a few things to consider before you begin baking with almond milk.
Nut Allergy
Almond milk is not suitable for individuals with a nut tree allergy. If you or someone you are baking for is allergic to tree nuts, then it's best to avoid any plant-based dairy alternative that contains them.
Small Children
Almond milk doesn't provide as many calories, protein and fat as traditional dairy does. Therefore, when substituting cow's milk for almond milk in children's meals, ensure that it is not a cornerstone of your child's diet and supplement other foods to make up for the gap in nutrients.
One-to-One Ratio in Baking Recipes
While almond milk can substitute traditional milk in many baking recipes, it's not always added at a 1-to-1 ratio. When following a recipe, read the recipe's substitution instructions to determine how to effectively replace cow's milk and ensure that your baked treat turns out as great as ever.
What is Almond Milk?
If this is your first time making almond milk, then you're likely wondering what it is made of. While almond milk has been made for centuries, it's more recently become a popular substitute for cow's milk.
The process of creating almond milk involves soaking almonds for a significant amount of time to allow them to soften before draining, rinsing and grinding the nuts into a creamy milk-like meal. The liquid produced from the meal is then separated to create almond milk. To make almond milk, only two ingredients are needed—almonds and water. However, you can add several additional ingredients like spices and extracts to flavor it according to your taste preferences. Natural, fresh and delicious, almond milk is a staple in many vegan, vegetarian and health-conscious kitchens.
How to Make Almond Milk at Home
Ready to begin making almond milk from scratch? Making almond milk at home is a gratifying task. Not only is it fun to make, but it's also quite simple. Follow the instructions below to make great-tasting homemade almond milk that you can begin adding to all of your favorite recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds (soaked overnight in water)
- 5 cups filtered water (less to thicken, more to thin)
- 1 pinch sea salt
Optional Ingredients
- 2 whole dates (omit for unsweetened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Soak the Almonds
The most crucial step when making homemade almond milk is to soak the almonds before juicing them. To do so, begin by placing whole almonds in a bowl and covering them with an inch of water. Over time the almonds will start to plump and absorb the water around them. You can leave the almonds soaking overnight or for up to two days. The longer you allow the almonds to soak, the more creamy your almond milk will be.
Step 2: Drain the Almonds
After you've allowed the almonds to soak for the desired amount of time, they will need to be drained and rinsed before being used to create almond milk. Start by draining the almonds from the water they were soaked in. Then use cool running water to rinse them thoroughly. After the almonds are rinsed, test their flexibility by pinching them with your fingers. Thoroughly soaked almonds will feel squishy to touch.
Note: As tempting as it may be to keep the soaked almond water, we recommend tossing it out. It contains phytic acid, a substance that negatively affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Step 3: Blend
Add the pre-soaked almonds and 2 cups of water to a food processor or blender. Next, begin to blend the mixture at the highest speed for 2 minutes—If you're using a food processor, they should be processed for four minutes total) As the almonds blend, be sure to pulse the blender a few times to break any clumps up and distribute the almonds evenly. After two minutes of mixing, the almonds will have been ground down to a fine meal, leaving the water white and opaque.
Note: While it may not produce the same thick consistency as almonds, almond flour can also be blended with water to create almond milk.
Step 4: Strain
Line a fine-mesh strainer with an opened nut bag or cheesecloth. Next, place the strainer over a measuring cup and pour the almond mixture through the strainer.
Step 5: Press
After all the liquid mixture has passed through the strainer, group the nut bag around the almond mixture and twist it to close tightly. Next, squeeze the bag and press it to extract the rest of the almond milk from the almond meal. When you're done, about two cups of almond milk should be prepared.
Step 6: Customize
Taste the almond milk and decide what ingredients you'd like to add to customize it to your taste preferences. For example, sweeteners, spices and vanilla extract can all be added to your almond milk to boost flavor.
Step 7: Use the Leftover Almond Meal
Now that you've successfully make great-tasting almond milk, it's time to use the leftover almond meal. Almond meal can be added to smoothies, muffins, bread and oatmeal to increase the texture and flavor. To ensure that your almond meal lasts until you can use it, create a dry almond meal by spreading it onto a baking sheet and baking it at low until completely dry—about two to three hours.
How Long Does Almond Milk Last?
Now that you have fresh almond milk in the fridge, you may be wondering how long it lasts. Because fresh almond milk is free of preservatives, it will only last a few days in the refrigerator. This being so, you'll want only to make the amount of almond milk that you'll consume in that short time frame. To extend the shelf life of homemade almond milk, you can heat it on the stove to pasteurize it. However, you may lose some essential nutrients in the process. Because making almond milk is relatively easy, we recommend making smaller, more frequent batches as needed.
By following the steps above, we're confident that your next batch of almond milk is sure to be the best yet. Whether you use almond milk in your smoothie recipes or baked goods, it's a great tasting drink that's excellent for you. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a fun and flavorful day.
