Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, I thought I would share a plant-based, wholesome recipe that isn’t granola. But, it can be served with granola! Homemade almond milk is very easy to make and so much tastier than store bought. Not to mention, it contains no additives. To brighten it up, without added sugars, I made this recipe for date-sweetened almond milk way back in 2006. But I’ve given the recipe and post a big update with more helpful tips.
Photo by Madeleine Steinbach.
Tips for this Date-Sweetened Almond Milk
For a vanilla twist, blend in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla flavoring or extract.
A nut milk bag is a very small investment, and is definitely worth purchasing if you plan to make your own dairy-free milk beverages. It’s one of my favorite kitchen items.
You’ll be left with some almond pulp, which is rather dry and tasteless. But it can be used in many different ways.
As the almond milk sits, it will settle a bit. Always give it a shake before using. And since it doesn’t have additives, like many store-bought versions, it will have a more rustic taste. Nonetheless it works seamlessly on cereal, in smoothies, and for other recipes.
Special Diet Notes: All-Natural Almond Milk
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, peanut-free, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
- 1½ cups raw almonds
- 4 to 5 cups cold water + additional for soaking
- 3 to 5 pitted medjool dates, to taste
- Pinch salt
- Put the almonds in a container and cover with a few inches of water. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Drain and rinse the almonds, and place them in your blender. Add 2 cups of the water, the dates, and salt, and blend until smooth. Add 2 more cups of the water and blend until smooth.
- Strain the almond milk through a nut milk bag or a few layers of cheesecloth lining a fine mesh strainer to remove any almond or date pulp. Squeeze to extract all of the almond milk.
- If it is too rich for your tastes, you can blend in up to 1 cup more water.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Get a Nut Milk Bag!
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16 Comments
Can you substitute deglet noor dates?
Yes, you might want to soak them first, since deglet dates are harder. Also, they’re a little less sweet than Medjool.
can you substitute the dates for date sugar?
Definitely! You can sweeten to taste with it.
Does anyone know the nutritional facts on this?! Thanks!
The nutrition facts are difficult to calculate because there is pulp left after making the almond milk. So not all of the calories and nutrients from the almonds are in the almond milk, but some are. It’s difficult to know how much. In general though, homemade is higher in calories, fat, and protein than most store-bought brands because more almonds are used.
Mmmmmm now you’ve got me thinking of making this and putting it ON granola! Sounds so yummy, I have to go get more dates so I can make this ASAP!
Love this! I really need to start making my own almond milk. This looks so delicious, especially with the dates as sweetener!
This sounds so delicious! Thanks for sharing your tips too!
Love this. Thinking a pinch of cinnamon would be amazing in this as well!
Love using dates as a sweetener, but never thought of this idea!
I love your website! I’m a nursing mother and my daughter is lactose intolerant, you just made my life so much easier.
Thank you for your website. I have been on a gluten free diet for two weeks now due to celiacs. I am fifty one and thought I had it for years , needless to say the doctors didn’t believe me. I am learning what it is like to feel ” normal” again.
I have also just shared on my facebook page thanks!!!
Do you leave in the 4 cups of water? Or do you use just the soaked almonds?
I so missed this! For anyone reading now, you soak and drain. Then add the 4 cups water 🙂