Creamy and nutty homemade hazelnut milk prepared with just 2 ingredients! Learn how to make your own plant-based hazelnut milk in just 15 minutes. It is silky smooth, creamy, and so much better than store-bought!
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📘 What is Hazelnut Milk
Hazelnut milk is a plant-based milk prepared from hazelnuts, water, and optionally a sweetener. It is nutty, dairy-free, and takes just 15 minutes (minus soaking) to prepare!
🥣 How to Make Hazelnut Milk
Making your own hazelnut milk is incredibly easy and the result is much better than the one you get at the store! Here is what you will need to make hazelnut milk:
- Raw Hazelnuts
- Water
- Maple syrup or dates (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Soaking
First, soak the hazelnuts overnight. This will not only allow the nuts to soften, but will also make them more easily digestible.
Next, drain the hazelnuts and transfer to a high-speed blender. Add the water, a pinch of salt, and blend for about 30 seconds.
Finally, strain the blended milk through a fine nut milk bag (or a clean dish towel!) to remove the pulp and end up with a silky smooth hazelnut milk!
🍫 How to Flavor Hazelnut Milk
We are sharing 4 different variations:
Raw Hazelnut Milk
With a very fresh and almost herby flavor, this hazelnut milk is prepared from soaked raw hazelnuts. It is the easiest and quickest version.
Simply soak raw hazelnuts for at least 6 hours, blend with water, and strain.
Roasted Hazelnut Milk
Definitely my favorite! If you are an hazelnut lover, you are going to love the roasted version. This version is best enjoyed as is, or in sweet recipes, as it has a strong hazelnut flavor.
Prior to soaking the hazelnuts, roast them for 10 minutes at 350°F, or until toasty. Next, rub them between your fingers to remove the skin. You can then soak the nuts and follow the rest of the process.
Mild Hazelnut Milk
This one is for the undecided. It combines half roasted and half raw hazelnuts. It has just a hint of toastiness but is not overpowering.
Chocolate Hazelnut Milk
Combine roasted hazelnut milk with cacao powder and vanilla extract for a delicious Nutella-like flavor!
When you are in need of a special treat, this is the one you want!
💬 FAQ + Tips
- Is there a way to prevent the milk from separating? It is possible, however you will have to rely on lecithin to emulsify all of the ingredients. To do so, add 1 teaspoon of liquid sunflower lecithin (or soy lecithin) to the strained milk and blend again for a few seconds.
- How many calories are there in a glass of hazelnut milk? That is a tough question as it is very difficult to calculate the amount of hazelnuts left after blending and straining.
- How long does hazelnut milk keep in the refrigerator? Hazelnut milk will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You will have to give it a good stir or shake before using, if it separates.
- Can I increase the ratio of water to hazelnuts? Yes, however the milk will be thinner and not as creamy.
🥛 Where to Use Hazelnut Milk?
Due to its nutty flavor, hazelnut milk is best used in sweet recipes like:
- Oatmeal: Cooked or overnight oats.
- Latte: To add a delicious hazelnut flavor to you coffee!
- Hot Chocolate: As stated above, to make a hot chocolate with a Nutella flavor.
- Smoothies: Hazelnut milk + banana + cacao powder? A match made in heaven.
- Baked goods: It adds just a hint of nuttiness but we didn't find it added a lot of flavor in muffins or cakes for example.
🌰 More Plant-Based Milk Recipes
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Hazelnut Milk (Raw + Roasted)
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw shelled hazelnuts
- 3 cups water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup optional
Instructions
- For the raw version: Soak the hazelnuts in cold water for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- For the roasted version: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the hazelnuts on the baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes before rubbing the hazelnuts between your fingers to remove their skin. Transfer the hazelnuts to a bowl and soak for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- Once hazelnuts have soaked, drain and transfer to a high-speed blender. Add the 3 cups of water and the salt, and blend on high for about 30 seconds.
- Place a nut milk bag (or thin cloth) in a large bowl or container. Pour in the hazelnut milk through the nut milk bag to remove the hazelnut pulp. Squeeze with your hands to remove all of the milk. Discard the hazelnut pulp or use in baked goods.
- Transfer the strained milk to a clean jar or glass bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Note: The milk will separate after a few hours, this is normal. Just give it a good stir.
Amen!! 🙂