Quick and Easy DIY Nut Milk (Any Nut!) — A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever wondered how on earth milk comes from nuts? You’re not alone — it drove me a little nuts too (pun fully intended 😄). I’ve been buying almond milk at the store for years, but one day I thought: Why not try making it myself?

So, I did — and I started with walnut milk for something a little different. Here’s why: walnuts are brain-boosting powerhouses, packed with plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (which are sometimes tricky to get on a vegan diet).

Bonus tip: you can also get omega-3s from chia seeds, flax meal, or hemp seeds — but walnut milk is a delicious (and fun) way to sip them, too!

Once I made my first batch, I realized: homemade nut milk is easier than you think. You’re just five simple steps away from fresh, creamy, plant-based milk you can customize however you like.

Ready to become a DIY nut milk master? Let’s do this!

🥣 How to Make Nut Milk in 5 Easy Steps

Step 1 (Optional): Soak Your Nuts (4–6 Hours)

Pick your nut (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans — they all work!). Soak 1 cup raw nuts in purified water for 4–6 hours to soften.

👉 In a hurry? Boil them for 10 minutes instead. (Note: You can skip this step, but soaking makes creamier milk and helps with digestion.)

Step 2: Strain, Rinse, and Blend

Drain and rinse the soaked nuts, then toss them into a blender with 3 cups of fresh water and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy — watch that dreamy white swirl appear!

🌱Eco Tip: Drain the nuts over a pitcher to catch the water for watering your plants!

Step 3: Add Your Flavor Magic

This is where the fun begins. For sweetened milk, add:

✅ 1–2 dates or a drizzle of maple syrup

✅ A splash of vanilla

✅ Optional spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric

Want unsweetened, neutral milk for cooking? Skip the extras!

Step 4: Strain Through a Nut Milk Bag

Pour the mixture through a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer to separate the pulp from the liquid.

💡 Tip: I use Ellie’s Best Bigger Better Nut Milk Bag (and you can use code purelyplanted for 10% off!).

Step 4.5: Don’t Toss That Pulp!

Save the leftover nut pulp!

Dry it out in a dehydrator or low oven setting (170 degrees F) to make homemade nut flour — perfect for baking or adding to smoothies. Make sure to spread the pulp out evenly on the dehydrator sheets or baking sheet so it completely dries. It can be a great flour substitute in baked goods!

Step 5: Refrigerate & Enjoy

Pour your fresh nut milk into a clean jar or bottle, refrigerate, and enjoy!

Use it in smoothies, coffee, cereal, baking, or sip it straight. Homemade nut milk typically lasts 3–5 days in the fridge — though I bet you’ll finish it faster.

A Delicious DIY Nut Milk You’ll Keep Coming Back To

Making your own plant-based nut milk isn’t just simple — it’s empowering, fun, and better for your body and the planet. You control the ingredients, the flavor, and the freshness, and you skip the packaging waste and mystery additives.

So go ahead: get adventurous! Once you master walnut milk, you might just find yourself experimenting with almonds, pecans, or cashews next.

Your morning coffee (and your taste buds) will thank you.

Hi! My name is Destiny Gresham and I am a student in Georgia State University's coordinated program for dietetics. I've always had a love for food. I started off in the field of culinary arts and quickly learned that I wanted to use food to help others. Food, nutrition and health go hand & hand and I aspire to make sure people understand the connection. I am excited to become a Registered Dietitian and to make positive impacts on others!