How to Make Cashew Milk (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan)

Learn to make cashew milk in just a few minutes! It’s way simpler than it sounds, tastes delicious, and you can make it in the comfort of your kitchen anytime! This homemade cashew milk is also cheaper and healthier than the store-bought version too! This creamy cashew milk recipe is totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too, but no one would care!

Jump to:

• Milk Alternatives to Normal Dairy Milk
• Cashew Milk is a Deliciously Creamy Non-Dairy Milk
• Why This Recipe Works:
• Ingredients You’ll Need:
• Ingredient Notes/Substitutes:
• How to Make Cashew Milk (Step by Step):
• Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
• Recipe FAQs:
• Gluten-Free Cashew Recipes to Enjoy:
• Other Homemade Recipes You’ll Love:
• How to Make Cashew Milk (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Milk Alternatives to Normal Dairy Milk

As you probably already know by now, ever since Juan found out about his allergies to milk, eggs and soy, we’ve been spending plenty of time in the kitchen, trying to find our way through this new challenge by testing out as many recipes as we possibly can.

Basically, we’ve stopped consuming cow’s milk. But since milk is so essential in baking and cooking and we love milk with our breakfast cereal, we started making our own non-dairy milks (among which this homemade almond milk is definitely one we make and drink frequently).

Making your own nut milks is really not as scary as it sounds, plus, it’s also a lot cheaper than buying store-bought nut milks! All you need a high-speed blender and a nut milk bag to filter the milk when it’s done.

Cashew Milk is a Deliciously Creamy Non-Dairy Milk

So far, our favorite plant milk is cashew milk, because it’s quick to make, incredibly simple and tastes amazing. Plus, it’s probably the creamiest dairy-free nut milk you’ll find.

I like cashews for several reasons – firstly because of its neutral flavor which makes it highly versatile for use in many recipes, and mainly because of its high content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which help to reduce high triglyceride levels (which is correlated with high risk of heart disease.)

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: All you need to make your own cashew milk is just 3 ingredients that are easily accessible at the grocery store, which I’m pretty sure you might already have!
• Super Easy to Make: This homemade nut milk is ready in just minutes, and the high speed blender does all the work! You just need to pass the milk through a nut milk bag to make sure any large pieces or sediments are filtered out. With this easy recipe, anyone can make their own nut milk anytime!
• Creamy Texture: Cashew milk is an amazingly creamy milk that has a very similar texture to whole milk, which makes it as perfect substitute for normal milk.
• Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: Best of all, this creamy homemade cashew milk recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means even those with Celiac disease or gluten and lactose intolerances can enjoy it without worries!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade cashew milk recipe.

(For exact measurements and quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredient Notes/Substitutes:

• Cashews: I recommend using unsalted raw cashews (as opposed to roasted cashews), but that’s just a preference. Feel free to use whichever cashews you have on hand (whether whole cashews or cashew pieces) as long as they are unsalted.
• Water: I recommend using filtered water or mineral water for the best results in taste to get a delicious cashew milk.
• Maple Syrup: I like adding a bit of maple syrup to sweeten this homemade cashew milk a little. You may also use agave nectar if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not vegan, feel free to use honey instead. If the recipe you need the cashew milk for calls for unsweetened cashew milk, you can leave out the sweetener altogether.
• Vanilla Extract: I enjoy a bit of vanilla extract for some extra flavor. However, you may leave it out if that’s not something you care for.

How to Make Cashew Milk (Step by Step):

1. Soak the Cashews

Soak the raw unsalted cashews in hot water for 15 minutes.

(Tip: Alternatively, if you plan ahead, you may also soak them in room temperature water overnight).

2. Rinse Cashews and Transfer to Blender

Once the cashews are done soaking, rinse them well and place them in your high-speed blender together with the 4 cups of water.

3. Blend Until Smooth

Blend the soaked cashews and water until you get a smooth and frothy milk (about 1 to 2 minutes).

4. Add Maple Syrup and Vanilla

Add in maple syrup and vanilla extract and blend a little more. Feel free to add more or less maple syrup and vanilla to get the desired flavor and sweetness.

5. Sift Cashew Milk

Pass the cashew milk through a nut milk bag to filter out any sediments.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Soak the Cashews: For the creamiest texture, definitely make sure to soak the cashew nuts before blending. Soaking also helps to reduce the phytic acid in the cashews, so you can absorb the nutrients better upon consumption.
  (i) For a quick soak: If you want to make cashew milk now, do a quick soak by soaking the cashews in hot water for at least 15 minutes.
  (ii) For a longer soak: If you have time to plan ahead, soak the cashews in room temperature water overnight.
• Filter Cashew Milk: This step is essential as passing the cashew milk through a nut milk bag will remove all sediments and ensure the creamiest texture. It’ll take 1 extra minute but it’s so worth it. If you don’t have a nut milk bag, at least filter it through a fine mesh strainer to get rid of the larger pieces.
• Use As Coffee Creamer: Replace your normal cow’s milk creamer with this homemade cashew milk (simply use 1 part cashews and 2 parts water and blend).
• Make Chocolate Milk: If you love cozying up to a cup of hot chocolate, simply heat up some cashew milk and dissolve cacao powder in it to get a delicious chocolate cashew milk that will curb that chocolate craving!

Recipe FAQs:

Gluten-Free Cashew Recipes to Enjoy:

• 5-Minute Homemade Cashew Flour (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Easy Cashew Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cashew Nut Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Coconut Cashew Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Other Homemade Recipes You’ll Love:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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