You can whip oat milk with or without adding fat or thickening agent for a result that ranges from a frothed milk for lattes to whipped cream for dessert toppings.
To whip oat milk to stand up on its own, you’ll need to add either agar agar, gelatin, or oil. Alternatively, you can simply buy “Barista” oat milk,” which has these ingredients above added.
In this article, learn how to whip oat milk and the best store-bought oat milk options for your recipes.
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Can You Whip Oat Milk?
You can whip oat milk to a whipped cream consistency with the addition of either oil or a thickening agent such as agar agar or gelatin.
Fat is what makes traditional cow’s milk take on a fluffy, creamy structure when whipped with a blender, immersion blender, or egg beater.
Oat milk and other plant-based milk alternatives do not have enough fat present in their natural state to be whipped on their own unless you’re simply looking for an aerated or steamed milk consistency for coffee.
If you do not add fat or another thickening agent, you can still whip the oat milk.
However, the final texture will be closer to frothed oat milk, best reserved for coffee and tea.
How to Whip Oat Milk
To whip oat milk, you will need to add either a fat or a thickening agent.
Below, find instructions on these two methods for achieving a whipped consistency for oat milk.
How to Whip Oat Milk with Fat
If you’d like to make whipped cream but prefer a non-dairy option over animal milk, choose plain oat milk or homemade oat milk to start.
Next, choose an oil to add to the oat milk that will take the place of the naturally occurring saturated fat in dairy milk.
For oil, you’ll want to choose an ingredient that is flavorless or complementary to the oat milk.
For example, some people use melted cocoa butter or coconut oil, but both fats will leave a hint of either chocolate or coconut flavor in your whipped oat milk.
However, choosing an oil such as grapeseed should not alter the flavor of your whipped oat milk.
The ratio should be about 1 to 3.
For example, you’d want to mix three tablespoons of fat in one cup of milk.
Step 1:
Simmer the milk, adding sugar and other flavors such as vanilla based on your final recipe.
You can also add a pinch of Xanthan gum, a stabilizer that will help your whip hold its shape.
Step 2:
Next, add your milk mixture to a blender and slowly stream in your fat of choice to emulsify it.
Step 3:
Chill the mixture for several hours, then whip as you would whip cream with either a stand mixer, egg beater, or a whisk.
Enjoy!
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How to Whip Oat Milk with Agar Agar or Gelatin
If you’d prefer whipped milk with less fat than its dairy counterpart, you can whip oat milk using a thickening agent such as agar agar or gelatin.
Agar agar is a vegan alternative for gelatin that has a gelatinous texture when mixed with liquid. It is derived from seaweed.
Step 1:
To thicken your oat milk to a consistency where you can whip it, add one tablespoon of powdered agar agar or gelatin to one cup of oat milk and let it sit for approximately five minutes to allow the mixture to gel.
Step 2:
Heat the mixture to a boil, then bring it down to a simmer to allow the agar agar or gelatin flakes to dissolve fully.
Step 3:
Allow the mixture to cool. Next, add approximately one tablespoon of water, a small pinch of salt, and sweetener to taste, and blend the mixture in a blender until it reaches a whipped consistency.
Enjoy!
Best Oat Milk to Make Whipped Cream
The third option for whipping oat milk without adding fat or a thickening agent is to use a barista blend oat milk.
You can find barista oat milk at your local grocery store, typically near traditional coffee creamers and heavy creams.
If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite coffee shop whips up an oat milk cappuccino that’s so much better than the one you make at home, it’s likely because they are using a barista blend.
Barista Oat Milk vs. Traditional or Homemade Oat Milk
According to the USDA, traditional, store-bought oat milk contains approximately five grams of fat.
That’s not enough fat to achieve a creamy, whipped consistency without a little something added.
Some oat milk brands have caught on and now make a barista blend of oat milk that will froth and whip by adding plant-based fats such as canola and rapeseed oil.
With the addition of this fat, the oat milk whips effortlessly.
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Recommended Barista Oat Milk Blends for Whipping
Our favorite oat milk for whipping is Willa's. However, these two oat milk blends work well for whipping as well.
Oatsome Barista Organic Oat Drink
Oatsome Organic Oat Milk Barista has a few simple ingredients but whips up nicely for coffee and dessert toppings. In addition to being certified gluten-free, this oat milk uses only water, organic oats, organic sunflower oil, and sea salt to achieve this fantastic result.
Elmhurst 1925 Barista Oat Milk
Elmhurst 1925 Oat Barista Edition is a lower-fat option for those wanting to minimize their saturated fat intake but still achieve a whipped oat milk result. It uses a hydro-release method to retain fat, protein, and fiber from the source ingredients, resulting in creamy oat milk without the added oil.
FAQ
Does Oat Milk Thicken When Whipped?
Oat milk will not thicken when whipped unless it is a barista blend, has added fat, or has added thickening agents.
It will simply aerate and result in a light froth.
Can You Substitute Whipped Oat Milk for Whipped Cream?
Whipped oat milk can be substituted for whipped cream as long as the oat milk has been emulsified with fat (such as grapeseed oil, cocoa butter, or coconut oil) or a thickening agent (such as agar agar or gelatin).
In Summary
You can whip oat milk if you understand the two methods that will achieve a whipped result, including the addition of emulsified fat or a thickening ingredient.
In addition, many oat milk companies now offer barista oat milk which means they’ve done the work to add these ingredients for you, so all you have to do is open the container and whip with an egg beat, stand mixer, or blender!
