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How to easily Make Homemade Hazelnut Milk?
Introduction
Hazelnut milk is quickly becoming a popular choice for people who don’t want dairy but still want something rich and warm. With its mild sweetness and nutty smell, it goes well in coffee, smoothies, breakfast bowls, and sweets. Shopping for it in stores often has thickeners or extra tastes. But if you make it yourself, you can control every ingredient and get a better, more natural taste. It’s easier than most people think to make hazelnut milk. All you need are a few simple steps. This guide walks you through the whole process, from letting the nuts soak to blending and keeping your new batch.
Why Choose Hazelnut Milk?
Hazelnut milk is loved for its smooth, creamy texture and its warm, nutty taste, which gives it a distinct character compared to almond or cashew milk. It is completely plant-based, lactose-free, and fits well into vegan or dairy-free diets. Hazelnuts provide healthy fats, antioxidants, and valuable nutrients, making the milk both wholesome and adaptable for everyday use. When prepared at home, it stays free from preservatives and lets the true flavour of the nuts stand out in every sip.
Ingredients You Need
You only need a few ingredients to make simple and fresh hazelnut milk:
- 1 cup raw hazelnuts
- 3–4 cups filtered water for blending
- Additional water for soaking
- Optional sweetness: a date, honey, or maple syrup
- Optional flavour: vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa
Keeping the recipe basic ensures you can adjust it later based on taste and how you plan to use the milk.
Step 1: Soak the Hazelnuts
Why Soaking Is Important?
Soaking hazelnuts is essential for creating smooth, creamy milk. It softens the nuts, makes blending easier, and helps remove any bitterness. Soaked nuts also produce a richer, more consistent texture.
How Long to Soak?
Place the hazelnuts in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak them overnight or for at least 8–10 hours. If you are short on time, soaking them in hot water for 2–3 hours can work as a quick method, but the best texture comes from longer soaking.
Step 2: Rinse and Prepare for Blending
After soaking, drain the hazelnuts and rinse them well. This step removes any residue and ensures a fresh, clean flavour. The hazelnuts should be soft enough to break easily when pressed between your fingers.
Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
Blending Ratio
A common ratio is 1 cup-soaked hazelnuts to 3–4 cups of water. Use 3 cups for thicker milk and 4 cups for a lighter consistency. Add them to a blender along with any optional ingredients like vanilla or a date for light sweetness.
Blending Process
Blend on high speed for about 1–2 minutes until the mixture turns creamy and the nuts are fully broken down. You should not see large pieces once blending is complete. A high-powered blender works best, but even a standard one can produce smooth milk with enough blending time.
Step 4: Strain the Milk
Using a Nut Milk Bag or Fine Cloth
To achieve a silky texture, strain the blended mixture through a nut milk bag, a fine muslin cloth, or a clean kitchen towel. Place the cloth over a bowl, pour the mixture, and gently squeeze until all the liquid is extracted.
What About the Pulp?
The leftover hazelnut pulp is rich in fibre and nutrients. You can use it in smoothies, cookies, energy bites, or homemade granola. Nothing needs to go to waste.
Step 5: Store and ChilL
Pour the strained hazelnut milk into a clean glass bottle or jar. It keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. Shake the bottle before each use, as natural separation is normal in homemade nut milk.
Amazing Health Benefits of Homemade Hazelnut Milk
Naturally Nutty and Flavourful
Hazelnuts have a warm, aromatic taste that sets them apart from other nuts. This gives hazelnut milk a rich flavour, making it especially good in drinks like coffee or hot chocolate where depth of taste really matters.
No Additives or Preservatives
When you make hazelnut milk at home, you control every ingredient. It stays free from stabilisers, artificial flavours, and added oils that are often included in store-bought varieties.
Plant-Based and Dairy-Free
Hazelnut milk works well for vegans and for anyone who avoids dairy because of intolerance or allergies. Its naturally smooth texture makes it a simple replacement for dairy milk in many everyday recipes.
Rich in Healthy Nutrients
Hazelnuts are a good source of healthy fats, vitamin E, antioxidants, and important minerals. These nutrients help maintain steady energy and support overall well-being.
How to Use Hazelnut Milk?
Homemade hazelnut milk can be used in many everyday dishes and drinks:
- Add it to your morning coffee for a gentle, nutty sweetness
- Pour it over cereals, oats, or granola
- Blend it into smoothies for extra creaminess
- Use it in baking recipes like muffins, cakes, or pancakes
- Stir it into hot cocoa or chai
- Prepare creamy desserts or simple puddings with it
Its versatility makes it a convenient and flavourful addition to your kitchen.
Tips for Better Hazelnut Milk
- Lightly roasting the hazelnuts before blending gives the milk a richer, toasted flavour.
- You can adjust the amount of water to make the milk thinner or creamier, depending on your taste.
- Adding warm spices like cinnamon can enhance the aroma and overall flavour.
- If you enjoy a sweeter drink, add a small amount of natural sweetener to taste.
Trying out different combinations will help you discover the blend that suits your preference best.
Conclusion
Making hazelnut milk at home is surprisingly simple and doesn’t require much effort. With a few easy steps like soaking the nuts, blending them, straining the mixture, and storing the finished milk, you can prepare a fresh and flavourful dairy-free option in your own kitchen. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a natural, plant-based milk that fits well into everyday habits. Whether you add it to coffee, blend it into smoothies, use it for baking, or drink it as it is, hazelnut milk offers a creamy texture and a rich, nutty taste that enhances your daily routine.
