Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
This Easy Homemade Coconut Milk recipe is the perfect plant-based milk option and can be achieved in TWO ways for the greatest ease. Completely versatile and enjoyed in anything that requires milk, this recipe is one that will be the staple for everyone involved, with a hint of vanilla and sweetness. This plant-based milk boasts clean ingredients and is fresher than store-bought alternatives with an ultra-smooth and creamy texture! Completely Gluten-Free, Nut-free, and Vegan!
Why Learn How To Make Homemade Coconut Milk?
This Easy Homemade Coconut Milk is on my top 3 list of dairy-free milks that my family consumes a lot, next to Easy Homemade Oat Milk and Almond Milk. I've made this milk TWO different ways, and both processes have been super easy to master and just depends on whether you have or want flakes versus actual coconuts. All you need is 2-4 ingredients + a blender.
I love to add plant milks to everything, especially when it is a homemade variety! It’s the perfect excuse to snack on healthy cereal, whip up a creamy coconut-based curry, or make something extra comforting like homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese!
Much like my Creamy Vanilla Sesame Milk and Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk recipes, this homemade version is silky, smooth, and tastes better than any store-bought version. With a few simple ingredients, you can blend your way to a natural + dairy-free milk alternative. Add it to your morning latte! I love using it in this Toasted Coconut Honey Latte for a little extra coconut-y goodness.
Jump to:
- Why Learn How To Make Homemade Coconut Milk?
- What You’ll Need For This Easy Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe
- How to Make Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought
- Why You Will LOVE This Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
- How to Use Homemade Coconut Milk
- Easy Homemade Coconut Milk Q + A's
- More Creamy Plant-Based Milks
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
What You’ll Need For This Easy Homemade Coconut Milk Recipe
Option #1:
- Organic coconut flakes, unsweetened
- Filtered water
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
Option #2:
- Fresh young coconuts
- Filtered water
How to Make Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
Unlike some more complicated vegan milk recipes, you don’t need to soak anything to make this recipe. You’ll start by blending the coconut flakes (or meat of an actual coconut) in a high-speed blender with filtered water, vanilla, and maple syrup until smooth and frothy. To remove the pulp, strain the milk through a cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer or nut bag.
That simple!
Homemade vs. Store-Bought
This simple ingredient Homemade Coconut Milk recipe is definitely a staple in my fridge. I have to admit I was a little late to the homemade plant-based milk train, opting for my favorite go-to brands like Califia Farms and So Delicious instead. They're amazing, so why make my own, right? Haha. Whelp. I've since given in to the trend, and I must say that I'm glad I did. There are a lot of great reasons to opt for homemade coconut milk.
BENEFITS OF MAKING YOUR OWN HOMEMADE COCONUT MILK
- You have complete control over the ingredients and can customize it to your liking.
- It is generally less expensive than store-bought almond milk
- You can make smaller batches to avoid waste.
- Fresh + free from preservatives.
- It is a fun DIY project!
- You can avoid added sugars, oils, thickeners, and salts!
Why You Will LOVE This Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
- Fresh and Ultra-creamy taste
- Versatile-- It can be used in so many ways!
- Customizable sweetness
- Ready in minutes
- Mild sweet + coconut flavor
- Not to mention, it's just DELICIOUS!
How to Use Homemade Coconut Milk
There are a few options that include Homemade Coconut Milk being used to its fullest potential. Have fun experimenting with these options and, of course, switching things slightly by adding new flavors to your homemade coconut milk. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- Add it in a latte. I’m obsessed with this Sugar Cookie Latte (Starbucks Copycat).
- Use it in a vegan baking recipe. My top vegan baking recipes are Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts, Vegan Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread, Vegan Funfetti Cupcakes, and Vegan Vanilla Oreo Cake.
- Add it to your overnight oats or chia pudding. This Protein Loaded Blueberry Overnight Oats recipe is the absolute best! I’m totally obsessed with this Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats the most. Plus, I made Healthy Chia Pudding 3-Ways!
- Pour it over cereal or your favorite homemade granola. I’m always in love with these Caramelized Peach Cinnamon Granola.
- Add them in pancakes or waffles. I can’t decide whether I love these Fluffy Cinnamon Vegan Belgian Waffles or these Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes better!
- Make a decadent milkshake. This Classic Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake is incredible!
Easy Homemade Coconut Milk Q + A's
Of course, it depends on your preference and time. However, making anything homemade gives you more control over the ingredients used. Store-bought can be filled with added sugars, oils, thickeners, and salts, which aren’t that good for you, depending on the brand.
When properly stored in the refrigerator, coconut milk lasts for up to 1 week at best. Usually, I like to consume my batch within the first 2-3 days. The great thing is that making a new batch isn’t hard at all.
Yes, you can absolutely use it in hot drinks! It's a versatile dairy-free alternative that works well in coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other warm beverages. The creamy texture and nutty flavor of this milk can add a delightful touch to your favorite hot drinks. Just ensure not to overheat it to preserve its taste and texture.
Absolutely! Maple syrup is a great sweetener option; however, if you aren’t a fan of its taste or might be allergic to it or just want to switch things up, you can simply substitute with Agave or dates as a replacer.
Yup! To ensure that your coconut blends to an incredibly smooth consistency along with your other ingredients, it’s super important that you pour the blended milk through some kind of strainer or nut bag to avoid coconut "meat" or clumps
More Creamy Plant-Based Milks
If you loved this Easy Homemade Coconut Milk recipe, try these plant-based creamy milky recipes next!
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
When you make your own Easy Homemade Coconut Milk, be sure to tag me on Instagram @orchidsandsweettea!
Easy Homemade Coconut Milk
Ingredients
OPTION #1:
- 5 cups filtered water
- 2 cups organic coconut flakes, unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
OPTION #2:
- 2-3 fresh young coconuts, broken w/ meat scooped out
- 6 cups filtered water, boiled + cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
Instructions
TO MAKE COCONUT MILK (OPTION #1):
- Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend on medium-high speed for about 30-45 SECONDS. **NOTE: Do not over-blend; Adjust sweetness as needed.**
- Once done, slowly strain (using a cheesecloth or nut bag) milk into a pitcher, squeezing the coconut 'pulp' to ensure that all milk is extracted.
- Refrigerate milk (best if tightly sealed/covered) for up to 1 week. Stir before serving.
- Sip and Enjoy!
TO MAKE COCONUT MILK (OPTION #2):
- Once the coconuts are split open and the meat (inside of the coconut) is scooped out, rinse and set aside. NOTE: You want to ensure that they are completely clean without any brown lining or outer part attached.
- Add the coconut meat, water, vanilla, and maple syrup to a high-powered blender and blend on medium-high speed for about 30-45 SECONDS. **NOTE: Do not over-blend; Adjust sweetness as needed.**
- Once done, slowly strain (using a cheesecloth or nut bag) milk into a pitcher, squeezing the coconut 'pulp' to ensure that all milk is extracted.
- Refrigerate milk (best if tightly sealed/covered) for up to 1 week. Stir before serving.
- Sip and Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: When properly stored in the refrigerator, coconut milk lasts for up to 1 week, at best. Usually, I like to consume my batch within the first 2-3 days.
- SERVING: To make less milk, cut ingredient measurements in half. To make more, simply double or triple the measurement of ingredients, depending on your desired amount.
- SWEETENER: Instead of maple syrup, you can use substitute sweeteners like Agave, dates, or date syrup, if preferred.
- USES: Coconut milk's light consistency makes it perfect in lattes, cappuccinos, smoothies, soups, and baked goods. Can also be used as regular milk for cereal, etc.
- NUTRITION: Facts are calculated for Option 1.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!
thank you, nice to know how to make it from scratch, and two ways, even if I have to find a coconut somewhere I prefer that to a can sometimes, if only to know what's in it! So, much appreciated!
Hi Sabrina! Absolutely! Yes---it's definitely great to provide both options in case people have a coconut or two lying around and would like to give it t try! I hope that you enjoy! 🙂