Almond milk has become an increasingly popular plant-based milk alternative for those who are lactose intolerant, follow a vegan diet, or simply prefer the taste and texture over dairy milk. While store-bought almond milk tends to have a thinner, watery consistency compared to cow’s milk, there are several easy tricks you can use to make it creamier for use in coffee, smoothies, cereal, and more.
Add a Fat Source
One of the easiest ways to make almond milk creamier is to add a fat source like coconut milk or cream, avocado, cashews, or even dairy creamer or milk. The extra fat helps mimic the richness of whole dairy milk. Here are some options to try:
- Mix a few tablespoons of canned coconut milk or creamer into each cup of almond milk. The coconut flavor pairs well with almond milk too.
- Blend some avocado flesh into a batch of almond milk until smooth and creamy.
- For a nutty creaminess, process a handful of raw cashews in the blender with your almond milk.
- Stir in a dollop of dairy creamer or milk to make it creamier. Use cow, goat or plant-based milk.
When adding any extras to your almond milk, adjust to taste and experiment to find the right creaminess level for you.
Use an Emulsifier
An emulsifier is an ingredient that helps keep fats and liquids from separating. Adding an emulsifier to almond milk can help it maintain a rich, creamy texture. Here are some emulsifiers to try:
- Lecithin – Found in eggs and soybeans, lecithin is a food additive used commercially in almond milk to make it creamier. Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of liquid soy or sunflower lecithin per cup of almond milk and blend well.
- Starches – Starches like cornstarch, arrowroot or potato starch can act as emulsifiers when blended into almond milk. Use about 1/2 teaspoon per cup of milk. Mix well to prevent clumping.
- Xanthan Gum – This gluten-free thickening agent binds moisture and can lend a velvety texture. Use just a pinch, about 1/8 teaspoon per cup of milk, as a little goes a long way.
When using emulsifiers, start with minimal amounts as adding too much can make the milk slimy. Blend or shake well to fully incorporate.
Change the Water to Almond Ratio
Since almond milk is made from water and almonds, you can adjust the ratio to add more almond content for creaminess. Most DIY almond milk recipes call for a 1:4 ratio of almonds to water. To make it creamier, use a 1:3 or even 1:2 ratio using the same blending method.
You can also prepare it with less water when diluting store-bought milk. For example, use 3/4 cups water instead of 1 cup to dilute each cup of milk. Shake or blend well until smooth.
Use Full Fat Canned Coconut Milk
Another shortcut for extra creamy almond milk is to blend it with the thick layer at the top of a can of full fat coconut milk. Here’s how:
- Refrigerate a can of coconut milk overnight, then open and separate the thick cream that rises to the top.
- In a blender, combine 1 cup almond milk with 1/4 cup of the coconut cream. Blend until fully incorporated and frothy.
- Store blended almond-coconut milk in the fridge and shake before using. The yogurt-like texture pairs perfectly with smoothies and cereals.
Add Healthy Fats
Adding extra healthy fats like nut butters, seeds, and oils to almond milk can make it silkier. Try these mix-ins:
- Blend in 1-2 teaspoons nut butter like almond, peanut or cashew per cup of milk.
- Whisk in 1 teaspoon chia seeds and let sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Drizzle in a teaspoon of olive, avocado or grapeseed oil and blend well.
The additional fat and protein from these ingredients helps create a more substantial, milkshake-like consistency.
Use an Immersion Blender
Blending almond milk with an immersion or stick blender directly in the glass or pitcher can also improve creaminess. The blending action helps emulsify the ingredients for a smoother end product. Simply place the stick blender into almond milk and pulse a few times until frothy.
Heat It Up
Warming up almond milk can temporarily give it a richer consistency, similar to the effect of heating dairy milk. Try pouring milk into a small saucepan and gently warming over medium heat. Froth using a whisk orImmersion blender for extra body.
Just make sure not to boil or overheat almond milk, as this can cause separation. Gently warming for a few minutes while stirring is all you need.
Add to Smoothies
For creamy smoothies, use almond milk in place of water or fruit juice when blending. Bananas, avocados, nut butters, and yogurt also thicken up smoothies made with almond milk. Blend until smooth for a frothy, shake-like treat.
Make Homemade Almond Milk Yogurt
Culturing store-bought or homemade almond milk into yogurt yields a thick, creamy product similar to dairy yogurt in texture. To make almond milk yogurt:
- Heat 1 quart almond milk to 180°F to pasteurize.
- Let cool to 110-115°F and whisk in 2-3 tablespoons plain, unsweetened almond milk yogurt with active cultures or 1 packet direct-set yogurt starter.
- Dispense into jars, cover, and incubate 8-12 hours at 110°F until set.
- Chill in the fridge until cold and enjoy!
The live cultures ferment the milk proteins into a spoonable, tangy yogurt. Top with fruit, granola, nuts, or sweeteners.
Make Almond Milk Creamer
For rich tasting coffee and tea, make easy almond milk creamer by blending 2 parts almond milk with 1 part canned coconut milk or coconut cream. Sweeten if desired with vanilla, maple syrup or honey. The extra fat makes it velvety smooth.
Add Sweetened Condensed Milk
Stirring in sweetened condensed milk is a shortcut to creamy, dessert-like almond milk. It adds richness and body along with sweetness. Start with 1-2 tablespoons condensed milk per cup of almond milk and adjust as desired.
Use as a Base for Smoothies
One of the easiest ways to make almond milk creamier is to use it as the liquid base for smoothies. By blending almond milk with frozen fruit, yogurt, nut butters, avocado, and other mix-ins, you can create a thick, milkshake-like beverage.
Some smoothie ideas include:
- Almond milk, bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and ice
- Almond milk, mango, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds
- Almond milk, avocado, honey, vanilla, and frozen spinach
- Almond milk, strawberries, almond butter, and protein powder
Using almond milk instead of water makes smoothies richer and creamier. Blend until fully smooth and frothy.
Simmer on the Stovetop
Heating almond milk gently on the stovetop, while stirring or whisking, can also help thicken and enrich it. The light cooking gives it a creamy consistency while evaporating some excess water content.
To thicken almond milk on the stove:
- Pour milk into a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Avoid boiling.
- Whisk frequently until hot and frothy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool before using in recipes or enjoying straight.
This technique works best with small batches of 1-2 cups of milk at a time. The starch released from frothing helps stabilize the creamy texture.
Add Dairy Products
Small amounts of dairy can lend almond milk a creamier, richer mouthfeel. Options like heavy cream, half and half, cream cheese, mascarpone, or ricotta cheese complement the nutty flavor.
Try adding:
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or half and half per cup of almond milk
- 1-2 ounces cream cheese, blended until smooth
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone or ricotta per cup of milk
For those avoiding dairy, coconut cream or milk make tasty vegan alternatives. Moderate amounts based on your desired consistency.
Make Homemade Condensed Milk
Homemade sweetened condensed milk mixed into almond milk mimics the texture of evaporated milk. To make:
- Combine 1 cup almond milk and 1/3 cup sugar in a saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Let cool completely, then stir 2-3 tablespoons into each cup of almond milk.
The viscous, syrupy consistency helps lend body and a subtle caramelized sweetness.
Use a Milk Frother
Milk frothers are an easy way to make almond milk creamier by incorporating air into it to thicken it up. Handheld frothers or frothing attachments work best.
To froth almond milk:
- Pour cold almond milk into a tall container, leaving room at the top.
- Submerge the frother tip and turn on for 30-60 seconds until milk doubles in volume.
- Mix in any flavorings, then pour frothed milk into drinks or over desserts.
Frothing almond milk creates a light, foamy texture perfect for lattes, hot chocolate, overnight oats and more.
Add Protein Powder
Adding a scoop or two of protein powder like whey, plant-based, or collagen protein can make almond milk creamier. The protein molecules help provide thickness and structure.
Directions:
- Place 1-2 cups of almond milk in a blender.
- Add 1-2 scoops of protein powder.
- Blend for 30-60 seconds until frothy and combined.
Sweeten if desired with maple syrup, honey, vanilla or cocoa powder. Use in smoothies, overnight oats or enjoy as a protein drink.
Conclusion
With a few easy tricks in your toolkit, you can give store-bought almond milk a major creaminess upgrade. Whisking in fats like coconut milk, blending with protein powders, heating on the stovetop, and using emulsifiers or thickeners are all effective ways to give it a richer, more milkshake-like texture. frayIt into smoothies, coffee drinks, cereals and baked goods. Experiment to find your favorite creaminess boosting method to take basic almond milk to a new level of luxury.
