How to Make Cashew Milk
Learn how to make cashew milk for all of your dairy-free needs. You don’t even need a nut milk bag to make this delicious vegan and plant-based milk. Just blend and pour.
Cashew milk is a non-dairy milk alternative made by blending cashew nuts with water. Unsweetened cashew milk is perfect for sweet or savory recipes, and can be heated or used in baking.
Why You Need This Recipe
- You don’t need to strain cashew milk through a nut milk bag, so it’s one of the easiest, most affordable, and fastest dairy-free milks you can make.
- Homemade cashew milk will keep in your refrigerator for up to 5 days and is excellent for putting in coffee.
- You can customize cashew milk to your liking. Add sweetness or different flavors to change it up.
Let me show you exactly how to make cashew milk.
Key Ingredients
The only ingredients you need for cashew milk are cashews and water.
I recommend using raw cashews as opposed to roasted cashews. Raw cashews are softer which makes them easier to blend.
I also recommend using filtered water as opposed to tap water to make sure you don’t get a chlorine flavor in your homemade cashew milk.
Recipe Steps
Unlike almonds that usually need to soak in water for 8-10 hours, cashews only need a very quick soak and rinse to get them ready for blending.
The short soaking time for making cashew milk is one reason why I love making it so much. Honestly, even 10 minutes in a bowl of water is enough soaking time for cashews. I recommend using organic raw cashews.
Step One
So, the first step to making cashew milk is to place about one cup of cashews in a bowl and cover them with filtered water.
Step Two
The second step is to rinse the cashews and then combine them in a high-speed blender with fresh filtered water. Ideally, you would use a Blendtec or a Vitamix to ensure that the smoothie gets very creamy and fully blended.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
As I mentioned, one of the best parts about making cashew milk is that you don’t have to strain it.
Step Three
So, the third step is to blend the cashews and water until they are completely combined. That’s it! Now you have creamy cashew milk that is so much better for most people than cow’s milk.
Recipe Tips & Substitutions
- Try blending 1/2 cup organic cashews + 1/3 cup brazil nuts + 1 tablespoon of carob or cocoa powder for a Cashew-Brazil Chocolate Milk or the base of homemade fudgesicles.
- For use as a protein-rich smoothie base, blend 1/2 cup organic cashews + 1/4 cup hemp seeds + 3 cups filtered water for a Cashew-Hemp Milk perfect for green smoothies (see my list of smoothie recipes).
- I recommend using raw cashews as opposed to roasted cashews.
- I also recommend using filtered water as opposed to tap water to make sure you don’t get a chlorine flavor in your homemade cashew milk.
Recipe FAQs
Cashew milk is not high in protein. A 1/2 cup serving has about 3 1/2 grams of protein according to my recipe.
Cashew milk is a great substitute for dairy milk, but it’s not necessarily better. It really just depends whether or not you have a sensitivity to dairy or to nuts. Learn more about the reasons to go dairy-free.
I don’t recommend keeping homemade cashew milk for longer than 5-7 days in the refrigerator. But, if you do, you can tell if you cashew milk has gone bad if it doesn’t smell good.
More Dairy-Free Milk Recipes You Might Like
Don’t Miss These Dairy-Free Resources
How to Make Cashew Milk
Learn how to make cashew milk for all of your dairy-free needs. You don’t even need a nut milk bag to make this delicious vegan and plant-based milk. Just blend and pour.
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic cashews, soaked for 10-30 minutes in filtered water, rinsed well and drained
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Combine the cashews and water in a high-speed blender. Process for about 45 seconds or until completely blended.
- Store the milk in an air-tight container for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
Equipment
Buy Now →
Notes
- Try blending 1/2 cup organic cashews + 1/3 cup brazil nuts + 1 tablespoon of carob or cocoa powder for a Cashew-Brazil Chocolate Milk or the base of homemade fudgesicles.
- For use as a protein-rich smoothie base, blend 1/2 cup organic cashews + 1/4 cup hemp seeds + 3 cups filtered water for a Cashew-Hemp Milk perfect for green smoothies (see my list of smoothie recipes).
- I recommend using raw cashews as opposed to roasted cashews.
- I also recommend using filtered water as opposed to tap water to make sure you don’t get a chlorine flavor in your homemade cashew milk.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 min
- Category: Beverage
- Method: High-Speed Blender
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 0.7 g
- Sodium: 4.6 mg
- Fat: 5.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 2.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: how to make creamy cashew milk, homemade cashew milk, dairy-free cashew milk, blended cashew milk
If you like this post, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
How long does this last in the fridge?
Up to 5-7 days.
I make a new batch every week!
★★★★★
Will cashew milk separate, like almond milk does? Or, should I use sunflower lecithin to prevent that? Thanks!
It can separate, yes, but I just shake it up before use and it’s good to go!
I love how easy it is to make cashew milk! We always have cashews on hand, so we’re always ready for it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
★★★★★
I can’t believe how super easy it is to make cashew milk! Two ingredients? Amazing.
★★★★★
I have never tried to make any sort of nut milk at home. Looks like a great idea. I do purchase them from time to time. I am always concerned at the number of additivies they contain. This looks healthier for sure.
★★★★★
This looks so good! I always have almond milk but have never tried cashew milk, now I have to!
★★★★★