Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe - Quickest and Easiest Nut Milk

Name: Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe - Quickest and Easiest Nut Milk
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews – pieces or whole cashews will work; 4 cups fresh filtered water

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This easy cashew milk recipe comes together quickly, without soaking, straining or a nut milk bag for a dairy free milk you can enjoy instantly and is the perfect dairy milk replacement when cooking or as a creamer in your morning coffee.

cashew milk bottle with masking tape "cashew milk" label sitting on concrete countertop with raw cashews around

While I love homemade almond milk, homemade nut milks can be so time consuming. Sometimes you’re half awake in the morning with no coffee creamer and want something super simple and fast.

Enter this cashew quick and easy cashew milk recipe.

Honestly, it’s so easy, it feels silly calling it a recipe.

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Why make your own cashew milk?

Since cashew milk is an easy recipe with simple ingredients, it’s not time consuming, is less expensive than store-bought cashew milk and tastes much better.

Also, cashews contain vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium, as well as a dose of healthy fats. Cashew milk is a great dairy-free milk alternative with a creamy texture similar to whole milk.

What are the ingredients in this cashew milk recipe?

one cup of cashews next to a measuring cup of water on concrete countertop with raw cashews on counter

All you need to make your own nut milk super fast is raw unsalted cashews and fresh water.

A high-powered blender is preferred for this recipe in order to avoid the need for soaked cashews. If you have a regular blender, you will need to do a 30 minute quick soak of the cashews and you may need to run the milk through a nut bag, cheese cloth or fine mesh strainer if you have excess cashew pulp in the blender.

How to make sweetened cashew milk

Most of the time when making my own cashew milk, I don’t add sweeter or flavoring because I use it as a whole milk substitute in savory recipes. But you can absolutely make a sweetened delicious cashew milk that will be the perfect addition to your granola or a sweet coffee creamer.

When adding the cashews and water to the blender, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and your sweetener.

For your sweetener, you can add any of the following, depending on preference and sweetness level.

2-4 large dates
1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup

Can I use roasted cashews to make cashew milk?

You can use roasted cashews to make cashew milk, but it will alter the flavor a bit. The raw cashews give a more neutral flavor. I have noticed I also have a little more cashew pulp with the roasted cashews.

How do I make easy homemade cashew milk?

Time needed: 10 minutes.

If no high speed blender, soak your cashews
If you don’t have a high speed blender, you will first soak your cashews in hot water for 30 minutes. Add the cashews to a bowl, bring water close to a boil and cover the cashews with the hot water. Let sit for 30 minutes.
Add cashews and water to the blender
If you soaked your cashews, drain and rinse the cashews after 30 minutes and add to your blender with the fresh water.

If you have a high speed blender, skip the soaking and place cashews in the blender, along with sweetener (if preferred) and add filtered water.
Blend
Blend on your highest speed for 60 seconds until fully blended.
Store
Add to your airtight storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

FAQs

How long does homemade cashew milk last?

Since there aren’t any preservatives, homemade cashew milk won’t last as long as the boxed versions, but it will last about 4 days or so in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

If you know you will only need a small amount of milk, you can half the recipe or make as little or as much as you would like. You can use 1:4 ratio of cashews to water. For every cup of water, you will use 1/4 cup of cashews.

Can I freeze homemade cashew milk?

Yes! You can freeze homemade cashew milk. You can freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container to store. This will give you easy access when you need a milk for cooking, iced coffee creamer, or your morning granola.

I recommend measuring out how many teaspoons/tablespoons are in each ice cube mold before freezing. That way you can mark it on your container and know how many cubes you will need to thaw before using.

Is cashew milk or almond milk better?

This depends on what you are using the milk for and personal preference. Cashew milk is easier and faster to make. If you are trying to focus on strict low carbohydrate diet, such as the keto diet, almonds are lower in carbohydrates than cashews.

Generally, cashew milk is a better substitute for dairy milk in recipes as It’s a bit thicker and more rich tasting, but if you are looking for a lighter taste, almond milk is the way to go. Due to its richness, cashew milk also makes an excellent coffee creamer.

Can I use homemade cashew milk as a coffee creamer?

Yes! Homemade cashew milk is a great coffee creamer! And if you forget to make it ahead of time, you can make it quickly in the morning while your coffee is brewing. Just add a sweetener if you like a sweeter coffee.

Do I need to strain homemade cashew milk?

If you have a high speed blender, you do not need to strain the cashew milk. If you have a standard blender and you soak your cashews in hot water (near boiling) prior to blending, you will likely not need to strain your milk. But it will depend on the power of your blender.

Can I use homemade cashew milk in cooking and baking?

Yes! This cashew milk recipe makes a great cow’s milk substitute in cooking and baking recipes.

What can I make with cashew milk?

You can substitute cashew milk just about anywhere you would use cow’s milk in recipes. Here are some ways I use cashew milk:
Smoothies
Mashed potatoes – use instead of cream/milk
Homemade yogurt
Chia puddings
Ice cream
Everyday coffee creamer
Cakes and cupcakes