What’s the Best Oat Milk? 15 Brands, Tasted and Reviewed

Coming from a time when milk alternatives were rather limited, the market has recently bloomed into a plethora of options like almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, cashew milk, flax milk, and of course: oat milk!

Whether you seek a dairy milk replacement due to an allergy or you’re looking for something to fit into your plant based eating plant, there is certainly an oat based beverage out there for you!

We’re taste testing and reviewing a bucket load of the best oat milks we could find in order to answer the question “What’s the best oat milk?” once and for all. 

What is Oat Milk?

Ok. We’ll broach the question everyone is too embarrassed to ask. How the heck do you milk an oat? 

It’s actually quite simple. Whole oats are blended with water until smooth, and then the liquid is extracted from the mixture. This process allows a lot of starch and nutrient content from within the grain to be released into the water, thereby turning all of that oaty goodness into liquid form! 

What Ingredients Are in Oat Milk?

In addition to the base of oats and water, most oat milks incorporate other ingredients. Flavorings such as vanilla or sweeteners may be added to the oat milk in order to improve palatability while vitamins or minerals may be added to the milk in order to up the nutrient profile. 

Stabilizers like gums and thickeners such as oils or starches may also be added to help keep the mixture homogeneous as well as to give it a creamier texture.

Types of Oat Milk

Oat milk, and many other non dairy milks for that matter, fall into either of 2 main camps: shelf-stable or refrigerated. Shelf stable milks are pasteurized at an extremely high temperature and sealed, making them safe to keep at room temperature until opening.

Refrigerated oat milk, on the other hand, does not receive this same level of heat treatment and therefore must be kept under constant refrigeration.

In addition, you may also see oat milk in flavored or unflavored versions, sweet or non-sweet, fortified or non-fortified. 

Store Bought Oat Milk Brands:

The Test Subjects

Today more than ever, there are a multitude of oat milks on the market and our quest to collect as many as we could did not disappoint!

We scooped up 15 different brands and varieties of this popular plant based milk, including the following:

• Califia Farms Extra Creamy Oat Milk
• Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend
• Chobani Zero Sugar Original Oat Milk
• Dream Original Oat Beverage
• Dream Unsweetened Oat Beverage
• Elmhurst Milked Oats
• Good & Gather Plant Based Original Oat Barista Blend
• Lifeway Vanilla Flavored Cultured Oat Milk
• Oatsome Original Organic Oat Beverage
• Organic Vanilla Oat Malk
• Pacific Foods Organic Oat Plant-Based Beverage
• Planet Oat Dark Chocolate Oat Milk
• Planet Oat Vanilla Oat Milk
• The Original Oatly Oat Milk
• Three Trees Organic Oat Milk With Seeds

Our Methodology for Ranking the Best Oat Milk

Our oat milk mission was to select the best oat milk brands in each of these top 8 categories:

• Best Traditional (Sweetened) Oat Milk
• Best Unsweetened Oat Milk
• Best Organic Oat Milk
• Best Barista Blend Oat Milk 
• Best Vanilla Flavored Oat Milk
• Best Chocolate Flavored Oat Milk
• Best Probiotic Oat Milk
• Best Premium Oat Milk
• Best Budget Oat Milk

The Taste Test

For the all important taste test, we sampled each of our oat milks straight up, as well as experimented with how well each variety took to frothing and foaming for coffee making purposes. 

The Criteria

In order to win a top spot in the aforementioned categories, each oat milk was given a score in each of the criterial points outlined below. From there, we selected our top scorers! 

1. Taste & Texture: comparing the flavors and textures of each oat milk to one another, as well as to cow’s milk and other non dairy milk products. 
2. Nutrition Content: including calories, protein, fat, sugars, vitamins, minerals, and quality of ingredients used. 
3. Unique Characteristics: considering any unique flavors, special ingredients, or additional health benefits that may be provided by each product. 
4. Value: standardized as a price per ounce measure. 
5. Production & Packaging: taking into account factors like widespread availability, quality of packaging, and any special characteristics of the parent company. 

Best Traditional (Sweetened) Oat Milk:

Califia Farms Extra Creamy Oat Milk

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how Califia Farms Extra Creamy Oat Milk scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.4 / 5.0
• Value: 4.8 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.8 / 5.0

The fact that this product line shares a name with the legendary Queen Califia immediately set our expectations admittedly high, and we were pleased at how their Extra Creamy Oat Milk went on to meet each and every one of them! 

First and foremost, we were struck by the packaging--an eye-catching teardrop shaped bottle with a big screw top lid that made opening and pouring this oat milk a breeze. Once we cracked the cap off and took a taste, we could fully appreciate the consistency as well. It gets its thickness from a bit of sunflower oil as opposed to gums or carrageenan, therefore it is not as thick as some of the other oat milk brands we evaluated. Nevertheless, this one has a perfectly creamy taste and rich mouthfeel.  

The subtly sweet yet nutty flavor of Califia Farms Oat Milk scored among the highest according to our tasters. While perfect for use on its own, this milk would do especially nicely in savory recipes, as well as sweet ones like our Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream. We love that it is free from GMOs, carrageenan, and soy and is bottled in BPA free packaging! The plastic label on the bottle has an easy zip-off portion which allows you to remove the plastic wrapper and easily recycle the bottle. And, this oat milk is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D to boot--providing 20% your DV of each. 

Although we had a tough time finding much we didn’t like about this oat milk, it’s worth noting that across the board of fiber content, this oat milk variety scored the lowest with <1 gram of fiber per serving. Seeing as extra fiber is why many folks opt to reach for plant based milks in the first place, this may be less than ideal for some.

Pros:

• Uniquely shaped bottle sets it apart from the crowd and is easy to pour from. 
• Lives up to its “extra creamy” designation with a thick texture and richness.
• Nutty, slightly sweet flavor profile lends it to both sweet and savory applications. 
• No GMO's, carrageenan, or soy ingredients. 
• Packed in a BPA free bottle with tear off label for easy recycling. 
• Provides 20% DV of several important vitamins and minerals. 

Cons:

• Has the lowest fiber content of all the oat milks we evaluated, with <1 gram per serving. 

Best Unsweetened Oat Milk:

Elmhurst Milked Oats

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how Elmhurst Milked Oats scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 4.5 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.4 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.8 / 5.0
• Value: 4.6 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.4 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.5 / 5.0

Elmhurst started out in 1925 as an NYC-based family owned and operated cow's milk dairy before making the switch to plant based. We think all that experience really paid off, as they now produce a number of dairy-free milk alternatives that are incredibly convincing as the real deal!

Their Unsweetened Milked Oats contains just 3 ingredients: filtered water, oats, and salt. As a result of being made with whole grain oats only, there are 25 grams of amazing whole grains per serving--over half of your recommended daily intake! This also gives the oat milk a wonderfully high 3 grams of fiber per serving.

We love the lack of added sugar in this oat milk not only for the health benefits but also for the fact that it makes this product easy to incorporate into any number of recipes, from savory cream sauces to sweet confections like our Homemade Cardamom Hot Chocolate.

This product is free from gums, oils, artificial flavors, or thickeners as well as is certified vegan, kosher, non-GMO, and gluten free. The carton informs us that their "hydrorelease" processing techniques is able to extract the maximum amount of nutrition from each piece of grain, thereby minimizing waste. And, Elmhurst takes advantage of renewable energy from Niagara Falls as a power source! Ahhh. 

The overall taste experience of Elmhurst oat milk was sadly not one of our favorites, as it runs a bit more bitter and is thinner in texture as compared to others. Also, this brand is definitely not as commonplace, so if you’ve got your heart set on it, you’ll want to be sure to use the product locator page on the company website or try your local health food store.

Finally, we found the green twist cap didn’t seal all that securely after being opened for the first time, and with a bit of poking around to see if anyone else had this issue, we found several other folks complaining that their caps were leaky as well. Take care when shaking this one and don’t lay it on its side! 

Pros:

• Comes from a company backed by almost 100 years in the milk industry!
• Contains just 3 simple ingredients. 
• Provides 25 grams of whole grains and 3 grams of fiber per serving. 
• Contains no added sugars, making it well suited to sweet or savory recipes. 
• Free from all processed ingredients, GMO’s, animal products, and gluten. 
• Produced by way of environmentally friendly, renewable, hydro power. 

Cons:

• Has a more bitter flavor and is not as creamy in texture as other brands.
• Harder to find, more of a specialty product. 
• Twist-off cap might be prone to leakage once the factory seal is broken. 

Best Organic Oat Milk:

Pacific Foods Organic Oat Plant-Based Beverage

Type: Shelf-Stable

Here is how Pacific Foods Organic Oat Plant-Based Beverage scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.5 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.2 / 5.0
• Value: 4.9 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.3 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.4 / 5.0

When shopping for our slew of oat milk products, we found a quality organic option in the last place we expected: in the shelf-stable milk section! 

Made from organic oats, this sweetened oat milk from Pacific Foods has a much more palatable flavor profile than many of the other--let's say "woodsy"--oat milk varieties we tasted. It has an appealing off-white coloring and is of course USDA certified by Oregon Tilth and non-GMO project verified.

This is one of the highest protein oat milk varieties we found, offering 4 grams per serving and it is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D, providing 10% your DV of each. There’s even some tips on the back covering details such as how to use oat milk as a substitute for buttermilk in your favorite recipes! 

We also love that the carton mentions several of the philanthropic efforts that Pacific Foods focuses on, such as providing meals to local food pantries, ensuring that students have access to food during school breaks, and making use of excess farm crops that might otherwise go to waste.

On the downside, Pacific Foods Organic Oat Plant-Based Beverage has the highest sugar content of all the oat milks we studied, delivering 17 grams of sugar per serving. This is over ⅓ of your recommended daily intake!

Also, we found the texture on this one to be a bit cloying, and after reviewing the ingredients panel found that this product contains gellan gum to act as a thickener. We’re all for creamy dreamy plant based milks, but this one takes it a little too far in our opinion.

Pros:

• Flavor is highly palatable as compared to plainer, less sweet versions of oat milk. 
• Has an attractive appetizing toasty coloring.
• USDA certified organic and non-GMO project verified.
• Provides 4 grams of protein per serving!
• Good source of calcium and vitamin D.
• Back of the carton features several product tips for substitutes and more. 
• Pacific Foods dedicates resources to a range of charitable efforts.

Cons:

• Is very high in sugar, with 17 grams per serving.
• The inclusion of gellan gum makes the texture of this oat milk a bit overly thick. 

Best Vanilla Flavored Oat Milk:

Organic Vanilla Oat Malk

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how Organic Vanilla Oat Malk scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 4.6 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.4 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.3 / 5.0
• Value: 4.5 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0 
• Overall Score: 4.5 / 5.0

Aside from being really fun to say, Malk is a plant based beverage company that really stands behind product transparency and simplicity.

Their Organic Vanilla Oat beverage is a perfect example of that, containing just water, gluten-free oats, vanilla extract, and Himalayan pink salt. These 4 simple ingredients come together to produce a great tasting oat milk beverage which has just the right hint of vanilla flavor--without tasting like a birthday cake.

While oat milk is not exactly a high fat product, most oat milk contains at least a few grams or so. This Organic Vanilla Oat Malk on the other hand, is completely fat free! It also features the lowest calorie count with just 60 per serving.

It is certified organic and free from GMOs, as well as is glyphosate-residue (a potentially harmful herbicide) free. The bottle is BPA-free and completely recyclable once you peel off the outer plastic wrapper that has a handy perforation for easy removal. And, the label features some nice tips for ways to enjoy your Malk, from coffee and milkshakes to cooking and baking!

This oat milk has the unfortunate designation of containing the highest amount of sodium, with 180 milligrams per serving. As if that wasn’t bad enough, it also features the most abysmal micronutrient profile of all, providing just 2% your DV of potassium!

You also want to be aware that this variety of oat milk is far from homogeneous in texture, as you can actually feel tiny bits of grain in your mouth and this sediment settles to the bottom of a glass very fast. Be sure to shake well! 

Pros:

• Features a short ingredients label with just 4 organic, whole food ingredients.
• Has an authentic vanilla flavor, not at all artificial. 
• Certified organic and free from GMO ingredients. 
• Glyphosate residue free. 
• Best option for low fat oat milk, as it is completely fat free. 
• Lowest in calorie content, with just 60 per serving. 
• In a BPA-free and recycling friendly bottle that also shares tips for maximum oat milk enjoyment! 

Cons:

• High in sodium as compared to other oat milk varieties. 
• Overall sad vitamin/mineral content, with just a few milligrams of potassium. 
• Texture is a bit grainy, sediment quickly settles, and product needs to be shaken often.

Best Chocolate Flavored Oat Milk:

Planet Oat Dark Chocolate Oat Milk

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how Planet Oat Dark Chocolate Oat Milk scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.5 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.8 / 5.0
• Value: 4.9 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.7 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.8 / 5.0

Just because you say no to regular dairy milk doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be able to enjoy a glass of chocolate milk from time to time! That’s precisely where Planet Oat Dark Chocolate Oat Milk comes in.

This decadent oat milk gets all its flavor from the inclusion of cocoa processed with alkali, also known as “Dutch process cocoa powder”. The alkali gives the cocoa a darker color, stronger flavor, and lowers the natural acidity, ensuring that this milk takes on a pure chocolate flavor and nothing else. Our panel of tasters found the texture of this oat milk to be near perfect as well, as it has a velvety finish without being too gloppy. 

As tasty as it is, this oat milk really blew us away with its nutrition profile! In addition to providing 3 grams of fiber per 1-cup serving, it also is an excellent source of vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin A and also provides smaller quantities of iron, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.

The carton states that you can go right ahead and use this product as a 1:1 replacement for regular milk in any baking recipe, and we also think it would be quite complimentary when paired with coffee! Just brew up a few of your favorite coffee beans and add Planet Oat Dark Chocolate Oat Milk in place of your usual creamer for a mocha-style beverage! 

When something tastes this much like a treat, it unfortunately often is. As you can guess by the taste, there is quite a bit of sweetener added to this oat milk in the form of cane sugar: 12 grams of it per cup!

And as far as the different oat milks go, this one was definitely on the more processed end of things. The label reads “ultra-pasteurized” meaning it has been exposed to high heat and there are also a number of chemical additives and stabilizers on the ingredients panel. 

Pros:

• Dutch process cocoa powder gives this oat milk an excellent chocolate flavor. 
• Has a pleasantly thick but not gummy consistency. 
• Provides tons of nutrient content including 12% DV dietary fiber, 25% DV calcium, 20% DV vitamin D, 20% vitamin A, 10% DV potassium, 10% DV riboflavin, 10% DV vitamin B12, and 8% DV iron.
• Works as a 1:1 substitute for milk in baked goods. 
• Great to drink alone or for making chocolatey drinks like coffees and milkshakes. 

Cons:

• Has high sugar content, with 12 grams in each cup. 
• Overall is pretty processed, having gone through ultra-pasteurization and containing chemical stabilizing agents. 

Best Barista Blend Oat Milk:

Good & Gather Plant Based Original Oat Barista Blend

Type: Shelf-Stable

Here is how Good & Gather Plant Based Original Oat Barista Blend scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 4.8 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.5 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.3 / 5.0
• Value: 5.0 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.3 / 5.0 
• Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0

Speaking of coffee, it’s no secret that oat milk lattes are still going strong, meaning there are plenty of “barista blend” style oat milk products out there to choose from! Out of all those we sampled, we found this option from Target’s store brand to be among our favorites. 

It has a craveable nutty flavor and aroma, giving it a flavor almost like toasted milk! It’s far from too sweet though and according to our tasters, strikes just the right balance between sweet and savory.

We also love the rich mouthfeel of this one, and the fact it takes well to frothing! Just bring out your trusty milk frother, follow the helpful frothing tips that are provided on the side panel, and you’ll be whipping up authentic coffee house style beverages in no time. 

Got room for more good news? This product is backed by Good & Gather’s money back guarantee on top of the fact that it is already the most affordable oat milk on our countdown, costing just $0.08 per ounce. 

Unfortunately, in order to create all of that froth and foam, this product contains a significant amount of oil as compared to other oat milks. This additional fat, in the form of canola oil, gives the oat milk a whopping 8 grams of fat per serving, the highest of all the oat milks we tested! As a result, this product is also the highest calorie per serving with 170 calories per cup.

It’s also worth noting that the oats used in the product are hydrolyzed, meaning they have undergone a certain process that breaks down the natural starches of the oats into sugars. While this does not render the oats unhealthy, it does indicate a higher level of processing as compared to other brands which use whole oats to make their products.

Pros:

• Has an excellent flavor profile, making it extremely versatile. 
• Can be used on its own or frothed for coffee beverages.
• Rich mouthfeel and thick texture results in excellent froth-ability!
• Comes with a money back guarantee.
• Is the most affordable, costing us just $0.08 per ounce. 

Cons:

• Has the highest fat content of all oat milks, with 8 grams per serving.
• Also bears the highest calorie content, 170 calories per cup!
• The oats used in this milk are hydrolyzed--a.k.a. highly processed. 

Best Probiotic Oat Milk:

Lifeway Vanilla Flavored Cultured Oat Milk

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how Lifeway Vanilla Flavored Cultured Oat Milk scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 4.1 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
• Value: 4.7 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.4 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.5 / 5.0

Lifeway products are crafted from traditional recipes that the Smolyansky family brought with them when they immigrated from the Soviet Union to the United States. Today, the company is still run by family members and is continually expanding to include new products including their Cultured Oat Milk!

Sipping on this product is just like sipping on a regular yogurt smoothie, with a nice sweet vanilla flavor and of course, plenty of tang. The tang is a byproduct of ten different strains of live and active probiotic cultures that are in each bottle, with numbers as high as 25-30 billion gut-healthy bugs! 

In addition to those probiotics, this oat milk is also rich in prebiotics, in the form of beta glucans--a type of soluble fiber. Between these two, Lifeway Vanilla Flavored Cultured Oat Milk stands an excellent chance of providing some digestive health benefits to those who drink it! 

This oat milk is comparatively high in protein, with 4 grams per serving, and is actually the lowest in sodium content with just 15 milligrams per serving. It is USDA organic, certified vegan (yes, all of those cultures are completely vegan), and free from soy, GMO’s, BPA, and gluten. 

Our biggest complaint with this oat milk is that it’s not nearly as versatile as other options. Its strong flavor and very thick texture mean you would not be able to pour it over a bowl of cereal, use it to cream your coffee, or incorporate it into any and all recipes.

In addition, it’s not just thick it’s very thick, actually so viscous that it was even difficult to shake thoroughly as instructed. And, this oat milk has a much shorter shelf life as compared to its non-cultured counterparts.  

Pros:

• From a family owned and operated company with a history steeped in tradition.
• Has a pleasant flavor, like a sweet vanilla yogurt smoothie. 
• Contains tons of probiotic bacteria and well as prebiotic fiber. 
• Provides 4 grams of protein per serving.
• Has the lowest sodium content of all oat milks we tested. 
• USDA organic, vegan, soy-free, GMO-free, and BPA-free. 

Cons:

• Super tangy flavor renders it less versatile than other oat milk varieties. 
• Texture is extremely thick, making it tough to shake and pour.
• Has a limited shelf life as compared to other oat milks. 

Best Premium Oat Milk:

Three Trees Organic Oat Milk With Seeds

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how Three Trees Organic Oat Milk With Seeds scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
• Value: 4.2 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.8 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0

Three Trees offers an impressive line of plant based milk products, among them, this seed-stacked Organic Oat Milk! It is a blend of just 5 ingredients: water, oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds and each of them is USDA certified organic and non-GMO project verified. 

The combination of these seeds result in an oat milk that is insanely nutritious, as they provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium and each serving gives you 20% your DV of vitamin D! All of this goodness makes this oat milk one of the best ways to amp up the power of your morning smoothie--just blend a handful of your favorite frozen strawberries with a splash of this superfood oat milk and you’re in business. 

We love that not only is Three Trees Organic Oat Milk With Seeds packed in a recyclable bottle, but the outer label is completely recyclable with the bottle as well. And, if you’re looking for product info or need some delicious recipe ideas, simply scan the QR code featured on the label to be taken to a treasure trove of information! 

One of the most glaring issues with this oat milk that struck us right away is the color. As opposed to the warm beige, oat-like coloring most of the other oat milks boasted, this one is quite gray with almost a blue tinge. After a bit of research we found that this is a natural effect of some pigment compounds in sunflower seeds, but either way, it’s a little off putting!

In addition, all of those seeds and whole grain oats give this oat milk somewhat of a rougher texture, with a far less creamy taste than many others. And, this was one hands down the most expensive oat milk we encountered, as the relatively small 28-ounce bottle ran us $7.00--or $0.25 per ounce. 

Pros:

• Made from just 5 whole food ingredients!
• USDA organic and non-GMO.
• Nutritionally sound, with plenty of omega-3’s, vitamins, and minerals. 
• Great for adding a nutrient boost to smoothies, milkshakes, or recipes. 
• Bottle (and plastic label!) are completely recyclable. 
• Handy QR code can be scanned for full product and company info. 

Cons:

• Coloring is dull gray and unattractive. 
• Has a rough texture due to all of the seeds and oats and is not as pleasant to drink on its own. 
• The most expensive oat milk out there!

Best Budget Oat Milk:

The Original Oatly Oat Milk

Type: Refrigerated

Here is how The Original Oatly Oat Milk scored in each of our criteria categories:

• Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
• Nutrition Content: 5.0 / 5.0
• Unique Characteristics: 4.5 / 5.0
• Value: 5.0 / 5.0
• Production & Packaging: 4.8 / 5.0
• Overall Score: 4.9 / 5.0

When oat milk first came on the scene, Oatly was without a doubt the brand that most folks connected with. And for good reason, as it was the first commercial manufacturer of this now key player in the plant based milk market!

With such an impressive history, it’s no wonder that this company has really gotten things nailed down as far as taste and textural characteristics. The Original Oatly Oat Milk was our top favorite in both of those departments, with a lightly sweet yet rich and savory flavor that hits the palette with a creamy consistency that is strikingly similar to dairy milk itself.

We also couldn’t get enough of its near perfect consistency as it is nice and rich--a far cry from several of the other watery textured oat milks we found. And, the coloring of this one is spot on as well! If you didn’t know any better, you might just mistake a glass of this stuff for a glass of regular cow’s milk. 

This Oatly Oat Milk was at the lowest price point, costing us just $0.08 per ounce, and seeing as it’s a fortified oat milk, you’re going to get a huge bang for your buck with this one! One 1-cup serving contains an impressive slew of vitamins and minerals including 50% your DV of vitamin B12, 45% DV riboflavin, 25% DV calcium, and good quantities of vitamin D, iron, potassium, vitamin A, and phosphorus. We also love how the folks at Oatly value environmental efforts and transparency, and actually print the carbon footprint of this product right on the carton! 

While we were fans of the information included on the packaging, we didn’t love how huge this carton is. Coming in at 64-ounces, this container was much larger than the others and awkward to shake, handle, and pour from.

Also, it’s worth noting that this oat milk contains rapeseed oil which while not necessarily unhealthy, does have some current controversy about its level of processing. 

Pros:

• Comes from a company that was first in commercial oat milk production!
• Superior taste and texture, with a flavor and mouthfeel most similar to that of dairy milk. 
• Very lightly colored, making versatile and excellent as a dairy milk replacement. 
• The most affordable oat milk we found, costing just $0.08 per ounce. 
• Contains an impressive level and range of micronutrient content. 
• Packaging including information like carbon footprint. 

Cons:

• The large container is a bit awkward to deal with and takes up a lot of fridge space. 
• Contains rapeseed oil, a potentially controversial oil.

Best Oat Milk FAQs

Is Oat Milk Gluten Free?

This might sound crazy, but not all oat milk brands are gluten free! While oats are free from naturally occurring gluten, the problem is that oftentimes, gluten finds its way into oat products during harvesting and processing. 

Thankfully there are many oat milks made from certified gluten free oats, so be sure to check the label for such a certification. Of the 8 favorite oat milks we featured above, the only brand which was not certified gluten-free was Pacific Foods Organic Oat Plant-Based Beverage. 

Is Oat Milk the Healthiest Non-Dairy Milk?

While drinking oat milk does provide several health benefits like a boost of fiber and protein, there are some downsides as well. Oat milk tends to be higher in calories and carbohydrates as compared to other non-dairy milk substitute options like almond milk, and as you’ve seen here, can also be quite high in sugar. 

No matter which plant based milk alternative you reach for, the healthiest choice will be the minimally processed, low sugar varieties. 

Is Oat Milk Better For Your Gut?

Oat milk is indeed good for the gut, especially for folks who suffer from lactose intolerance or another type of dairy sensitivity.

In addition to avoiding the inflammation caused by these intolerances, consuming oat milk in place of dairy milk gives you a dose of beta glucan, a type of soluble fiber. Fiber and gut health go hand in hand, and furthermore, this nutrient is thought to have certain cardiovascular benefits as well.

Which Oat Milk Does Starbucks Use?

Starbucks uses Oatly products in their oat milk lattes and other carefully crafted coffee beverages! After tasting it ourselves, we can totally see why as its flavor and texture was among our favorites and the product takes nicely to frothing or steaming. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Oat Milk

At the end of the day, your idea of what makes for a good oat milk will depend on what factors are most important to you. Perhaps you like things sweet or perhaps you prefer plain. Maybe you’re looking to score the best deal or you might like to try a small batch style product and are willing to pay extra for some unique characteristics!

No matter which you choose, we hope that this review has helped to reshape your mindset towards one of the best dairy milk alternatives there is! No go forth, and wear that oat milk mustache with pride.