Since moving to the walnut farm back in October (the start of walnut harvest), I’ve been using walnuts in just about everything. Before, the only nut milks I used were almond and coconut (and sometimes a blend of the two). I’d tried making my own almond milk before, and it worked great, but honestly didn’t have much to it, or much flavor. But now, with an abundance of walnuts on hand, it just makes sense to use some of them for walnut milk, which I can put on cereal, use in smoothies, or use to make adaptogen hot chocolate.
I have shared this recipe before, in my Dairy-Free Protein Hot Chocolate post, and the recipe will remain in that post for the time being as it is a pivotal part of that drink. However, I felt this rich, flavorful nut milk more than deserved its own post! I always have it on hand and use it just about every day.
Walnut milk is not only rich, frothy, and delicious, but it full of omega-3 fatty acids (hello, healthy fats!), plant-based protein, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. Walnuts are such a power food that I couldn’t help but make them into milk! (Find more walnut nutrition info here.)
One disclaimer: walnuts are very high in fats. Although walnuts have the highest omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of any nut (omega-3s are good for brain health and are anti-inflammatory), fats of any kind are very high in calories. I’m not one for calorie counting, but walnut milk is definitely something to be consumed in moderation, just like anything else. I often combine it with almond milk to stretch it a little further, or to get the benefits and flavor with a little less richness. That being said, this is still something I use almost every day and absolutely love. Just, in moderation!
A lot of nut milk recipes you’ll find out there, as well as store bought nut milks, have added sugar in them. To me, this is completely unnecessary. Then again, I don’t tend to drink nut milk straight. If you primarily use your nut milks in coffee drinks, smoothies, on cereal, or to make hot chocolate, you DO NOT need to sweeten your nut milk! All that’s doing it adding extra sugar to your diet, which would be much better consumed in other ways (read: cookies). For that reason, this recipe is super simple, with only four ingredients! Give it a try and enjoy any way you like!
| Servings |
Quart
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- 1 cup Shelled walnuts soaked for at least four hours, but ideally overnight
- 3.5 cups Filtered water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Ingredients
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- Add all of the ingredients to blender and blend on high for two minutes.
- While blending, put your nut milk bag or cheese cloth (I use Ellie’s Best nut milk bag. Use code “simplyshannonagins” on their website for a discount!) in a bowl or large measuring cup.
- After blending, pour the mixture into the nut milk bag and squeeze all the liquid into the bowl. Pour the nut mylk into a jar or bottle and refrigerate up to a week.
- Shake before enjoying.
I’m not really a milk person, but I think I can give this recipe a try. It actually looks like it taste refreshing.
I’m a huge fan of it, but you definitely have to like walnuts! If you do, give it a try!
This is a great idea! Purchased at the store nut milks seem to have so many additives (and sugar), you make this seem so easy, I think I’m finally motivated to give it a try.
That makes me so happy Darcy! You can follow a similar recipe for other nuts as well! And if you do decide you want it a little sweeter, either toss in a couple dates or a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey. But honestly, I don’t think it needs it!
I am so looking forward to trying this recipe! I love walnuts, and I love the idea of making a nut milk from them. This is definitely something I haven’t seen elsewhere.
Yay! That makes me so happy! I love walnuts too! If you give it a try, please let me know what you think!!
I’ve been wanting to make my own nut-milk for a while now, guess I’ll add walnuts to my list of nuts to try! Sounds delicious.
My word of advice is invest in a nut milk bag and a good blender! Makes everything easier!! Enjoy!
Oh wow bet this tastes amazing! LOve it because you can’t buy it in shops so it will be really different and special
I love it! But you definitely have to like walnuts to enjoy it!
I had never thought of walnut milk until now . You are so right they really do no need to add sugar to nut milks they are quite tasty on their own . This must taste heavenly 🙂
If you like walnuts, it’s absolutely delicious! Especially with just that little bit of vanilla. It’s plenty sweet on its own! I highly recommend giving it a try!
Oh my! This sound fabulous! we make cashew milk a lot but love walnuts and need to try this! I bet it’s delicious with overnight oats!
Heck yes! It’s also super good blended with cashew milk!! Let me know what you think if you give it a try! 🙂
A must try easy and simple recipe!! It must be great to live there and have walnut in abundance! thanks for sharing the post!!
Thank you! We are very blessed to love where we do and it’s been so much fun to figure out new ways to use walnuts!
Love the idea! And it honestly never crossed my mind to try this! I can imagine how good walnut milk must taste! I love walnuts, I was going to make my own almond milk but I may just experiment with walnuts instead!!
Thank you! I hope you try it! It’s so much more flavorful than almond milk and is packed with nutrients! Please let me know if you give it a try 🙂