We're back at it again to give you the best oat milk brands of 2022! We researched, shopped and tested 12 different brands to bring you the widest variety of oat milk we could find (at least in central Florida).
I can't wait to share the results with you. Oat milk is something I'm reaching for more and more these days due to its creamy texture and mild taste. Let's see how it stacks up in this growing world of plant-based milk.
Best Oat Milk Brand
Before I reveal our results, I want to break down a little research into oat milk brands. Unlike almond milk, which is categorized as sweetened or unsweetened and comes in various flavors, oat milk categories are not straightforward. Let's break down the lingo first.
What 'Original' Really Means
The goal of our project was to test all of the 'original' oat milk we could find. Brands are not consistent with their labeling, so we had to get a bit creative. Here are all the ways we found 'original':
- Less Sweet
- Full Fat
- Less Fat
- Original
- Plain
- Unsweetened
- Extra Creamy
- Barista
- Blended with coconut and cashews
How's that for clarity? While you can be fairly certain that any almond milk brand has an unsweetened original version, this wasn't the case with oat milk. We did find the zero sugar plain version of Chobani this year (yay!). But we couldn't find a fully unsweetened version of Good and Gather. We also had to pick between the original and barista version of Oatly!, which threw us for a loop. We came up with a comprehensive list of what is on the market right now at the national level. Let's get on to the results!
Best Oat Milk Brands of 2022
To make the table easy to decode, I used a leaf scoring system (because green is best!):
While Califia was the stand-out winner in all categories, most of the milk brands we tested were pretty middle-of-the-road. Only three brands, Califia, Elmhurst, and Forager, boasted a simple ingredient list. Simply Oat has a more straightforward ingredient list yet includes the ever-elusive 'natural flavors,' which dethroned its seat from our cleanest list.
Because most of the milk we tested had several additives and gums, they were disqualified from 'dark green status.' I recommend checking the calorie and sugar content of any oat beverage you purchase. The sugar content alone ranges from 1g to 10g between brands, so we felt them worth mentioning:
- Natural by Nature: 120 calories, 10g added sugar
- Trader Joe's: 90 calories, 9g added sugar
- Good + Gather: 90 calories, 9g added sugar
- Chobani Extra Creamy Original: 120 calories, 8g added sugar
- Oatly: 120 calories, 7g added sugar
- Califia: 130 calories, 4g added sugar
- Planet Oat: 90 calories, 4g added sugar
- Silk: 80 calories, 4g added sugar
- Simply Oat Original: 80 calories, 4g added sugar
- Forager: 45 calories, 2g sugar (no added sugar)
- Elmhurst: 80 calories, 1g sugar (no added sugar)
- Chobani Zero Sugar Plain: 80 calories, 0g sugar
I'm still a firm believer that the best plant milk is homemade, so check out my homemade milk recipe and let me know how it compares to your favorite store-bought brand.
Where to Buy Oat Milk
All the oat milk brands in this review were purchased around the Tampa Bay area. Obviously, there are regional grocery stores and brands not available here. Comment below with your favorite oat milk brand and store where it can be found so we can try to include it next year! My friend Erin shopped at the following stores to get as many oat milk brands as possible:
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Sprouts
- Publix
- Target
Oat milk brands are steadily gaining momentum here in the Southeastern United States. For this year's update, we were able to find two additional brands to try: Chobani Zero Sugar Plain and Simply Oat Original.
Oat Milk Nutrition Facts
Like many types of plant milk (and even varieties of dairy milk), oat milk is commonly fortified with vitamins and minerals. Brands do this to compete in the 'milk' category. Oats are a healthy grain in their own right, as you'll see below:
- Lowers cholesterol: According to a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine, regular consumption of oat milk for 5 weeks showed lower cholesterol levels.
- Loaded with fiber: 1 cup of oat milk contains 3.3 grams of fiber, 13.2% of the recommended daily intake. If you use this as a base for a green smoothie, then your gut will be thanking you for helping to keep it regular.
- Heart healthy: The soluble fiber in oat milk is also excellent (and necessary) to keep hearts healthy.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: not only does oat milk promote human health, it also promotes environmental health. It takes up hundreds fewer square miles to produce than dairy milk, and uses ⅛th of the water consumption expended in the production of almond milk.
- Fortified with B vitamins: Most commercially available oat milk is fortified (as are other dairy and non-dairy milk products). This plant milk specifically is loaded with B vitamins, which helps the body stay energized and also promotes heart health.
Is Oat Milk Gluten Free?
I love that oat milk isn't only a healthy choice for our bodies and an environmentally friendly choice for our planet. If you're sensitive to gluten, make sure to read the labels and ingredient list closely. Some brands specify gluten-free oats were used, yet most don't. If you're looking for a gluten-free brand, these are ones we found that say "gluten free" on them:
- Planet Oats
- Simply Oat
- Elmhurst
- Calafia
- Chobani (both kinds)
- Forager: states they use "gluten-free oats"
9 Recipes with Oats
DIY Oat Milk
While there were some super great grocery oat milk brands, I still think nothing beats homemade. This oat milk recipe is simple, quick and delicious. Try it and see how it stacks up against the store-bought competition.
Steel Cut Oats
This recipe will bring you nourishing breakfasts for the week. Make once and enjoy for days! Feel free to add whatever toppings you like best.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Why wait in a drive-thru when you can make this coffee shop quality treat at home. Sweet, creamy and oh so delicious, this plant-based latte hits all the comfort factors needed to start the day.
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Whether you're making breakfast for a crowd or you want to batch cook breakfast for the week, this is the recipe for you. It's incredibly delicious and filling, which I need first thing in the morning.
Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
This heart-healthy smoothie is loaded with fiber and just the right amount of sweetness. This is the perfect post-workout snack or even a quick breakfast on the go.
Overnight Oats
I love having a few jars of overnight oats on hand as a snack or on-the-go breakfast. Each container can have different toppings, which is a must in my household. You can use your favorite oat milk brand as the base too!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
A protein-packed smoothie that tastes like dessert is my go-to for a workout day. This is a great way to fuel up before a workout or a creamy dessert for that chocolate craving.
Homemade Granola Bars
These granola bars will keep the family happy all day long. They pack nicely in a daypack or cooler as well—a burst of energy to keep the adventures going.
Jen’s Coconut Granola
Use this incredibly balanced granola as a breakfast with your favorite oat milk or as a nutritious snack on the go. It can be paired with fresh berries, yogurt or munched on its own. It's seriously good and can be found in the our Seasonal Cleanse.
One of the many great things about green smoothies is that they're so customizable. Next time you make one, try swapping the liquid base for oat milk to produce a creamier, thicker smoothie. Oat milk can be a great added protein, as well as a thickener for that delicious smoothie bowl.
jonny
April 2022.
This is all personal preference!
Oatly Full Fat is my go-to.
I've tried Califas twice and still dislike the taste. I usually have a hot mocha that has Silk oatmilk, at a local coffee shop, and even that tastes way better than Califas.
Andrea
Loved this list! I've tried 4 on this list and aim for the lowest sugar usually. Thanks for writing this one! Question on your homemade oat milk:: Do you soak the rolled oats too? {since you said you used steel cut in your recipe}.
Erin
I definitely always have to look for the gluten-free label on oat milk! Thanks for the reminder.
Kim
I love Califia! I'm glad it passed your test. 🙂
Amanda
Elmhurst will always be my favorite!
Jennifer
Very helpful article - I really like how you called out the added sugar for each. I buy Oatly, and my only ding on on Califia is the packaging as I try to steer clear of plastic packaging. If they had it in a carton, I'd be all in. Thanks!
Lisa
Surprised to not see Pacific Brands on here. Maybe it is only a big West Coast brand?!?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Lisa! The Pacific Brands oat milk option is a newer offering here in FL, yet we do have it avaiable now. The main reason we didn't test it this time around was due to the fact that it's a shelf-stable oat milk and we were aiming for refrigerated versions as they are usually fresher and contain fewer preservatives.
Erin
Thanks for the updated report! This is super helpful.
Meira
Hi - thank you for this. I recently found a 6 carton pack of organic oatmilk branded in a simple sleek packaging called "oat". I am curious to compare this to the others you tested.
Simple Green Smoothies
Let us know what you think of that one! 🙂
Eckhard Huelsmeier
We started buying oat milk online once we started sheltering in place a few months ago. We buy Califia Barista Gluten Free Oat Milk in 6 quart cases, which come in cartons and not the plastic bottles that cause some folks concern, and it tastes great. The milk is shelf stable and does not require refridgeration until opened, and we use it for everything we used to use cow's milk for. While the online price ($2.50/qt.) is more than in-store for a quart, the fact that it can be ordered online during times like these, more than makes up for the price, at least for us.
(FYI - in case this sounds like a plug, we do not work for, nor know anyone else who works for, Califia. :-))
Simple Green Smoothies
That's great to know about the option to purchase online in bulk. Thank you, Eckhard! 🙂
Dani Mitchel
Thank you for doing these reports! I always find them so helpful when deciding which brands to buy. Califia comes in such a cute bottle too- glad it rated so well!
Simple Green Smoothies
Glad this was such a help for you! 🙂
Cassia
I don't get the Oatly hype. I bought a container and regretted it after the first sip. i did try the Chobani and I didn't find it as bad as this review did. If the Califa oatmilk tastes like it's eggnog cousin, I'll pass on that as well. I have
Simple Green Smoothies
Even though they are all oat milks, they do all have different flavors and that's such a personal preference. I hope you're able to find one you like.
Laura
I'm so glad you did this test. Oat milk is my choice for my coffee and it's so thick and creamy. I just love it. Thank you for doing this and sharing about the extra ingredients that are often in oat milk. Other than the added sugar it didn't occur to me to look at the ingredients list. I think I'll be changing my brand. 🙂
Jackie Fehrenbacher
Yay! I love this so much. I changed to Califia Gluten-Free Oat Milk a few months ago with this pandemic. Thank you for sharing this information.
Simple Green Smoothies
You're very welcome, Jackie! 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
Glad we could help explain things and assist you in making a well-informed decision, Laura!
PaPai
YAY! Love this. I switched to Oat milk last year and love it especially in tea lattes. I recently got my SO to switch over from real milk and he loves Califia and my favorite is Oatly's Low Fat version. So we have both in the fridge now. 🙂 Thank you for the this great review.
Simple Green Smoothies
That's great you were able to find one for you and help your SO find one he likes, as well! 🙂
Janet
Hi Jen....thank you for all the information. I love oats and anything that you can make with them.
I do have a concern though. Glyphosate... it's said to be used on oat crops...and not a good thing for us. What do you think?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Janet. Organic farmers are absolutely forbidden from using glyphosate (a synthetic substance) in their farming practices therefore, any certified organic ingredients/products won't contain it, nor will any products that are certified Non-GMO. Non-organic oats or oat-based products have the potential to contain glyphosate, as this is a farming aid widely used for weed control and crop desiccation.
Gail
Awesome! I am happy to know that I'm using the #1 oat milk! I live in the Pacific NW (200 mi from Seattle) and I find Califia at Safeway, usually on sale. Can't wait until coffee shops add it to their regular non-dairy menu.
Simple Green Smoothies
Our local coffee shops offer oat milk as an option and I was so happy when I discovered that. I'm sure more and more will follow suit!
Megan Logsdon
Thank you so much for doing these. As a consumer, I get confused by which thickeners are necessary vs which ones are unhealthy. I can't love these studies enough!! A helpful idea: Maybe make the charts into a pdf for quick access on my phone while shopping!
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad you're finding these helpful, Megan! And that's a great suggestion about the charts. I will pass it on to Jen! 🙂
Carrie
This is great! While some of the metrics above are obvious. I'm wondering about "quality". Is quality linked to the how healthy the food is, how long it lasts, etc? Also, I am curious about the packaging metric because while I love the design of Califa, I often avoid it because of the plastic. Thanks for providing a great resource!
SGS Rawkstar Erin
Great questions Carrie! We based quality on the following: quality of ingredients, packaging (some companies are certified B corps, so they got a boost in the quality category), and quantity of ingredients. If 2 brands had similar ingredients, yet one used organic ingredients and one didn't, the organic one was rated higher in the quality category. All of the packaging was considered 'recyclable' yet the companies that use certified environmentally packaging got a better rating as well.
Brittany
Thank you! I have been drinking oatly since discovering oat milk and like it better than almond!.
Simple Green Smoothies
I agree! Since I've discovered oat milk, I have been using it more and more. And it's great to have a review of so many of the options available!
Gina
I agree about Califa, but I like the barista blend best. I bought it for my coffee, but definitely use in other things.
Simple Green Smoothies
The barista blend makes a great froth when I mix up a drink in my Vitamix. 🙂
Caroline | Founder Journey To Glow
Thank you for this amazing research Jen and your work in general. I've been following you ever since attending your workshop at WWS (5, 6 years ago?) -- best workshop by the way! -- and I think you're a total Rawkstar.
I live in Quebec, Canada and we don't have nearly as many choices for Oat Milks but I do love Earth's Own Barista Edition and it's a Canadian company!
Cheers! To Oatmilk!
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad you found this helpful, Caroline! Cheers!
Lauren
Can you do a coconut milk round up/review??
Simple Green Smoothies
I will let Jen know that's been requested! 🙂
Jessica Ann
I was most shocked that Silk scored so poorly! Can't wait to try out some of these new brands.
Simple Green Smoothies
Me too!