Forget almond, soy and rice...these days, there’s only one non-dairy drink that’s dominating grocery store aisles and coffee shops: oat milk. And as two editors who are allergic or sensitive to dairy, nuts, soy and coconut (lucky us!), this whole-grain beverage also has a permanent spot in our fridge. If you’re unfamiliar with it or haven’t found one that you love, we’re here to help. We’ve tried just about every kind of oat milk out there and have come up with a definitive ranking, depending on how you want to use it (i.e., are you primarily pouring it into your cup of coffee or over a bowl of cereal?). Here are six of the absolute best oat milks, plus how to use ’em.
The Absolute Best Oat Milks, Ranked by Two Editors Who Don’t Do Well with Dairy
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Published Aug 21, 2020
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Thrive Market
6. Best For Casual Drinking: Thrive Market Organic Oat Beverage
- Value: 17/20
- Functionality: 15/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 17/20
- Mouthfeel: 16/20
- TOTAL: 83/100
We love the simplicity of this blend. It has just two ingredients: water and organic oats, and yet it retains a subtle sweetness that makes it pleasant enough to drink on its own. While it may be a tad too thin for frothing, it blends beautifully into iced coffee without separating like most almond and soy milks tend to do.
Silk
5. Best Budget Pick: Silk Oat Yeah
- Value: 18/20
- Functionality: 17/20
- Quality: 17/20
- Aesthetics: 17/20
- Mouthfeel: 17/20
- TOTAL: 86/100
With just a hint of sweetness, this oat milk has a smooth texture that can be enjoyed hot or cold, and one that our friends say reminds them of soy milk. But there’s no mistaking this milk for another alt option—the oat flavor here is distinct but pleasantly so. It also has the benefit of being widely available (Silk is a big name in the alt-milk world so most grocery stores stock it). But purists might not like that it has more additives and ingredients—such as cane sugar, sunflower oil and “natural flavors”—than other options on this list.
Planet Oat
4. Best For Smoothies: Planet Oat Oatmilk Extra Creamy Edition
- Value: 17/20
- Functionality: 18/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 17/20
- Mouthfeel: 18/20
- TOTAL: 88/100
Planet Oat’s oat milk is what Goldilocks would describe as “just right.” Not too sweet and not too oat-y, it adds body to a smoothie without muddling the flavors of whatever else is in your blender. Note: Go for the extra creamy edition over the original one. The latter tastes fine but has a watery consistency that reminds us of skim milk.
Oatly
3. Best For Coffee Lovers: Oatly Barista Edition
- Value: 16/20
- Functionality: 18/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Mouthfeel: 18/20
- TOTAL: 89/100
For the coffee nerds out there, this is—hands down—the best alternative milk for all of your cappuccino and latte needs. It’s made from liquid oats with no added sugars and is rich in unsaturated fat, so it simulates all of the best qualities of a full-fat whole milk. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but if you appreciate the nuances of a quality cap in the morning, this will give you that velvety micro-foam that coats the tongue nicely and goes down easy. If this sounds like a sensual experience, make no mistake: It is.
Chobani
2. Best For Dessert: Chobani Oat Extra Creamy
- Value: 18/20
- Functionality: 18/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Mouthfeel: 18/20
- TOTAL: 90/100
When dairy, nuts, soy and coconut are off the menu, there aren’t that many options left for those with a sweet tooth. Enter this rich and creamy pick from Chobani that can easily be subbed for whole milk in baked goods or smoothies. (It’s also totally delicious ice cold with a couple of chocolate chip cookies.) Medium sweet and the thickest of the bunch, this oat milk has a rich mouthfeel and pleasantly bright color (not a sad beige like some other brands) that feels downright luxurious when added to coffee or paired with a sweet treat.
Oatly
1. Best Overall: Oatly Original
- Value: 18/20
- Functionality: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Mouthfeel: 19/20
- TOTAL: 93/100
Disclaimer: PureWow has no affiliation with Oatly (though, if someone from the Oatly team is reading this, please email us). It’s simply the best. It’s delightfully creamy and not too sweet. You can just as easily pour it into your smoothie as you can use it to cook or bake. We like it plain; we love it in coffee. And though the barista edition above ranks slightly higher for its frothing capabilities, the OG Oatly produces a quality foam as well. To be honest, we also hold a special place in our hearts (and our coffee cups) for Oatly’s full fat version, which feels deliciously decadent, but this richness comes at a cost—it’s just not as versatile as its OG cousin. For regular milk-like texture, great flavor and ease of use, Oatly Original can’t be beat.
Oatly
A Special Mention: Oatly Chocolate Milk
- Value: 17/20
- Functionality: 17/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Mouthfeel: 19/20
- TOTAL: 91/100
Who says chocolate milk is just for kids? This decadent drink from oat milk connoisseurs Oatly is your favorite childhood beverage, all grown up. We didn’t include it in our ranking system since it’s sort of in a league of its own (like an after-school snack, if you will) but it’s definitely worth a taste. It has none of the artificial or cloyingly sweet flavors from your youth and instead just tastes like a delicious, cocoa-dusted version of our favorite oat drink. We like it straight up but it would probably be divine when mixed with coffee or, even better, a shot of rum.
