Say goodbye to soaking nuts overnight. All you need is a blender, shelled hemp seeds (hemp hearts), and a few minutes to make the creamiest milk alternative. Hemp milk is one of the richest, simplest, and healthiest non-dairy milks you can make at home. Best of all, it’s naturally allergy-friendly and optionally low carb, making it a fantastic option for various special diets.
The Best Dairy-Free Hemp Milk Recipe
This nutritious recipe is from my flagship book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. I’m sharing it here, along with additional information, tips, and variations. Dairy-free milk beverages are often looked down upon for being light on substance, but homemade versions, like this maple hemp milk, pack in unparalleled freshness and a wallop of nutrition.
Why You’ll Love This Hemp Milk Recipe
- Fast & Easy: There’s no soaking needed! It’s ready in 5 minutes flat.
- Allergy-Friendly: Hemp seeds are free of common allergens like nuts, soy, and gluten.
- Creamy & Delicious: It has a rich consistency and gently sweet, earthy flavor.
- Nutrient-Rich: Hemp seeds are a powerhouse of omega-3 fatty acids and plant-based protein.
- Completely Customizable: I’ve even included some variations below the recipe!
Hemp Milk Availability: Shelled hemp seeds are easy to buy and blend, which is great since hemp milk has become hard to find in stores. Long time brands like Hemp Bliss / Hemp Yeah by Manitoba Harvest and Tempt by Living Harvest have been discontinued. The remaining brands include Pacific Foods in the U.S. and Soon in Canada.
Ingredient Notes & Tips
- Shelled Hemp Seeds: These tiny little seeds are also known as hemp hearts. They have a slightly nutty, earthy taste and a very creamy texture. They are a food, specifically, and come from a variety of the cannabis plant that contains virtually no THC. They are perfectly safe and healthy to consume.
- Maple Syrup: You can technically use your favorite sweetener, to taste. I just like how the richness of maple syrup complements hemp milk.
- Vanilla Extract: When available (and not too expensive!) I like to use pure vanilla flavoring. It’s an alcohol-free version of pure vanilla extract, and lends a sweeter, smoother taste. But pure vanilla extract will also work.
- Salt: Just a tiny pinch enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness. I typically use a fine sea salt.
Omega Fatty Acids in Hemp Milk
Non-dairy milk is often looked down upon for being light on substance, but homemade hemp milk has unparalleled freshness and a wallop of nutrition. It’s naturally high in protein and in plant based Omega 3 fatty acids known as ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid). ALA is different from EPA and DHA, the Omega 3 fatty acids that fish is famous for. But it has its own benefits.
ALA is an essential fat, which means we must consume it from food. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and is a critical building block to help maintain skin hydration and elasticity. And it has unique protective effects on the heart. These include reducing the risk of arrhythmias and stroke, and helping to lower LDL cholesterol.
The quick process of homemade hemp milk expresses and preserves most of the Omega 3 fatty acids, which means each sip is quite high in dietary ALA. One cup is estimated to contain a whopping 3500 to 4000mg.
Special Diet Notes: Hemp Milk
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, oil-free, and paleo.
For keto hemp milk, substitute your favorite sugar-free sweetener, to taste, or omit it the maple syrup and vanilla for a savory milk alternative.
Homemade Hemp Milk
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Put the hemp seeds and 2 cups water in your blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add more water, 1 cup at a time, and blend until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Pour the milky mixture through a nut milk bag or a few layers of cheesecloth lining a sieve to strain. Squeeze the pulp to extract as much milky goodness as possible.
- Return the milk beverage to your blender and blend in the maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Whisk before each use; it will separate as it sits.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!More Recipe Variations
- Unsweetened: Omit the maple syrup and vanilla. This will have a stronger flavor, and is best used in savory recipes. It makes a great alternative to whole milk in sauces.
- Fruit-Sweetened: For a no added sugar version, omit the maple syrup but add 3 soft pitted medjool dates with the hemp seeds. If they aren’t very soft, let them sit with the water and hemp seeds in the blender for 10 minutes before blending.
- Richer: You can use just 3 cups water if you want a slightly thicker and creamier finish. The flavor will be a little more pronounced. Or you can use my Hemp Creamer Recipe.
- Chocolate Hemp Milk: Blend in 1 to 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (to taste) with the maple and vanilla. Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a sweeter, richer taste or natural / unsweetened cocoa powder for a milder hot cocoa flavor. Add additional sweetener, to taste, if needed.
- Strawberry Hemp Milk: Blend ½ cup sweet, ripe, fresh strawberries (not frozen) into the hemp milk before straining. I prefer agave nectar, honey, or sugar to maple syrup when adding berries.
- Spiced Hemp Milk: Blend 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground nutmeg in with the maple and vanilla for a cozy flavor.
2 Comments
Just made your hemp milk and decided to add cocoa and xylitol to replace the syrup………. It’s just fabulous , what an awesome taste 🙂
That sounds delicious! Thank you for the feedback Carole.