8 Best Oat Milks on the UK Market

Once confined to niche health food stores, oat milk has now become a staple in supermarkets and coffee shops across the UK, catering to a growing consumer base seeking dairy-free options.

Individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences (such as vegans, lactose-intolerant individuals and those wanting to reduce their carbon footprint) are the main consumers of milk alternatives like oat milk. Additionally, the perceived health benefits of oat milk have contributed to its popularity, as consumers are ever more conscious of the ingredients in their food and drinks.

Benefits of Oat Milk

One of the biggest selling points of oat milk is its nutrient profile. It’s naturally free of lactose, making it ideal for those who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy. Most oat milks are also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, and B12 for bone health, immunity, and energy.

Compared to other plant milks like almond or soy, oat milk has a richer, creamier texture that more closely mimics dairy milk. This makes it super versatile for cooking, baking, or for adding to hot beverages. Compared to watery almond milk, the nutty flavour is also more akin to cow’s milk.

Oat milk gets extra eco-friendly points too. Oats are a renewable resource that requires less water and land than almonds or soy. The production process also creates less waste and has a lower carbon footprint than dairy milk manufacturing.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Oak Milk

While oat milk has plenty of appealing qualities, there are a few factors to keep in mind when selecting your ideal brand or variety:

Taste, texture, and consistency can vary quite a bit between different oat milk products. Some have a more pronounced oat or nutty flavour, while others are fairly neutral. The texture also ranges from very creamy and rich to a bit thinner and more watery. Choosing the texture really just depends on your preferences and how you’ll be using the oat milk. For example, brands with a richer, creamier texture may work better for coffee drinks or baking.

Availability may also play a role, especially if you have a preferred brand. Oat milk’s popularity means it’s stocked widely, but specialty varieties or brands may only be found in certain supermarkets or online. Check which options your local supermarket carries so you can narrow down your choices!

Price is another consideration. While oat milk is generally more affordable than nut milks, there can be a range in costs between different brands and product sizes. If budget is a factor, comparing unit prices can ensure you’re getting the best value. That said, the cheapest option isn’t always ideal – sometimes paying a bit more can mean higher quality ingredients or better flavour and texture.

For those with dietary restrictions (like coeliac disease or gluten intolerance), choosing a certified gluten-free oat milk variety is essential. Be aware that not all oat milks are inherently gluten-free, since cross-contamination can occur during production.

8 Best Oat Milks in the UK

Oatly – Oatly Oat Milk Whole 1L

Oatly is one of the biggest names in the oat milk game. The Swedish company has been producing oat-based products since the 1990s and remains one of the most popular and widely available oat milk brands in the UK.

Oatly has a distinct, almost sweet oat flavour. The brand’s oat-based enzymatic process is intended to mimic the neutral taste of cow’s milk. The texture is incredibly smooth and creamy, with a richer, fuller mouthfeel than many other plant milks. It also froths very well, making it ideal for beverages!

Ingredients: Water, oats, rapeseed oil, dipotassium phosphate, calcium carbonate, iodized salt, vitamins (D2, riboflavin, B12).

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 60 calories, 2.8g fat, 0.3g saturates, 7g carbs, 1g protein, 120mg calcium, 0.38μg vitamin B12, 1.1μg vitamin D.

USPs

• Oats are sourced from certified sustainable farms.
• Creamier, more dairy-like texture than many competitors.
• One of the first mainstream oat milk brands: seen as an original.
• Produce launched to reduce carbon footprint compared to dairy milk.
• Very low in saturated fat.
• Fortified with key nutrients like calcium, B12, D.

Alpro – Oat Original 1L

Alpro is another long-standing plant-based brand. While they are best known for their soy milk products, Alpro has expanded into oat milk as consumer interest has grown. Thanks to the addition of fructose, Alpro’s oat milk has a mild, slightly sweet flavour. The texture is smooth and creamy, though not quite as rich and luxurious as some other oat milk brands. Like Oatly, it has good foamability for beverages, although some find the taste to be a bit too plain.

Ingredients: Oat base (96.6%) (Water, Oat (9.8%)), Soluble corn fibre, Sunflower oil, Calcium (Tri-calcium phosphate), Sea salt, Stabiliser (Gellan gum), Vitamins B2, B12, D2.

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 44 calories, 1.4g fat, 0.2g saturates, 6.5g carbs, 0.4g protein, 120mg calcium, 0.38μg vitamin B12, 0.75μg vitamin D.

USPs

• Uses organic oats and is certified organic.
• Affordable compared to other major brands.
• Wide availability from all grocery retailers.
• Fortified with key nutrients like calcium, B12, D.
• Low in saturated fat.
• Established brand name recognition in plant-based foods.

Rude Health – Oat Drink 1L

Rude Health is a popular choice for oat milk lovers. They are a British brand and are focused on providing only natural food products made with high quality ingredients. They are known to be a premium, health-conscious option, making their oat milk one of the more expensive options on the market.

Rude Health’s oat milk has a very pure oat flavour. Thanks to the higher oat content, the texture is thick, rich and super creamy. Some customers have said that it has an almost oat “milkshake” like feel to it, making it feel more indulgent when drinking.

Ingredients: Spring Water, Organic Gluten-Free Oats (11%), Organic Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 49 calories, 2.3g fat, 0.3g saturates, 6.2g carbs, 0.5g protein. No fortification with vitamins/minerals.

USPs

• Minimal ingredient list with no thickeners.
• Higher 11% oat content for ultra creamy texture.
• No added sugars or artificial ingredients.
• 100% plant-based and vegan.
• Recyclable packaging.
• Appeals to the premium health food market.

Minor Figures – Barista Oat Milk 1L

Minor Figures is actually not as well known among the general public, as they create high quality products for the coffee and hospitality industry. Their oat milk is especially optimised for steaming and foaming. However, if you’re looking to create barista level beverages at home then Minor Figures Barista Oat Milk could be the option for you.

It has a 10% oat content, making it extremely rich and velvety. The taste is fairly neutral and creamy, and doesn’t have an overwhelming oat flavour despite the high oat content, so drinking it on its own can be a touch plain. However, if you’re looking for oat milk to create beautiful lattes, it achieves microfoam when steamed and holds latte art very well!

Ingredients: Water, Oats (10%), Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed Oil, Minerals (Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate), Salt

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 48 calories, 2.2g fat, 0.2g saturates, 6.8g carbs, 0.3g protein, 120mg calcium

USPs

• Specially formulated for professional barista/cafe use.
• High 10% oat content for superior foamability.
• Lower in calories and fat than many oat milks.
• Neutral taste allows coffee flavours to shine.
• Carbon neutral production and 100% recyclable packaging.

Glebe Farm – Pure Oaty Organic Barista Oat Drink 1L

Glebe Farm is an independent family-run business based in Cambridgeshire and a dedicated gluten-free brand. Their oat milk is targeted towards those with celiac disease or gluten intolerances.

Their Pure Oaty Organic Barista Oat Milk has a high oat content of 11%, making it very thick and creamy – the perfect texture for cooking or baking! It has a pronounced, nutty oat flavour that really lets you taste the pure oats, but some find it almost too rich and oaty when drinking on its own.

Ingredients: Water, Organic Gluten Free Oats (11%), Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Salt

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 59 calories, 1.6g fat, 0.2g saturates, 9.9g carbs, 1.1g protein. Not fortified with vitamins.

USPs

• Dedicated gluten-free oat milk made with certified gluten-free oats.
• High 11% oat content.
• Simple, clean ingredients with no thickeners.
• Emphasis on sustainable farming and transparent sourcing.
• Family-owned independent British brand.

Plenish – Oat M*lk !L

Plenish is another British plant-based brand and focuses its efforts on creating simple, clean dairy alternatives using only a few core ingredients. Their oak milk is one of their signature products. As with many of the oat milk brands we’ve mentioned so far, Plenish’s oat milk also has a high oat content of 10%, giving it that thick, silky texture. The taste has been described as very authentic and oaty, but too rich to drink on its own. However, it’s a favourable choice for making lattes (as is Minor Figures Barista oat milk), as it foams really well and can hold latte art.

Ingredients: Water, Organic Gluten-Free Oats (10%), Sea Salt.

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 33 calories, 0.3g fat, 0.1g saturates, 6.6g carbs, 0.6g protein.

USPs

• Made with just 3 natural ingredients.
• 100% plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free.
• Impressive foamability is ideal for baristas.
• Packaging made from renewable materials.
• Manufactured in a dedicated nut-free facility.

Jord – Oat Drink 1L

Jord is a Swedish brand that not only produces oat-based milk, but also yoghurt and ice cream. It has a great reputation for using sustainably sourced, premium quality oats, and some even refer to their oat milk as the gold standard. Definitely one to try out!

Jord’s oat milk has an impressive oat content of 13% , so you can imagine the level of creaminess it has. It’s actually so velvety that some people describe it as almost dessert-like. The pure oat flavour is strong and unadulterated, making it one of the most indulgent oat milk alternatives out there. It’s a perfect choice for making hot drinks as it froths and steams beautifully. However, some customers find it too thick and heavy to drink it on its own.

Ingredients: Water, Organic Oats (13%), Organic Rapeseed Oil, Salt

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 52 calories, 1.5g fat, 0.1g saturates, 8.8g carbs, 0.8g protein

USPs

• Highest 13% oat content for ultimate richness.
• Incredibly creamy, luxurious texture.
• Authentic, true-to-the-oat flavour from premium sourced oats.
• Froths exceptionally well for specialty coffee drinks.
• Produced using only sustainable, chemical-free methods.
• 100% plant-based and nut-free.

Califia Farms – Oat Barista Blend 1L

Califia Farms is a California-based brand that specialises in plant-based milks. It originally focused on nut milks, like almond and cashew, but has since expanded into the oat milk category because of rising demand (especially in the UK market).

With a high 10% oat content base, this is yet another creamy and thick oat milk option with an ultra smooth texture. The taste has been described as nutty from the oats, but is also balanced by the added natural flavours for a slightly vanilla note. It froths and steams well for hot beverages while avoiding an overpowering oat flavour when drinking straight.

Ingredients: Oat Drink (Water, Oats (10%)), Rapeseed Oil, Acidity Regulator (Dipotassium Phosphate), Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sea Salt.

Nutritional Information: Per 100ml: 54 calories, 2.9g fat, 0.2g saturates, 5.8g carbs, 0.8g protein, 104 mg calcium

USPs

• Barista-inspired recipe is designed for optimal foaming.
• Subtle, natural vanilla flavour to complement coffee/espresso.
• Ultra smooth, creamy texture without overwhelming oat taste.
• Carrageenan-free and BPA free.
• Uses fewer resources compared to dairy milk production.