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Easiest Homemade Coffee Creamer Recipe

Publish Date: August 4, 2015

Last Update: January 13, 2026

There’s something deeply satisfying about that first sip of morning coffee — the aroma, the warmth, and the way a splash of creamer turns bold black coffee into a smooth, comforting drink. But many store-bought coffee creamers are loaded with long ingredient lists full of artificial additives, sweeteners, preservatives, and thickeners you can’t pronounce. That’s why making homemade coffee creamer is such a game-changer: it lets you control the ingredients, cut out artificial junk, and tailor the flavor exactly to your taste.

A good homemade coffee creamer starts with simple, wholesome ingredients — think soaked cashews blended with water for creaminess, a touch of coconut oil or full-fat coconut milk for body, and a natural sweetener to balance the bitterness of coffee. In the version featured here, raw cashews become the creamy base that mimics dairy, while easy add-ins like vanilla or hazelnut bring rich flavor without needing artificial compounds from the grocery shelf.

Not only is this approach more transparent and cleaner than most commercial non-dairy creamers, it’s also highly customizable — you can make it rich or light, sweet or subtle, and add seasonal spices like cinnamon or cocoa for a fun twist. Because it’s an easy homemade coffee creamer, you don’t need special tools beyond a blender and about five ingredients total; plus it blends seamlessly into your daily cup, giving your coffee a creamy texture and flavor profile that feels indulgent yet intentional.


Homemade Coffee Creamer

Recipe Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1 1/2 cups purified water, plus more for soaking
  • Small pinch sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey, or more to taste

How to Make Homemade Coffee Creamer

  1. Place cashews in a large bowl, cover fully with purified water, put a lid on it, and soak overnight.
  2. Drain soaked cashews and discard soaking liquid. Rinse well.
  3. Place cashews, 1 1/2 cups water, and salt in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
  4. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Pour the cashew mixture into the strainer. Press all the cashew milk from the strainer, and discard the solids.
  5. Return cashew milk to cleaned blender and combine with coconut oil, coconut milk, and honey. Blend until well incorporated.
  6. Store in fridge for up to 3 days. Shake before using.

Vanilla Creamer

For a vanilla flavored creamer, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the finished creamer.

Hazelnut Creamer

For a hazelnut creamer, replace the cashews with the same amount of raw hazelnuts.

Chocolate Almond Creamer

For a chocolate-almond creamer, add a teaspoon or two of raw cacao to the blender at the same time as the coconut oil, coconut milk, and raw honey. Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract at the end.


Homemade Vegan Coffee Creamer Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields approximately 16 servings). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size 1 tablespoon
Calories ≈ 45 kcal
Protein ≈ 1 g
Carbs ≈ 2 g
Sugar ≈ 1 g
Fiber 0 g
Fat ≈ 4 g

More Coffee Creamer Variations & Tips

  • Vanilla homemade coffee creamer: Stir in a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract into your finished creamer for classic café-style flavor.
  • Hazelnut version: Swap the cashews for hazelnuts or add a few drops of hazelnut extract for a nutty twist.
  • Chocolate almond creamer: Add raw cacao or cocoa powder to the blender along with a touch of almond extract for mocha vibes.
  • Maple or caramel notes: Sweeten with pure maple syrup and add a pinch of sea salt for a healthier take on caramel creamer.
  • Dairy-free options: Use all coconut milk or a creamy barista-style oat milk base if you’re avoiding nuts or dairy.
  • Spice enhancements: Mix in warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom or pumpkin-pie spice for seasonal flavor boosts.
  • Storage tip: Keep homemade coffee creamer in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge — it’ll stay fresh several days, though without preservatives it won’t last as long as store-bought.

Best Coffee Creamer Pairings

  • Freshly brewed coffee: Of course — drip, pour-over or French press all benefit from a splash of rich homemade creamer.
  • Espresso or latte: Use your homemade creamer in espresso or steamed with plant milk for café-style lattes at home.
  • Sweet breakfast pastries: Cinnamon rolls, scones or muffins pair beautifully with subtly sweetened creamer in coffee.
  • Fruit and yogurt bowls: Pour a bit of creamer into a warm bowl of oatmeal or yogurt for extra richness and flavor.
  • Chocolate desserts: Drizzle leftover creamer over vegan brownies or ice cream for a dessert-boosting swirl.
  • Tea pecan pie or fruit tarts: A creamy coffee with homemade creamer is a perfect complement to sweet, nutty or fruit-forward desserts.

When to Make Coffee Creamer at Home

  • Everyday morning ritual: Make a batch on Sunday and keep in the fridge for daily coffee upgrades all week.
  • Brunch gatherings: Offer homemade creamer alongside coffee stations for lazy weekend brunch with friends or family.
  • Holiday breakfasts: Whip up gingerbread or spiced maple variations for festive holiday mornings.
  • Coffee bar at events: Set up a DIY coffee bar with different homemade creamer flavors for showers, parties or holiday brunches.
  • Gift jars: Package small jars of flavored homemade creamer as thoughtful gifts for coffee lovers.
  • Cozy winter evenings: Stir your creamer into warm coffee or hot chocolate for a relaxing night in.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont

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Michelle Pellizzon

Certified health coach and endorphin enthusiast, Michelle is an expert in healthy living and eating. When she's not writing you can find her running trails, reading about nutrition, and eating lots of guacamole.