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Oatly alternative without rapeseed oil

Published 29 October 2026

Oatly Oat Drink Whole and Oatly Barista list rapeseed oil as the third ingredient. If you want a plant drink without seed oils, there are oat, soya, almond and cashew drinks in UK shops that list no oil at all. Many are just water, the main ingredient and salt.

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This guide shows what is in Oatly, why oil is there, and the drinks we checked. We stick to what the label says.

What is in Oatly?

Here is Oatly Oat Drink Whole, from the Oatly UK website:

Water, Oats 10%, Rapeseed Oil, Acidity Regulator (Dipotassium Phosphate), Minerals (Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Iodide), Chicory Root Fibre, Salt, Vitamins (D2, Riboflavin (B2), B12)

The Barista Edition is much the same. It also lists rapeseed oil and dipotassium phosphate.

Why is there oil in oat drink?

Oats on their own make a thin drink. Oil makes it creamier. It also helps it act more like cow's milk in tea and coffee.

The acidity regulator (dipotassium phosphate) helps stop the drink from splitting in hot coffee.

Rapeseed oil is allowed in food in the UK. Some people still want to avoid seed oils. That is a personal choice. Our job is to show you the label. For more, read our guide: is rapeseed oil a seed oil?

Is there an oat drink without oil?

Yes, but there are not many. Many oat drinks in UK shops list rapeseed or sunflower oil. In our catalogue, we found one oat drink with no oil:

It lists water, oats, a seaweed calcium and salt. It is thinner than Oatly. Shake it well.

Soya drinks without oil

Soya drinks don't need oil to be creamy. Soya beans have their own fat. Many plain soya drinks are just water, soya and salt.

Almond drinks without oil

Almond drink is lighter. It works well on cereal and in smoothies.

Cashew drinks without oil

Cashew drink is a bit creamier than almond.

See the full list on our plant milks without seed oils page.

What to look for on the label

Plant drinks can have long lists. Here is what to check:

  1. Find "Ingredients" on the side of the carton.
  2. Look for oil. It may say rapeseed oil, sunflower oil or vegetable oil.
  3. Look for sugar or syrup. Some "original" drinks are sweetened.
  4. Look for gums, like gellan gum, and emulsifiers, like lecithin.

A short list, like water, oats and salt, has none of these.

What about the vitamins in Oatly?

Oatly adds vitamins D2, B2 and B12, plus calcium and iodine. Some of the drinks below have calcium added. Most of them do not have added vitamins.

If added vitamins matter to you, check the label. Look for "vitamins" or "minerals" in the list. The drinks with the shortest lists usually have none added.

Can I make oat drink at home?

Yes. Blend oats with cold water, then strain it through a fine cloth. Add a pinch of salt. Don't blend it for too long, or it can turn slimy. It will keep for a few days in the fridge. Shake it before you use it.

Will it work in coffee?

A drink without oil may act a bit differently in hot coffee. Here are some tips:

  • Warm the drink a little first, then add it to the coffee.
  • Let very hot coffee cool for a minute.
  • Shake the carton well. Things settle at the bottom.

Soya drinks tend to froth best. Almond and cashew drinks are lighter.

Using it with oats

Any of these work well in porridge or overnight oats. See our porridge oats and muesli with no added sugar page for oats to go with them.

Recipes that use plant drinks

FAQ

Does Oatly have seed oil in it? Yes. Oatly lists rapeseed oil. Rapeseed is a seed oil.

Is there an oat milk without rapeseed oil? Yes, a few. In our catalogue, we found one oat drink with no oil. Check the label, as recipes change.

Why do plant drinks have calcium added? Cow's milk has calcium, so many brands add it to plant drinks. It may say calcium carbonate or seaweed calcium.

Which plant drink is closest to cow's milk in coffee? Soya tends to froth best. Drinks without oil can be thinner, so warm them first.

Sources

  • Oatly UK, Oat Drink Whole: https://www.oatly.com/en-gb/products/oat-drink/oat-drink-whole-2-8-1l
  • Open Food Facts, Oatly Barista Edition: https://world.openfoodfacts.org/product/7394376616228
  • Food Standards Agency, Food additives: https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/food-additives

Got a carton in your hand? Take a photo of the label in The Better Basket. It's free, and we'll show you what's in it.

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