Key findings
- 1Oatly uses enzymes to convert oat starch to sugar, creating natural sweetness without added sugar
- 2Added rapeseed oil, stabilizers, and fortification vitamins push the ingredient count to ~10
- 3More processed than homemade oat milk (oats and water); compare labels with other dairy alternatives
- 4Oatly lists its ingredients clearly, but a clear label does not change how processed the product is
What goes into Oatly products?
Oatly's production process starts with whole oats blended with water, then treated with enzymes (amylase) that break down the oat starch into simpler sugars, which is why oat milk tastes sweet without added sugar. The base product (oats, water, enzymes) is relatively simple. However, Oatly adds rapeseed (canola) oil for creaminess, dipotassium phosphate as a stabilizer, calcium carbonate and vitamins for fortification, and sometimes gellan gum for texture. The Barista Edition has more added fat for frothing. Compared to many almond milks, Oatly uses more of its primary ingredient, but the enzymatic processing and oil addition take it well beyond oats and water.
How 12 oatly products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Oatly brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a oatly label
- 1
Oatly Original contains ~10 ingredients including rapeseed oil and dipotassium phosphate
- 2
The enzymatic process that creates sweetness is a form of industrial processing, not traditional cooking
- 3
Compare to homemade oat milk (2 ingredients: oats and water) to understand the additive gap
- 4
The Barista Edition adds more oil for frothing: convenient but more processed
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Frequently asked questions
Is Oatly ultra-processed?
Of the 12 Oatly products we score, 2 are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 9 are Level 3. The Original has fewer additives, while the Barista Edition has more added oil and stabilizers. Both are more processed than plain dairy milk.
What are the ingredients in Oatly?
Oatly Original contains oat base (water, oats), rapeseed oil, dipotassium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, iodized salt, and vitamins (D2, riboflavin, B12).
Is Oatly better than almond milk?
From a processing standpoint, Oatly and most almond milks are comparable. Oatly uses more of its primary ingredient (oats) than many almond milks use almonds. Both add oils, stabilizers, and vitamins. Neither is a whole food.
Is homemade oat milk less processed?
Yes. Homemade oat milk (oats and water, blended and strained) is minimally processed. It lacks the creaminess of Oatly because it has no added oil, and it lacks the sweetness because there is no enzymatic starch conversion. The trade-off is simplicity vs. taste and texture.