6 Milk Powder Substitutes

Milk powder or powdered milk is dry milk that is made by removing moisture from milk and turning it into powder.⁽¹⁾

It has a longer shelf life and also there is no need to refrigerate it. It has low moisture content.⁽²⁾

Milk powder can be used in the place of regular milk by mixing with water. It can also be used to thicken liquid-based food, soups, and sauces. It is a common ingredient in chocolates and caramel candy recipes where regular milk would thin the consistency.

Milk powder is made of cow’s milk and should be avoided by those intolerant or allergic to dairy.

Regular milk is an easy substitute for dry milk as the dry milk is made from regular milk.

Regular milk has its nutritional content and flavor that are similar to powdered milk.^(4,5)

240ml of whole milk provides 149 calories, 8 grams fat, 8 grams protein, 12 grams carbs, and 20% of daily values of calcium.⁽⁴⁾

¼ cup of whole fat milk powder contains 159 calories, 8 grams fat, 8 grams protein, 12 grams of carbs, and 22% of the daily value of calcium.⁽⁵⁾

There are other liquid milk alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk for those who want a dairy-free product.

These are plant-based milk and provide varying types and amounts of nutrients as well as flavors.

Substituting these with milk powder can affect the nutritional content and taste of the dish.

Coconut milk powder is a milk powder alternative that is made by spray-drying coconut milk or cream. It should not be confused with desiccated coconut that is dried and shredded coconut. It is a vegan, dairy-free, and lactose-free product.

One-fourth cup of coconut milk powder contains 240 calories, 20 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbs, and 4 grams protein.⁽⁶⁾

Coconut milk is high in fat and can be a good alternative to whole fat milk powder in cooking. It can be used in soups, curries, and sauces.

The fat content of coconut milk is higher than whole milk powder and cangive heavier baked goods.

Soy milk powder is another dairy-free alternative to milk powder. The nutritional quality is almost similar to the milk powder.

Compared to milk powder, soy milk powder has a greater shelf life.

One-fourth cup of soy milk powder contains 90 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of carbs, and 4% of the daily value of calcium.⁽⁷⁾

It can be used in the recipes and can add a boost of plant-based protein to homemade granola bars and smoothies.

Rice powder is rice flour and can be a good alternative for those who are lactose intolerant and allergic to soy and dairy.

Just like soy milk powder, it has a stable shelf life. It is sweeter than milk powder and goes really well with the sweeter dishes such as deserts, baked goods, granola, and smoothies.

Rice powder is low in protein, fats, and micronutrients and comprises mostly of carbs.⁽⁸⁾

One-fourth cup of rice powder contains 140 calories, 31 grams of carbs, 0 fat, 3 grams of protein, and 1% of the daily value of calcium.

Cashew powder can be the best creamy and slightly sweet alternative to milk powder. It can replace the milk powder in equal amounts.

It works really well with dishes that include savory recipes, smoothies, bakery goods, and granola bars.

One-fourth cup of cashew powder contains approximately 3 grams protein, 20 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fat, and 140 calories.⁽⁹⁾

Milk powder is an inexpensive, non-perishable, and convenient-to-use ingredient. There are several alternatives to milk powder even for those who want a dairy-free product.