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4 Milk Powder Substitutes

What is milk powder?

Milk powder, also known as powdered milk, is made from dehydrating cow's milk, which removes the water and leaves a soluble powder.

It's a versatile ingredient used in several recipes from baking to drinks to sauces

What is a milk powder substitute then?

A milk powder substitute is a non-dairy milk powder derived from plants like oats, soy, rice or coconut

The below milk powder substitutes are ideal for those on a plant based diet and offer a much more sustainable alternative to dairy based milk powders.

Simply use these substitutes as a direct replacement for milk powder in recipes or even for a cuppa when out and about! 

4 milk powder substitutes

Oat Milk Powder

Oat milk powder is known for its creaminess, delicious taste and sustainability credentials. This is the most popular type of milk powder substitute. 

✅ Pros

  • Sustainable – 72% lower emissions vs. dairy.
  • Best tasting, and dissolves easily.
  • Good nutritional profile - high in fibre, no added sugar.
  • Best value, from £1.37 per litre.

❌ Cons

  • Lower in protein vs. other vegan milk powders.

Buy Now: Overherd (£10.99)

Oats as a milk powder substitute

Coconut Milk Powder

Coconut milk powder is a common powdered milk alternative primarily used in cooking due to its widespread use in Asian cuisine.

Pros

  • Affordable, from £1.90 per litre when mixed.
  • Gluten free & non-GMO.
  • Commonly used for cooking.
  • Creamy texture.

Cons

  • Very high in fat - contains over 50% fat.
  • Doesn’t dissolve particularly well, so not ideal for other milk applications beyond cooking.
  • Poor sustainability - typically made in Asia and so high food miles.
  • More expensive than other alternatives.

Buy now: Island Source Coconut Milk Powder (Amazon £18.99, 1kg)

Coconut as a milk powder substitute

Rice Milk Powder

Rice milk powder is typically made from dehydrating rice milk and is not as common as other vegan milk powders but offers a good nutritional profile

✅ Pros

  • Allergen free.
  • Organic product.
  • Good nutritional profile.

Cons

  • Low in protein vs. other vegan milk powders.
  • Not as affordable as others at £2.80 per litre.
  • Watery consistency vs. other vegan milk powders.

Brands: Natures Finest (Amazon £6.99, 250g)

Rice as a milk powder substitute

Soy Milk Powder

Soy milk is the UK's second most popular plant milk, and thus it offers a degree of familiarity. However, it generally scores lower in taste tests, and there are some concerns surrounding the sustainability of soy farming.

Pros

  • High in protein - highest protein per 100g.
  • Familiarity  - already a popular plant milk.

Cons

  • Very expensive - from £6.50 per litre.
  • Poor sustainability - soy farming can cause deforestation and fertiliser runoff. 
  • High fat content vs. other vegan milk powders.

Brands: Hye Foods (Amazon £12.99, 200g)

Soy as a milk powder substitute

What's the point of vegan milk powder?

1️⃣ Suitable for vegans

Plant based milk powder offers an ideal alternative to dairy milk powder for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant.

It is a common ingredient in recipes and is ideal for camping and travel

2️⃣ More sustainable

Dairy is notoriously damaging to the environment producing double the emissions of the entire aviation industry.

Plant based milk powder offers a far more sustainable alternative to dairy milk powder. 

Vegan milk powder is also more environmentally friendly than its liquid counterparts because of its reduced weight.

Check out our full article on why plant based milk powders are the most sustainable option you can choose. 

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