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Want to change out the milk in baking or cooking? Here are all the best milk substitutes, including non dairy options.
Want to swap out the milk in baking because you ran out? Or need a non dairy milk to make the recipe vegan? There are lots of options that make a great milk substitute: both dairy and non dairy! As with any substitution, the right answer depends on what you’re making. Here’s the best milk substitutes for various different situations and dietary preferences.
Best substitutes for milk
Note that how these options work depend on the type of cuisine and how the milk is used.
1. Substitutes for milk: baking or recipes
Looking to substitute milk because you ran out? For more technical baked goods like biscuits, cookies or cake, you might just want to run to the store. But if you’re willing to risk it, consider one of these dairy based substitutes for milk:
- Yogurt: Yogurt is thicker than milk. Stir in a little water, then use it as a 1:1 substitute. To offset the tangy flavor of yogurt, you can add a touch of vanilla.
- Sour cream: Use the same notes as yogurt.
- Heavy cream: Cream has much more milk fat than milk. Use ½ cup cream and ½ cup water as a substitute for 1 cup milk.
- Half and half: Also has more fat than milk. Use ½ cup half and half and ½ cup water as a substitute for 1 cup milk.
- Water: If the recipe calls for a small amount of milk like ¼ cup or less, water could work. You can also try adding 1 tablespoon melted butter per 1 cup water to add more fat: but do so at your own risk!
2. Non dairy substitutes for milk
There are lots of non-dairy substitutes for milk if you’re using it to replace the dairy version! Here are the best options:
- Oat milk: Easier to find than ever, it has a nice creamy texture and neutral flavor. It generally works in baking and even in lattes.
- Almond milk: Almond milk is very popular, but the texture is so thin it doesn’t add the creamy body that milk would. Think of it more like water.
- Coconut milk: Coconut milk can work, but keep in mind it has a strong coconut flavor and a high fat content. It’s good at adding creaminess, but make sure the coconut flavor works in your recipe.
- Soy milk: This milk is another option: it does have a strong aftertaste but works well in baked goods.
Related recipes
Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring milk:
I want to substitute regular milk for drinking with a good tasting substitute. Could you suggest the best tasting milk substitute please. I am also trying to substitute both milk and dairy products from my diet. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi! For drinking, we prefer soy or oatmilk as a subsititute.
Can you use buttermilk instead of regular milk in these bran muffins ?
It depends on the quantity of the milk in the recipe! If it’s a small amount like 1/4 or 1/2 cup it should work. If it’s a large amount it may affect flavor and texture.
Thanks for the tips on the milk substitute. Really helped out when I ran out of milk. Saved my dinner.
Almond milk works.
Water is a dairy substitute for milk…?
Good catch! We changed the first heading to indicate these substitutes for milk are for baking and recipes, vs the lower list is non-dairy substitutes for dairy milk (if you’re using it in cereal, coffee, etc). Thank you!
Can you substitute mayonnaise thinned
with water for the milk in a biscuit recipe?
We have not tried this before! It could possibly work, but we can’t guarantee anything!