What is the best non-dairy milk for cooking? It’s essential to use an unsweetened brand. Unsweetened milk is generally better for coffee since it doesn’t have the same bitter taste like regular milk. However, you should avoid using it in savory dishes, as it may ruin the balance of flavors. The good news is that most brands of non-dairy beverages are shelf-stable, making them easy to use in cooking.
Now are so many fantastic non-dairy options out there, whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just looking to cut back on dairy. The list goes on and on: soy, rice, almond, coconut, hemp, hazelnut, cashew, oat, and so on. Non-dairy milk has much less saturated fat no cholesterol and is easier to digest than cow’s milk. It’s often difficult to determine which sort to use when cooking because there are so many alternatives (all of which are fantastic for sipping straight out of the glass with some cookies).
Here Are Some Of The Best Non Dairy Milk For Cooking
Almond Milk
One of the most popular non-dairy milk alternatives is almond milk. It’s easy to substitute a cup for one cup of regular milk in a recipe. It has almost as much protein as soy and is nearly as high in vitamins and nutrients. However, it contains less protein and is thick and watery, which helps baked goods rise and set more. You can find both low- and light-sweetened versions of almond milk in grocery stores.
Almond milk is the most common type of non-dairy product used in cooking, and it can be substituted cup for cup in most recipes, though you may want to avoid sweetened versions.
Rice Milk
While many people prefer to use a dairy milk alternative when baking, the best non-dairy milk contains the highest protein and fat. One cup of soy milk has about 4 grams of unsaturated fat, one gram of fiber, and a single-ingredient flavor. A cup of soy milk is the best non-dairy choice for a baking recipe.
Rice milk is hypoallergenic milk, making it a good option for persons who have a variety of food allergies. It contains only 1 gram of protein and 1-2 grams of fat. Because it is significantly thinner than any other dairy glasses of milk, most people are baffled when they come across it. While I acknowledge that it is not one of my go-to pints of milk due to its thinness, I do enjoy rice pudding because it complements rice pudding the best (come on, it’s rice!). I also enjoy using it to make glazes. If I have rice milk on hand and create a lemon glaze for cakes or donuts, I will give the icing a fabulous glossy sheen.
Coconut Milk
Another option is coconut milk. Although it is more expensive than soy milk, it has an intense coconut flavor. It is a good substitute for dairy milk in most recipes. Some recipes will need the full flavor of coconut milk, while others will require less sweetened varieties. If you can’t live without dairy products, you can also try almond milk. These drinks are available in stores, and they taste great in coffee, cereal, and baking.
Coconut milk beverages (which come in cartons and aseptic containers) and coconut milk (which comes in a can) are the two varieties of coconut milk available. For beverages like hot cocoa and “nog,” I prefer coconut milk beverages. A delicate coconut flavor provides an excellent layer of depth. Coconut milk beverages, like nut-based milk, have a minimum protein level, with some brands having none at all, so I won’t use it in baking unless a recipe specifically calls for it.
Coconut milk in a can has a lot of fat, roughly 50 grams for the entire can! However, for rich foods like puddings and chowders, this is ideal. It can even be used to produce coconut whipped cream in a mixer.
Soy Milk
The most popular of non-dairy milk, soy milk is the most popular, and it is available in a 1:1 ratio for dairy milk in baking. Soymilk is rich in proteins, but it doesn’t bake as well as soymilk. The best non-dairy option is almond milk, but it is not as sweet as soymilk. It can be used in baking, but it doesn’t bake.
Soy milk is the best choice for cooking. It is considered the best non-dairy milk, and it can be used in a 1:1 ratio for soy milk in baking. It is similar to soymilk but has more protein. It contains more water than soymilk, allowing it to evaporate and help baked goods rise and set. Despite the slight sweetness, unsweetened almond milk contains no sugar. Some stores sell light-sweetened almond milk, while some are sweetened.
Hemp Milk
Hemp milk, also known as hemp seed milk, is produced from soaked and crushed hemp seeds. The finished product looks and tastes like milk in color, texture, and flavor. Hemp is well-suited to being cultivated and labeled organically, and Hemp milk can be sweetened or flavored in addition to being plain.
Hemp milk offers fewer calories, protein, and carbs than whole cow’s milk, and it also has more protein and good fats than other plant-based milk substitutes. Unlike other non-dairy bowls of milk, Hemp milk has all of the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.
Hazelnut Milk
Almond and cashew pints of milk, for example, are high in calcium and vitamin E and have the lowest calorie content among non-dairy pints of milk. They’re ideal for sauces because of their bland flavor and creamy white hue. Almond and cashew milk work well for bechamel, alfredo, and adding a “dairy” foundation to soup since their neutral flavor does not change when heated and cooked. I avoid using soy milk in sauces because it has an incredibly “beany” flavor that can be cloyingly sweet and overbearing when heated on the stovetop.
Because most nut pints of milk only offer approximately 1 gram of protein per serving, I prefer not to use them in baking unless a recipe specifically calls for it.
Is It Better To Use Almond Milk Or Soy Milk For Cooking?
Soy milk contains the most fantastic protein of any non-dairy milk available, approximately 5-7 grams per serving. Because of its increased protein content, I’ve discovered that soymilk is the most significant choice for baking, as protein is essential for better structure in doughs and batters, which is why I recommend it.
Specific recipes, of course, may require slight adaptations, but rest assured that cooking with almond milk is entirely possible and encouraged. Cookies, cakes, muffins, pancakes, and savory foods such as garlic bread and hummus can all be made with almond milk. Almond milk can also be used in smoothies.
This will help increase the leavening of your baked goods and make them softer. Soy milk is the most effective option because of its increased protein content.
Is It Possible To Heat Coconut Milk?
Yes, coconut milk is a non-dairy product that may be heated in the microwave without losing its nutritional value. Using a medium heat setting, microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between each duration, until the desired temperature is reached.
Scientists refer to this process as ‘denaturing of the protein’ because it causes the protein to change its shape and capacity to react with water and oil when heated to a high temperature. The protein releases oil and water and contracts into a tight chain due to this contraction. These constricted protein chains are evident as white specks or curds on the surface of the protein solution. Coconut milk is not a dairy product, so that it may be heated and reheated with relative ease on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Conclusion
The best non-dairy milk for cooking is nuts or seeds made from mashed nuts or beans. The best varieties of these pints of milk have a distinct flavor and are often recommended for baking. You can also find these pints of milk in grocery stores. Vegan-friendly milk contains no dairy, and it is a healthy alternative for cooking and baking. Good non-dairy milk is great for cereals and works well in baked goods.
Soy milk is one of the most outstanding pints of milk to use when cooking. It can be used in any recipe that calls for cow’s milk, and it maintains its stability at high temperatures, making it an excellent choice for savory recipes and sauces. Because of its high protein level, soy milk is also a good choice for baking. Soy milk offers the most incredible protein of all the alternative glasses of milk, making it the ideal dairy-free option for baking tasks that require a lot of structure (think cakes and slices of bread). Because of the high protein level, baked items produced with soy milk brown attractively and appear made with cow’s milk.
