Malted milk powder is a popular ingredient that adds a unique flavor and creamy texture to recipes, especially in desserts and drinks like milkshakes, cakes, and cookies. However, you might not always have it at home, or you may need a substitute for dietary reasons.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives you can use that can work just as well in your recipes. Whether you’re looking for a non-dairy option or just a simple replacement, you’ll find a substitute that suits your needs.
In this blog post, we’ll explore more than ten substitutes for malted milk powder. Each option has its own characteristics, so you can choose the one that best fits your recipe. Let’s take a closer look at these alternatives.
15 Substitutes For Malted Milk Powder
1. Regular Milk Powder
Regular milk powder is the simplest and most straightforward substitute for malted milk powder. It has a similar texture, making it easy to use in most recipes without much adjustment. However, it lacks the distinctive malt flavor that malted milk powder provides.
If your recipe already has strong flavors like chocolate or vanilla, the absence of malt flavor may not be noticeable. To mimic the sweetness of malted milk powder, you can add a small amount of sweetener or vanilla extract when using regular milk powder.
2. Coconut Milk Powder
Coconut milk powder is a great substitute if you’re avoiding dairy. It has a creamy texture similar to malted milk powder, but it comes with a mild coconut flavor. This can add a pleasant twist to your recipes, especially in desserts or tropical-themed dishes.
However, keep in mind that the coconut taste might not suit all recipes, so consider how it will blend with other flavors in your dish. Coconut milk powder is also a good choice for those looking for a gluten-free option.
3. Ovaltine
Ovaltine is a malted drink mix that contains malt extract and can be a suitable substitute for malted milk powder. It has a flavor profile similar to malted milk powder and can be used in the same way in most recipes.
Ovaltine comes in both chocolate and plain versions, so you can choose the one that matches your recipe. Since Ovaltine contains added sugar, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe to avoid making it too sweet.
4. Horlicks
Horlicks is a well-known malted drink mix that can serve as an excellent substitute for malted milk powder. Like Ovaltine, Horlicks contains malt extract, which gives it a similar malt flavor profile. It’s available in both plain and flavored versions, such as chocolate, which allows you to choose the one that best fits your recipe.
Horlicks adds a creamy texture and a rich, malty sweetness, making it a good replacement in recipes like milkshakes, cookies, or cakes. However, because Horlicks also contains added sugar, you might want to adjust the amount of sugar in your recipe to avoid making the dish too sweet.
5. Barley Malt Syrup
Barley malt syrup is a thick, sweet syrup made from sprouted barley grains. It has a strong malt flavor, making it a good substitutes for malted milk powder in recipes that can handle extra liquid. Because it is much sweeter than malted milk powder, you’ll need to use less of it.
Also, consider reducing the amount of other sweeteners in your recipe to balance the sweetness. Barley malt syrup works particularly well in baked goods where the malt flavor is a key component.
6. Molasses
Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that comes from processing sugarcane or sugar beets. It has a strong, rich flavor that can add depth and complexity to your recipes. While molasses doesn’t have the same malt flavor as malted milk powder, its deep, slightly bitter sweetness can be a good alternative, especially in recipes where you want a bold flavor.
Molasses works well in baked goods like gingerbread, spice cakes, or cookies, where its distinctive taste complements the other ingredients. Because it’s so flavorful, you should use it sparingly to avoid overpowering your dish.
7. Rice Milk Powder
Rice milk powder is made from ground rice that has been dried and processed into a fine powder. It’s a mild, slightly sweet alternative to malted milk powder and is a great option for those who are lactose intolerant or following a dairy-free diet. While it doesn’t offer the malt flavor, rice milk powder provides a similar creamy texture, making it a suitable substitute in various recipes.
It’s especially useful in baking, where it can replace malted milk powder in cakes, cookies, or pancakes. Rice milk powder is also gluten-free, making it a good choice for people with gluten sensitivities. Since it has a neutral taste, it works well in recipes where you want the other flavors to stand out.
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8. Soy Milk Powder
Soy milk powder is another non-dairy alternative that can replace malted milk powder. It has a mild taste and a creamy texture, making it a good substitute in many recipes.
Soy milk powder is also high in protein, which can be a plus in certain dishes. However, like rice milk powder, it doesn’t offer the malt flavor, so it’s best used in recipes where the malt taste isn’t crucial.
9. Almond Milk Powder
Almond milk powder is a nut-based, dairy-free alternative to malted milk powder. It has a slightly nutty flavor, which can add an interesting twist to your recipes. The nutty taste may not suit all dishes, so consider how it will complement other flavors in your recipe.
Almond milk powder works well in both sweet and savory dishes, and it’s also a good option for those avoiding gluten or dairy.
10. Cashew Milk Powder
Cashew milk powder is made from finely ground cashews that have been dried and processed into a powder. This powder has a naturally rich and creamy flavor that closely mimics the texture of malted milk powder, making it a great substitute in both sweet and savory dishes.
When you use cashew milk powder, you’ll notice a subtle nutty taste that can add a nice depth of flavor to your recipes. It works well in creamy desserts, smoothies, and even in some baked goods. Because it’s dairy-free and gluten-free, cashew milk powder is also a good option for people with dietary restrictions.
Read also Top 13 Substitutes For Cashews
11. Non-Diastatic Malt Powder
Non-diastatic malt powder is made from barley that has been sprouted, dried, and ground into a powder. It has a strong malt flavor but doesn’t contain the enzymes that break down starches into sugars, which is what makes it “non-diastatic.” This type of malt powder is typically used to add flavor rather than to affect the texture or rise of baked goods.
It’s an excellent substitute for malted milk powder when you want to maintain that distinctive malt taste in your recipe. Since it doesn’t contain milk, you might need to pair it with regular milk powder to replicate both the flavor and creaminess of malted milk powder.
12. Diastatic Malt Powder
Diastatic malt powder is similar to non-diastatic malt powder, but with one key difference: it contains active enzymes that help break down starches into sugars during baking. This can enhance the texture, flavor, and color of baked goods like bread and rolls, making them softer and giving them a nice golden crust.
Diastatic malt powder is a good substitute for malted milk powder in recipes where you want to keep the malt flavor and improve the texture of your baked goods. Like non-diastatic malt powder, it doesn’t include milk, so you may need to add regular milk powder if your recipe requires it.
13. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a liquid flavoring made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol to extract their rich, sweet flavor. While it’s not a direct substitute for malted milk powder, it can be used to add a similar depth of flavor in recipes where the malt taste is not the main focus.
Vanilla extract works particularly well in drinks, batters, and baked goods, where a hint of vanilla can enhance the overall flavor. If you use vanilla extract as a substitute, consider pairing it with regular milk powder to maintain the creamy texture that malted milk powder would normally provide.
14. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener made from the sap of maple trees, known for its rich, caramel-like flavor. Although it doesn’t have the malt taste, maple syrup can be a good substitute in recipes where a deep, sweet flavor is desired. It works best in dishes that can handle the extra liquid, like pancakes, waffles, and some desserts.
When using maple syrup as a substitute, you may need to reduce other sweeteners in your recipe to avoid making it too sweet. Additionally, combining it with regular milk powder can help replicate the creamy texture of malted milk powder.
15. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is granulated sugar that has been mixed with molasses, giving it a rich, moist texture and a slightly caramel-like flavor. While it doesn’t replicate the malt flavor, brown sugar can add a depth of sweetness to your recipes, making it a suitable substitute in baked goods and other desserts.
The molasses in brown sugar gives it a richer taste compared to white sugar, which can somewhat mimic the complexity of malted milk powder. To better replicate the creaminess of malted milk powder, consider using brown sugar alongside regular milk powder in your recipes.
Conclusion
Malted milk powder is a versatile ingredient that enhances the flavor and texture of many recipes, but there are plenty of substitutes available if you don’t have it on hand or need to avoid it for dietary reasons. Whether you opt for a simple replacement like regular milk powder or choose a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk powder, you can still create delicious dishes without sacrificing quality. Just remember to adjust your recipe as needed to achieve the best results.