Almond milk has grown in popularity over time due to the sheer amount of nutritional benefits it contains and is now used around the world to bake, cook, in cereal, tea, and more.
Almond milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk and can be used in so many ways to make delicious meals, baked goods, and more. Additionally, almond milk can also be used for skincare and haircare!
The rest of this article will explain the 10 different ways you can use almond milk.
1. Baking
Although no non-dairy milk will have the same nutritional breakdown as dairy milk, there are other ingredients you can use to make up for that.
If you’re looking for a great alternative to dairy milk when baking, almond milk is a great option!
Almond milk can be used in baked goods at a 1:1 ratio in place of 2% and whole milk.
When baking with almond milk, here are a few things you should keep in mind:
Bake Time
Almond milk has a higher water content than dairy milk.
During the baking process, this water will evaporate, causing your baked goods to rise and set faster than if you were to have used dairy milk.
If you use almond milk as a substitute for dairy milk, you should make sure that you are adjusting the bake time.
Sugars
Almond milk, if unsweetened, does not have any of the naturally occurring sugars cow’s milk contains.
If you’re baking a sweet dish and want to find a substitute that closely resembles the sweetness of cow’s milk, we recommend using plain unsweetened almond milk and adding your own sweetener.
Browning
When it comes to your baked goods browning in the oven, baked goods made with almond milk will come out a little pale.
Almond milk lacks the amount of protein dairy milk contains, preventing the browning reaction, also known as the Maillard reaction, to occur.
Your baked goods will taste the same, but if you want to make your baked goods pretty, you should think about adding a glaze or topping!
2. Coffee
When it comes to comparing almond milk to creamers, many coffee lovers may have a hard time accepting it as a great alternative.
The texture and taste can sometimes be lacking comparatively, but there’s a way to make it work!
Almond milk is great for hot coffee drinks, but it’s even better in an iced latte. Here are a couple of ways you can use your almond milk in coffee:
Hot Latte
Almond milk can be great in a hot latte, as long as you know how to do it right!
Almond milk will curdle if poured cold into hot coffee. This is why a hot latte is a great option- the milk must be frothed before it’s added.
It will add a wonderful nutty flavor you’ll love.
All you have to do is make your espresso, froth your desired amount of almond milk, and add a couple of teaspoons of sweetener to your espresso.
Combine all ingredients, and you’re done!
Iced Latte
Another way to use almond milk in your lattes is to make an iced latte. The texture and flavor are even better here, and there are so many great flavor combinations you can do.
To make an almond milk iced latte, all you have to do is brew your espresso, froth your desired amount of almond milk, and pour them over ice, adding your choice of syrup.
Related: Is There Milk in a Latte?
Frothing your Almond Milk
One of the hardest things about these almond milk options is getting your milk to froth right.
If you’re using almond milk purely for lattes, try finding a barista almond milk (here's one we recommend from Elmhurst), which will froth more easily than regular almond milk!
The first thing you must do when frothing your milk is to heat it.
Add your almond milk to a pan and heat it to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, you’re ready to froth away!
Here are a couple of ways to froth your milk, depending on what tools you have:
- Froth with a milk frother: This is the best way to froth your almond milk. All you have to do is place your milk in a container, preferably a tall one. Hold the container at an angle and turn on the frother. All you have to do now is move the frother up and down until you start to see foamy bubbles form!
- Froth with a French Press: If you have a French press available, add hot almond milk to it and pump with short, quick plunges. After a couple of seconds, foamy bubbles should form.
- Froth using a whisk: Add milk to a bowl. Whisk until foamy bubbles start to form and pour into a pitcher. Tap the pitcher on a surface to break large bubbles.
3. Tea
Some people enjoy milk in their tea. If that’s you, you’ll love using almond milk in your tea! It’s a great alternative that’s low in calories and tasty.
Almond milk can be delicious with any tea, whether it be herbal tea, peppermint tea, or even chai tea.
That being said, almond milk can sometimes taste a little bitter.
If you enjoy the sweeter flavor of regular dairy milk in your teas, try adding some sweetener.
Since most teas are hot, you will want to heat your almond milk before pouring it into your tea, as the almond milk could curdle if you don’t.
4. Cooking
If you’re looking for new ways to cook healthy, delicious meals, almond milk can be your solution.
Perfect for almost every recipe, almond milk can be used to make wonderful keto, vegan, dairy-free, and plant-based meals.
Related: Is Almond Milk Keto?
Almond milk can usually be used at a 1:1 ratio when replacing cow’s milk in a recipe.
If you’re making a dish that requires you to heat almond milk, you should do so carefully and slowly, so that it does not burn or separate.
This can be done on the stove or even in the microwave!
Related: How to Cook With Almond Milk
5. Pudding
Although pudding is usually made with dairy milk, many brands have stated they can also be made with plant-based milks.
You can do this by simply using 1-1/2 cups of almond milk in place of every 2 cups of dairy milk in a recipe.
Although this is easy to do, you should know that puddings will have a different set, flavor, and feel to them than when prepared with dairy milk- this is okay!
6. Cereal
Almond milk is a great substitute for cow’s milk when it comes to cereal!
All you have to do is add your desired amount of almond milk to any cereal you enjoy.
Although almond milk isn’t as sweet as dairy milk, many cereals make up for it in sweetness. If you find that you need your milk to be a little sweeter, you can add some sugar!
7. Hot Chocolate
Almond milk can be used for hot chocolate in a variety of ways, making smooth, delectable hot chocolate drinks that you’ll love.
All you have to do is replace dairy milk with almond milk!
I recommend using unsweetened almond milk for hot chocolate recipes since many of them include sugar.
If you happen to use vanilla almond milk, you do not need to add extra vanilla.
However, I'd suggest using plain unsweetened almond milk and adding your own vanilla extract for a vanilla flavor. Many store-bought vanilla almond milk brands contain artificial flavor and added sugar.
Hot chocolate can be made by adding ingredients to almond milk after heating it in the microwave, adding it to a pre-packaged hot cocoa mix, or combining ingredients in a saucepan on the stove.
8. Skincare
You may have thought about using almond milk for all the options above, but did you ever think about using it for skincare?
Almond milk has amazing benefits for your skin, and it’s super inexpensive! It’s gentile on your skin and is great for all skin types- even sensitive skin.
Benefits of using almond milk for skincare:
- Provides moisture
- Contains vitamins and minerals that benefit your skin
- Rejuvenates and refreshes
- Has great antioxidants
- Helps sunburns heal faster
If you’re interested in using almond milk in your skincare routine, there are so many options for you to choose from.
From almond milk face masks, almond milk skin toning treatments, and more, there are so many options when it comes to using this great ingredient in your skincare.
Related: 10 Health Benefits of Almond Milk
9. Hair
Many believe that almonds are great for your hair- and they are!
That's why many hair masks will contain almond milk.
If you’re interested in using almond milk for your hair, you can make a conditioning mask for some deep conditioning, or you can use it to help treat a scalp infection.
Additionally, almond milk can help strengthen hair, reduce grey hairs, manage frizzy hair, and treat hair loss.
10. Milk Replacement
Almond milk is a great dairy milk replacement and can be used in almost any situation.
If you’re looking to replace dairy milk in a recipe, you can usually do so by substituting 1:1 with almond milk.
It’s good to keep in mind that no plant-based milk is going to have the exact taste and texture as dairy milk.
If you are cooking a recipe that calls for something sweeter, you may have to add sugar.
Look at what you’re making and determine if there is anything dairy milk has that almond milk does not, and make adjustments accordingly.
Related: Almond Milk vs. Cow's Milk
Conclusion
Almond milk is a great dairy alternative in almost every way.
Where it may fall to dairy milk is consistency and taste, depending on the type of almond milk you happen to buy.
Even so, it’s so easy to make small changes when using almond milk to optimize its flavor.
Almond milk has many other uses other than food, too! You can use it in your skincare, or even your haircare. The possibilities are truly endless with this great, adaptive plant-based milk.
