9 Best Substitutes for Milk in Cereal: Dairy, Non-Dairy & More
A bowl of cereal with milk sounds delicious and healthy for an excellent breakfast. Adding some fresh fruits, like raspberries, cranberries, or strawberries, to the cereal is a bonus. It makes breakfast a whole lot tastier and more nutritious.
But doesn’t it bother you when you reach for the milk and find it empty? In these circumstances, you have to look for alternatives to pair with your cereal. So, here is a small list of all the substitutes for milk in cereal. We remembered to add plant-based, vegan, and non-dairy options!
The Best Milk Alternative for Cereal
“How to eat cereal without milk?” is a difficult question because milk provides all the beneficial nutrients and a creamy taste. However, many people can’t or choose not to have cow’s milk with their cereal. So, here are some choices for milk for lactose intolerant and vegan people, along with dairy options.
Dairy Substitutes
1. Water and Powder Milk
Here’s an idea! Substitute milk with milk but in the form of powder. Milk powder with water is a great option to pair with any cereal unless you are looking for non-dairy alternatives. To make good diluted powder milk, mix four to five tablespoons of milk powder into a cup of water. Then, mix it properly to remove any lumps, and enjoy it with your cereal.
2. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk doesn’t contain much water like regular milk, which gives it a very dense consistency and creamy texture. You can also use it for your oats, muesli, or other cereal in a diluted form, but you will get no soggy mess by using it as it is.
Non-Dairy Substitutes
3. Soy Milk
Soy milk is a great milk substitute for cereal as its protein value is great. Moreover, it contains vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3 fatty acids that help digestion. As soy milk has a neutral flavor, you can use it in any cereal, like cocoa puffs, cornflakes, oats, etc.
4. Oat Milk
Oat milk is such a thick, creamy, and delicious alternative to milk. It also contains calcium, vitamin B, and vitamin D. The taste is very similar to whole cow’s milk and also has sweetness. Some even find it to be better than regular milk.
5. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a healthy plant-based option that contains antioxidants and beneficial fats. As coconut gives it a tropical flavor, it goes best with frosted cornflakes, fruit loops, or other berry-flavored cereals.
6. Almond Milk
An excellent dairy-free and soy-free option is almond milk. It is tasty and contains magnesium, potassium, and calcium, along with vitamins A, D, and E, making it a healthy alternative. Almond milk has a consistency like cow milk which makes almond milk in cereal tastes delicious. It is most likely to be the best-tasting milk alternative. So, try it out with cornflakes, oatmeal, cocoa puffs, or honey cereals.
Other Substitutes
7. Water
You have to do something unusual when you have none of the above alternatives. We know water and cereal sound odd, but you can use them in oat-based or raisin-bran cereals. You may not like it, but it will do the trick!
8. Coffee
If you love coffee, this is a great idea to start your morning. Make your morning coffee with a bit of creamer and add it to your cereal after it has cooled down. It is unusual, but coffee tastes great with lots of chocolate-flavored or neutral-flavored cereal.
9. Juice
You might think we are joking, but no, we aren’t. Juice is one of the substitutes for milk in cereal. We know it is a weird suggestion, but many people opt for it. However, you have to use neutral-flavored and less sugary juices to pair with your cereal; otherwise, it will overpower the cereal and make your breakfast unhealthy.
You may also like: 15 Best Ricotta Cheese Substitutes
FAQ
Can You Eat Cereal with Water?
Yes, you can eat cereal with water if that is your last resort to other milk substitutes. However, you will prefer the soggy mess and the bland taste. You will need more nutrition for the day. If the taste and nutritional value don’t bother you, you can have it.
Can You Use Coffee Creamer Instead of Milk in Cereal?
Yes, you can easily use coffee creamer in your cereal. It will help enhance the flavor, but make sure to use it to replace the amount of milk you would usually use. Get flavored coffee creamers like cinnamon, vanilla, or hazelnut to make it more flavorful.
Conclusion
If you think about it, you can use anything to replace milk in your cereal. Still, only the suitable and tasteful ones will complement it. Our list consists of six substitutes for milk in cereal that are rich in nutrition and will provide you with a delicious breakfast. However, the last three wild card entries do work if the other options are unavailable at your home. So, choose the alternative that seems the best for you.
