Can you use coffee creamer instead of milk?
The answer is yes.
Coffee creamer can be a great alternative to milk.
In this article, I’ll give you a few ideas on how to use coffee creamer instead of milk. You can use it as a replacement in your desserts, drinks, and dishes, to enhance their taste and structure.
Let’s begin!
Can a Coffee Creamer Replace Milk?
When you think about creamer, you think about that smooth and thick texture you get when you put it in your coffee, right?
Well, actually, you can use it instead of milk practically everywhere.
I saw my mom using it in a mixture for pancakes one day. They were amazing!
I realized I could use coffee cream to add thickness to lots of my dishes and beverages.
So stick with me, and I will tell you how to use creamer as a milk substitute.
Cooking
I bet there is at least one dish you love that’s prepared with milk.
Lucky for you, most of the recipes that contain milk can be prepared with creamer instead.
Still, a few things can’t be made with coffee creamer, like cheese, yogurt, and pudding.
In the rest of the cases, the coffee creamer can really elevate your dish.
Creamer is sweeter and thicker than milk and has more oils and fats. So, it will add more richness and creaminess to whatever you’re cooking.
Usually, it doesn’t matter whether it is liquid or powdered coffee creamer. However, if your dish requires liquid, you can easily dilute powdered creamer with water.
KEEP IN MIND
Because of more additional sugar, creamer is more sticky. It means that creamer can burn more easily than milk, so pay extra attention while cooking.
How coffee creamer will affect the taste of the dish can differ depending on its flavoring.
If you’re preparing a salty meal, use plain, unflavored coffee creamer. You will get a nice texture without additional aromas or sugar.
You can make almost anything with coffee creamer instead of milk, but here are some of my favorite recipes:
- mac and cheese
- mashed potato
- creamy soups
- white gravy
- any white-sauce pasta
Drinks
Unsurprisingly, you can use coffee creamer instead of milk in almost any drink you like. It will add a nice smooth and creamy texture to it, and a bit of sweetness. It’s good for both hot and cold drinks.
Are you getting bored with your favorite hot beverage? If you want to try something new, try adding flavored coffee creamer.
Next time you are preparing yourself a cup of hot chocolate, add hazelnut or caramel-flavored creamer. You’ll be hooked on this flavor boost.
It is also great for smoothies. But, count in extra calories from creamer if you’re trying to eat healthily.
If you love milkshakes and want to make them at home, coffee creamer is an even better option than milk. Oils and fats from creamer will make it denser and creamier, especially if you froth the creamer previously.
If you’re a tea enthusiast, you should definitely try to splash some creamer into your cuppa. Of course, it goes perfectly with black tea, but you can add creamer to some herbal teas as well.
Cereals
Do you want to add more taste and richness to your regular cereal bowl?
You can add liquid coffee creamer to oatmeal, cereals, porridge, or granola.
It will make your breakfast dish more creamy and sweet.
Also, you can use some flavored cream. For example, cinnamon or vanilla will taste great with oatmeal.
If you’re stuck only with powdered coffee creamer, it would be best to dilute it with hot water or milk (to avoid chunks), and then soak the cereals.
Desserts
You can use coffee creamer instead of milk to make a huge variety of desserts.
You can make:
- pancakes
- waffles
- ice cream
- cookies
- cakes
- dressing for fruit salad
- custard
…and the list goes on!
Coffee creamer will enhance the taste and texture of your favorite sweets.
Many recipes for desserts require dry milk or powdered milk. If you don’t have it at home, powdered coffee creamer can be a great alternative to it.
NOW, THIS IS IMPORTANT
Coffee creamer contains more sugar or sweetener than milk. So, you should reduce the amount of sugar you are adding besides creamer. You don’t want to risk a sugar rush!
The Difference Between Coffee Creamer and Milk
Creamer is definitely an excellent substitute for regular milk in your coffee.
But do you know what the actual difference between coffee creamer and milk is?
Let’s unwrap this together.
Coffee creamer is a processed, boosted alternative for milk commonly used for coffee or black tea.
To clear this up: creamer is not milk. It can contain milk, but if you’re avoiding dairy products, you will easily find lots of dairy-free creamers.
You can see at first glance that creamer is much thicker and creamier than milk. Coffee creamer can be sweet or have different flavors, like vanilla, almond, caramel, or other.
The main ingredients of a usual liquid creamer are:
- water
- sugar or artificial sweeteners
- vegetable oil
- thickeners
- artificial flavors
- colorings
But keep in mind that not all creamers are the same. For the exact ingredients of your creamer, check the info on the package.
If you’re interested in the nutritional differences between creamer and milk, here is a rough comparison:
| per 100g | Whole milk | Coffee creamer |
| Calories | 61 | 136 |
| Carbohydrates | 4.46 g | 11.38 g |
| Fat | 3.46 g | 9.97 g |
| Protein | 3.1 g | 1 g |
| Calcium | 101 mg | 9 mg |
| Iron | 0.05 mg | 0.03 mg |
| Potassium | 253 mg | 191 mg |
| Sodium | 3 mg | 67 mg |
| Vitamine E | 0.08 mg | 0.81 mg |
DISCLAIMER
These nutritional values are given per 100g of creamer and whole milk.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of varieties like sugar-free, low-fat, non dairy creamer, etc.
Also, there is liquid and powdered coffee creamer.
They all have different nutritional values, so it’s best to check the product box for the exact numbers.
What I like about all these varieties is that it’s always possible to find a creamer that will please all of your needs.
Whether you need a plain sugar-free creamer for a pasta sauce or a flavored one to elevate your hot drink, the possibilities are (almost) endless.
Vegan nondairy creamer? Also possible. Coconut milk, oat milk, and almond milk creamers are super tasty and nutritious.
You can also make a healthy coffee creamer at home. This way, you will know exactly what goes in it, and you can craft it to your liking.
Just keep in mind that a homemade coffee creamer won’t last as long as store-bought because it’s not pasteurized.
FAQ
If you still have any doubts about using your coffee creamer, I will answer some common questions.
Does coffee creamer make you gain weight?
Putting too much coffee creamer in your coffee every day can definitely lead to gaining weight.
Compared to regular milk, coffee creamer contains more sugar, oils, and, most importantly, trans fats.
It doesn’t mean you have to cut off your beloved creamer completely, just limit the amount, or even better, find one with less sugar and fat.
Can you drink creamer like milk?
Technically, you can drink coffee creamer. But, most likely, you will have some unpleasant feeling in your stomach. It’s because creamer is mostly fats, oils, thickeners, and sugar.
Also, coffee creamer is not the best source of vitamins or minerals. Not the best nutritional choice, if you ask me.
How much creamer is too much?
There’s no certain limit to how much coffee creamer is too much. But creamer is heavy, and you should go easy on it.
About two tablespoons should be enough for a regular cup of coffee, but it’s all up to your preferences.
Final Thoughts
To round this up: you can definitely use coffee creamer instead of milk.
Liquid or powdered, coffee creamer can be a great alternative for milk in different dishes, drinks, and desserts. You can make great creamy pasta or elevate the texture and flavor of your black tea.
Trying to find a perfect coffee creamer to your taste? Check our article and see which are the best coffee creamers to complement your coffee.
