Searching for coffee creamer alternatives? Try out various dairy and non-dairy substitutes for creamer and find the best one for your cup of joe.
You’re out of your favorite Coffee Mate, and you desperately need a morning cup of joe?
Don’t worry. There are plenty of creamer alternatives you can use.
I tried many different options to find the best ones.
Stay with me because we will talk about how to use many different ingredients like whipped cream, honey, butter, and egg yolk instead of creamer in your coffee.
Let’s start!
15 Substitutes For Coffee Creamer
Although coffee creamer was the number one option for mellowing our coffee beverages, the time has changed.
Now we have a wide field of different milk options and some well-familiar ingredients that have found a new purpose.
So, if you’re left without your favorite coffee creamer or are just open to new things, it’s time to experiment.
Here are my favorite coffee creamer alternatives you have to try.
Evaporated milk
Evaporated milk is just concentrated milk, with about 60% percent of water evaporated from it. Simple as that!
It is unsweetened, so it’s a great option if you count your sugar intake.
Evaporated milk contains a lot of milk fat and is really thick, so it will create a nice, creamy texture when you mix it with your coffee.
Also, it has a long shelf life, so you can stash a can in your kitchen and always have a backup add-in for your coffee.
Condensed milk
Condensed milk is quite similar to evaporated milk, but it’s thicker and has a lot of added sugar. So, if you love your coffee sweet, this is a two-in-one option.
But go easy on it. You don’t want condensed milk to overpower the taste of your coffee and make it too sweet and heavy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sweetened condensed milk is a core ingredient of different specialty coffee drinks, such as Vietnamese coffee and barraquito.
Half-and-half
For me, half-and-half is a perfect coffee creamer substitute. It’s a mixture of one part whole milk and one part heavy cream. It’s a nice balance between watery milk and dense, fatty cream.
It is also unsweetened, so it’s good for those who don’t like any sugar in their coffee.
Since it’s not too thick, you can add more to your cup and still not overdo it.
Heavy cream
Okay, from the perspective of calorie counting, heavy cream may not be the best option. But your coffee will taste so amazing!
Heavy cream, or heavy whipping cream, has a lot of milk fats (to be precise, 36-40% of milk fats). For comparison, it’s about double the amount of milk fats in creamer or half-and-half. It’s really heavy.
But, when you mix it with your coffee, you’ll get the most creamy, velvety cup ever. And it doesn’t have added sugar.
Whipped cream
Don’t get confused. Now we are talking about light or regular whipped cream.
The difference between heavy whipping cream and whipped cream is their fat percentage. While heavy cream has 36% or more, regular whipping cream has 30-35% of milk fat.
So, regular whipped cream will be lighter than heavy cream and less thick and solid. But it’s still packed with fats, so you’ll get a nice, creamy, and glossy texture.
Regular milk
Good old milk. Milk is the original and most famous coffee add-in. Any milk you have in your fridge will be more than a good coffee creamer alternative.
Whole milk has more milk fats, so it will add that silky texture to your coffee. On the other hand, 2% or skim milk is a much lighter option.
Low-fat milk tastes more watery, so make sure you don’t dilute coffee too much. Still, it won’t alter the taste of your coffee drastically.
Plant-based milk
Do you want to skip dairy products? Luckily for you, there are plenty of different plant-based milk options today. And dairy-free milk is a really healthy coffee creamer alternative.
You can buy all kinds of different plant-based milk, such as:
- soy milk
- almond milk
- rice milk
- cashew milk
- hazelnut milk
- oat milk
- hemp milk
- coconut milk
Depending on what it’s made of, each kind of plant-based milk has its unique taste. Soy milk tastes the most like dairy milk, and it’s closest to cow’s milk nutritionally.
However, if you want to alter the flavor of your coffee more, you can experiment with different kinds of dairy-free milk until you find which one pairs the best with your coffee.
For example, almond milk has a very distinctive and intensive taste. On the other hand, oat milk has a very subtle and mild flavor, and it will let the coffee flavor shine.
NOTE
Store-bought plant-based milk sometimes has additional ingredients, such as sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other additives. If you want fresh and plain non-dairy milk, you can make it on your own easily.
Egg yolk
I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out. Actually, it’s not such a groundbreaking idea. Egg yolk has been used in coffee all over the world for a long time, from Vietnam to Sweden.
It will pack your coffee with nutrients and make a consistent, rich texture.
All you have to do is whisk the fresh yolk with a fork or hand frother until you get an airy texture. Then, pull the espresso shot into it.
Coconut butter
Feeling tropical and summerish? Then, why don’t you add a little touch of coconut to your beverage?
Coconut butter became a trendy coffee add-in for people who are into keto dieting. It’s because it will (allegedly) restrain your hunger and help you lose weight.
It’s full of healthy fats and minerals because it’s made from raw, unprocessed coconut meat. In healthy eating circles and industries, coconut butter is a sacred ingredient.
So what happens if you add it to your coffee? It will add a tropical vibe, a nutty taste, and a dash of sweetness and creaminess to your cup of joe.
Cacao butter
Do you love your coffee chocolaty? So do I!
Well, cacao is the best way to add a hint of chocolate to your coffee.
Since I love cacao in all shapes, I had to try adding a bit of raw cacao butter to my coffee. And it’s delish, as expected.
Cacao butter comes from natural plant fat from cocoa beans. These fats are nurturing for your body.
Since it’s processed at lower temperatures, cacao butter keeps all the healthy fats, antioxidants, and nutrients.
Cacao’s deep and warming taste complements coffee, and it adds a lot to the taste and texture. The fats will add silkiness to the coffee but won’t completely change its consistency.
Butter
As I mentioned the keto diet, I should definitely mention one more coffee butter trend. Butter coffee, or so-called bulletproof coffee, made a big splash in public.
The idea is that if you add butter to your coffee, it will curb your hunger and help you lose weight. In addition, it will help with focus and energy and reduce post-caffeine crashes.
Although some of these claims are not scientifically confirmed, it has become a huge trend.
The problem with this one is that butter is fatty, and if you add two tbsp of butter to your coffee, it’s about the daily need for fats. So, this beverage could actually be a meal replacement, and it’s always better to have a real, full meal instead.
However, the butter will add richness and silkiness to your cup. So in case you want something creamy in your coffee, you can add a bit of butter. Just try not to go overboard if you want to avoid too much fat.
Honey
Oh, honey… Definitely one of my favorite add-ins. I use it to sweeten up almost anything: tea, oats, smoothies, you name it. And, of course, I had to try it in my coffee.
Compared to sugar and other artificial sweeteners, honey is definitely more healthy. It can even add some smaller amounts of nutrients to your beverage.
When it comes to taste and texture, honey is amazing. It will add a little zing to your coffee, but not too much. Mostly, it will add sweetness.
Also, it’s thick and gooey. It will melt in a hot beverage but increase the density of the coffee nevertheless.
Cinnamon
I can name more than a couple of reasons why you should add cinnamon to your coffee.
First, this spice is so versatile, and it can go well with a lot of different flavors. Coffee is one of them.
Cinnamon has a bright punchy, vibrant taste that adds a new dimension to coffee. Also, it’ll add a slight sweetness to it.
Another thing, cinnamon is actually super healthy. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Because of that, it can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
So, next time, add a pinch of cinnamon to your cup of joe. It will fire up your day.
NOTE
Cinnamon has a strong aroma, so go easy on it until you find the perfect ratio.
Protein
Seems like a protein shake can be a perfect alternative to coffee creamer.
Coffee with protein is called proffee, and it is quite popular, especially among athletes. It’s no wonder since it turns your coffee into a nutritious liquid meal.
Protein shakes have a nice, thick, and creamy texture and will definitely add to coffee’s consistency.
Also, they are often sweetened and have some flavor, like vanilla. So, it’s nourishing AND tasty.
I made it with cold brew, and it was the most amazing, refreshing coffee, almost like a shake. Plus, it really made me feel full.
Homemade creamer
If you (like me) love to prepare everything homemade, a homemade coffee creamer will blow your mind.
First of all, if you search for a homemade creamer, you will stumble upon hundreds of recipes.
Some of them are effortless, and you can make them in a jiffy with just a few ingredients. Those are great if you run out of your creamer and don’t have time to go out and buy it.
But, if you want to put extra effort into incredible-tasting flavored creamer, there are also plenty of recipes. You can make vanilla, peppermint mocha, or hazelnut creamer and completely change and elevate the taste of your coffee.
In Conclusion
So, what’s the conclusion?
There are a lot of other coffee add-ins besides coffee creamer. Keep your mind open and try some of these. I promise you’ll be surprised how well egg yolk, honey, or coconut butter can complement coffee.
If you still prefer more conventional coffee, there are always safe options, like whipped cream or different kinds of milk.
All in all, any of these will add some unique notes to your morning coffee.
Searching for the best sugar substitutes? Check out our top picks of sugar alternatives you can use to sweeten up your cup of joe.
