How Much Oat Milk to Substitute for Evaporated Milk
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Oat Milk comes across milder than Evaporated Milk.
How much oat milk equals one Evaporated Milk?
Use 1 cup Oat Milk per cup of Evaporated Milk
Health notes
Compared with Evaporated Milk, Oat Milk has: less calories (48 vs 134 per 100g in Evaporated Milk), less fat (2.7g vs 7.6g per 100g in Evaporated Milk), less protein (0.8g vs 6.8g per 100g in Evaporated Milk), and less carbs (5.1g vs 10g per 100g in Evaporated Milk).
Using oat milk as an evaporated milk substitute in baking
Use 1:1, but batters and custards turn thinner with less richness. Add a spoon of flour or starch if body matters.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 in light sauces; it won't emulsify as cleanly, so whisk well and keep heat low.
- Slow Cook
1:1 swap works for body, but expect a thinner braise and possible separation if boiled hard.
- Steaming
1:1 in steamed custards, though the set will be looser than with evaporated milk.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in cold desserts; texture is thinner and slightly starchy compared to evaporated milk.
- Drinks
1:1 in coffee or shakes, gives an oaty note in place of dairy sweetness.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Frying
Not recommended: too thin and lacks the fat to hold up to frying heat.
- Grilling
Not recommended: no use on grilled food, it has nothing to caramelize or cling with.
FAQ
- Can I substitute oat milk for Evaporated Milk in baking?
Yes. Use 1:1, but batters and custards turn thinner with less richness. Add a spoon of flour or starch if body matters. Not recommended: too thin and lacks the fat to hold up to frying heat.
- How much oat milk to use as an evaporated milk substitute?
Milder with a faint oat taste; add vanilla or a pinch of sugar to round it out.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
Oat milk comes across milder than evaporated milk.
- How does texture change when substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
Oat milk thinner, less creamy body; may separate slightly since it doesn't emulsify like evaporated milk.
- What else should I know about substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
For dairy-free bakes, sauces, and drinks, use oat milk 1:1 for evaporated milk. Expect a thinner, looser result with a faint oaty taste and less richness. Skip frying and grilling, and skip recipes relying on emulsified body, since oat milk won't bind fat and water together. Whisk in a little flour or cornstarch for lost thickness.
- What still works when substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
Oat milk still works as a moisture, flavor carrier, and fat.
- What won't work when substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
Oat milk won't work as a thickener and emulsifier.
- How well does Oat Milk match Evaporated Milk?
Oat milk is stretch on structure, stretch on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
Oat milk has about x3 fewer calories and fat and x9 fewer protein.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Oat Milk for Evaporated Milk?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet and more bitter notes.