If you’re looking for a milk that’s great for baking, cooking, making desserts, and adding a twist of flavor, condensed milk and oat milk are quite different from one another…
Condensed milk is a powerhouse when it comes to making desserts, as its sugary, thick, and delicious characteristics are exactly what’s needed in many different recipes. Oat milk, on the other hand, can also be used for things like baking, although both of these milks tend to be better suited towards different things from one another…
We’ll explore what those things are, uncovering what each of these milks do better or worse than the other. That way, you’ll know exactly which one you should pick up based on your needs!
Let’s jump in!
Comparing condensed milk vs oat milk
Condensed milk is animal-based, and has milk as an allergen. It’s not great for things like vegan, paleo, or keto diets, so it might not be the choice to make if you’re baking vegan desserts, for example.
Oat milk is plant-based, and is free of the major allergens! Like condensed milk, oat milk is not suitable for keto or paleo diets – however, you can use it in vegan diets!
| Condensed milk | Oat milk | |
| Type | Animal-based | Plant-based (grain) |
| Allergens | Milk | None |
| Vegan? | No | Yes |
| Paleo? | No | No |
| Keto? | No | No |
Differences between condensed milk and oat milk
The main difference between condensed milk and oat milk is their source, along with their flavors and textures.
Condensed milk is made by taking regular milk and putting it through a process that removes water. There’s also a lot of sugar added, creating a thick, sweet, and perfect milk for desserts and sweets – it boasts a rich and caramelized taste, which you can easily create at home!
Oat milk is made by blending oats with water, resulting in a creamy milk that boasts a mild and slightly sweet taste. There are types that have different sweeteners added, and even flavorings such as vanilla extract to give some extra flavor!
It’s really easy to make oat milk at home, but a lot of versions you find in the store include vitamins and minerals to boost the nutritional profile. They also often include guar gum to enhance the texture – but none of that is needed if you want to make it at home!
How to use condensed milk vs oat milk
Try these milks out in these delicious ways:
Condensed milk:
- Mix it into your coffee or tea for a sweet boost.
- Make delicious and sweet desserts with it.
- Use it in your bakes.
- Add it to your smoothies and ice cream.
Oat milk:
- Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
- Add it to your cereal and oatmeal.
- Pair it with your favorite pancake recipe.
- Put it in your coffee.
- Make smoothies with it.
Can you substitute condensed milk for oat milk?
I wouldn’t recommend using these two interchangeably due to their differing textures and flavors. They’ll affect dishes very differently – especially bakes – in ways that might not be great…
That said, feel free to experiment with them in things like coffee, smoothies, pancakes – simple things that could use their twists of flavor! I think you’ll quickly find what you like and don’t like using them for – for example, I personally like to use oat milk in my coffee much more than condensed milk because I don’t prefer the super sweet taste in my coffee.
Nutrition: Condensed milk vs oat milk
Condensed milk is quite a bit heavier than oat milk in many things. It has much more calories, more fat, and way more carbs! The biggest difference is in their sugar contents, as condensed milk has a whole lot (21 grams per serving) while oat milk has no sugar at all!
Both are low in protein, with condensed milk having 3 grams per serving and oat milk having 1 gram. Oat milk is much better in calcium and vitamin D contents, but that can change depending on whether or not there are added vitamins and minerals – check the label to be sure!
This is also a bit of a tricky comparison, as we’re comparing 2 tablespoons of condensed milk to 8 fluid ounces of oat milk – that’s 16 tablespoons!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Condensed milk (2 tbsp) | Oat milk |
| Calories | 130 | 45 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 3 g (1.5 g) | 0.5 g (0 g) |
| Total carbs | 22 g | 8 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 21 g (18 g) | 0 g |
| Protein | 3 g | 1 g |
| Calcium | 8% DV | 25% DV |
| Vit D | 0% DV | 20% DV |
How to store condensed milk and oat milk
Condensed milk can be stored in a cool and dry place for up to 1 year if it’s unopened – it’s got a great shelf-life! Transfer it into an airtight container after you open it and keep it in the fridge, and try to finish it within 2 weeks then.
Oat milk can be stored somewhere outside the fridge (like in your pantry) if it’s in an aseptic container and unopened. In that case, it’ll last you around 1-4 months, but put it in the fridge after you open it and finish it within 7-10 days. Otherwise, keep it in the fridge if it’s the refrigerated kind and finish it within 7-10 days as well!
Condensed milk vs oat milk: The ultimate verdict
This is a bit of a tough comparison, as the two are very different from one another in many ways…
That said, they each have some pros and cons that we have to consider when choosing one of these, as well as what your needs and preferences are. On the one hand, condensed milk is very sweet and tasty, making for a wonderful addition to many different bakes and desserts. You can use it in things like coffee and smoothies as well, but I find that oat milk is more suited towards “regular” uses such as drinking on its own, using it for cereal, mixing into smoothies and oatmeal – things like that!
The best milk will be the one that fits your needs here – I recommend condensed milk for sweet bakes and desserts that call for it, while oat milk is more suited towards everyday uses!
FAQs
Oat milk has some healthy qualities such as low calories, no saturated fat, no sugar, and calcium and vitamin D contents!
You could, although its thicker texture might be tough to drink. I would recommend you mix it into things you want to drink such as coffee and smoothies – condensed milk has a ton of sugar and calories, so try to enjoy it in moderation!
That’ll come down to many different factors, including your allergies, dietary needs, flavor preferences, and culinary uses. Try experimenting with different types until you find one that you like!
Leave a Comment