Have you ever walked into a store and realized how many types of milk are really out there? It can be hard figuring out which one to go for, and staring down the aisle hoping one stands out to you unfortunately isn’t realistic…
And that’s exactly why we’re going to compare two of them here today, determining whether evaporated milk or oat milk is the better choice for you!
We’ll dive in and highlight all their pros and cons, comparing them in things like allergens, nutrition, taste, and much more! Then, the right choice for you will stand out a little more!
So, without further ado, let’s check out evaporated milk versus oat milk!
Comparing evaporated milk vs oat milk
Evaporated milk is animal-based, while oat milk is plant-based. You’ll find no allergens in oat milk, making it a great choice for many people! Evaporated milk, on the other hand, has milk as an allergen, and can’t be used for vegan, paleo, or keto diets – oat milk can be used for vegan diets out of those three.
| Evaporated milk | Oat milk | |
| Type | Animal-based | Plant-based (grain) |
| Allergens | Milk | None |
| Vegan? | No | Yes |
| Paleo? | No | No |
| Keto? | No | No |
Differences between evaporated milk and oat milk
The main difference between evaporated milk and oat milk is where they come from, with further differences in their flavors.
Evaporated milk has a thick and creamy texture, along with a rich and slightly caramelized flavor. It is made by removing about 60% of the water from regular milk, which is done through an evaporation process that involves a really high temperature but under reduced pressure – this is important to prevent the milk from scorching!
Oat milk has a mild flavor profile that’s slightly sweet, and has a creamy texture. It’s made by blending oats and water together, which you can easily do at home! Things like guar gum are often added to enhance the texture, and there are sometimes sweeteners and flavorings added to boost the flavor – oat milk often has vitamins and minerals added too to enhance the nutritional profile!
How to use evaporated milk vs oat milk
You can use evaporated milk and oat milk in many tasty ways, including:
Evaporated milk:
- Add extra creaminess and richness into things like sauces and soups.
- Make custards and puddings.
- Use in recipes like pie, fudge, and sweet buns.
- Bake with it.
- Mix into your coffee or hot chocolate for a rich flavor and texture.
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 evaporated milk for oat milk?
In most cases you sure can! Both milks sport creamy textures, although evaporated milk tends to be thicker. The differing flavor profiles can also change whatever you pair them with, but you can absolutely experiment with the proportions for substituting them out for one another in bakes, smoothies, etc.
Keep the differing allergens and dietary compatibilities in mind too!
Nutrition: Evaporated milk vs oat milk
Evaporated milk is quite high in calories and heavy in fat, especially in comparison to oat milk. It’s also much higher in carbs, sugar, and protein – oat milk has no sugar at all, and is quite poor in protein with just 1 gram per serving. Both milks are solid sources of calcium and vitamin D.
Note the different serving sizes in the chart below, with evaporated milk being compared as 2 tablespoons against buttermilk’s 8 ounces – there are 2 tablespoons in 1 fluid ounce!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Evaporated milk (2 tbsp) | Oat milk |
| Calories | 40 | 45 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 2 g (1.5 g) | 0.5 g (0 g) |
| Total carbs | 3 g | 8 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 3 g (0 g) | 0 g |
| Protein | 2 g | 1 g |
| Calcium | 4% DV | 25% DV |
| Vit D | 4% DV | 20% DV |
How to store evaporated milk and oat milk
Evaporated milk can be stored in a cool and dry place – like your pantry! Due to the evaporation process, evaporated milk has a really long shelf-life when it’s unopened, generally lasting for up to a few months! Finish it within 3-5 days after opening, however.
Oat milk can be stored at room temperature for 1-4 months if it’s in an aseptic container and unopened. After you open it up, put it in the fridge and finish it within 7-10 days for the best freshness!
Evaporated milk vs oat milk: Which is better?
Both milks are solid, providing some great nutritional benefits and delicious tastes, textures, and uses!
Evaporated milk is a great choice if you want a dense, rich, and thick milk in your smoothies, soups, sauces, bakes, or just as a beverage! Oat milk offers a wonderful creamy texture with a great flavor, boasting an allergen-free experience!
Now, both milks have their place, but oat milk takes the win here for being better suited towards drinking on its own, having much less calories, and being generally more versatile!
FAQs
You’ll find health benefits and drawbacks in many different types of milk, so check them out to find one that fits your needs – or talk to a health professional!
Oat milk has some healthy qualities such as low calories, no saturated fat, no sugar, and calcium and vitamin D contents!
Evaporated milk is a more shelf-stable and more concentrated version of regular milk, and boasts a creamier texture with a richer flavor!
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