There are so many delicious types of milks out there that have different flavors, textures, allergens, nutritional benefits, and more!
Today we’re going to compare one of the most popular flavors with one of the most popular plant-based milks: vanilla milk versus oat milk!
Vanilla milk is basically any type of milk with vanilla flavoring added, creating a unique (and delicious) twist on some already great milks! Oat milk, on the other hand, is popular for a reason – it’s tasty, allergen-free, and boasts some great nutritional qualities!
If you’re having a tough time deciding between these two or just want to see how they compare, you’re in luck! We’ll check these out side-by-side, determining what things one does better than the other.
Let’s jump in!
Comparing vanilla milk vs oat milk
Vanilla milk can really be any type of milk, animal or plant-based, with vanilla flavoring added. That means its characteristics can greatly vary, including whether or not it’s suitable for vegan, keto, or paleo diets.
Oat milk, on the other hand, is plant-based. It has no allergens at all, and is a great choice for vegan diets! However, it’s not suitable for paleo or keto diets, so check out something like almond milk if you want that!
| Vanilla milk | Oat milk | |
| Type | Animal or plant-based | Plant-based (grain) |
| Allergens | Varies | None |
| Vegan? | Varies | Yes |
| Paleo? | Varies | No |
| Keto? | Varies | No |
Differences between vanilla milk and oat milk
The main difference between vanilla milk and oat milk is how they taste, with potential differences in their sources as well.
Vanilla milk is basically any type of milk with the vanilla flavor added, which can be done by using vanilla beans, flavorings, or vanilla extract.
That means you can take something like regular milk (or even oat milk), add some vanilla flavoring, and boom, you have vanilla milk!
Oat milk has a mild flavor that’s slightly sweet, and it’s made by blending oats and water together. It sometimes has added sweeteners or flavorings (like vanilla extract) added to enhance its taste and texture, and often contains added guar gum, vitamins, and minerals to further boost the overall milk.
It’s also really easy to make oat milk at home!
How to use vanilla milk vs oat milk
Vanilla milk and oat milk have many tasty ways of using them, including:
Vanilla milk:
- Pour it over your cereal or granola.
- Mix it into your coffee or tea.
- Make smoothies with it.
- Use it as an ingredient in baking.
- Mix it into your oatmeal.
- Make vanilla ice cream with it.
- Froth it for your London Fog.
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 vanilla milk for oat milk?
In most cases, you can absolutely substitute these out for one another! Now, it gets a little tricky if you have allergy requirements or are following special diets as vanilla milk can come from basically any type of milk! This changes many factors about it, along with its texture and flavor profile – it’ll always taste like vanilla, but regular milk with vanilla added will taste and feel different than oat milk with vanilla added, for example.
Plus, vanilla milk tends to be a lot sweeter than oat milk, which may not be suitable for certain dishes.
Nutrition: Vanilla milk vs oat milk
Vanilla milk’s nutritional profile really varies depending on what type of milk it’s made from. However, it tends to have added sugar in – although there are unsweetened vanilla versions for some milks!
Oat milk is very low in carbs and calories, and has no sugar at all! However, there are sweetened versions of oat milk that do have added sugar, so keep an eye on the label! It also has almost no fat in it, with just 0.5 grams per serving! Looking at its carbs, it has 8 grams per serving, and a poor protein content of just 1 gram per serving. Oat milk’s calcium and vitamin D contents are quite decent!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Vanilla milk | Oat milk |
| Calories | Varies; vanilla is a flavoring in many plant-based milks. | 45 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 0.5 g (0 g) | |
| Total carbs | 8 g | |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | |
| Protein | 1 g | |
| Calcium | 25% DV | |
| Vit D | 20% DV |
How to store vanilla milk and oat milk
Vanilla milk’s storage can depend on the type of milk it’s made from, but it’s generally recommended to keep it in the fridge and consume it within 7 days – again, that can vary depending on the milk it’s made from so check the labels for best-before dates and any specific storage instructions!
Oat milk can be stored at room temperature, preferably in a cool and dry place, however. It’s good for 1-4 months if it’s in an aseptic carton, but put it in the fridge and use it up within 7-10 days after opening.
Vanilla milk vs oat milk: The ultimate verdict
And here we are: the final showdown!
Looking at all the different factors between vanilla milk and oat milk, you can see that it’s tough declaring a clear winner – vanilla milk doesn’t necessarily have a lot of concrete characteristics except its taste…
Now, if you want the best of both worlds you can simply get a vanilla oat milk, but oat milk is the overall better choice if you want a low-sugar, low-calorie, and plant-based milk. It mainly comes down to your taste preferences!
FAQs
Vanilla milk is such a variable milk depending what it’s made from, and so it really comes down to your preferences here.
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!
That depends on the type and brand – some oat milks have added sweeteners, which raises the sugar content. Otherwise, it’s very low in sugar – there are unsweetened vanilla oat milks that have the vanilla flavor without the extra sugar. Check the labels to be sure you’re getting what you want!
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