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Tried & Tested: My Favourite Dairy Free Products
So one of the questions I get asked most frequently is “Which dairy free milk can I use in my tea/coffee?”.
The issue with dairy free milks is they don’t naturally emulsify and so many brands will add gums, fats, oils or a whole host of other odd things to prevent them from separating (not what I would want in my morning brew thank you very much!).
So through my own experimentation I have devised the following shortlist of my personal favourites, what I use them for, how they taste etc to take the guesswork out of the equation for you. I also decided there was no point stopping at the milks and so have also added in yoghurts, ice creams, desserts and a few extras.
This is by no means an exhaustive list so if I have failed to mention a product that you have specific questions about please either drop me an email at [email protected] or comment below and I will come back to you ASAP.
With healthy wishes,
Phoebe <3
Key: (WF) wheat free (GF) gluten free (NF) nut free
Product | Why I like it | Good for | Not so good for |
Milks & Drinks | |||
| Rude Health Coconut Drink (WF) (GF) (NF) | No sunflower oil like in the rest of the Rude Health drink range. Instead a small amount of organic coconut butter is used as an emulsifier Naturally sweet | Tea & coffee as it doesn’t separate Porridge, cereal, desserts, hot chocolate & golden milk – the natural sweetness reduces the need to add any additional sweeteners | Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake as it also contains rice making it relatively high in digestible carbohydrate |
| Rude Health Ultimate Almond Milk (WF) (GF) | Just organic almonds and water Super creamy, not overly nutty in taste Lowest carbohydrate and salt almond milk we’ve found (0g sugars) | An everyday all rounder | Tea & coffee – it separates and curdles |
| Plenish Almond Milk (WF) (GF) | Just organic almonds, water & a pinch of Himalayan salt Super creamy, not overly nutty in taste Higher percentage of almonds compared to Rude Health (7% vs 6%) | An everyday all rounder | Tea & coffee – it separates and curdles |
| Plenish Cashew Milk (WF) (GF) | Just organic cashews, water & a pinch of Himalayan salt Even creamier than the almond version, naturally slightly sweeter in comparison Lower sugar than almond but with similar protein content Wheat & gluten free | An everyday all rounder | Tea & coffee – it separates and curdles |
| Plenish Hazelnut Milk (WF) (GF) | Just organic hazelnuts, water & a pinch of Himalayan salt Super creamy, strong hazelnut flavour Lowest carbohydrate content of the Plenish range | An everyday all rounder Amazingly decadent porridge or hot chocolate Baking with if you’re a hazelnut fan | Tea & coffee – it separates and curdles Baking – the strong hazelnut taste can overpower |
| Oatly Organic Oat Milk (WF) (GF) (NF) | Just organic oats, water and a little salt. Naturally a lot sweeter than the nut milks because of the fact it’s grain based No rapeseed oil compared to the foamable version. Lower in saturated fat than nut/coconut alternatives | Tea Weaning yourself off of sugar or honey on cereal or porridge Baking & pancakes as the natural sweetness decreases the need for extra sugars or fruit | Coffee – separates & curdles Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake |
| Oatly Fortified Oat Milk (WF) (GF) (NF) | Naturally a lot sweeter than the nut milks because of the fact it’s grain based. Fortified with Calcium, Vitamins D, B2 & B12 Lower in saturated fat than nut/coconut alternatives | Those with an increased requirement/low intake of Vitamin D, Calcium &/or B vitamins Tea Weaning yourself off of sugar or honey on cereal or porridge Baking & pancakes as the natural sweetness decreases the need for extra sugars or fruit | Contains a small amount of rapeseed oil as an emulsifier Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake |
| Rebel Kitchen Flavoured Milks (WF) (GF) (NF) | Just made with water, coconut milk, date nectar & natural flavours including cacao, chai spices, matcha & coffee No artificial sugars, emulsifiers or preservatives | To add to smoothies For an amazing sweet treat Warm as a decadent hot drink or incredible porridge Freeze in the summer for an ice lolly alternative | Tea & Coffee To cook with Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake |
Yoghurts | |||
| CoYo Coconut Yoghurts (WF) (GF) (NF) | Probiotic Natural – no added sugars or emulsifiers Distinctly coconutty taste but not overwhelmingly so or artificial Tang of natural yoghurt Super creamy & decadent Different flavours including mango, vanilla, cherry & cacao | To add to smoothies A sweet snack To accompany fruit, pancakes, have on toast Enjoy by themselves To cook with | Some find they can be overly rich |
| Coconut Collaborative Yoghurts (WF) (GF) (NF) | Lower fat content than CoYo so not as rich Probiotic Different flavours including natural, mango & passion fruit, strawberry, blueberry & vanilla Tang of natural yoghurt but not as much as the CoYo ones Thinner consistency | To add to smoothies A sweet snack To accompany fruit or pancakes Enjoy by themselves | Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake – higher sugar content compared to the CoYo ones because of the lower fat content To cook with |
| Rebel Kitchen Coconut Yoghurts (WF) (GF) (NF) | Lower fat content than CoYo so not as rich Probiotic Different flavours including natural, vanilla, cacao & coffee Tang of natural yoghurt Very smooth consistency in between the CoYo and Coconut Collaborative ones Come in a tub with a resealable lid | To add to smoothies A sweet snack To accompany fruit or pancakes Enjoy by themselves | Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake – higher sugar content compared to the CoYo ones because of the lower fat content To cook with |
| Oatly ‘Oatghurt’ (WF) (GF) (NF) | Naturally sweet – a great bridging point to move away from sweetened alternatives Naturally high in beta glucans – good for heart health Lower in saturated fat than nut/coconut alternatives | To cook with Add to smoothies To serve alongside desserts or fruit Anything you would use dairy yoghurt for! | Contains small amounts of organic rapeseed & palm oils as emulsifiers Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake |
| Nush Almond & Cashew Milk Yoghurts (WF) (GF) | Organic & probiotic, just made with natural almond milk Great as an alternative if you find coconut too rich Great flavours – natural, peach melba, blueberry, caramel & hibiscus (almond) and natural, vanilla, lemon & strawberry (cashew) | To add to smoothies A sweet snack To accompany fruit or pancakes Enjoy by themselves To cook with (add to sauces etc) or for making raw desserts | |
Ice Creams & Desserts | |||
| Booja Booja Ice Creams (WF) (GF) | Organic, made with water, cashew nuts, agave syrup & natural flavours No hydrogenated oils, artificial colours, flavourings or sweeteners Great variety of flavours including coconut, vanilla, maple pecan & chocolate truffle | An amazingly delicious dessert or treat that you’ll end up fighting the dairy eaters for! | Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake as they do contain agave syrup making the digestible carbohydrate quite high |
| Coconut Collaborative Frozen Yoghurts/Desserts (WF) (GF) (NF) | Not as rich as the CoYo versions More fruit flavour options – including mango, raspberry, chocolate & vanilla Also make different flavoured frozen yoghurt lollies – great for kids or limiting your portion sizes! | Desserts, sweet treats, kids Less of a coconutty taste for those who aren’t massive fans A great bridge to wean off of artificial sugars | Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake – higher natural sugar content because they contain more fruit compared to the other alternatives |
| CoYo Coconut Ice Creams (WF) (GF) (NF) | Organic – made with pure coconut milk & natural flavours Comparatively low sugar content to the Booja Booja range Unusual flavours – natural, raw chocolate, tamarind & sticky date, vanilla & nutmeg | An amazingly delicious dessert or treat that you’ll end up fighting the dairy eaters for! A better alternative for those watching their sugar intake | Those watching their saturated fat intake Some find they can be too rich |
| Lickalix Ice Lollies (WF) (GF) (NF) | Organic – very simply made with coconut milk and fruit or raw cacao A great flavour range including 2 alcoholic versions! | Perfect for little & big kids alike Not as rich as some of the other versions & not overly coconutty in taste More widely available than some of the other options | |
| Miiro Ice Cream (WF) (GF) (NF) | Organic – made with coconut milk, raw cacao butter/powder, coconut oil & coconut sugar Incredible flavours; peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut & salted caramel | Basically a dairy free Magnum Contains sprouted pea protein to help balance the sugar content of the product, in addition to a significant amount of fibre that the others lack | Contain some gums & carrageenan as stabilisers Relatively high fat, calorie and carbohydrate content compared to other options |
Others | |||
| Oatly Organic Oat Cream (WF) (GF) (NF) | Organic Naturally sweet – a great bridging point to move away from sweetened alternatives Naturally high in beta glucans – good for heart health Lower in saturated fat than nut/coconut alternatives | To cook with To serve alongside desserts or fruit Anything you would use dairy cream for! | Contains small amounts of organic rapeseed & palm oils as emulsifiers Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake |
| Oatly Creamy Oat Fraiche (WF) (GF) (NF) | Naturally high in beta glucans – good for heart health Naturally sweet – a great bridging point to move away from sweetened alternatives Probiotic – slight tangy taste like the dairy version Lower in saturated fat than nut/coconut alternatives | To cook with To serve alongside desserts or fruit Anything you would use dairy creme fraiche for! | Contains small amounts of organic rapeseed & palm oils as emulsifiers. Those needing to watch their sugar/carbohydrate intake |