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The Spruce Eats / Crea Taylor
Adopting more plant-based foods (and even going fully vegan) can seem restricting at first glance, but it’s actually the opposite. While you inevitably cut out some or all animal products, you also open more doors than you close.
Take non-dairy milk, for example. There are far more types and flavors of plant-based milk than regular milk. In the dairy aisle, the most variety you’ve got is deciding between skim, 1%, 2%, whole, lactose-free, and chocolate. In the non-dairy case, you have significantly more options—almond, soy, coconut, hemp, oat, pea, cashew, and more. Then, each type usually has multiple flavor profiles to choose from, including plain, vanilla, chocolate, sweetened, and unsweetened.
That’s a lot to choose from, and if you’ve been drinking cow’s milk your whole life (like most of us), it can be overwhelming to make the switch. So, we did the research for you and tapped a few experts with a combined 35+ years of experience following a vegan diet for their recommendations. After diving into the world of dairy-free alternatives, we present the very best non-dairy milks for drinking, baking, and more.
Best Overall
MALK Unsweetened Sprouted Almond Malk
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Organic
Clean, simple ingredients
Great taste
Pricey
When you look at the ingredients list on the back of a milk carton, it’s usually just cow’s milk with some added vitamin D. The ingredients list on most non-dairy milks? Not quite as simple. Some are more processed than others, and the ingredient lists tend to reflect that. Since it’s made with just three recognizable ingredients, plant-forward chef and dietitian Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN recommends MALK’s unsweetened almond milk. “It’s one of the cleanest options made from just filtered water, organic almonds, and Himalayan pink salt,” she says.
In theory, you can make almond milk from just water and almonds, but the end result lacks flavor and has a much thinner consistency compared to cow’s milk. This is why store-bought almond milks commonly contain added ingredients like oils, gums, sugar, and added flavors. They taste great, but the ingredient lists leave dietitians like Newgent less than thrilled. Malk is truly a needle in a haystack since it doesn’t contain any fillers, and it’s certified organic—all while boasting a great taste that’s versatile in coffee, smoothies, and cereals.
Size: 28 ounces | Allergens: Contains almonds | Flavor: Unsweetened
Best Oat
Oatly Original Oat Milk
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Fortified with nutrients
Smooth and creamy consistency
Tastes great in coffee
Contains 7 grams of added sugar
Not oil-free
"I love Oatly," says Robin Means, a vegan of more than 20 years and a vegan recipe developer. And to be honest, who doesn’t? Anyone who tries oat milk is instantly hooked.
What sets oat milk apart from other non-dairy milks is its unrivaled creaminess, which is something Oatly does extremely well. Water and oats are the first two ingredients, which is a good start, but it does contain added oils. Some people avoid non-dairy milks with oils, but they do help create a smooth consistency. We also like that this one is fortified with nutrients you’d find in cow’s milk, such as vitamin D and calcium, which are lacking in some dairy-free milks.
Oatly is the go-to brand for oat milk because it offers a few varieties depending on your intended use. The original formula is good for pretty much anything, but for coffee, Oatly’s barista version is a game changer. You can get it to steam and froth like real milk, so it’s a tasty way to step up your coffee game. Like regular milk, Oatly offers a full-fat version, which is great for beginners looking for the closest taste and mouthfeel to cow’s milk. While this is our overall favorite oat milk, we do recommend a few others including options from brands like Califia, Planet Oat, and more.
Size: 64 ounces | Allergens: None | Flavor: Original
Best Coconut
Califia Farms Go Coconuts Coconutmilk
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Good source of calcium
Free of GMOs and carrageenan
No added sugars
Contains gums and oils
Strong coconut flavor
Califia Farms is a good brand to consider since it’s affordable and accessible, says Michelle Cehn, a vegan of more than 15 years and the founder of World of Vegan. It’s available at many national grocery chains, and the brand has a variety of different types of non-dairy milks. If you make savory dishes like coconut rice or curry, this nutty milk is a convenient staple to keep on hand.
While the most common types of non-dairy milk—almond, soy, and oat—have relatively mild flavors, you can’t say the same thing about coconut milk. You’ve got to love the taste of coconut to appreciate this formula. If you’re a coconut fan, you’ll enjoy the strong nutty flavor. Otherwise, you might find the coconut taste a bit too overbearing. This is one of those things that come down to personal preference.
Ingredients-wise, this one has a medium-length ingredient list. It’s not the simplest formula we’ve seen, but it’s also not the most processed. While it does contain some gums and oils, it’s also free of added sugar and manages to provide a good amount of calcium. Sometimes nutrition requires a little give and take, and this one is a good compromise.
Size: 48 ounces | Allergens: Contains coconut | Flavor: Not indicated
Best Banana
Mooala Organic Bananamilk
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No added sugar
Good source of calcium
Organic
Hard to find in stores
Certain non-dairy milks make for great everyday staples for their versatility, but fruit-flavored milks can be a fun way to mix things up. Like the name suggests, this banana milk is made with bananas and only a few other ingredients. Filtered water and banana make up the base of this milk, and it also contains sunflower seeds, some added nutrients, cinnamon, and gellan gum. If you find dairy-free milks too watery, you might like this one since it’s very flavorful.
It’s not the most versatile for your daily milk choice, Means points out, but she adds that it’s nice to have every now and then. We can definitely see this one as a flavorful addition to smoothies, cereals, protein shakes, and even pancake batter. To make the banana flavor less pronounced, you can try the strawberry or chocolate flavors. They have the same banana base but with real strawberries and cocoa, respectively.
These are shelf-stable at the time of purchase, so you can conveniently order them online. They’re not carried in as many national grocery stores as other non-dairy milk brands, so it helps that they don’t need to be kept cool on their way to you.
Size: 48 ounces | Allergens: None | Flavor: Original
Best Cashew
Elmhurst Unsweetened Milked Cashews
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Clean, simple ingredients
Good source of omega 3s
Provides some protein
Not as many added nutrients
Filtered water and cashews—these are the only ingredients in this nut milk. Similar to MALK, you just don’t see that very often. Non-dairy milks are more likely to contain filler ingredients, so if that’s something you’d like to avoid, Elmhurst is another great brand to consider.
A recommendation by Means, Elmhurst has quite a few types of non-dairy milks to choose from. They’ve got your staple almond and oat milk, but they also have some that are less common like cashew, hazelnut, and walnut. Each one contains four or fewer ingredients, but the cashew is one of their simplest formulas with just two clean ingredients.
Nutritionally speaking, this option doesn’t contain as many micronutrients as other non-dairy milks. Some vegan-friendly milk alternatives are fortified with nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, but this one isn’t a good source of those. It does, however, contain 3 grams of protein per serving and a decent amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which isn’t something you see in a lot of nut milks.
Size: 32 ounces | Allergens: Contains cashews | Flavor: Unsweetened
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Good source of vitamin D
Provides protein
Non-GMO
The flavor can be polarizing
Another accessible pick recommended by Cehn, Pacific Foods is a go-to brand for shelf-stable products like non-dairy milks. Not many brands make hemp milk, but Pacific Foods carries four, and it’s surprisingly carried at several national retailers. It might not be your first thought when you begin looking for non-dairy milks to try, but here’s why you shouldn’t write it off.
Based on the ingredients list, this is a good pick for those with food allergies. Many non-dairy milks contain common allergens like tree nuts and soy, but this one doesn't. It’s also fortified with calcium and vitamin D while naturally providing some protein, omega 3s, magnesium, and iron—not too shabby for a milk made from seeds.
The taste can be hit or miss. While many love the taste—hemp seeds are pretty palatable on their own—it’s still subjective and some find it too earthy. Opting for the sweetened or vanilla-flavored versions could make this more enjoyable.
Size: 32 ounces | Allergens: None | Flavor: Original unsweetened
Best Chocolate
Willa’s Organic Chocolate Oat Milk
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Thick and creamy consistency
Not too sweet
Clean, simple ingredients
The bottle is small
If you go dairy-free, you don’t have to give up chocolate milk forever. Whether for yourself or for kiddos, chocolate milk is a staple in many households. It’s a flavorful vessel for protein, vitamins, and minerals. And, if we’re being honest, it’s simply comforting and delicious.
While many brands that carry non-dairy milk also offer a chocolate version, they can lack the creaminess of traditional chocolate milk or have an artificial taste. Enter this one from Willa’s, which is a personal favorite of The Spruce Eats editor Amanda McDonald. She loves it because it’s thick and smooth with a slightly sweet taste—it’s flavored with maple syrup, after all. Its other ingredients include filtered water, whole-grain oats, cacao powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt. What sets this one apart from others is that it’s flavored with real cacao and vanilla, so no artificial flavors here.
Still, it’s not a perfect 1:1 replacement for chocolate milk because it’s much lower in calcium. What it lacks in calcium, it makes up in protein. After soy milk, this is one of the best non-dairy milks we’ve found for protein since it contains 5 grams per cup.
Willa’s uses whole-grain oats to make its milk, which helps give it a boost in the protein department. With clean, simple ingredients and a taste so good you can guzzle it, it’s easy to name this the best chocolate milk for vegans and anyone looking to reduce their dairy consumption. McDonald recommends it in coffee for a quick, tasty mocha, though it’s also great on its own.
Size: 32 ounces | Allergens: None | Flavor: Dark chocolate
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Rich source of protein
Contains just two ingredients
Smooth and creamy
Small carton
The best non-dairy milk for protein is undoubtedly soy milk, but not all soy milks are made the same. Many contain filler ingredients like gums, oils, and carrageenan. West Life, which used to be called WestSoy, is one of the cleanest soy milks on the market. "West life’s Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk has a remarkable ingredient list made from just soybeans and water," says Cehn. "It’s shelf-stable and works perfectly for savory recipes that require unsweetened and unflavored milk, so it’s one that I always keep in my pantry."
Each serving contains a whopping 9 grams of complete plant-based protein. That’s pretty important because not all plant proteins contain the essential amino acids. While it’s not an option for those with soy allergies, it’s suitable for people with other food allergies or dietary preferences. It’s gluten-free, kosher, organic, and non-GMO. Each carton only contains four servings, however, so we wish it was bigger for the price.
Size: 32 ounces | Allergens: Contains soy | Flavor: Unsweetened plain
Best Blend
Silk Original Protein
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Rich source of protein
Carrageenan-free
Good source of calcium
Contains oils and gums
For a non-dairy milk you can find pretty much anywhere, Silk is a sound option. It’s affordable, accessible, and reliable. Cehn recommends it for those looking for a non-dairy option on a budget, but pricing aside, it’s tasty and provides a good lineup of nutrients. While Silk has tons to choose from, its Protein blend is one to consider if you’re looking to up your intake of the important macronutrient.
This milk gets its creaminess from a blend of almonds and cashews while pea protein adds an impressive 10 grams of protein. It comes in a large half-gallon carton, making this a great value.
While it has a longer ingredients list than others we’ve seen, many of those ingredients contribute to this milk’s impressive nutrition facts. It provides added calcium, vitamin D, and iron yet remains lower in added sugars compared to other sweetened non-dairy milks. With a creamy nut base, it doesn’t really need much sweetener—it’s delicious and creamy all on its own. It’s not free from oils and gums, but it is free from carrageenan.
Size: 64 ounces | Allergens: Contains almonds and cashews | Flavor: Original
Final Verdict
MALK’s Unsweetened Almond Milk is truly in a league of its own—dietitians praise the clean ingredients, and non-dairy milk drinkers love the superior taste. Oat milk is a popular choice for good reason, and Oatly's Original Oat Milk is the leading brand among vegans and non-vegans alike for its unrivaled creaminess and ability to froth in coffee.
What to Look For
Ingredients
Non-dairy milks are made from a variety of ingredients. The first ingredient is usually water followed by the main ingredient or base. The following ingredients make for common bases in plant milks:
- Nuts like almonds and cashews
- Oats
- Soybeans
- Fruits like banana
- Seeds like hemp seeds
- Coconut
Though less common, non-dairy milk can also be made from a base of hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, flax seeds, macadamia nuts, rice, and more.
When looking at the ingredients, Newgent says the fewer is better. "Nutritionally speaking, simple ingredients are ideal," she explains. "Look for a non-dairy milk made from just two or three ingredients, such as filtered water and cashews." Based on this criteria, choices like MALK’s Unsweetened Sprouted Almond Malk, Elmhurst’s Unsweetened Cashew Milk, and West Life’s Organic Unsweetened Soymilk Plain are strong contenders. These have the simplest, shortest ingredient lists.
Other ingredients may be added on top of the base for flavor, sweetness, texture, or preservation. Some contain added flavors to yield vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry varieties. You might also find sweeteners like cane sugar or maple syrup to give the milk a bit of sweetness like cow’s milk. "Gums, oils, and fillers may be added to thicken the beverage and avoid that dreaded watery consistency," Cehn says. Gellan gum and sunflower oil are common additions for textural purposes.
To make non-dairy milk more comparable, nutritionally speaking, to cow’s milk, the ingredients may be fortified with vitamins and minerals. Micronutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 may be added to the end of the ingredients list.
Use
The right non-dairy milk to choose can sometimes depend on how you plan on using it. Cehn keeps multiple types of non-dairy milk on hand for various uses—she uses a different one for coffee, protein shakes, and cooking, she says.
For coffee, choose a creamy non-dairy milk. Oat milk is known for adding a creamy froth to hot beverages, making Oatly popular among coffee enthusiasts. Soy milk is also tasty in coffee.
You have more creative control with smoothies, however. Any non-dairy milk can be used in a smoothie, so this comes down to personal preference or selecting one that gives your breakfast or snack a boost in nutrients. Our picks from Silk, West Life, and Willa’s are best for adding protein to smoothies and shakes.
For baked goods, Newgent recommends non-dairy milks that are naturally higher in fat. For this, coconut milk is a good option. Non-dairy milks made from nuts and seeds, such as cashew milk and hemp milk, may also be richer in fats.
When it comes to cooking, Cehn points out that vegan-friendly recipes often call for unsweetened plant milks. For savory recipes, keep a non-dairy milk on hand that’s free of any flavors, such as vanilla. You want the milk to add creaminess but not really lend any unwanted flavors.
Labeling
Product labeling can tell you a lot about a non-dairy milk. Typically, brands will label their products with any certifications or certifications they may have relating to the ingredients, such as kosher, organic, and non-GMO. These come in handy if you have dietary restrictions or preferences to keep in mind. For those with allergies, look for "gluten-free," "soy-free," and "nut-free" as well.
Since there are common ingredients in non-dairy milk that some people avoid, some brands label their products as free of those things. Gums, oils, and carrageenan can add smoothness and prevent separation, but not everyone includes these ingredients in their diet. So, those people appreciate labels that declare when a product is "carrageenan-free," "gum-free," and "oil-free."
Other labels to look for can refer to the milk’s texture. For example, you might see "creamy" or "barista-style." The latter indicates that the beverage will froth up nicely for coffee and other hot beverages.
Though it might seem obvious, "vegan" and "dairy-free" are common labels found on non-dairy milk packages. Though rare, some non-dairy milks can contain ingredients that aren’t 100% vegan, such as honey or casein. Or, lactose-free milks can be confused with milks totally free from dairy. These labels help clear up some confusion about whether the ingredients are truly plant-based.
FAQs
What non-dairy milk works best in coffee?
The best non-dairy milk for coffee is the one you prefer, but there’s something to be said about the pairing of oat milk and coffee. Oat milk is naturally creamy and works well in coffee drinks since it steams and froths similar to cow’s milk. You can opt for plain old oat milk or look for the "barista" label that some brands now offer for an even better texture.
"Barista-style plant milks are best for use in coffee or other hot beverages since they’re ideal for creating frothiness," Newgent explains, adding that they can also be used in smoothies, desserts, soups, and sauces. Oatly’s barista-style oat milk is a popular choice for coffee drinkers.
Nut milks and soy milk also work well in coffee. Soy milk adds creaminess while coconut milk adds flavor. Almond milk is always an option for coffee, though it tends to be more watery than other options. If you like your coffee a little sweet, opt for a sweetened non-dairy milk.
Can you bake with non-dairy milk?
Yes, non-dairy milk is suitable for baking, though some may work better than others. Both Cehn and Newgent recommend soy milk as the go-to for baking since it tends to be thicker and creamier, so it naturally has a similar consistency to cow’s milk.
Baking is a good time to use sweetened and flavored non-dairy milks, Cehn says. Unsweetened plain or original milks may be your daily staples, but a bit of sugar and vanilla can help mimic the natural sweetness in cow’s milk.
While you can bake with non-dairy milk, Newgent adds that you may need to adjust the recipe to account for the thin consistency plant milks tend to have. If you substitute cow’s milk for almond milk, for example, your wet ingredients may be more watery than intended. Stick to soy when baking to avoid watered down recipes, Newgent says.
Does non-dairy milk need to be refrigerated?
Unopened, shelf-stable non-dairy milk doesn’t need to be refrigerated, Newgent says. You can store it in your pantry until you’re ready to use it—just make sure it hasn’t expired if it’s been in your cabinet for a long period of time.
Once you open a shelf-stable carton of plant-based milk, it needs to be refrigerated. The packaging may also specify whether you need to use it up within a certain amount of time. Some products should be used within seven days of opening, for example.
On the other hand, some non-dairy milks need to be refrigerated even if they’re unopened, Cehn says. If it’s kept in the refrigerated section at the grocery store, it should be refrigerated at home, too, regardless of whether it’s been opened yet.
"Ultimately, all non-dairy milk needs to be refrigerated once it has been opened," Cehn concludes.
How do you make non-dairy milk?
To have more control over the ingredients, you can make your own non-dairy milk at home. There are some nut milk makers to make the job easier, but all you need to get started is a blender and nut milk bag.
"Making your own non-dairy milk is easy and only takes a few minutes," Cehn says. She recommends starting with almond milk if you’ve never made your own milk before.
To make almond milk at home, start by soaking your almonds overnight. This makes them easier to blend. Drain them the next day, and add them to a blender with some water. Blend until smooth and strain using a nut milk bag. For added flavor and sweetness, Cehn recommends experimenting with added ingredients like dates, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt.
Almond milk isn’t your only option. You can make other nut milks like DIY cashew milk using a similar process. Newgent recommends making pistachio milk, for example. Follow the same steps as above, but she recommends straining it twice for the best results.
How We Selected
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best non-dairy milks on the market, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, flavor, and price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this information as well as our own knowledge and first-hand experiences to choose the items listed above.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lacey Muinos is a wellness and food writer who has been buying non-dairy milk for nearly a decade. Soy milk is her go-to non-dairy beverage for smoothies since it contains the most protein, but nothing beats the creaminess of oat milk in coffee.
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive nutrition knowledge and food and beverage-testing experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the best-tasting options and ingredients across all food and drink categories. She wrote the original version of this story.
Sources
- Michelle Cehn, a vegan of more than 15 years and the founder of World of Vegan
- Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, a plant-forward chef and dietitian
- Robin Means, a vegan of more than 20 years and a vegan recipe developer
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