The 10 Best Powdered Milk
Special Honors
Web Restaurant Store Whole Milk Powder Restaurant and bakery owners can use this milk powder to add richness and texture to baked confections or make milk in house to reduce waste and increase savings. This shelf-stable selection is great for on-demand needs, including for use in myriad recipes and as a thickening agent. It reconstitutes into a creamy, smooth whole milk with 28.5 percent fat and is ideal for making whipped topping, buttermilk, and more. webstaurantstore.com
Rainy Day Foods Regular Nonfat Those looking for a bulk amount of nonfat milk should consider this choice from Rainy Day Foods, a decades-old purveyor of dehydrated and freeze-dried goods. Ideal for large-scale operations or emergency preparedness, its lack of fat increases its shelf life when stored properly, and it can last for up to 15 years under optimum conditions. rainydayfoods.com
Editor's Notes
October 28, 2020:
Building on our last update, we kept our priorities of creaminess, taste, and dissolvability top of mind when running through this list, and decided to say goodbye to Bob's Red Mill Nonfat due to complaints that it does not mix easily and tends to end up in chunks. To take its place, we added Saco Mix 'n Drink, a skim option that gets top marks for its great taste when reconstituted, which many feel is on par with regular fresh milk. It's also relatively budget-friendly when you take into account the amount you get for the price. Unlike some other options, this one comes in strawberry flavor, too.
Despite having an issue with clumping, we still kept Z Natural Foods Organic Coconut, as it's an indispensable selection for vegans and those with lactose sensitivities. Another option we kept around despite the drawback of having to mix it using a blender is Now Foods Dry, an organic choice that undergoes a special production process that is supposed to contribute to its overall flavor. Many are fine with this trade-off, as the creamy taste is especially well suited in recipes for baking. You can also use a whisk pretty successfully if you don't want to haul the blender out.
We were happy to see that although the Milkman brand had gone off the shelves, Milkman Instant is available again in its original formulation that people swear by. The company's manufacturing facility was damaged in an earthquake, causing production to stop. It has since been revived and relaunched without any changes made to its convenient and portable 1-quart packages.
Peak Dry Whole, Meyenberg Whole Powdered Goat, and Nestle Nido Fortificada continue to be extremely popular favorites in this category. Meyenberg is especially easy on the tummy, so those with sensitive stomachs should enjoy it, and it's less harsh on the environment to produce. Nido Fortificada is enjoyed by children and adults alike and can help some people keep on weight. Finally, Peak hails from Holland and is consistently delicious in recipes, tea, and even works as a skin treatment for some.
October 04, 2019:
We rounded out this update by making an even 10-item list, adding Soda Fountain Malted and Z Natural Foods Organic Coconut into the mix for diversity. Coconut milk powder is a favorite among vegans and those following the keto diet, while malted milk powder is capable of elevating myriad recipes, as well as creating delicious malted milkshakes, using as a dusting, and making homemade ice cream.
We let go of Hoosier Hill Farm All American due to repeated complaints that the taste and smell are odd and unpalatable. You'll find highly-lauded newcomer Judee's USA in its stead. We also booted Nestle Carnation Instant Dry due to availability issues and took the opportunity to recommend Milkman Instant in its place.
Just like with powdered eggs and other dehydrated food products, powdered milk is an ideal ingredient to have around for recipes or if you don't regularly consume the fresh stuff by its best-by date, but still want to enjoy it from time to time. It's also perfect for taking on camping trips, backpacking, stockpiling shelters and emergency kits, and simply putting in coffee as a healthier alternative to creamer.
Our priority for the rankings on this list was taste, creaminess, shelf life, dissolvability, high-quality ingredients, and fair price points.