The 9 Best Powdered Milk
Updated by · How we research
Whole, nonfat, goat and organic milk powders compared on ingredients and mixing. Nestle Nido Fortificada leads for drinking; Swiss Miss is the pantry buy. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Powdered milk is real milk with the water taken out, and most of it mixes back at about a third of a cup per cup of water. Whole milk powder tastes richer but goes stale sooner, while nonfat keeps longest. This guide is for pantry stockers, bakers and campers, and for anyone who wants milk on hand without filling the fridge.
At a Glance
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1
Nestle Nido Fortificada
$12
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2
Hoosier Hill Farm Whole Milk
$14
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3
Judee's Whole Milk Powder
$14
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4
Swiss Miss Nonfat Dry Milk
$12
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5
Peak Whole Milk Powder
$28
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6
Anthony's Whole Milk Powder
$22
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7
Meyenberg Whole Powdered Goat Milk
$17
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8
NOW Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk
$9
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9
Milkman Low-Fat Instant Milk
$32
Editor's Notes
October 26, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
Nestle Nido Fortificada now leads this list. It's whole milk, it stirs into warm water with a spoon, and the U.S. tin has vitamins and minerals added but no sugar. Peak Whole Milk Powder, Judee's Whole Milk Powder, Meyenberg Whole Powdered Goat Milk, NOW Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk and Milkman Low-Fat Instant Milk all stay.
We dropped the coconut and malted powders, which were only here for variety and aren't milk powder. Augason Farms Country Fresh had no buyable price when we checked, and the SACO listing we linked is gone. New picks are Hoosier Hill Farm Whole Milk for plain whole milk, Swiss Miss Nonfat Dry Milk for the pantry and Anthony's Whole Milk Powder for baking.
The evidence here is mostly on the labels: we compared ingredient panels and mixing directions, read Hoosier Hill's own instructions, and searched FDA recall records for every brand. We left out the Klim tub that readers ask about, because its photos show a plain fortified milk while its ingredient list describes a blend with oil, sugar and honey. One nonfat pick is plenty, so we didn't add Carnation, which is almost the same powder as Swiss Miss.
Earlier notes
October 28, 2020, by Gia Vescovi-Chiordi:
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 4, 2019, by Gia Vescovi-Chiordi:
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.
Whole, Nonfat Or Fortified
With the fat gone, it keeps far longer, and it's the cheapest way to add milk to bread, soups and sauces.
Powdered milk is ordinary milk with nearly all the water removed, usually by spraying it into hot air. Whole milk powder keeps the cream, from about 26 to 40 percent fat by weight (Wikipedia: powdered milk), so it tastes closer to fresh milk and gives baked goods a softer crumb. That fat is also what eventually goes stale, so whole powder is for using within months, not for a long-term food store.
Nonfat dry milk is the storage choice. With the fat gone, it keeps far longer, and it's the cheapest way to add milk to bread, soups and sauces. As a drink it tastes thin, which is why many people mix it with a little whole powder or use it only for cooking.
Fortified powders such as Nido Fortificada add vitamins and minerals, and the U.S. tin adds no sugar. Milk drink powders go further: some add vegetable oils, sugar and maltodextrin, and the brand has drawn criticism for added sugar in its children's milks in some countries (Wikipedia: Nido). Read the ingredient panel. If the first ingredient isn't milk, it's a milk drink, not powdered milk.
Mixing It So It Tastes Like Milk
The usual ratio is about one-third cup of powder to one cup of water for a cup of milk (Wikipedia), but brands differ. Nido calls for 4 tablespoons per cup, and Hoosier Hill asks for 4 1/2 tablespoons whisked into a scant cup of warm water (Hoosier Hill Farm).
Instant powders are made in larger, airy granules that dissolve in cold water with a spoon. Non-instant powder is finer, clumps in cold water and needs warm water and a whisk, frother or blender. Hoosier Hill says its whole milk powder is not instant and recommends refrigerating the mixed milk overnight before drinking it.
A few habits help any brand. Mix with warm water, then chill the milk for a few hours, since cold milk tastes fresher. Blend rather than stir if lumps bother you. Powder that was dried on hot drums, rather than sprayed, tends to taste cooked, so a brand that tastes scorched may simply be made that way. For baking, skip the mixing: whisk the powder into the flour and add the water with the other liquids.
Storage, Recalls And Small Children
Heat and humidity are what ruin milk powder. High temperature and damp air both degrade its quality and nutrients (Wikipedia), so keep it sealed in a cool, dry cupboard and close the bag or lid right after scooping. Hoosier Hill advises against refrigerating or freezing dairy powders. Once mixed, treat it like fresh milk and keep it cold.
Milk powder is not risk-free. In 2026 a California dairy cooperative recalled bulk nonfat dry milk sold to food makers over possible Salmonella, and at least one maker recalled drink mixes that used it (FDA recalls). None of the brands on this list was named in those records when we checked. If a brand you keep announces a recall, check the lot and best-by date on your package.
None of these powders replaces infant formula. Children can start whole cow's milk at 12 months, not before (CDC), and goat milk powders are no exception. The FDA has acted against goat milk kits that were sold as homemade baby formula.
How we researched this
We compared 16 milk powders and read the ingredient panels, mixing directions and package claims for the 9 picks, plus Hoosier Hill Farm's and Meyenberg's own product pages. We read a published taste test of adult milk powders, which covered brands not sold here, and searched FDA recall enforcement records for every brand and for recalls of bulk dry milk. Updated October 26, 2026 by Ezvid Wiki Editors.
Sources (8)
- Wikipedia: Powdered milk
- Wikipedia: Nido (brand)
- Hoosier Hill Farm: Whole Milk Powder
- Meyenberg: Powdered Goat Milk
- CDC: Cow's milk and milk alternatives
- openFDA food enforcement: California Dairies recall
- FDA: Recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts
- Pamper Herself: taste test of 20 adult milk powders
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-tasting powdered milk?
Whole milk powders taste closest to fresh milk because they keep the cream. Instant whole powders such as Nido Fortificada and Peak are the easiest to get smooth. Nonfat powders taste thinner. Any brand tastes better mixed with warm water and chilled for a few hours.
Is Klim the same as Nido?
Both are Nestle brands. Nido Fortificada in the U.S. is whole milk with vitamins and minerals added. Klim is sold in several versions, and some, such as Klim Prebio, are blends of nonfat milk with vegetable oil, sugar and other additions. Check the ingredient list on the tin you buy.
How long does powdered milk last?
Sealed nonfat dry milk keeps the longest because it has almost no fat to go stale. Whole milk powder has a shorter life. Follow the best-by date, keep it cool and dry, and toss powder that smells off or has hardened into lumps.
Can I use powdered milk in coffee?
Yes. Instant whole milk powders dissolve in hot drinks and act as a whitener. Stir a spoonful straight into the cup. Nonfat powder works too but adds less body.
Can babies drink powdered milk?
No. Powdered cow's or goat milk is not infant formula. The CDC says children can start whole cow's milk at 12 months, and Nestle says Nido Fortificada is meant for children four and older.
Is goat milk powder lactose free?
No. Goat milk contains lactose, a little less than cow's milk, so it is not a fix for lactose intolerance. People with a cow's milk allergy often react to goat milk as well.
