Milk Substitutes For Cereal (That Actually Taste Good)

When we talk about cereal, we imagine it to be accompanied by milk. But you may want to substitute milk for cereal for something from time to time. 

What are the best milk substitutes for cereal? You can use plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk for cereal, including almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. Other options include milk powder mixed with water, yogurt, evaporated milk, half-and-half, and coffee. 

Continue reading to learn more about the best milk substitutes for cereal, what type of cereal they are good with, and what to consider when substituting milk for cereal!

Why Do We Eat Cereal With Milk?

The history of milk and cereal started in the late 19^th century. Breakfast cereal was then made from graham flour dough and was very tough. People soaked it in milk overnight to soften it and eat it in the morning. 

With time, people perfected the flavor and texture of cereal, but it is still eaten with milk. Nowadays you don’t need to soak cereal in milk overnight — a couple of minutes is typically enough to soften the cereal and enjoy it!

Another reason why we put milk on cereal and not water or juice is that milk contains fat. The fat in milk coats the cereal and prevents it from becoming too soggy too soon. 

Water and juice, on the other hand, lack these fats and therefore the cereal gets mushy way too soon. This might not be a problem for you if you like your cereal very soggy. However, it is not only about the sogginess of the cereal. 

You can use water instead of milk for cereal. However, you should know that water doesn’t make cereal taste as good as milk does. Water adds no flavor or nutritional value to your cereal breakfast — it just makes cereal super soggy. 

Juices, on the other hand, are usually too sweet and overpower the flavor of cereal. They are also typically high in sugar and other unwanted additives — this doesn’t make them a very good option to start your day with. 

How To Choose A Substitute For Milk For Cereal

Now that we’ve talked about why milk is such a perfect partner for breakfast cereal, as well as why water and juice really aren’t, here are some things we recommend you consider when deciding what to use instead of milk for cereal: 

• Flavor. Everyone wants a delicious start to the day! Choose a milk substitute that tastes good to you and that also pairs well with the flavor of your cereal. 
• Texture. If you don’t like using milk for cereal because of its thin consistency, use plain Greek yogurt or half-and-half instead. 
• Nutrition. If you want something that is close to cow’s milk nutrition-wise, use soy milk or another plant milk that is high in protein. Plant-based milks are rich in vitamins and minerals and can easily become part of a healthy cereal breakfast.
  • The only concern is that plant-based milks often contain added sugar. Buying unsweetened plant-based milk is a lot healthier than sweetened varieties. 
• Food Allergies. Consider any food allergies before using another liquid instead of milk. Plant-based milks may contain soy, nuts, wheat, and other allergens. 
• Lactose Intolerance. If you have lactose intolerance, choose from options that are not milk-based, such as plant-based milk or coffee. Some people with lactose intolerance can actually eat Greek yogurt as it contains only a very small amount of lactose. 

Best Milk Substitutes For Cereal 

1. Almond Milk

When looking for milk substitutes for cereal, plant-based milks are the first thing to come to mind. One of the best plant-based milks you can use for cereal is almond milk.

Almond milk is not only delicious, but it is also healthy. This dairy-free milk contains fewer calories than cow’s milk and has a high nutritional value. It is rich in vitamins A, D, and E plus minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 

Almond milk is great with oatmeal, cornflakes, cocoa puffs, and different honey-flavored cereals. You can also get vanilla-flavored almond milk for cereal.

We recommend you always buy unsweetened almond milk to avoid consuming extra sugar. If you like the milk for your cereal to be sweet, get unsweetened almond milk and then sweeten it using a healthy sweetener. 

2. Soy Milk 

Soy milk is a great option for cereal if you are trying to find the closest substitute for cow’s milk.

It is the best plant-based substitute for cow’s milk in terms of protein content and consistency. Soy milk is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. 

Soy milk has a neutral flavor. You can use it with any cereal of your choice, including cornflakes, cocoa, cinnamon, and honey-flavored cereal. You can also use chocolate soy milk with your cereal.

3. Plain Greek Yogurt 

Plain Greek yogurt is a healthy substitute for milk for cereal — in fact, yogurt is healthier than milk! Plain Greek yogurt is easy to digest. It also contains a good amount of protein and less fat than milk. 

Plain yogurt is like a blank canvas — you can use any cereal with it without fear that the flavors will clash. Yogurt works particularly well with granola!

Texture-wise, Greek yogurt is thick. If you like the “soupy” feeling milk and cereal have, yogurt might not be the best option for you. 

4. Powdered Milk And Water

Unlike regular milk, powdered milk never goes bad. And what’s best, it tastes just like regular milk and is just as nutritious!

So long as you are not looking for a lactose- and dairy-free substitute for milk, use a mixture of powdered milk and water for any cereal that you eat with milk. 

For 1 cup of milk, mix 4 tablespoons of powdered milk with 1 cup of water. To avoid getting lumps in the mixture, mix the powdered milk with a small amount of cold water until it turns into a paste — only then add the remaining water. 

5. Half-And-Half 

If you don’t have lactose intolerance and enjoy the flavor of real milk, use half-and-half for your cereal instead of cow’s milk. 

One thing you should know about half-and-half is that it is a lot higher in calories than whole milk. Half-and-half is thicker and creamier than milk.

If you want it to have consistency and flavor similar to regular milk, dilute it with water. Use equal amounts of water and half-and-half for optimal texture and flavor. You can use diluted half-and-half with any cereal of your choice.

6. Oat Milk 

Oat milk is another great plant milk to use for cereal if you need a milk substitute that is nutritious as well as lactose- and soy-free! It is a good source of B vitamins and is often fortified with vitamin D and calcium to promote bone health. 

Oat milk is thicker than almond milk and even slightly thicker than whole milk. It has a mildly sweet flavor and pairs well with all types of cereal. 

7. Evaporated Milk 

Evaporated milk is fresh milk that has had most of the water removed from it. Due to this, evaporated milk is thick and very shelf stable. Unlike regular milk, evaporated milk is creamy and has a rich milky flavor.

Because evaporated milk is thick, it won’t soften your cereal very quickly. If you are going to use evaporated milk in its natural form, use cereal that doesn’t need to be softened to be enjoyable. 

Alternatively, you can dilute evaporated milk with water and use it as a  substitute for milk for any cereal of your choice. 

8. Coconut Milk 

If you don’t mind your morning cereal having a little bit of tropical aroma, substitute cow’s milk with coconut milk!

Unsweetened coconut milk is a healthy plant-based alternative to cow’s milk. It contains healthy fats and has amazing antioxidant properties. 

Coconut milk pairs nicely with fruit loops, berry-flavored cereal, and frosted cornflakes. 

9. Coffee 

Cereal with coffee instead of milk makes a two-in-one breakfast. All you need to do is to use cornflakes or cereal puffs that have a neutral sweet flavor and will go well with the taste of your coffee. 

You can use any coffee you like, though cold brew might be the safest option. You can add a splash of your favorite milk to the coffee to make it creamier. 

When using coffee instead of milk for cereal, don’t pour the coffee on cornflakes or puffs when it is still hot. Otherwise, you will end up with a mushy and soggy breakfast. 

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