Are you halfway through preparing waffles but realize no milk is in the refrigerator? But fear not! In this article, I have mentioned various dairy-based and plant-based milk substitutes to prepare waffles. These substitutes can be used as a trick without anyone knowing the contrast! Let’s know about each of them.

Some of the best milk substitutes are water, soy milk, heavy cream, half and half, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, yogurt, evaporated milk, condensed milk, buttermilk, powdered milk, apple juice, cashew milk, rice milk, and flaxseed milk.
All love waffles, which are delicious food items. You can enjoy waffles with fruits, nuts, honey, whipped cream, and maple syrup. The soft and fluffy texture of waffles fills your platter with rich flavors.
Despite being a delicious addition to the waffles, all do not desire milk. You can use other vegan products such as almond, coconut, and cashew milk. They serve the purpose if you are lactose intolerant. Let’s know about the whole list of milk substitutes for waffles you can try!
15 Best Milk Substitutes For Waffles
Here is the list of the best milk substitutes for waffles that you can use in your recipes.
1. Water

Your search for the most convenient substitute for milk is water. It is easily available in your home and can be used as an alternative for making waffles. But if you want flavor-enriched waffles, they may lack a milk substitute as it has no fat content.
As a result, the waffles lack a creamy texture. But when it comes to the crunch, they have a nice crunchy texture. While adding water to the mixture, make sure you pour it slowly to avoid lumps. Just stir it well to avoid any kind of lumps.
You can swap milk with water if you love crunchy textures like me. The addition of sparkling water or soda can result in making the waffle mix an airy one. You can replace milk with water in the standard ratio of 1:1.
2. Soy milk

Another milk substitute for making waffles is soy milk. It is a vegan product and has lower fat content. Moreover, if you are looking for a protein-rich alternative, you can choose soy milk.
It can make pasta sauces, beverages, and baked goods. You can easily prepare this with blanched soybeans. Put them in water and strain them. Isn’t that easy?
Follow the standard ratio of 1:1 ratio for substituting milk for making waffles. The texture is a bit flat and flaky but can be a good alternative.
3. Almond milk

Almond milk is another nut substitute for milk for making waffles. This one can be the best substitute if you are looking for a dairy-free option. You can use it in the same quantity as milk.
The addition of almond milk can result in creamy textures of the waffles. The nutty flavors work well, and almond milk can be a great addition to many recipes. It is not only a delicious addition but also serves as a rich source of plant-based protein.
While using this as a milk substitute, make sure you adjust the amount, as it is much thinner than regular milk. To maintain the consistency, you can add melted butter to this.
It is suitable for adding slight sweetness and thus is a perfect substitute. It works well with cinnamon and chocolate chips. You can prepare delicious waffles without using dairy products.
4. Oat milk

You can go for oat milk if you don’t have almond or soy milk. Oat milk is another milk substitute you can use for preparing waffles.
The oat milk provides a great flavor to the waffles, but the texture is quite flat and flaky. It is also used for making coffee and lattes.
When it comes to substitution ratio, you can substitute in a standard ratio of 1:1. It is low in calories and perfect for calories-conscious people. In addition to this, it is rich in protein and fiber content.
5. Yogurt

Another milk substitute for waffles is yogurt. It is well known for its great nutritional profile and delicious taste. It is a rich source of calcium and protein and makes the digestion process happy!
Making waffles with yogurt gives them a nice fluffy, and soft texture. Swap the milk with yogurt in the same quantity.
The addition of plain yogurt works well, but if you are left with only Greek yogurt or sour cream, you can also substitute milk with them.
Flavored yogurts are also there if you want to be a little adventurous. Adding cinnamon or another warm spice works great to cure that strong aftertaste of yogurt.
6. Coconut milk

Coconut milk is a great milk alternative if you are looking for a vegan option. Adding coconut milk gives a nice creamy flavor and texture with a hint of sweetness. It works well with the preparation of the waffles.
The fat content in coconut milk is much higher than the milk, so you need to adjust the other products in the recipe. Coconut milk is quite a delicious and versatile ingredient.
You can use coconut milk in recipes such as sauces, stews, and baking goods. Regarding the substitution ratio, swap the milk with coconut milk in the standard ratio of 1:1.
Adding coconut milk gives the waffles a tropical flavor and makes them even more delicious.
7. Evaporated milk

What else is better than substituting milk with evaporated one? This one is easily available in your pantry or the refrigerator. Evaporated milk has a thick and creamy texture with a longer shelf life as compared to regular milk.
The flavors are much more intense and have rich flavors with undertones of sweetness. Boil the milk and skim off the fat to get the creamy texture of evaporated milk.
The quantity of the solids in this milk is lowered by 60 percent, and you will get the milk in a more concentrated form.
8. Condensed milk

Condensed milk is another ingredient you can use to make waffles. It is much sweeter and has extra sugar as compared to evaporated milk. The addition of condensed milk to waffles is the perfect breakfast meal.
Waffles prepared with condensed milk are a perfect cakey treat with a soft and dense texture. The condensed milk has high sugar content, and the batter will likely be stuck with a waffle iron.
So make sure you use a nonstick one or use cooking spray to avoid burning or sticking to the batter.
If you are not a sweet tooth, then you must add little water to the batter to avoid extra sweetness. Moreover, you must avoid adding sugar to waffles. Swap the regular milk with condensed milk in a 1:1 ratio.
9. Powdered milk

Another substitute on this list is powdered milk. You can easily use powdered milk for making waffles. It is highly rich in protein and calcium.
Using powdered milk instead of milk is great for giving a crispier texture to the waffles. It maintains the good and rich texture of the waffles.
Regarding substitution ratio, it can be used in a 1:1 ratio. You can use it for making pudding, biscuits, muffins, and smoothies.
10. Buttermilk

Another kitchen staple ingredient on the list is buttermilk. It has a tangy taste as compared to regular milk. In addition, buttermilk has a rich, creamy flavor and thick texture.
This makes it a perfect choice for making waffles. You have to use it in the standard ratio of 1:1. Adding buttermilk to the batter gives an extra lift to the waffles. It is better to use cold buttermilk.
11. Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is another best option to replace milk for preparing waffles. It helps to maintain the smooth and rich texture and flavors. Heavy cream provides you with the ideal creamy and soft texture.
I suggest you use heavy cream instead of milk as it provides rich flavors. You will get your desired texture when you use heavy cream, as the fat content is much higher in the heavy cream.
Just use less content of heavy cream than milk, and to get the desired consistency of the batter, don’t forget to add water.
You can add any toppings of your choice to waffles made from heavy cream. Adding fruits, whipped cream, or even maple syrup can also work well. For substitution, mix ⅔ of the heavy cream with ⅓ of water to replace 1 cup of milk.
12. Half and half

You must have heard about half and half, but if you are unaware of this amazing milk substitute, let me help you! Half and half is a combo of cream with milk in equal quantities. It is an ideal milk substitute for making waffles.
Adding half and half will give your waffles a nice light and fluffy texture. It provides the required amount of liquid content and maintains softness.
After cooking, the waffles prepared from half and half get a great golden brown color. While adding it to the waffle batter, you start with a small quantity and then gradually increase the quantity.
It increases the creaminess of the waffles. So, if you run out of milk but still want a delicious waffle, try using half and half. Swap the milk with half and half in equal quantities.
13. Cashew milk

Cashew milk is a perfect plant-based milk substitute. It adds the perfect creamy texture and nutty flavors to the various recipes.
Cashew milk has a much thicker consistency than regular milk, thus serving as the best substitute for making waffles and pancakes.
Swap regular milk with cashew milk in similar quantities. Cashew milk is a perfect addition to your breakfast as it has lower calories and fat than regular milk. Add this to smoothies and oatmeal.
14. Flaxseed milk

Looking for vegan or lactose-free milk substitutes for waffles? Well, try flaxseed milk to prepare waffles. This adds a perfect nutty flavor to your recipes.
You can easily prepare flaxseed milk just by blending the ground flaxseeds with water. Just strain the solids, and it is good to use. You will get a perfect milk substitute.
It has a great nutritional profile and is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
15. Rice Milk

Another vegan alternative to regular milk is rice milk. You can easily prepare this with rice, water, and oil. You can use it while cooking and baking.
When it comes to its taste, it has mild flavors with undertones of sweetness. It is a rich carbohydrate source with fewer calories and fat content.
Thus, if you’re calorie conscious, it works wonders for you. I suggest adding vegetable oil or melted butter to rice milk to get the desired consistency for making waffles.
It is a healthier option and can be used as a substitute in equal amounts. In addition, making oatmeal, smoothies, and a few desserts is quite a good option.
Short Recap Of The Best Milk Substitutes For Waffles
Remember, all the above-mentioned milk substitutes for waffles are quite a task! But don’t worry. Here is a short recap section to help you to recall the best substitutes. In this section, I have segregated the substitutes as per their availability, texture, and flavors. Let’s have a look!
Best Milk Substitutes For Waffles In Terms Of Flavors–
- Evaporated Milk
- Half And Half
Best Milk Substitutes For Waffles In Terms Of Texture–
- Soy Milk
- Almond Milk
- Oat Milk
- Rice Milk
Best Milk Substitutes For Waffles In Terms Of Availability–
- Heavy Cream
- Water
- Rice Milk
- Powdered Milk
- Evaporated Milk
How To Use Milk Substitutes For Waffles In A Recipe
15 Best Milk Substitutes For Waffles You Must Try!
Ingredients
- Water
- Soy Milk
- Almond Milk
- Oat Milk
- Yogurt
- Coconut Milk
- Evaporated Milk
- Condensed Milk
- Powdered Milk
- Buttermilk
- Heavy Cream
- Half And Half
- Cashew Milk
- Flaxseed Milk
- Rice Milk
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
Milk is great for using waffles, but you can use other options based on your need and choice. I have mentioned a whole list of substitutes, including nut-based, plant-based, and dairy products.
I hope you have got your perfect milk substitute for waffles. See you next time with your other substitute query. Till then, take care!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best milk substitutes for waffles?
Some of the best milk substitutes are water, soy milk, heavy cream, half and half, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, yogurt, evaporated milk, condensed milk, buttermilk, powdered milk, apple juice, cashew milk, rice milk, and flaxseed milk.
Can you use yogurt as a milk substitute for waffles?
Yes, you can use yogurt as a milk substitute for waffles. Making waffles with yogurt gives them a nice fluffy, and soft texture. Swap the milk with yogurt in the same quantity.
What are the best milk substitutes in terms of flavors?
Evaporated milk and half-and-half are the best milk substitutes in terms of flavors.
What are the best milk substitutes in terms of texture?
Rice milk, soy milk, oat milk, evaporated milk, and almond milk are the milk substitutes in terms of texture.
Can you use honey as a milk substitute for waffles?
No, honey can’t be used as a milk substitute for waffles. Honey has a sweet taste and flavors with a thick consistency.