11 Best Malt Powder Substitutes (Diastatic or Non-Diastatic)

Malt milk powder is made from malted barley and wheat flour. It’s a key ingredient in many recipes, including malted milkshakes, as it gives them their characteristic flavor and thick, creamy texture.

Unfortunately, malt milk powder can be hard to find outside of specialty stores. And even if you do manage to find it, it can be quite expensive. That’s why having a good substitute is important.

The first time I ever had to find substitutes for malt milk powder. I was extremely nervous because I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Would it taste the same? Would it be just as satisfying?

Thankfully, it all turned out well, and over time, I’ve found a few substitutes for malt milk powder that I really love.

Here are 11 Substitutes for malt milk powder that I’ve found work well; these substitutes are either diastatic malt milk powders or non-diastatic malt powder alternatives.

Malt Milk Powder Substitutes:

  1. Coconut milk powder
  2. Regular milk powder
  3. Malt syrup
  4. Soy milk powder
  5. Almond milk powder
  6. Ovaltine milk powder
  7. Maca powder
  8. Rice milk powder
  9. Oat milk powder
  10. Quinoa milk powder
  11. Vanilla Powder

Coconut milk powder

Coconut milk powder is not as sweet as malt milk powder, so you’ll want to add a sweetener. But they both have a similar fatty level. The ratio is 1:1.

Coconut milk powder is also high in dietary fiber, which can help with constipation and bowel irregularity. Additionally, it is a good source of lauric acid, an important fatty acid that has antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Coconut milk powder can be used in baking or as a coffee creamer. You can also add it to smoothies or use it to make dairy-free ice cream.

Coconut milk powder is a versatile and healthful ingredient that can be used as a substitute for malt milk powder in many different ways.

Regular milk powder

Regular milk powder is the most similar to malt milk powder in terms of sweetness and fat content. The ratio is also a simple one-to-one replacement.

It is a great substitute for malt milk powder. You can use it in baking, as a thickener in soups and sauces, and even as a replacement for cream in coffee.

It is also a good source of calcium and protein, making it a healthier choice for those who are watching their intake of saturated fats.

You can use regular milk powder as a substitute for malt milk powder for baking, thickening soups, and sauces, or as a creamer in coffee.

Malt milk powder is a good source of calcium and protein; it is lower in saturated fat, easy to find and use, and provides similar results in baking.

Malt syrup

Malt syrup is made from malted barley. It has a similar flavor to malt milk powder but is thinner in consistency. The ratio for substitution is also one-to-one.

Although it isn’t available in powder form, malt syrup provides the same malt-like taste as no other substitute can.

However, due to its strong flavor, malt syrup is more difficult to replace than other powder alternatives. This is because it has a considerably stronger flavor than malt powder.

So, watch out for the flavor intensity your recipe calls for, and you may want to dilute your malt syrup with some milk or other substance.

Malt syrup is more suited to use in drinks or food since the powder isn’t required to help shape the dish. It’s a wonderful alternative non-diastatic substitute if you’re just looking for that malty taste.

Soy milk powder

Soy milk powder is quickly becoming a popular dairy alternative. It is made from soybeans that have been ground into a fine powder and mixed with water. It has a mild flavor and neutral taste, making it ideal for baking and cooking with ingredients that need no intrusion.

Soy milk powder is a great substitute; it can be used as a 1:1 replacement for malt milk powder in most recipes.

There are several reasons why you might want to use soy milk powder as a substitute for malt milk powder. It is low in calories and fat, and it is also a good source of protein and fiber. It also contains no cholesterol or saturated fat.

Soy milk powder is also rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which may help to protect against heart disease and certain types. It’s widely accessible, and if you’re able to tweak it with a little more sweetness, it serves as an excellent substitute for malt powder.

Almond milk powder

Almond milk powder is a great substitute for malt milk powder. It is made from almonds that have been ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water.

It has a slightly nutty flavor, but it is not as sweet as malt milk powder. The ratio for substitution is also one-to-one.

Almond milk powder is a good alternative for those who are looking for a dairy-free substitute. It is also low in calories and fat, and it is a good source of calcium and vitamin E.

If you are looking for a nut-free alternative, soy milk powder or regular milk powder would be a better choice. But if you’re baking a vegan meal or creating a vegan dessert, almond powder will work great. If you want to use smoothies and drinks as nutritional supplements, this is the way to go.

Ovaltine milk powder

Ovaltine milk powder is a great substitute for malt milk powder. It is made from malted barley, wheat, and milk that have been ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water.

It has a chocolate flavor, but it is not as sweet as malt milk powder. The ratio for substitution is also one-to-one.

Ovaltine milk powder is a good alternative for those who are looking for a chocolate flavor. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

If you are looking for a non-chocolate alternative, malt syrup would be a better choice. But if you want to add a chocolate flavor to your baking or cooking, Ovaltine powder will work great. It’s also a good way to get your kids to eat their vegetables!

Cocoa powder

Cocoa powder is a great substitute for malt milk powder. It is made from cocoa beans that have been ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water.

It has a chocolate flavor, but it is not as sweet as malt milk powder. The ratio for substitution is also one-to-one.

Cocoa powder is a good alternative for those who are looking for a chocolate flavor. It is also a good source of antioxidants and flavonoids, which may help to protect against heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Maca powder

Maca powder is a good substitute for malt powder when it comes to baking, and it is especially useful in place of diastatic malt powder. Maca powder is made from ground maca root, which has a mild flavor and a balanced sugar concentration.

The benefit of maca powder is that it is quite rich in nutrients and vitamins, and this makes it a healthy substitute for malt powder. When grounded down, maca powder is usually a fine powder, which is similar to the texture of malt powder. This makes it easy to absorb liquids, much like malt powder does.

Maca powder is a good option in place of malt powder when you do not need as much sweetness and if you are looking for something with a similar texture. It is also much healthier than most other options.

To substitute maca powder for milk powder, you can use a 1:1 ratio. The downside is that maca powder is not always so readily available, and you might have to do some searching to find it. However, the health benefits that it offers are really great, so if you find any in-store and are planning on a malt powder recipe soon, it is worth grabbing some!

Rice milk powder

This powder is a less common substitute for malt milk powder, but it will save the day just the same as the rest of the alternatives. Rice milk, in general, has a naturally sweet taste.

So you will not have to add as much maple syrup to obtain the sweetness of malt milk. However, you may still want to add a bit of malt syrup since the rice taste is very present too.

This alternative is best used in drinks such as smoothies, but you can use it in cookies as well if you perfect the ratio required as a substitute. Generally, the ratio remains the same for rice milk powder so add the same quantity as if you used malt milk powder.

Oat milk powder

Oat is really becoming more and more popular, and you should definitely consider using oat powder as a diastatic malt powder substitute! The neutral taste of oat powder makes it a great substitute for malt powder, and it can replace malt powder in the same ratio.

You will just need to test the sweetness as you go and add in any sugar, honey, or maple syrup if you need to.

Oat milk is a good substitute for smoothies and other beverages and can work in baked goods too. The texture is similar to malt powder, so it won’t alter the texture of a baked recipe too much.

Quinoa milk powder

Quinoa powder is a wonderfully healthy diastatic malt powder substitute, and it can be used in so many ways for beverages, smoothies, baked goods, and other recipes.

You can buy either sweetened or unsweetened quinoa powder, which gives you the opportunity to pick out one to suit the recipe that you are making. 

The only issue with using quinoa powder is that it has a fairly strong taste, stronger than that of malt powder, so you should use only around half the amount of quinoa powder to what the recipe calls for malt powder.

However, you are able to use a 1:1 ratio if you do not mind the flavor of quinoa, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem in recipes where there are other stronger flavors included.

Vanilla Powder

Vanilla powder is a gluten-free and vegan substitute for malted milk powder. It may not be as common in kitchens across the world, but it is not that difficult to find.

This type of powder is created by dehydrating the vanilla beans and then grinding them down into a powder. This process keeps the sweetness of the vanilla intact while keeping it at a minimum so it won’t overpower your dish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I substitute malted milk for powdered milk?

Yes, you can substitute malted milk for powdered milk and vice versa in most recipes. The only difference between them is the fact that malted milk has ground barley and a bit of wheat. However, keep in mind that your recipe may require you to adjust the ratios differently. 

Is malted milk powder the same as Milo?

No, malted milk is not the same as Milo. Malted milk is made from milk that has been condensed and then had malt added to it. Milo, on the other hand, is a chocolate malt drink powder.

What can I use instead of malted milk powder for baking?

There are many substitutes that you can use for malting milk powder when baking, such as vanilla powder, oat milk powder, and quinoa milk powder.

Check the recipe that you are using to see if any of these can be used as a one-to-one replacement. You may need to play around with the ratios a bit to get the perfect result.

Is malted milk powder bad for you?

Malted milk powder is not bad for you if consumed in moderation. It does contain a lot of sugar, so it is best to consume this in moderation. If you are looking for a healthier alternative, then try one of the substitutes that we have listed above.

What is a vegan substitute for malted milk powder?

For a vegan substitute for malted milk, you can use vanilla powder, oat milk powder, or quinoa milk powder. These substitutes will work in most recipes that call for malt powder.

You may need to adjust the ratios a bit to get the perfect result.

What is diastatic malt powder?

A diastatic malt powder is a powder that is made from malted barley. This powder is used to help with the leavening process in baking. It also adds a bit of sweetness and flavor to your baked goods.

What’s the difference between diastatic and non-diastatic malt powder?

The difference between diastatic and non-diastatic malt powder is that diastatic malt powder still has the enzymes present that helps with the leavening process. Non-diastatic malt powder does not have these enzymes present, which means that it will not help your baked goods to rise as much.

Can I use honey as a substitute for diastatic malt powder?

Yes, you can use honey as a substitute for diastatic malt powder. The ratio that you will need to use may vary from 1-to-1 to three tablespoons of honey for every one tablespoon of diastatic malt powder. You will need to verify by experimenting with the ratios in your recipes.

Diastatic malt powder substitute for bagels

You can use honey or brown sugar as a substitute for diastatic malt powder in your bagel recipe. 

Diastatic malt powder substitute bread

A good alternative for diastatic malt powder in bread recipes is Molasses, Maca powder.

What is a diastatic malt powder substitute?

Here are some of the best diastatic malt powder alternatives to consider:

  1. HONEY
  2. SUGAR
  3. MACA POWDER
  4. MOLASSES 
  5. COCONUT MILK POWDER
  6. SOY MILK POWDER
  7. MALT SYRUP
  8. CORN SYRUP
  9. EVAPORATED WHOLE MILK POWDER 

Wrapping Up

Whether you’ve been searching for a malt powder substitute for baking or cooking, we hope that you’ve found the perfect one for you on this list. We’ve listed both diastatic and non-diastatic malt powder substitutes so that you can find the best alternative to use in your recipes.