How to Use Rice Milk in Cooking and Baking?
Rice milk can usually replace dairy milk 1 to 1 in recipes, but it is thinner and mild, so it works best in pancakes, muffins, soups and smoothies. For baking that needs richness or structure, add a little oil, and you may trim the sugar slightly. It thickens less than dairy, so use flour or cornstarch for sauces.
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In this article
How do you use rice milk in cooking and baking?
Rice milk is a thin, mild milk made from rice; sources differ on how sweet it tastes. In most recipes you can swap it for dairy milk cup for cup, but expect lighter texture and less richness.
Baking
- Basic swap: replace regular milk 1:1; one source suggests trimming the sugar slightly.
- If results vary: one baking guide suggests replacing 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of each cup (250 ml) of rice milk with a neutral oil such as sunflower or vegetable.
- Richer desserts: add a little oil or dairy-free butter to make up for the low fat.
- Bread: warm it slightly before adding yeast, and consider about 1 tablespoon of oil per cup.
Cooking
- Soups, casseroles and marinades: it adds moisture, not richness.
- Sauces and gravies: it thickens less readily than dairy, so add flour or cornstarch.
- Smoothies, oatmeal and coffee: it works well in vegan smoothies; taste before adding sweetener.
- Savory dishes: choose plain, unsweetened rice milk.
Rice milk vs other plant milks in recipes
| Need | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Rich cream sauce | Another milk, or add a thickener |
| Light batters | Rice milk |
| Allergy to nuts and soy | Rice milk |
| Buttermilk substitute | Soy with lemon juice or vinegar |
Check the label
Choose unsweetened and plain for savory cooking. Rice milk is low in protein (one source gives about 0.7 g per cup), which matters if you rely on milk for protein. Homemade rice milk should be refrigerated and used within about five days.
General guidance; recipes vary.
People also ask
Can I substitute rice milk for regular milk in baking?
Usually 1 to 1, with a possible small oil addition for richness.
Does rice milk thicken sauces?
Not as readily as dairy. Add flour or cornstarch.
Is rice milk good for savory cooking?
Yes, in soups and casseroles, using unsweetened rice milk.
Sources
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