Oat Milk Mac and Cheese Recipe (Vegetarian) (2024)

FAQs

Can oat milk be used for mac and cheese? ›

If you are using a block or slices, you will need to grate the cheese beforehand. We recommend using Follow Your Heart, Miyoko's, or Violife. As long as the milk is unsweetened, you can use oat, soy, almond, or any other dairy-free milk that you prefer.

Oat milk, made from soaked oats, adds a subtle sweetness to the dish while providing a good source of fiber. And soy milk, with its creamy texture and mild taste, is a versatile substitute that works well in a variety of recipes, including Annie's Mac and Cheese.

To make mac and cheese without milk, the best choice is to find something that has a similar texture and a milk flavor. Things like heavy cream, almond milk, oat milk, yogurt, cream cheese, and even pasta water all work very well in boxed mac and cheese.

Water actually works perfectly well as a milk substitute in mac and cheese. It adds all the liquid you need, though it doesn't have the creaminess or flavor that other substitutes add. However, if you add a little pasta water, instead of plain tap water, to your cheese sauce, you might get better results.

Uses: Oat milk is a good substitute for cow's milk in both sweet and savory dishes. In addition to drinking it straight from the glass, oat milk is recommended for your morning cereal; smoothies; baked goods; curries; lighter cream soups and sauces; and mashed potatoes.

Plus, oat milk is the clear winner when it comes to fiber. "Cow's milk has 0 grams fiber, almond and soy have 1 gram of fiber per serving — so oat milk with 2 grams of fiber is the highest," adds Gans. Oat milk does tend to be higher in carbohydrates, but it's providing energy through these carbs, explains Jones.

While you technically can use water instead of milk in your mac and cheese recipe, it may result in a less creamy and flavorful sauce. Dairy-free milk substitutes, such as almond milk or oat milk, offer a more satisfying alternative that helps maintain the desired texture and taste.

Simply stir together your favorite dairy-free milk (we like almond or oat milk) with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, and the mixture should curdle slightly from the acidity. It won't thicken quite like buttermilk, but it has a similar effect in recipes!

Yes, you can mix dairy and oat milk together. It is safe to consume and can create a unique flavor and texture. Mixing dairy milk and oat milk can be a good option for those who are looking for a dairy-free alternative to traditional dairy milk.

Use cornstarch or all-purpose flour.

In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken. The heat will also remove the raw flour taste.

What to use if you don't have milk? ›

In fact, you can substitute sour cream for milk almost anytime the recipe calls for less than a cup of milk. One of the most common ingredients to use milk with is potatoes. Spuds love dairy, so if a recipe calls for milk, sour cream almost always works in its place.

Flour – all-purpose flour is what you'll need to help thicken the consistency of the sauce. Milk – use 2% or whole milk for the creamiest consistency. Cream Cheese – this ingredient works in tandem with the milk to thicken the sauce into a creamy, decadent consistency.

If you're wondering about making boxed mac and cheese without milk, such as Kraft mac and cheese, you can do that, too! Simply replace the milk with chicken broth or water, melt in a bit of cream cheese, and you'll still end up with a tasty, cheesy meal.

One way to make boxed mac and cheese much richer is to ditch the milk and add extra butter. The box instructions will most likely call for both milk and butter, but, as it turns out, the milk is unnecessary — as long as you add enough butter, of course.

Oat milk is already naturally thick and creamy with a very mild sweet flavor, which is perfect for garlicky pasta sauces. To thicken the oat milk, the recipe follows the basics of a vegan bechamel sauce, which means cooking a little olive oil with some flour before adding the dairy-free milk.

Oat milk: This will take a little longer to curdle than soy milk, and it is not as thick. Results are also inconsistent. Pea protein milk: Another decent option because it is high in protein, however, the flavor is less neutral than soy or oat milk.

fine. Just like almond and soy milk, you can use it in baking recipes 1:1 in place cow's milk. But there are occasionally issues with separation and a slimy or gummy texture in baked goods, especially breads. Look for "full fat" oat milks to avoid batters and doughs that are too thin.