10 Uses for Powdered Milk or Instant Milk

10 Uses for Powdered Milk or Instant Milk


It wouldn’t have surprised me at all if you had a wrinkled nose when you read the words powdered or instant milk. While most people have never bothered with powdered milk, thinking that it couldn’t possibly compare to their favorite milk brand (which is most likely true), they don’t realize how many uses that shelf-stable powdered milk offers them. In case you missed this post, How To Freeze Milk

Powdered milk can be used to make your coffee creamer or even a healthy snack of cottage cheese. It may surprise you that it can even be used for your health and beauty routine. Here are 10 uses for powdered milk or instant milk that you need to know about.  

10 Uses for Powdered Milk or Instant Milk

10 Uses for Powdered Milk or Instant Milk

1. Sweetened Condensed Milk

Sweetened condensed milk is an important ingredient for several of your favorite desserts and treats. It’s needed for recipes like cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, and so many more mouth-watering favorites. 

The next time you’re craving for one of these recipes, I’ll bet you would have to make a trip to the store for a can of sweetened condensed milk if you didn’t know this trick. Check out this recipe for making sweetened condensed milk while using powdered or instant milk to accomplish the task. 

2. Whipped Topping

Shelf-stable powdered milk can also be used to make a whipped topping for pies, crepes, and fluffy waffles. Simply add an equal amount of powdered milk along with ice-cold water and whip it until it reaches the desired fluffy thickness. To reach your preferred sweetness, add a bit of vanilla extract and a pinch or two of sugar.

3. Hot Chocolate

As the fall and winter temperatures start to arrive and your kids come in after a day’s work of playing outside, you can be there to welcome them with a delicious mug of hot chocolate. It’s so easy to make and only requires 4 simple ingredients. 

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The end result is just the right amount of creaminess and sweetness, and you never have to worry about those globs of cocoa mix floating to the top. You can even throw in some of that whipped topping and a handful of marshmallows on top to spruce it up a bit.  

4. Coffee Creamer 

If you’re a big coffee drinker and enjoy a splash of coffee creamer with it, then you know that the creamer that you buy from the store can be expensive. While you might be able to save on other powdered creamers at the grocery store, making your own coffee creamer can save you even more money, and it tastes good too! The best part about making it yourself is that you can make it to your desired taste by adding just the right amount of sugar or vanilla. Here’s how to make your own powdered milk coffee creamer.  

5. Homemade Oatmeal Packets

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with the store-bought instant oatmeal packets that you can buy, but you’re going to pay more for them. But if you’re in the mood to save yourself some money, why not make your own homemade oatmeal packets that taste just as good, if not better?   

6. Curds

Powdered and instant milk can be used to make curds that can then be used for a number of different purposes. Start out by bringing two parts of water and one part of the powdered milk mixture to a rolling boil. Next, remove it from the heat, and add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar for every cup of water that you used. 

You’ll need to stir the mixture ever so lightly and then let it sit until it starts to separate. Use a sieve with multiple layers of cheesecloth lining it, and then pour your mixture through it in order to separate the liquid. And finally, rinse the curds under some cold water.  

7. Ricotta

You just never know when you’ll be in the mood for a Garfield-approved pan of lasagna, and chances are, you don’t have a container of ricotta to finish the job. Or maybe you’re just wanting some ricotta to put on top of crackers or bread? Whatever the case may be, it’s very simple to make once you’ve followed the directions above for curds. 

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After that, all you need to do is give it a whip and blend the curds until they reach a smooth, creamier texture. Don’t forget to add your favorite spices and herbs to bring your homemade ricotta to the finish line. 

8. Cottage Cheese

Another important ingredient that you’ll need for lasagna is cottage cheese, but it also tastes good with toast, french toast, or simply enjoyed with pepper or a slice of fruit. Just like with the ricotta, in order to make homemade cottage cheese, you’ll start out by making curds. 

Once your curds are ready, grab a scoop of them and then stir them along with a small amount of evaporated milk. After that, keep adding small amounts of powdered milk until you reach just the right consistency. 

9. Milk Bath

Every once in a while, it’s nice to pamper and treat yourself with a well-deserved beauty treatment. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a bath. Milk baths have been a luxurious practice ever since the time of Cleopatra and ancient Egypt. 

So the next time that you’re in the mood for a relaxing and soothing bath, consider adding this powdered milk recipe to your bathwater. It’s known to remove dead skin while hydrating it at the same time, leaving you with softer, smoother skin.    

10. Skin and Face Soothing Treatment

You can also use a powdered milk mixture to create a face mask that moisturizes your skin. It’s incredibly simple too! Add a scoop of powdered milk with a small amount of water into a bowl to make a thick paste. 

Then use a brush to apply it to your face, or you can use clean hands as well. Allow the paste to dry and then remove it by rinsing. You’ll be left with smoother, softer, and healthier skin. The mixture also works great on skin that’s irritated, whether it’s an insect bite, rash, or sunburn that you’re dealing with.  

10 Uses for Powdered Milk or Instant Milk

Final Word

There are so many other uses for powdered milk that wasn’t mentioned in this post, but this will get you miles ahead of most people when you’re in a pinch for one of these ingredients, or maybe in desperate need of softer, moisturizing skin. What are your favorite uses for powdered milk or instant milk? May God Bless this world, Linda. 

Copyright Images: Milk in Pitcher with glass Deposit photos_42465507_s-2019

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45 Comments

  1. Wow! Great ideas & recipes for an unappreciated pantry staple! I had never considered making my own instant oatmeal packets! I just got some reusable vacuum bags, so will be turning my box of oatmeal into instant breakfast packets!

    I know that when all the Corona virus lockdowns & food shortages hit this past spring, instant & powdered milk was very hard to find. In the Mexican foods section, Nestle Nido powdered milk was readily available & frequently much lower in price than any other instant powdered milk. And it tastes good! I was able to put a couple #10 cans back & help family and friends put a can or two back, too.

    Also if stored powdered milk is old and hard, don’t throw it away. It can be used to add nutrients to the garden soil. Grate it up & add some to planting holes for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, collards, broccoli, cabbages, Brussel Sprouts, etc. It can also be grated & added as a top dressing to many garden plants.

    1. Hi BDN, wow what a great idea about using old, hard powdered milk! I love it! The shelves are pretty bare here, I like to stroll down the aisles and take pictures for my readers. Crazy times, Linda

  2. Hi Linda,

    I would like to know your opinion of UHT milk. Would it be advisable to keep some on hand for emergencies? Thank you.

      1. I think we are talking about the same thing – ultra high pasteurization milk. Here is a link to a product on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Valley-Stable-Healthy-Snacks/dp/B07MMD99GM/ref=asc_df_B07MMD99GM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459498527706&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4503844217587783526&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033581&hvtargid=pla-997072348247&psc=1

        According to the description it has a 6 month shelf life. I was curious about it because liquid milk when the power goes out would be good on cereal. And if I didn’t want to travel to the market for a gallon or two of milk, this would work for cooking and baking. I really should learn how to use the dry milk products though. Thanks for all the information you provide.

        1. Hi Ellen, oh my gosh, I buy that chocolate milk for my grandkids! It would be great to have on hand, it’s the six-month expiration that’s okay but not great. BUT, it would be nice to stock and use it before it expires. Good one! Thank you! Linda

    1. Ellen, not sure if we are talking about the same thing. Here in NW Florida, we can sometimes find a shelf stable milk called Parmalat. It’s in quarts, whole milk, 2% & sometimes 1%. I keep a couple quarts for baking or if grandkids want cereal. I’ve used it after a year & the taste is the same. It does need to be refrigerated once open & used within a few days. I’ve not stored it for longer than a year

      Also, if the milk you are talking about doesn’t have quite the preferred flavor or consistency, a small amount of powdered milk & a dash of sugar can improve both.

  3. Hi Linda. Not a comment, but a question for you today. On the instant oatmeal packets, can you use the same amount of white sugar instead of the brown sugar? I’m thinking you can, but want to make sure. Thanks. Have a Great Day!

  4. Hi Linda! I’ve used powdered milk for many years to make sweetened condensed milk. I make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in a glass pint jar. Perfect for baking needs. I’ve also made my own instant hot cocoa mix and store it in a large glass jar. It sits on the countertop in the winter and gets good use. We will drink powdered milk when we run out of store-bought. I put a half teaspoon of powdered sugar to a half gallon. My family loves the tiny amount of sweet, especially the grandkids.

    1. What happened to the recipe for number 3, hot chocolate? I don’t see one here. It says four simple ingredients, but it doesn’t list the ingredients.

  5. I have powdered milk in my food storage. It’s still in the original packaging. I have it stored in a cool, dry and dark space. I’ve used it for all kinds of things. Even in making cakes and such.

  6. My grandkids actually like to eat the milk powder dry! They will eat as much as I dare let them.
    I have instant non-fat, Country Cream brand.

  7. Since I don’t drink milk, I keep instant/powdered milk just for cooking. Good to know about making sweetened condensed milk. I looked at the recipe and would use butter instead of margarine, though! I do make my own sweetened condensed milk using evaporated milk and sugar. I have even made it using allulose – I suppose other non-sugar sweeteners can be used although I would definitely use a bulk sweetener, not liquid (like stevia drops or monk fruit extract). What I do is pour a can of evaporated milk in a saucepan, add 1/2 cup of sweetener. Stirring constantly, I bring it to a soft boil then reduce the heat to simmer and still stirring constantly, I simmer for about 25 minutes. It is time consuming but it does make a great sweetened condensed milk. I use it primarily for my no-churn ice cream: 1 pint of cold heavy whipping cream and 1 can of cold sweetened condensed milk. Whip the cream until stiff peaks, add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until well incorporated. I generally add vanilla (I really like Trader Joe’s vanilla bean paste) or chocolate syrup. Pour into one or more containers with lids and freeze at least 24 hours. It remains scoopable and is great that I don’t have to have another appliance!! AND if you make your own sweetened condensed milk with non-sugar sweetener like allulose, erythritol, or something similar, it makes it very very low carb.

  8. My stepmom, bless her patient heart, had a nifty approach for packing my lunch & keep the peanut butter sandwich from becoming so dry-tasting. She’d sprinkle some dry milk on the peanut butter before laying on the top piece of bread. Sandwich stayed yummy, plus I had extra protein without any yukky, sticky jelly or honey.

  9. Linda, Did you know that Milkman Powdered Milk is now available. It has a 2 year shelf life. It was been off the market for several years. The low shelf life is because it has cream in it. It is so good. When my kids were little, they would drink it cold straight as I mixed it. I just googled “milkman powdered milk” and it came up. You can order it right from the manufacturer in many different quantities. This coming paycheck I plan to order some.

    1. Hi Joanne, wow, good milk to stock! I would love to order that for Mark’s cereal. That’s the only reason why we go to the store for his milk and fresh bananas for his cereal! Great tip!! Stay well! Thank you so much! Linda

  10. Keep it with your potato flakes for making mashed potatoes.
    Most of mine gets used in the tub, but main food use is making mashed potatoes or if I’m in a really creative mood, MYO pancake mix so it is just add water (though powdered buttermilk is better for this).
    My aunt with a large family would mix a gallon of whole storebought milk with a gallon of made up powdered milk and it was easier for her to get the fam to drink it. Now there are more/better varieties that what she had access to. Very key is getting it really cold if drinking it straight or adding to cold cereal.

    1. Hi Davette, I love your comment, it brings back memories of when I mixed powdered milk (gag) to regular milk and that was the milk my family drank for 25 years. Please note, I do not drink milk. But my family didn’t know any different. I used to buy potato flakes, great memories. Life is so good when we cook from scratch! Linda

  11. I’m interested in your recipe for Hot Chocolate Mix. You mentioned it but did not give a link to the recipe. My husband and I love a cup in the afternoon!

  12. Hi Linda, Parmalat shelf stable milk is excellent. It can be drunk like regular milk and tastes like normal perishable milk. Short shelf life, but handy especially for blizzard weather. No running to the market before every storm. My Mother would have given a lot for it after the Milkman retired. We lived on a farm about 25 to 30 miles from a market and they shopped once a month. We grew up on stretched milk but it’s not the tastiest stuff on the planet. Now I use plant based milks which have a better shelf life, unless you have mice, lol! We used evaporated milk then, in coffee and cocoa. But when I moved out on my own, I discovered dairy creamer was not milk and tasted too sweet. Couldn’t always keep milk so I started to use plain powdered milk and carried my small jar around to work for years. I shared when there was no milk and gained a few converts among the staff nurses and doctors. A crock still sits by the coffee maker even now! My Hubs is a convert. We add a half a cup to the crockpot at night when we set up the hot cereal along with a little honey or real maple syrup. It requires much less sweetener in the bowl especially as we add mashed banana or apple sauce with cinnamon and yogurt before eating it. Parmalat is great for baking and those situation when only fluid milk would do. Especially for occasional use. But Instant milk is very useful. You can get Instant Skim or full fat on Amazon in small or bulk sizes, including the Nestle Nido brand. I have to use a market delivery service these days, never know what will be out of stock, so Amazon Prime is a source for many shelf stable items, the local market doesn’t have, especially my Low Sodium cooking, baking, herbs, spices, and whole grains. You have to shop carefully but I’ve always done that. Good for stockpile items and personal care items too. But I do like dry milk broken down into smaller zipper bags, stays fresh longer. Can even store it in the box on the balcony. It lasts longest in cool, dark, dry, storage.Love your recipes. Pinterest has more recipes for cheeses starting from those curds made from the instant milk. I have them on my Pinterest Homesteader/ Prepper Board. Cheese is a valuable protein source, and some fat is needed in the diet. So it’s a good survival food. I have also found directions for making dry milk powder from fresh milk from cows, sheep, and goats too. An excellent resource food to keep on hand, as long as it’s rotated. You can use old dried milk to make sour milk to pour over cabbages and other brassicas in the garden. Keeps the cabbage moths away. Adding garlic powder, onion powder or Cayenne increases the effectiveness. The rain washes it away well before harvest!

  13. Additional uses for dry milk……

    ~I make a dry white sauce mix in a pint jar and keep
    it handy to just add water, put lid on tight, shake till
    smooth, cooks up fast for an easy white sauce.
    ~Also make we make our own ‘bisquick’ mix using dry milk.
    ~My diabetic friend uses instant dry milk to sweeten oatmeal
    ~And that white sauce in a jar above makes a tasty cheddar
    cheese soup that’s a much better price than buying a can….
    just make the white sauce, add grated cheese while it’s hot

    ~alfredo sauce mix
    ~pudding mix
    ~yogurt

    ~~~~~must use a full fat dry milk powder such as Nido for this ‘butter’ spread…….
    Buttery Spread
    1 c. full fat powdered milk
    scant 1/2 c. water
    6 T. oil (olive/coconut/sunflower/avocado/or other)
    sea salt to taste (start out with just a little at first)
    optional yellow food coloring and butter flavoring

    ​Put the dry milk into a food processor, add water. Turn on processor and very slowly
    add the choice of oil you are using, continue to blend until it all comes together. Add
    salt to taste; and optional food coloring and butter flavoring, process just to mix

    1. Hi Janet, oh I love this comment!! It will help so many people. I need to buy a can of that NIDO, I keep hearing good things about it. It has a short life but would be great for emergencies. Thank you for the recipes, these are awesome!!! Linda

  14. Another thing to use instant dry milk for is to sprinkle it around the base of paste tomatoes to control blossom end rot. I lost mine last year and when I started having trouble this year I went on line to find out what to do. I found that even though other things had ben used, the plants needed more calcium and the way to get it was using milk. I sprinkled the dry onto my plants and every time I water it soaks in. So far so good!!! So milk isn’t just four us to drink!!

    1. Hi Cheryl, oh I saw some blossom rot on a couple of my tomato plants. Dang it! I quickly added some Bonide stuff and some eggshells. I will have to try the instant dry milk, great idea! I’m glad it’s working for you! Linda

      1. I have already tried the things you listed and they didn’t work. So far no blossom end rot on new paste tomatoes! A stiff dose of calcium is what the University I checked with said to use. Google it and see.

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