Instead of buying milk powder with added sugars, why not milk your own unsweetened milk powder at home?
Milk powder, also known as dried milk or powdered milk, is a dairy product made by evaporating milk until it’s dry. Once the moisture is removed, the milk turns into a powder for a longer shelf life.
There are two different ways of making milk powder: spray drying and drum drying. Spray drying uses a heated chamber while drum drying involves a thin layer of milk spread on a heated drum surface.
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Once you learn how to make milk powder at home, you can make your milk last longer and you can be sure that it’s healthy, sugar-free, and long-lasting!
How to Make Milk Powder
Did you know that all you need to make milk powder is liquid skim milk? This one-ingredient recipe is easy to make at home. It takes quite a while to make, but every minute is certainly worth it.
Let me teach you everything you need to know about making milk powder!
Ingredient
There’s only one thing you need to make milk powder and that’s skim milk.
Skim milk
What makes skim milk different from other kinds of milk?
Skim milk, also called non-fat milk or fat-free milk, is a type of milk where the cream, or the fatty part of the milk, has been removed. It’s one of the best drink options for people who want to get the nutrients of milk without the fat intake.
Since it lacks fat, skim milk has a milder flavor than whole milk. Because of its lack of creamy quality, skim milk also has a thinner consistency. While it lacks the creamy and thick quality of milk, it’s still a healthy, delicious, and versatile product.
You can use skim milk for cooking, baking, and making different kinds of drinks. There are times that I use it as a base liquid for other dairy products like yogurt and ice cream.
Whether it’s warm or cold, skim milk provides warmth and comfort. It can also be used for cereal, smoothies, coffee, tea, yogurt, desserts, and so much more.
Unopened skim milk can last up to weeks but once you open it, you will only have several days to use it. It’s a good thing that you can turn skim milk into milk powder so it will last longer!
Directions
Here are the steps you need to remember when making milk powder at home:
- Boil the skim milk in a non-stick pan over high heat.
- Once it’s boiling, reduce the flame to medium fire and stir continuously.
- Let the milk simmer until the water has evaporated.
- Stir and scrape the sides continuously with a spatula.
- Once the milk thickens, reduce the heat to a low flame.
- Remove from heat when the milk forms a thick paste.
- Then, spread the milk evenly in a thin layer on a plate.
- Dry it under direct sunlight or a fan for up to four hours.
- Flip the dried milk with a turner to dry the other side.
- Dry the other side for up to four hours under sunlight or a fan.
- Grind the milk flakes in a food processor or miller with or without sugar.
- Sift the powder using a sieve.
- Your milk powder is ready to use and store.
I’m excited for you to try how delicious it can be!
Tips
Storing skim milk
- Store skim milk in the fridge all the time.
- Note that the ideal temperature of refrigerated skim milk is 0°C to 3.3°C.
- Keep it in its original packaging and away from light.
- You can transfer the milk into an airtight container to prevent air from entering.
- Once you open the milk, be sure to use it within ten days.
Milk Powder Variations
There are different versions of skim milk.
Instead of using skim milk, you can also use whole milk, buttermilk, and even plant-based milk. I suggest making it from whole milk if you want to bake or make desserts. It’s going to give your dish or drink a rich and moist quality.
On the other hand, milk powder from buttermilk is a great option if you want to taste something tangy in your delicacies. You can also reconstitute it with water to make buttermilk for cooking and baking.
Since plant-based milk doesn’t last quite long, you can turn it into milk powder to make it last longer and to make it easier to use for baking, cooking, and making drinks.
Aside from the classic unsweetened milk powder, you can mix the powder with powdered sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and other condiments to make it tastier.
More Milk Recipes
- Chocolate Almond Milk – it’s a fantastic mix of sweet and nutty flavors
- Coconut Milk – extract all of the flavor you can get from fresh coconuts
- Almond Milk – make a plant-based milk with almonds
Recommended Tools
- Non-stick pan: Heat the milk in a non-stick pan.
- Spatula: Stir the milk with a spatula.
- Plate: Dry the milk on a plate.
- Turner: Use a turner to dry the other side of the milk.
- Food processor or miller: Turn the flakes into milk powder with a food processor or miller.
- Sieve: Filter the powder with a sieve for a fine texture.
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How to Use Milk Powder
What are the different ways that you can use milk powder?
First, you can reconstitute it with water to turn it back into liquid form. Just dissolve it in water to drink it or use it for cooking, baking, and making beverages. Mix it into batters to make cakes, cookies, bread, pancakes, and so much more.
Milk powder also tastes and feels incredible in desserts. I especially love it in puddings, ice cream, smoothies, and other sweet treats. Sauces and gravies with a creamy base will also be better when you add milk powder.
Whenever you make yogurt or cheese at home, milk powder can also be a good option. It also goes well with hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. The milk will surely give your drinks a thick and creamy texture.
Sprinkle the milk powder in your cereal, granola, or oatmeal for a creamy quality at every bite. I also use it to cook casseroles, pasta, and soups for more depth in flavor.
Try the milk powder with these dishes:
- Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake – reconstitute the milk powder to make a milkshake
- Hot Chocolate – mix it into your hot choco to make it creamier
- Chocolate Granola Bars – give your granola bars a milky touch
- Banana Bread – the milk can make bread moist and soft
- Pancake – makes every bite chewy and tender
- Nigerian Coconut Egg Rolls – let the milk make the crust decadent
- Fluffy Donuts – get super soft donuts with dried skimmed milk
- Pizza Margherita – you can also use milk powder for the pizza crust
Now you have so many ways to use milk powder!
Storage Tips
At room temperature: According to Utah State University, milk powder can last between three months to five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is milk powder used for?
There are different ways to use milk powder. One of the simplest ways is to reconstitute it with water. You can also mix it into batters and dough for baking and cooking.
Which type of milk powder is best?
It depends on your preference and use. For a healthy option, you can go for milk powder from skim milk because it doesn’t have fat and it has less sugar. For a creamy quality, you can make milk powder from whole milk.
Is it okay to drink powdered milk every day?
Yes, it’s okay to drink powdered milk every day as long as you do so in moderation. It’s good for your bones, heart, immunity, energy, and overall health.
Why use milk powder instead of milk?
One of the best reasons for using milk powder instead of milk is its longer shelf life. It can last for years, unlike liquid milk, which can last only up to ten days. Milk powder also makes it easier to mix the milk into your dishes and drinks.
How to Make Milk Powder
Equipment
- Plate
Ingredients
- 1½ liter skim milk (or semi-skimmed or whole milk)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the skim milk in a non-stick pan over high heat.
- Once it's boiling, reduce the flame to medium fire and stir continuously.
- Let the milk simmer until the water has evaporated.
- Stir and scrape the sides continuously with a spatula.
- Once the milk thickens, reduce the heat to a low flame.
- Remove from heat when the milk forms a thick paste.
- Then, spread the milk evenly in a thin layer on a plate.
- Dry it under direct sunlight or a fan for up to four hours.
- Flip the dried milk with a turner to dry the other side.
- Dry the other side for up to four hours under sunlight or a fan.
- Grind the milk flakes in a food processor or miller (with sugar if preferred).
- Sift the powder using a sieve.
- Your milk powder is ready to use and store.
Notes
- You can use whole milk, buttermilk, or plant-based milk to make milk powder.
- Sift the powder for a fine texture.
- Store it at room temperature to last for years.