Best Dairy Free Milk & Plant-Based Milk UK

Honest Review & What’s Actually Worth Buying

This is a personal post based on my own experience. I’m not being paid to promote any brands and everything here reflects my honest findings. I hope it helps anyone navigating dairy free milk / plant-based milk.

For the purposes of this post, I’m using the terms “dairy free milk” and “plant-based milk.” Technically, these products can’t be called “milk” because legally, milk has to come from an animal. However, they are widely understood as milk alternatives for those of us who avoid dairy.

My History with Milk

To be honest I’ve never been a huge fan of milk. Breakfast isn’t really my thing and when I do eat it, I usually pair yoghurt with my granola rather than pouring milk over it. My early experiences probably shaped this. From the age of five, I was made to drink a small bottle of full fat milk every morning at school. The only exception was Fridays, when we got a biscuit with our milk which I always enjoyed. I remember feeling envious of kids who got orange juice instead and often wondered why they got the choice.

Even though I didn’t have an allergy, I didn’t drink much milk outside of lattes. Then, in 2016, after a particularly stressful period, my body decided it could no longer tolerate milk or milk containing products. I wasn’t upset about giving up milk itself but losing cheese was a real disappointment.

My Dairy Free Milk Journey

So, from then on, I switched to plant-based milk in my morning coffee. Nowadays, there are so many different branded dairy free milks on the market. Finding the right one often means buying a litre and hoping for the best. Hopefully, this post will help you discover the one that suits your taste and needs without wasting too much money.

I started with soya milk. It was fine but nothing special. The taste was noticeably different from regular milk. A friend recommended almond milk, claiming it was healthier, so I gave it a try. But both soya and almond milk required constant stirring in coffee to maintain a good colour which was a bit frustrating.

Then I discovered Oatly Barista. I loved it! It works beautifully in coffee and a friend even uses it as a substitute for milk in making a béchamel sauce for lasagne and it tastes great. That’s something I haven’t tried yet, but I’m planning to soon and will share it in my Truly Yummy recipes.

Trying Dairy Free Milk When You’re Out

One thing I’ve really noticed is how many coffee shops and cafés now offer a variety of plant-based milks, which is great to see. It also gives you the perfect opportunity to try different options without committing to buying a whole carton.

If you’re unsure where to start, ask what they have available and use it as a chance to experiment. A great tip is to order an Americano and ask for the milk on the side, this way you can try it first before adding it to your coffee.

You might even find you prefer one type of milk in your coffee and a completely different one for things like cereal or cooking.

Choosing the Best Dairy Free Milk

After seeing an Instagram post and doing some research, I was surprised to learn that many plant-based milks contain oils, sugars and a long list of extra ingredients. That led me on a hunt for a cleaner alternative. I discovered Plenish and I’ve never looked back.

Plenish offers a range of plant-based milks for every occasion and taste. Their Barista Oat Milk is my go-to for coffee. It’s foamable, so I can enjoy frothy, heated milk in my morning latte. While it’s not perfect for coffee art, I’m happy to go without that.

Unlike Oatly, Plenish Barista is pure and sugar free. If you’re used to the sweet taste of Oatly, you’ll notice a difference at first but it’s far better for you. Their gluten free oat milk contains no oil, no additives and no sugar. It’s organic, needs to be kept chilled and is made simply with water British sourced gluten free oats, coconut cream and a pinch of salt.

I’ve also tried their Almond Milk, which is perfect for recipes like my Truly Yummy Posh Rice Pudding.

Tips for Finding Your Perfect Plant-Based Milk

• Read the ingredients – Look for products with minimal additives and no added sugar.

• Try a few brands – Everyone’s taste preference is different.

• Consider usage – Some milks are better for coffee, while others work well for cooking or baking.

• Be patient – Transitioning from sweeter plant-based milks to pure ones can take some getting used to but your body will thank you.

• Try before you buy – Many coffee shops and cafés now offer a variety of plant-based milks. Ask what they have and try one with an Americano, requesting the milk on the side. It’s a great way to try before you buy a full carton and you might discover you prefer different milks for coffee, cereal and cooking.

Find more gluten free and dairy free alternatives

Whether you’re new to dairy free living or simply looking for better substitutes, I hope my experiences help you find a milk that works for you.

If you found this post helpful, you might also enjoy reading my other substitute posts both gluten free and dairy free, where I share more tips, recommendations and recipes to help make Free From cooking easy and delicious.