Substitute for Milk in Pancakes
Best Substitutes
| Milk Substitute | Rating | Substitution Ratio for Pancakes | Ideal For | Flavor | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsweetened oat milk | Best | 1:1 | Classic fluffy pancakes; dairy-free without flavor change | Neutral, slightly sweet; good batter viscosity | None needed; mix to usual batter thickness |
| Buttermilk | Good | 1:1 | Extra tender, tall pancakes with slight tang | Pleasant tang; richer flavor | Per 1 cup buttermilk: reduce baking powder by ~1 tsp and add 1/4 tsp baking soda |
| Soy milk (unsweetened) | Good | 1:1 | Even browning and structure; dairy-free | Very mild; protein helps Maillard browning | Optional: add 1 tsp sugar per cup for extra browning |
| Plain yogurt thinned with water | Good | 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup water per 1 cup milk | Thick, hearty pancakes; protein-rich batter | Slight tang; richer mouthfeel | If batter is tangy, add 1/8–1/4 tsp baking soda per cup yogurt |
| Water + melted butter or oil | Works | 1 cup water + 1 Tbsp melted butter/oil per 1 cup milk | Emergency substitute; quick weekday pancakes | Neutral; slightly less rich | Add 1–2 tsp sugar for browning; avoid overmixing to keep tender |
What Bakers Say
Real bakers share what worked for them when replacing milk in pancakes — from substitution ratios to texture fixes.
Read baker experiences
"Coconut cream or coconut milk plus a splash of lemon juice worked as a dairy-free swap; family couldn’t tell the difference. The acid helped when replacing buttermilk."
Reddit user (r/Cooking poll, May 19, 2022)•substituting for milk/buttermilk in standard American pancakes"A 1:1 swap to oat milk made thin, crepe-style pancakes tear when flipping; others in the thread reported 1:1 oat milk works fine for them."
Reddit users (r/AskCulinary, Aug 27, 2023)•English/crepe-style pancakes"Sweet cream or vanilla coffee creamer can stand in for milk or water; batter may need thinning with a splash of milk. Results are sweeter."
Reddit user (r/cookingforbeginners, Apr 2023–Jun 2025)•boxed pancake mixes"Swapping milk for buttermilk 1:1 is OK; consider a little baking soda to balance the acidity."
Reddit users (r/AskBaking, Oct 19, 2022)•from a milk-based recipe switching to buttermilk"Coconut milk as a milk substitute in pancakes is a common hotline suggestion."
Food52 Hotline community•general pancake batter substitutions
Choosing the Right Substitute
For pancakes, the liquid affects spread, rise, and browning. Milk brings water (hydration), fat (tenderness), protein and sugar (browning), and sometimes acidity (lift with baking soda). When substituting, keep batter thickness similar to the original, consider how much browning you want, and adjust leavening if your substitute is acidic (like buttermilk or yogurt).
Our Top Choice: Unsweetened Oat Milk
Oat milk matches cow’s milk thickness well, so your batter behaves the same—pourable but not runny. It’s neutral, browns nicely, and needs no recipe changes, making it the easiest 1:1 swap for classic, fluffy pancakes.
For Similar Texture: Soy Milk
Soy milk’s protein content supports structure and browning close to dairy milk. Use it 1:1 for evenly golden pancakes; add a teaspoon of sugar per cup if you want deeper color on a low-sugar batter.
When You Want Extra Fluff: Buttermilk
Buttermilk’s acidity reacts with baking soda for a lofty, tender crumb and a pleasant tang. Swap 1:1 and tweak leavening: reduce baking powder by about 1 teaspoon per cup of buttermilk and add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
For Protein-Rich, Thick Batter: Plain Yogurt (Thinned)
Thinned plain yogurt creates a rich, substantial batter and plush texture with light tang. Use 3/4 cup yogurt plus 1/4 cup water per cup milk; if your yogurt is quite tangy, add a pinch (1/8–1/4 tsp) of baking soda to keep pancakes tender.
In a Pinch: Water + Melted Butter/Oil
If you’re out of milk entirely, water can work when you add a little fat for tenderness. Use 1 cup water plus 1 tablespoon melted butter or oil per cup milk; adding 1–2 teaspoons sugar helps browning and flavor.
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- Serious Eats(Accessed 10/16/2025)
- King Arthur Baking (Lemon Ricotta Pancakes — Tips)(Accessed 10/16/2025)
- Bon Appétit(Accessed 10/16/2025)