Dairy & eggs

Vegan alternatives to condensed milk

Oat cream + sugar · Coconut milk + sugar · Date syrup

Swap matrix

Use these instead

Sweetened condensed milk is simply milk reduced with sugar, so any plant milk can do it. Oat and coconut reduce best; date syrup covers the caramel notes.

Conversion ratios

Substitute	Use this much	Good to know
Oat cream + sugar	400 ml cream + 150 g sugar = 1 tin	Simmer 25 minutes until it coats a spoon.
Coconut milk + sugar	1 tin + 120 g sugar	Richest result; leans coconut in flavour.
Date syrup	1 : 1 by volume	Uncooked shortcut for drizzling and no-bake bars.

Best uses

Tres leches, fudge and no-bake slices
Vietnamese and Indian sweet coffee
Caramel and dulce de leche (keep reducing)
Key lime style pies

Why the swap works

It gives the same rich mouthfeel without cholesterol or lactose.

Where it does not work

Do not try to reduce almond or rice milk — there is not enough fat or protein and you get sweet water. Skip the swap entirely in recipes that rely on condensed milk to set without baking unless you reduce it properly.

Kitchen notes

Stir constantly at the end; the sugar catches quickly once the mixture thickens.
It thickens further as it cools, so stop while it still pours.
Store homemade condensed milk in a jar for up to a week in the fridge.

The numbers

Swapping one kilo saves about 4.8 kg CO₂e. Do it once a week for a year and you avoid roughly 62 kg CO₂e — the same as driving a petrol car 310 km.

Sources: Poore & Nemecek (Science, 2018), FAO, USDA FoodData Central, Mekonnen & Hoekstra (2011).

Common questions

Can you make vegan condensed milk?

Yes. Simmer 400 ml of oat or coconut cream with 150 g of sugar for 25 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.

Is there a shop-bought vegan condensed milk?

Yes — coconut and oat condensed milks are now stocked by most large supermarkets, usually near the baking aisle.

What can I use instead of condensed milk in fudge?

Reduced coconut cream with sugar sets firmest; date syrup works only in no-bake versions where nut butter provides the structure.

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Vegan alternatives to cow's milk →Vegan alternatives to cheese →Vegan alternatives to butter →Vegan alternatives to eggs →Vegan alternatives to dairy yoghurt →Vegan alternatives to cream →

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In depth

The longer answer

Condensed milk is essentially milk that has had about 60% of its water removed and sugar added, resulting in a thick, syrupy, intensely sweet product. Its primary functions in baking and desserts are to provide sweetness, moisture, and a dense, creamy texture. Replacing it is not straightforward because no single plant-based ingredient mimics both its high sugar concentration and its dairy-derived body; a direct substitute requires combining a sweetener with a thick, creamy base.

The main plant-based options are sweetened condensed coconut milk and homemade versions using oat, soy, or almond milk. Coconut-based versions are the closest in texture and richness, but they carry a distinct coconut flavour that may not suit every recipe. Homemade alternatives are cheaper and let you control sweetness and fat content, but they often lack the same thick, pourable consistency and can separate when heated. Store-bought options are pricier but more reliable for baking.

For best results, use sweetened condensed coconut milk in recipes where coconut complements the flavour, like key lime pie or Thai desserts. In other bakes, simmer your chosen plant milk with sugar and a thickener like cornstarch or coconut cream until reduced by half. Be honest: the texture will be slightly thinner and the flavour less neutral. Avoid using it in recipes where condensed milk is the star, such as dulce de leche, as the result will be noticeably different.

At a glance

Quick facts

Quick facts — condensed milk
Detail	What to know
Main substitute	Sweetened condensed coconut milk
Key function	Sweetness, moisture, creamy texture
Homemade base	Plant milk + sugar + thickener
Flavour impact	Coconut versions add distinct taste
Texture difference	Slightly thinner than dairy version

In practice

What this means for you

Use sweetened condensed coconut milk for key lime pie or Thai iced tea.
Simmer oat milk with sugar and cornstarch until reduced by half for baking.
Avoid coconut versions in recipes where a neutral dairy flavour is essential.
Store homemade condensed milk in a jar; it thickens further as it cools.
Reduce sugar in the recipe if using store-bought sweetened condensed coconut milk.

FAQ

Common questions

Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk?

No, they are not interchangeable. Evaporated milk is unsweetened, while condensed milk is heavily sweetened. Using evaporated milk will leave your recipe lacking sweetness and the right syrupy texture. You would need to add significant sugar and reduce it further.

Is sweetened condensed coconut milk healthy?

It is still high in sugar and saturated fat, similar to the dairy version. It is plant-based but not a health food. Use it sparingly as an occasional treat. Some brands add stabilisers, so check labels if you prefer minimal ingredients.

Can I make vegan dulce de leche with condensed coconut milk?

Yes, you can simmer a can of sweetened condensed coconut milk for 1–2 hours to make a vegan dulce de leche. The result is slightly less thick than the dairy version but works well as a spread or topping. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Why does my homemade vegan condensed milk separate?

Separation happens when the fat and water parts of the plant milk split during simmering. To prevent this, use a milk with added stabilisers like guar gum, or whisk in a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder before heating.

Keep going

Is it vegan? →Vegan city guides →Side-by-side comparisons →

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