If you enjoy cooking and eating, you may notice that many recipes require the addition of malt powder.
In other cases, it is perhaps a conscious choice to add malt powder because you know what it does to your food.
But what exactly is malt powder? It’s a powder derived from sprouted cereal grains such as barley.
It can be used to flavor food, but it’s used to develop flavors in cooking to be more precise.
While malt powder is often added directly into recipes without much fuss, there are many reasons why you may want to replace the use of malt powder with another ingredient or product.
This article will provide an overview of what malt powder is and do, and it will suggest some substitute ingredients that can be used instead.
What is Malt Powder?

Malt powder is a carbohydrate food source made of germinated seeds.
It is often used in cooking or baking to add flavor, texture, or more carbohydrates to a mixture.
It is typically made from barley that has been sprouted and dried, activating enzymes in the seed to break down its stored proteins into amino acids.
These enzymes are later deactivated when the malt is heated during processing.
The powder can make soups, sauces, and desserts such as ice cream.
It can also be used to make bread.
It is commonly found in granola, cereal bars, yogurt, and energy drinks.
It also boosts the flavor of cakes and muffins.
The powder is often added to cooking or baking as it gives sweetness without sugar with high amounts of carbohydrates.
Malt powder is also high in amino acids and rich in fiber with no fat content.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Malt Powder
If you look to substitute malt powder in your cooking or baking, you can try one of these products instead.
1 – Powder (Powdered) Coconut

Second, on our list is coconut powder.
It is made from dried, defatted coconut meat that has been ground into a fine powder.
This product doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives, and it is gluten-free.
It can be used in malt powder in your cooking and baking.
In addition, it is low in calories and carbohydrates with no cholesterol.
It has a neutral taste that uses savory dishes and sweet ones.
There are many ways to make use of this product.
For instance, you can mix the powder with water and oil (or milk) to make coconut milk or cream, which can be used in cooking or baking.
You can also use it to make ice cream, desserts, and sauces.
2 – Malt Syrup

Next on our list is malt syrup.
It tastes like molasses, and it is used to make chocolate, candy, sauces, bread, and baked goods.
This product contains high levels of sugar or fructose that can be detrimental to your health if consumed in high amounts.
It’s important to note that this product isn’t gluten-free, nor does it contain any malt.
The product is available in most markets, and it can be used to make a malt substitute.
You can add it with water, milk, or oil for a malt syrup-like texture and flavor without all of the carbohydrates (if you use fruit juice, there might be no carbs).
Moreover, malt syrup is often added to sauces and beverages such as coffee or tea to add a rich flavor.
3 – Maca Powder

If you are looking for an energy boost in your cooking or baking, you can try maca powder.
It is a plant that originated in Peru, and it contains high levels of amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids.
It’s important to note that the product doesn’t contain malt but is often us to replace in cooking or baking, especially if you want to add a nutty flavor.
The powerful powder can be added to smoothies, detox waters, juices, and more.
It’s crucial to note that the maca powder contains 14 vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and iron.
It is also high in protein with no cholesterol or sugar content.
This means that it can be a good replacement for malt powder.
4 – Soy Milk Powder

Soy milk powder is made from soybeans that have been roasted and then ground into a fine powder.
This product doesn’t contain any malt, but it does substitute its flavor if you choose soy milk powder over regular milk.
It’s important to note that this product is gluten-free with no sugar content.
It has similar tastes to malt, which means that usage of it is similar.
The product can be used in bread, muffins and cakes.
You can also add it to breading, dips, and dressings for a nutty taste.
In addition, it works well in a variety of dishes, from rice pudding to oatmeal.
You might not think that soy milk powder is much different from soy milk, but the powder is more concentrated, which means that you only need to use a little bit.
5 – Ovaltine Powder

Finally, we have Ovaltine Powder.
The product is a rich chocolate-malt powder made from sugar, milk solids, and cream powder.
It contains malt as well as many artificial flavors and colors.
In addition, it’s crucial to note that this product doesn’t contain gluten, but it isn’t safe for those who are lactose intolerant.
Despite the lack of malt, the product works well as a replacement.
Instead of adding it to baking or cooking, you can add some Ovaltine powder to milk for a cocoa flavor and creamy texture.
This is one of the tastiest options because you don’t need to make any adjustments before using the powder in your cooking or baking – it is a great replacement right away.
Conclusion
Malt powder is a great all-purpose ingredient used in cooking and baking.
It has a rich flavor that works well in many dishes or recipes.
However, malt powder isn’t safe for everyone, especially if lactose intolerant or gluten-free (if it contains malt).
The product also contains large amounts of sugar/fructose, which can adversely affect your health if consumed in high amounts.
Luckily, plenty of great malt powder substitutes are available, including maca powder, soy milk powder, Ovaltine powder, and instant malted milk.
These products might contain different ingredients, but they have a similar taste and can be used in various dishes or recipes that call for malt powder.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Malt Powder

Ingredients
- Powder (Powdered) Coconut
- Malt Syrup
- Maca Powder
- Soy Milk Powder
- Ovaltine Powder
Instructions
- Pick your favorite substitute from the list above.
- Follow cooking directions for your selected substitute with the proper ratio of ingredients.