Even though 42.9% of Americans say they drink coffee because they like the taste, not all of them mean the delicate tasting notes of different single origins.
While we encourage drinking black coffee, we understand that there is something indulgent about a creamy cappuccino or a milky latte that can make your daily cup of joe feel like a special treat.
But when you don’t have a cappuccino maker or your favorite cafe nearby, using coffee creamers is a viable option. The powdered cream is even more convenient since it lasts longer and you don’t have to worry about unwanted spillage when traveling.
How to choose a good coffee creamer? Are they actually bad for you? And what are the best ones on the market?
Quick Summary: Best Powdered Coffee Creamer
 | Our Top Choice
Coffee-Mate Original Powdered Creamer
| Check on Amazon → |
 | Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk | Check on Amazon → |
 | Peak Instant Full-Cream Dry Milk | Check on Amazon → |
 | Catching Ketones Keto Coffee Creamer | Check on Amazon → |
 | Leaner Creamer, Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer | Check on Amazon → |
 | Z Natural Foods Organic Coconut Milk Powder | Check on Amazon → |
Liquid Or Powdered?
The main way in which powdered creamers differ from the liquid ones is their shelf life. The powdered creamers can be kept in your cupboard and don’t need to be refrigerated. This makes them more flexible, and a good addition to your travel kit.
Additionally, they usually have a long shelf life while the liquid ones need to be used in a limited amount of time after opening. While the liquid creamer might be a good option if you know that you’ll be going through a high volume of cream, the powdered ones are ideal for occasional use.
While the powdered cream lasts longer, it usually tastes worse. That’s we went through the popular powder creams out there and chose the best ones we could find.
The Best Powdered Cream For Coffee
Coffee Mate Original Powder
Coffee-Mate is a household brand when it comes to powdered creams with over 20 million consumers in the USA who add Coffee-Mate to their cup. You can count on its creamy taste, easy accessibility, no need to refrigerate, and 2-year shelf life, the features that make this powdered cream so popular.
Don’t feel like you need to be restricted to using it just for coffee. It also works great in tea or even creamy soups. With a 10 calorie content per teaspoon, it won’t largely affect your diet either.
While it says that it’s “dairy-free”, it still contains sodium caseinate, a milk derivative that, according to Nestle, isn’t a source of lactose. People don’t report having issues with it but if you are very sensitive to dairy, it might be worth considering.
As long as the ingredients go, Coffee-Mate is not the best and contains refined sugar as well as partially hydrogenated oils, and preservatives. Being also void of minerals, vitamins, or antioxidants it makes one of the least healthy creamers from our list.
Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
When considering taste and mixability as one of the most important factors, Carnation powdered dry milk is one of the most convincing candidates. Many coffee drinkers have reported that this one tastes the most like the actual milk. And when mixed with water, it can also be used as a milk back-up.
As a bonus, it is also fortified with Vitamins A and D, adding some nutritional value to the mix. It can be used in baking and apart from a creamy coffee, it makes tender bread and muffins. So even if you don’t plan on putting it in your coffee that often, the versatile use makes it a good choice.
Peak Instant Full-Cream Whole Milk Powder
This is another powdered milk that comes with a benefit of added vitamins which include Calcium, Vitamin, A, D3, C, various B vitamins as well as folic acid. It is also easy to mix and when combined with water, it results in a milk beverage with an exceptionally smooth texture.
One of the main benefits of this milk powder is its versatility. It can be used as a replacement for milk, make a creamy porridge, works with tea as well as, obviously, coffee. This makes it a useful companion for any traveler.
While it’s loaded with vitamins, because it’s full-cream, you have to expect a higher calorie content. That’s a price you’ll have to pay for its delicious taste.
Catching Ketones Keto Coffee Creamer With MTC Oil
Moving onto the healthier and not so traditional coffee creamers, the creamer from Catching Ketones comes with added MTC Oil and zero sugar, which makes it suitable for people trying to cut down on carbohydrates. The MTC oil also provides additional benefits to support your metabolism and control your appetite.
Luckily, the zero sugar doesn’t mean a horrible artificial sweetener aftertaste and gives your coffee a nice vanilla flavor. It doesn’t come naturally flavored so if vanilla isn’t for you, it might be worth reconsidering.
Because of the MTC oil, it doesn’t mix easily and the use of a blender or a shaker is recommended for the best results. The company is so confident in the product that it even offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
Leaner Creamer, Natural Powdered Coffee Creamer
Leaner Creamer offers an all-natural herbal creamer alternative that is coconut oil-based and infused with 3 natural supplements, Hoodia Gordonii, Citrus Aurantium, and Green Tea Leaf extract. The blend is designed to boost your energy and decrease appetite.
In addition to the original creamer, it also comes in a range of exciting flavors including mocha, hazelnut, or pumpkin spice. Because it is a healthy alternative, it might not be creamy enough for some people.
Z Natural Foods Organic Coconut Milk Powder Creamer
The best creamer that is all-natural and completely plant-based is the coconut milk powder from Z Natural foods. Working directly with farms in Vietnam, they source the freshest coconut milk which results in a really authentic flavor.
The creamer is healthy, vegan, and comes with an extensive list of added enzymes, nutrients, and vitamins making it a supercharged addition to your coffee. While the powder is a little bit harder to mix, you can also utilize it in other drinks, smoothies, or recipes that call for creamer, and it is still suitable for those sensitive to lactose.
Deciding Factors
Taste
The main factor to consider when looking for a good candidate to make your white coffee is the taste, as well as the aftertaste. That’s the reason you’re buying the creamer in the first place anyway.
Mixability
The importance of mixability depends on your preferences. If you plan on using it at home where you can utilize a blender to help with the mixing, the harder mixability is not an issue. But if you intend to use the creamer on the move or while traveling, it might be a dealbreaker.
Ingredients And Calories
There is a big variety in the ingredients and calories that the creamer comes with. While some are healthier, with added vitamins and suitable for people on special diets. But if lower calorie content is your priority, your choice of creamer will be different.
Are Powdered Coffee Creamers Bad For You?
There is a traditional notion that coffee creamers are bad for you. This depends completely on the kind of creamer you choose. If you want to make sure the creamer won’t be detrimental to your health, choose a quality one that contains natural ingredients, and avoid creamers that contain trans fats or corn syrup.
Will They Sabotage Your Weightloss Goals?
Adding creamer to your coffee rather than drinking it black will inevitably add calories to your drink. When consumed in moderation, however, the additional 40 calories won’t impact your weight loss efforts that much. But if you still want to minimize the impact, pick the one that comes with the lowest amount of calories.
Other Alternatives
Didn’t find what you were looking for? There are plenty of other ways of making your coffee creamy. The options that make your cup of coffee extremely indulgent are adding whipped cream or even ice cream, and making an after-dinner affogato.
Adding butter is an increasingly popular option that makes your coffee more energizing. The non-dairy options include coconut oil, almond milk, or coconut milk. Get creative there are plenty of recipes out there.
Wrapping Up
If you’re one of the coffee drinkers that prefer your daily cup with added creaminess rather than black, powdered creamers are a convenient option since they have a long shelf life, don’t have to be refrigerated, and are easily portable without the danger of unwanted spillage.
While they are generally considered bad for you, this depends largely on the brand that you choose. While the creamers like Coffee-Mate contain trans fats or corn syrup, others come with added vitamins that add benefits as well as the creaminess to your cup.
We don’t think it’s something you should worry about when consumed in moderation. Everything in moderation, except for coffee, of course.
Stay caffeinated!
