Craft your own delicious Homemade Ovaltine Recipe and Malted Milk Powder—a rich, flavorful alternative that won’t break the bank. This versatile mix is completely sugar-free, making it an ideal addition to your smoothies, cookies, cakes, and a wide array of home-baked goods.

The inspiration for this recipe struck during my sister’s pregnancy. She developed an intense — and I mean truly O.B.s.e.s.s.e.d. (yes, a little pregnancy humor there!) — craving for chocolate malts. Her obsession wasn’t limited to just chocolate malted shakes; it extended to anything with that distinct malt flavor. One afternoon, she texted me about baking a chocolate malt cake, and that’s when I suggested she try making her own malt powder.

She was intrigued and asked for details. I explained how I’d been preparing homemade malted milk powder for my own children for years. Her immediate response? “Why haven’t you blogged this yet?” I honestly had no good answer. So, here we are.

Unlock the Secret to Homemade Ovaltine: Your Guide to DIY Malted Milk Powder

This homemade malted milk powder recipe has been a steadfast pantry staple in my home for years. It all started back when my two eldest were toddlers, and I realized just how much money I was spending on commercial Ovaltine. One of my kids, in particular, would only drink milk if it contained a generous third of a cup of Ovaltine. The cost quickly added up, prompting me to find a more economical and customizable solution.

My unique spin on this DIY Ovaltine mix is that I make it entirely without added sugar. Call me “that kind of mom,” if you will. However, I’m also the kind of mom who believes in balance: my kids are welcome to add sugar to taste, as long as “to-taste” doesn’t translate to equal parts sugar and milk! This approach gives us the flexibility to enjoy that classic malt flavor in a healthier, more controlled way.

Imagine serving up an old-fashioned, icy-cold tumbler full of luscious chocolate malted milk as the perfect after-school pick-me-up. Or perhaps you prefer the classic plain malted milk, offering that comforting, nostalgic taste. With this recipe, you’re in complete control of the flavor and ingredients, ensuring a wholesome and delicious treat every time.

Why Opt for a Sugar-Free Homemade Ovaltine (Malted Milk Powder) Mix?

Choosing to omit sugar from your homemade malted milk powder offers several compelling benefits:

1. Unparalleled Sugar Control: This is arguably the most evident advantage. By preparing your malted milk powder without added sugar, you gain complete autonomy over the sweetness level in each serving. Malt powder inherently possesses a subtle, natural sweetness. Adding sugar to taste after mixing is almost guaranteed to result in a beverage with less sugar than most commercially available mixes. For those mindful of sugar intake, this flexibility is invaluable. You can even experiment with alternative sweeteners like stevia, xylitol, honey, or agave, tailoring it perfectly to your dietary preferences.
2. Reduced Clumping Tendency: While not entirely foolproof, removing sugar from the initial mix can actually help minimize clumping. Sugar can attract moisture, contributing to stickiness and hard lumps over time. A sugar-free blend tends to remain looser and easier to whisk into liquids.
3. Versatility in Culinary Applications: This is a less obvious but highly practical benefit. A sugar-free malted milk powder becomes an incredibly versatile ingredient for cooking and baking. Think beyond beverages: incorporate it into chocolate malt cakes, cookies, muffins, or even pancakes. When your malt powder is unsweetened, you won’t need to make significant adjustments to the sugar content called for in your other recipes, simplifying your baking process and expanding your creative possibilities.

The Undeniable Advantages of Crafting Your Own Homemade Ovaltine (Malted Milk Powder)

Beyond the personal satisfaction of DIY, there are several compelling reasons to make your own homemade Ovaltine, whether you prefer the plain or chocolate version:

1. Significant Cost Savings: This is often the primary motivator for many home cooks. A single pound and a half bag of malt powder, which can cost around $10.99 from retailers like Amazon.com, yields an incredible number of batches. You only use six tablespoons of malt powder per mix, meaning you’ll get what feels like “a bajillion batches” from just one bag. While I won’t dive into the precise mathematical breakdown (my apologies, I’m a chef, not a mathematician!), the savings are truly substantial compared to regularly purchasing pre-made Ovaltine or similar malted milk products.
2. Purity of Ingredients: When you make your own DIY malted milk powder, you have complete control over what goes into it. This means you can actively avoid the preservatives, artificial colorings, and unnecessary additives often found in commercial versions. This is a huge “win” for anyone seeking a cleaner, more natural diet for themselves and their family.
3. Enhanced Freshness and Flavor: Freshly made mixes simply taste better. The flavors are more vibrant, and you can be confident in the quality of each ingredient.
4. Baking Benefits: Malt powder, even when used alone, has excellent properties for baking. It can act as a natural dough conditioner, helping to extend the shelf-life of your homemade bread by keeping it moist and fresh longer. This dual-purpose ingredient further adds to the value of having malt powder in your pantry.

Sourcing Ingredients for Your Homemade Ovaltine (Malted Milk Powder)

Gathering the components for your homemade malted milk powder recipe is simpler than you might think. Most common grocery stores stock instant dry milk and cocoa powder without issue. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a well-stocked specialty grocer, you might even find malt powder in their baking section.

However, if you’re like me—situated in a more rural area or simply prefer the convenience of online shopping—Amazon.com is an excellent resource for all the ingredients. Here’s a curated list of what you’ll need to get started:

For the Classic Plain Malted Milk Powder:

• Barley Malt Powder: This is the star ingredient, providing that signature malt flavor. Ensure you get pure barley malt powder.
• Instant Dry Whole Milk Powder: For a richer, creamier taste.
• ~OR~ Instant Nonfat Dry Milk: A lighter option, if preferred. We personally find the whole milk powder yields a significantly richer and more satisfying flavor.

Additional Ingredient for the Chocolate Malted Milk Powder:

• Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Essential for achieving that beloved chocolate malt flavor without adding extra sugar.

Once your mix is prepared, you’ll want a suitable container for storage. Any jar with a tight-fitting lid will suffice, but if you appreciate aesthetics as much as functionality, consider this lovely jar. It elegantly holds a full batch of either plain or chocolate malted milk powder, keeping it fresh and looking great on your countertop.

Homemade Ovaltine | Malted Milk Powder (Chocolate and Plain) Recipe

It’s important to note that our Homemade Ovaltine Recipe (Malted Milk Powder) can experience some clumping if stored for extended periods. If you use the mix quickly—say, within a week or two—this generally won’t be an issue. However, for longer storage, you might find yourself needing to simply stick a fork into the jar and break up any clumps before use. This is a small trade-off for a preservative-free, sugar-free product.

As emphasized, this Homemade Ovaltine Recipe contains no added sugar, yet it boasts a delightful natural sweetness from the malt. Always remember that malt can even be used as a sugar substitute in certain baked goods, adding a unique depth of flavor. Before reaching for additional sweeteners, do yourself a favor: taste your prepared malted milk! You might discover it’s perfectly sweet as is. For an extra boost of chocolate flavor and sweetness without refined sugar, I highly recommend chocolate stevia drops—they are truly one of my favorite discoveries (and fantastic in iced coffee!).

To achieve a perfectly smooth and frothy malted milk, we swear by this little frother. It effortlessly dissolves the powder and creates a wonderfully foamy texture that kids absolutely adore. If you don’t own a frother or aren’t looking to purchase one, a blender works equally well to combine your homemade malted milk powder and milk, delivering a similar frothy effect.

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This post was originally published on August 15, 2013, updated in August 2015, and again in March 2021 with enhanced details and clarity.