Fat free half-and-half is a low-fat version of the traditional blend of half whole milk and half light cream. Unlike the classic version, which has about 10.5 – 18% milkfat, the fat free version contains virtually no fat at all — typically under 0.5% per serving.
how it is made?
To mimic the rich, creamy mouthfeel of regular half-and-half, fat free versions skip the real fat and instead rely on:
- skim milk, corn syrup, or sugar
- emulsifiers and thickeners like carrageenan, guar gum, or sodium citrate
- tiny amounts of cream or color additives for consistency
brands you might find
- Land O’Lakes Fat-Free Half & Hal (creamer style, commonly sold in quarts)
- Store brands like those from Walmart, Food Lion, Giant, Kroger, and Aldi
- Niche favorites, like Shamrock Farms, which deliver that fat-free texture with a loyal fan base (including me!)
why use it?
Fat free half-and-half contains roughly 20-25 calories per 2 tbsp., which is half of the average full fat version. It has 0 grams of fat, including saturated fat, and is good for those who may be watching their calories, flats, or are looking for cardiac-friendly diet choices.
the caveats
Nutritionists generally don’t love it.
Texture and taste fall flat compared to regular half-and-half — many users say it tastes more like skim milk with added sweeteners. The color and mouthfeel can also be “off,” if you are expecting the lushness of full fat half-and-half.
It’s not always ideal for cooking — though there are lots of exceptions! The added thickeners can change behaviors in some recipes, and it doesn’t do a good job at emulsification. It also doesn’t whip, but then again… neither does full fat half-and-half (at least not enough to count in my book!)
cooking + baking with it
Fat free half and half works great in coffee, tea, cold-curd sauces and — believe it or not — breakfast cereal! It’s nice drizzled over simple desserts like broiled pears or blackberry cobbler. And while some say there is less richness when used in soups and sauces, but in my experience it has not an issue when I’ve made chowders, potato soup, broccoli cheese soup, white gravies, and more.
my take
Fat free half-and-half is a curious invention, at the least. If I hadn’t already had my WTF moment with “fat free heavy whipping cream,” I’d have stared at it in complete confusion when I first encountered some! There are times, as I said, you might want to splurge on those fat calories for something particularly special, but on the days you’re trying to step away slowwwly from the bathroom scale with an option that has half the fat and calories of the regular version, it can be a fine substitute. Not sure? A quart is under $3 at Aldi; grab some and try it for yourself.
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