Here you will find a compilation of the best dairy-free snack ideas. Read on to find simple homemade snacks, low to no-prep snack ideas, and how to shop for dairy-free snacks. Let's jump in and make snack time simple!
What's a good snack to make without dairy?
Muffins, cookies, crackers, smoothies and egg bites are all yummy foods dairy-free people can eat, see the recipes for these foods below. This post covers healthy snack ideas made with whole food ingredients that do not contain dairy. Use the table of contents below to jump to different categories to find the best dairy-free snack for you.
Jump to:
- What's a good snack to make without dairy?
- What does a dairy-free diet mean?
- Why do people eat dairy-free?
- Dairy-Free Snack Recipes and Ideas
- Store-bought: Best dairy free snack brands
- Dairy-Free Baked Snacks
- Dairy-Free No-Bake Snacks
- Homemade Dairy-Free Savory Snacks
- Snacks that are Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free
- FAQ
What does a dairy-free diet mean?
Dairy-free means a person stays away from eating milk, cream, butter, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, sweetened condensed milk, whey protein, or casein. It can differ from person to person what dairy products someone will or can eat depending on their dietary needs.
Why do people eat dairy-free?
Below are the most common situations of why someone will follow a dairy-free diet.
- Lactose intolerance means the body has difficulty digesting lactose, which is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is a digestive issue (it is not an allergic reaction). Those with this intolerance lack the enzyme called lactase, which is needed to break down lactose into a simple form for absorption.
- Dairy allergy is an immune system response to the proteins found in milk and dairy products (usually casein and whey). When those with a dairy allergy eat even a little of these proteins, the immune system reacts, releasing histamines leading to allergic symptoms.
- Dairy sensitivity is when a person experiences digestive discomfort, bloating, or other symptoms when eating dairy without being diagnosed with a dairy allergy or with lactose intolerance.
- Vegan means due to ethical reasons or personal dietary choices nothing from an animal is eaten no meat, eggs, honey, or dairy.
Dairy-Free Snack Recipes and Ideas
Below you will find no-bake snacks, baked snacks, and savory snacks, all dairy-free. I also included a section with gluten and dairy-free snacks. Just below are quick ideas with little to no prep, follows is dairy free snacks you can buy, then lower down you will see healthy homemade recipes. Find the perfect recipe to make, I want you to know there are lots of healthy snack options!
Quick No Bake Snack Ideas Without Dairy
These ideas are no prep or very simple to prep ahead of time. Many of these food ideas naturally ended up being both dairy-free and gluten-free snacks.
Sweet
- Almond butter and medjool dates
- Fresh fruit made into fruit kabobs
- Dark Chocolate Bar (I've linked to my favorite df chocolate made in Alberta)
- Tortilla Bites: spread with nut butter, topped with banana, rolled up and cut like sushi
- Almond butter and Banana Slices
- Peanut Butter and Apple
- Apple Sauce
Savoury
- Almond butter and veggies: Spread your almond butter on fresh vegetables like celery, bell peppers, cucumber, or roasted sweet potatoes!
- Seaweed Snacks
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Kale Chips
- Sweet Potato Chips
- Bruschetta
- Hummus and crackers
- Babaganoush (eggplant dip) and veggie sticks
High Protein
- Boiled Eggs
- Jerky or Meat Sticks
- Almond butter toast with hemp hearts
- Peppers filled with Tuna
- Trail Mix
Store-bought: Best dairy free snack brands
Look for these brands when you are next in your local grocery stores! Many of these brands also have gluten free snacks available. I would consider these all healthy dairy free snacks you can buy.
- Larabar: Larabar makes fruit and nut bars with few ingredients, usually just dried fruit, nuts, and dates. They have all kinds of different flavours!
- RXBAR: RXBAR has high protein bars made with a short list of real whole ingredients. See all the different flavor options and variety pack options for protein bars here.
- Enjoy Life Foods: Enjoy Life specializes in allergen-friendly snacks, including a variety of dairy-free options such as cookies, chocolate bars, and seed and fruit mixes. This is a great brand to get dairy free chocolate chips from. See a list of there products here.
- Siete Foods: Makes grain-free tortilla chips and other snacks made from real, wholesome ingredients.
- KIND Snacks: KIND has a selection of nut and fruit bars that are generally dairy-free. See all the different bars they offer here.
- Bare Snacks: These are baked fruit and veggie chips that are a crunchy, healthy dairy free snack option.
- Hippeas: Hippeas makes savory organic chickpea puffs.
- MadeGood: MadeGood makes allergy-friendly snacks to go including granola bars, granola minis, and crispy squares. They are known to make products are free from common allergens, I like that their products often have hidden vegetables in them!
- That's It: This is a newer brand that sells fruit bars with only 2 ingredients in them.
Dairy-Free Baked Snacks
These are snacks that are easy to make as dairy-free meal prep snacks. They can be made ahead in a big batch and frozen, or made on the weekend to enjoy all week.
1. Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
These muffins are perfect and wholesome with a moist crumb. Using applesauce instead of butter or yogurt, these dairy-free muffins are an easy snack to prep for the week. Add chocolate chips or dried cranberries for an extra flavor burst.
2. Olive Oil Cookies
Why I love these: These cookies are soft and chewy and the flavor is deep from the roasted almonds, chocolate chips, and olive oil! No butter is needed, these are the best dairy-free cookies.
3. Orange Muffins with Honey
Why I love these: These bright orange muffins are fast to make, throw peeled oranges in the blender and add the other ingredients! They are healthy, made with whole wheat flour and sweetened with honey! Add crasins for a fun twist.
4. Zucchini Bran Muffins
Why I love these: Bran muffins are nutrient-dense but they are often dry, adding in zucchini makes the perfect moist and flavorful muffin. Healthy muffins are a great dairy-free snack!
5. Chewy Honey Flapjacks
Why I love these: These are a chewy oat bar or a granola bar! They are easy to make and pack along. All you need is oats, coconut oil, honey, brown sugar or coconut sugar and sea salt!
Dairy-Free No-Bake Snacks
No-bake dairy-free snacks include things like energy balls, homemade granola bars, smoothies, and popsicles.
6. Cinnamon Oatmeal Granola Bars
Why I love these: These are made with 5 simple ingredients that are wholesome and nutritious. It's honestly so fast to make and easy to prep and bring along as a dairy-free school snack, to the office or for road trips.
7. The Best Pistachio Balls
Why I love these: To make these easy energy balls all you need is pistachios, quick oats, dates, and a little sea salt! They can easily be prepped in advance for the week and they are freezer friendly too.
8. Easy Lemon Chia Pudding
Why I love this: This pudding is naturally dairy-free as it uses coconut milk to make it super thick and creamy. It is an energy booster due to the chia seeds, and the lemon is so vibrant and tasty.
9. Strawberry Smoothie with Dates
Why I love these: Bright pink smoothie naturally sweetened with dates. No yogurt or cow's milk is needed to make this tasty and healthy smoothie.
10. Super Easy Mango Popsicles
Why I love these: Perfect for those hot days these bright yellow popsicles are made with just mango! It's a great dairy-free alternative to ice cream. I love the soft texture of this icy treat and how simple they are to make!
11. No Bake Protein Bars with Almond Butter
Why I love these: These are dang tasty. Soft and nutty, they can be made with peanut butter or seed butter instead of almond butter. No added sugar, they are sweetened with maple syrup. Almonds are what make this high in plant based protein! You gotta have these in your life, the perfect snack!
Homemade Dairy-Free Savory Snacks
Making savory wholesome dairy-free snacks is easy. Below you will find recipes for crackers, veggie chips, egg bites, and trail mix.
12. Homemade Whole Wheat Crackers
Why I love these: These are like wheat thins but a lot healthier than the store bought ones! Make a little dough, salt, roll it out, cut, and bake!! Perfect plain, or eat them with hummus or babaganoush, a great snack!
13. Zucchini Chips in a Dehydrator
Why I love these: A great option for a healthy snack: your own simple veggie chips! All you need in zucchini, is a little oil and sea salt. Add a little spice if you are up for it. These zucchini chips are salty and crunchy!
14. Multi Seed Crackers
Why I love these: Made with sunflower, pumpkin, flax, hemp, and sesame seeds these are naturally dairy free and gluten free crackers. These are a flavorful and crunchy snack. A great source of healthy fats.
15. Easy Veggie Egg Bites
Why I love these: Eggs are such an awesome snack! High in protein, keeping you full longer. These are perfect to meal prep for the week, use your favorite veggies and bake in a muffin tray!
16. Healthy Trail Mix Ideas
Why I love these: Trail mix is awesome to make in a large batch and eat on the go! Nuts and seeds are high in protein giving lasting energy. Discover all kinds of brilliant healthy ideas to make your own mix that suits any pick eaters needs!
Snacks that are Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free
It is common for those with food allergies such as a dairy allergy to also be eating gluten free diet, have a gluten sensitivity, or even have celiac disease. Here are some more recipes that are simple and healthy yet a dairy and gluten free snack.
17. Healthy Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies
Why I love these: Okkkay these are so incredible! Only 4 ingredients to make these dense chocolatey brownies! The base is cooked sweet potato, then you add almond butter, maple syrup and cocoa powder for the ultimate dairy free, gluten free brownie!
18. Healthy Blackberry Muffins
Why I love these: These muffins are made by grinding oats into oat flour! No flour needed for these tasty muffins. If it's not blackberry season use any berries for these muffins and you will have a nutritious snack!
19. Turmeric Banana Smoothie
Why I love these: Um, this is just the creamiest smoothie. You gotta try it! It's like a golden latte blend in a smoothie. Super high in antioxidants and to help with inflammatory issues. This is in the running for my favorite snack!
20. Easy Energy Balls without Dates
Why I love these: These balls are full of seeds, nuts, and chocolate to make an ultimate healthy energy ball! This recipe makes a large batch so it is a great way to have snacks for the whole week or to keep in the freezer and eat as needed. It's a delicious snack.
21. Rhubarb Fruit Leather
Why I love these: Okkkay, yesss it's time to make your own fruit roll ups! It's not hard and it's delicious! If you don't have rhubarb you can make this with apples or strawberries or mango or your favorite fruit instead, let these fuel your sweet tooth! Get the full details here.
22. Tropical Smoothie
Why I love these: This bright yellow smoothie is gonna take you back to your favorite tropical vacation. Think mango and pineapple with coconut! Such healthy ingredients for something that tastes out of the world tasty.
22. Easy Pumpkin Snack Cake
Why I love these: Moist and fluffy, this big pan of pumpkin cake is the perfect fall snack for after school or as a treat to make at Thanksgiving!
FAQ
High protein dairy-free snacks are foods like boiled eggs, protein smoothies, roasted chickpeas, hummus, homemade protein bars, and beef jerky.
When baking dairy free instead of butter you can use coconut oil, applesauce, vegan butter, nut butter, or banana. It depends on the recipe for what will work best, see if the recipe has notes for an alternative method without dairy.
To make baking dairy-free, when it calls for milk you can use any non-dairy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, or hemp milk.
To make 1 cup of easy dairy-free buttermilk you can use:
1 cup dairy-free milk (almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or any other dairy-free milk)
1 tablespoon acid: lemon juice or white vinegar
Mix together and let stand for 5-10 minutes causing it to curdle slightly and thicken, then it is ready to be used in recipes.
You always want to look at ingredient labels when shopping for a dairy-free snack at the grocery store. Words to look for and avoid in the ingredient list are:
- milk, evaporated milk, milk powder, or cream
- cheese
- yogurt
- sour cream
- butter
- casein
- buttermilk
- sweetened condensed milk
- whey protein
Look for the words "certified dairy-free," "vegan," or "plant-based", this will ensure they are dairy-free.
I hope you enjoyed these wholesome dairy-free snack ideas, and found some good snacks to make. Leave a comment below if you have more ideas to share with other dairy-free readers!
If you want more healthy snack recipes that are simple stick around, that's what I share here! Or come hang out on instagram! Xx, Danika
Looking for other fun & healthy snack recipes like this to try? Hang out here!
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