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!
Quick Look: Healthy Dairy-Free Snacks
- ⭐ Summary: The top recipes and snack ideas to make if you are lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy, or trying to avoid dairy. From super quick foods to healthy recipes and the best dairy-free bars to buy, all these snack ideas are helpful.
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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:
- Quick Look: Healthy Dairy-Free Snacks
- What does a dairy-free diet mean?
- What's a good snack to make without dairy?
- Why do people eat dairy-free?
- Dairy-Free Snack Recipes and Ideas
- Best Dairy-Free Baked Snacks
- Tired of figuring out what to have for snacktime? Ready for wholesome options to have on the go:
- Dairy-Free, No-Bake Snacks
- Homemade Dairy-Free Savory Snacks
- Snacks that are Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free
- Store-bought: Best dairy-free snack brands
- FAQ
- Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
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.
What's a good snack to make without dairy?
My favorite dairy-free snack recipes include muffins, olive oil cookies, homemade crackers, easy banana smoothies and veggie egg bites. I have eaten a dairy-free diet for long periods of my life, and I know you can eat yummy foods on a dairy-free diet. I am going to share all my favorite dairy-free snacks below.
Why do people eat dairy-free?
Below are the most common situations in which 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.
- A 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 that due to ethical reasons or personal dietary choices, nothing from an animal is consumed: no meat, eggs, honey, or dairy. Vegans choose not to eat or drink dairy and all other animal products.
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-free and dairy-free snacks. Just below are quick ideas with little to no prep, followed by dairy free snacks you can buy, then lower down you will see healthy dairy-free snack 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 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
- 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
- Baba ganoush (eggplant dip) and veggie sticks
High Protein
- Boiled eggs
- Jerky or meat sticks
- Almond butter toast with hemp hearts
- Peppers filled with tuna
- Healthy trail mix
For more filling options, check out my high-protein, dairy-free snack recipes.
Best Dairy-Free Baked Snacks
These are my go-to dairy-free snacks to meal prep. They can be made ahead in a big batch and frozen, or made on the weekend to enjoy all week.
1. Applesauce Banana Muffins
With a moist texture, these banana muffins are perfect and wholesome. 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, with roasted almonds, dairy-free chocolate chips, and olive oil! No butter is needed; these are the best dairy-free cookies.
3. Orange Muffins Using a Whole Orange
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 craisins 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 Flapjack Recipe
Why I love these: A perfectly chewy oat bar or a granola bar! They are easy to pack along to school or work or for hiking. All you need is oats, coconut oil, honey, brown sugar or coconut sugar, and sea salt!
Tired of figuring out what to have for snacktime? Ready for wholesome options to have on the go:
I've created a 4-week snack prep eCookbook!
With grocery lists, recipes, and guides to help you prep all the wholesome snacks you will need for the week (or two weeks!), all in one prep time block. More protein, less sugar: real food ready to go.
Dairy-Free, No-Bake Snacks
These are my go-to, no-bake dairy-free snack recipes: energy balls, homemade granola bars, smoothies, and popsicles.
6. Cinnamon Granola Bars
Why I love these: Made with 5 simple ingredients, these bars are wholesome and nutritious. It's honestly such a fast recipe that is perfect to bring along as a dairy-free school snack, to the office, or for road trips.
7. Pistachio Date 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 be prepped in advance for the week and they are freezer-friendly too.
8. Lemon Chia Seed Pudding
Why I love this: This chia pudding is naturally dairy-free, using coconut milk to make it thick and creamy. The chia seeds are nutritious and the lemon is vibrant and tasty.
9. Strawberry Kale Smoothie
Why I love these: A bright pink strawberry smoothie naturally sweetened with dates. No yogurt or cow's milk is needed to make this tasty and healthy smoothie; we use almond milk.
10. Mango Popsicle Recipe
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. Almond Butter Protein Bars
Why I love these: These are dang tasty. They have no added sugar as they are sweetened with maple syrup. Almond flour and almond butter 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. Whole Wheat Cracker Recipe
Why I love these: These are like wheat thins but healthier and cheaper than the store-bought ones! Make the dough, salt it, roll it out, cut, and bake! Perfect plain, or eat them with hummus or baba ganoush - a great snack!
13. Dehydrator Zucchini Chips
Why I love these: A great option for a healthy snack: your own simple veggie chips! All you need is zucchini, 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 Cracker Recipe
Why I love these: Made with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, hemp hearts, 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. Healthy Egg Bite Recipe
Why I love these: Eggs are an awesome snack because they are high in protein and keep you full longer. These are perfect to meal prep for the week; use your favorite veggies and bake in a muffin tray! You can make them without cheese or use your favorite dairy-free cheese on top.
16. Healthy Trail Mix
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. Discover all kinds of brilliant healthy ideas to make your own mix that suits any picky 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 a gluten-free diet, have a gluten sensitivity, or even have celiac disease. Here are some more recipes that are simple and healthy, yet have no dairy or gluten.
17. Healthy Sweet Potato Brownies
Why I love these: With only 4 ingredients, you make thick, fudgy, 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 blackberry muffins. If it's not blackberry season, use any berries in the recipe, and you will have nutritious muffins!
19. Turmeric Smoothie
Why I love these: This is the creamiest smoothie made with frozen bananas! You gotta try it! It's like a golden latte blend in a smoothie. This is in the running for my favorite snack.
20. Protein Balls without Peanut Butter
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; it is a great way to have snacks for the whole week or to keep in the freezer and eat as needed.
21. Rhubarb Fruit Leather
Why I love these: It's time to make your own fruit leather! It's not hard, and it rolls into a delicious snack! If you don't have rhubarb, you can make this with apples, strawberries, or your favorite fruit instead.
22. Tropical Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipe
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 this world tasty.
23. 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 for Thanksgiving! The perfect lactose-free cake.
Store-bought: Best dairy-free snack brands
Look for these brands when you are in your local grocery stores! These have been my go-to, healthy dairy-free snacks to 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.
- 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: The MADEGOOD brand has allergy-friendly snacks to go, including granola bars, granola minis, and crispy squares. They are known to make products that are free from common allergens, and so they are trusted to have no dairy in their snacks. 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.
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 using butter, you can use coconut oil, applesauce, vegan butter, nut butter, or banana. It depends on the recipe for what substitution will work. It's best to 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 such as 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. It will curdle slightly and thicken, then it is ready to be used in recipes.
You want to look at ingredient labels when shopping for a dairy-free snack at the grocery store. Words to find 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 healthy 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. I share all my family favorites here! Xx, Danika
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.
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