These essential dairy free recipes prove that cutting out dairy doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor! From dinners to dairy free snacks, breakfasts, and dessert recipes, these dishes are so delicious that no one will miss the dairy: all tried and tested on my family!
How going dairy free transformed our kitchen
When he was 7 years old, our son was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Turns out, it can be pretty common to develop a dairy intolerance later in life! At first, we mourned the favorites we might have to give up (pizza? mac and cheese? ice cream?). But luckily, Alex and I are two cookbook authors with extensive experience in vegan and dairy free recipes. So we embraced it as a chance to innovate, not give up on flavor!
Now we’ve discovered many fun ways to eat dairy free recipes that everyone enjoys. They aren’t just “good for dairy-free” but delicious dishes that happen to skip dairy! So whether you’re working with an intolerance or just looking to limit your of dairy, here’s a collection of our top dairy free recipes, including:
- Dairy free dinner recipes
- Fun dairy free snacks
- Wholesome dairy free breakfasts
- Delicious dairy free desserts
Essential dairy free ingredients
The key to incredible dairy-free cooking lies in understanding the way certain ingredients can provide dairy-like substitutions:
- Coconut milk: Creates richness in curries, soups, and smoothies: even vegan ice cream!
- Cashew cream: Perfect for pasta sauces, soups, and desserts
- Nutritional yeast: Adds cheesy flavor to everything, especially vegan mac and cheese
- Olive oil: Often better than butter
- Oat milk: The best all-around milk substitute
These aren’t “special diet” recipes—they’re simply great recipes that happen to be dairy-free! Many come from cuisines that traditionally use little dairy; others use clever ingredient swaps. The best part: all of the recipes below have been tried and tested by my son!
Quick note before the recipes
We’ve also found some work-arounds for parties and treat days. My son always carries Lactaid with him and uses this for a pizza night or a very occasional ice cream.
We also keep dairy-free cheese in our fridge for homemade cheese pizza or when we make air fryer taquitos. We typically like the brands Miyokos or Daiya—but please let us know your favorites in the comments below!
Top dairy free dinner recipes
This customizable dairy free dinner combines fluffy rice with seasoned black beans, colorful vegetables, and chipotle sauce or cilantro sauce for dairy-free! It's a go-to weeknight meal that's ready in 30 minutes and satisfies everyone at the table!
Set it and forget it—this tender, juicy chicken cooks all day in savory spices and broth, no dairy needed. We make a big batch for easy dairy-free tacos, sandwiches, and bowls all week. My son's favorite is a Walking Taco bowl topped with crushed tortilla chips!
Cashews create a sauce so convincingly cheesy that it's just as satisfying as the standard! This is the recipe that proved we didn't have to give up comfort food favorites.
Golden-crusted tofu gets piled high with pickles and "Big Mac sauce" to make a sandwich that rivals any deli creation. Even tofu skeptics love this one!
Silky cashew cream transforms into the most luscious alfredo sauce that clings perfectly to pasta. It's so rich and satisfying, our kids never guess it's completely dairy-free!
Tangy pickles and mayo (which is naturally dairy free!) create a chicken salad that's actually more flavorful than traditional versions. Perfect for sandwiches or crackers, it's become my son's favorite lunch or easy dinner!
These hearty, saucy lentils deliver all the messy fun of classic sloppy joes without any dairy. Kids love them on buns, and adults appreciate the hidden vegetables and plant-based protein.
Crispy panko coating and juicy chicken inside—no dairy required for these crowd-pleasers. They're healthier than fast food and disappear just as quickly from the dinner table.
A simple spice blend and olive oil lets the salmon's richness shine without any need for butter. It's quick to put together and our family always loves it!
Crispy skin and succulent meat achieved with just olive oil and perfect technique—no butter necessary. This foolproof method has converted us to team chicken thighs forever.
Our secret spice blend creates tofu that's crispy outside and creamy inside, no dairy needed. Both of my kids request these protein-packed cubes for dinner!
Seasoned black beans, fresh toppings, and corn tortillas create naturally dairy-free tacos that are anything but boring. Top with guacamole for taco night perfection.
Cashews create incredible creaminess in this hearty soup packed with vegetables and wild rice. This is one of our most popular dairy free recipes!
Roasted cauliflower plus dairy-free Yum Yum sauce is tangy and addictive! These plant-based tacos have become our Meatless Monday favorite.
Crispy tofu and colorful vegetables in a savory sauce that's naturally dairy-free. This dinner is faster than takeout and twice as satisfying.
Mediterranean-style with tomatoes, olives, and herbs, this fish needs no dairy to taste incredible. It's light, flavorful, and on the table in 20 minutes.
Scrambled eggs cooked in olive oil get wrapped with salsa and avocado for the quickest dairy-free dinner. Ready in 10 minutes when nothing else is planned.
Walnut-mushroom "meat" and all the taco fixings create a salad so hearty, you won't miss the cheese. The dairy-free dressing ties it all together perfectly!
Fajita night always goes over well at our house! Whether they're veggie-based with pinto beans or grilled with chicken, it's always a dairy free dinner hit.
Canned tuna, spicy mayo (made dairy-free), and crisp vegetables over rice create a sushi-bar experience at home. It's the fancy-feeling dinner that's actually simple to make.
Dairy free snacks
These naturally sweetened muffins have no dairy or gluten and a tender crumb everyone loves! They're the perfect grab-and-go snack that my son takes to school and my daughter eats every day.
Creamy chickpeas, tahini, and lemon create the perfect dairy-free dip for vegetables or pita. We always have a batch in the fridge for easy snacking.
This colorful bean salad is naturally dairy-free and packed with flavor from lime and cilantro. It's a party dip that everyone devours, served with tortilla chips.
Oats, nuts, and maple syrup bind together without any butter for chewy, satisfying bars. They're cheaper and tastier than store-bought versions.
Seasoned black beans and vegetables rolled in tortillas make perfect dairy-free pinwheels. They're the lunch box hero that stays fresh all morning.
Chickpeas transform into chocolate heaven that's completely dairy-free and secretly healthy. Kids beg for this "dessert" dip with apple slices.
These crunchy, savory snacks are addictive and naturally dairy-free. Season them any way you like for a protein-packed alternative to chips.
No-bake energy bites that satisfy sweet cravings without any dairy. They're the after-school snack that fuels homework time perfectly.
Perfectly ripe avocados need just lime, salt, and cilantro—no dairy ever required. It's the crowd-pleasing dip that's naturally creamy and delicious.
Dairy-free caramel made from dates and nut butter creates the perfect fruit dip. Kids love this sweet treat that's secretly nutritious.
Dairy free breakfast recipes
Mashed bananas create a custardy baked oatmeal without any dairy. Prep it Sunday for easy weekday breakfasts all week long.
These wholesome cookies made with oats and nut butter are completely dairy-free and parent-approved for breakfast. My son likes getting away with cookies for breakfast!
These fluffy dairy free pancakes rival any buttermilk version. Weekend mornings aren't complete without a stack drizzled with maple syrup.
Shredded carrots, cinnamon, and oat milk create overnight oats that taste like dessert. It's the make-ahead breakfast that makes mornings easier.
Simple but satisfying, good bread with almond butter needs no dairy to be delicious. Top with banana slices or berries for a complete breakfast.
Frozen fruits and coconut milk blend into thick, creamy bowls without any dairy. Top with granola and fresh fruit for an Instagram-worthy breakfast.
Here's a great way to eat colorful vegetables for breakfast! Use olive oil for sauteeing the veggies and cooking the eggs (and omit the optional cheese).
Quinoa cooked with cinnamon becomes a creamy, protein-rich porridge. Top with nuts and fruit for a dairy-free breakfast that's anything but boring.
Mashed banana and oat milk create custardy French toast without any dairy. It's naturally sweet and perfect for lazy weekend mornings.
Rich coconut milk makes smoothies extra creamy and naturally dairy-free!
Dairy free dessert recipes
Fudgy brownies get their moisture from bananas instead of butter for a naturally dairy-free treat. They're so chocolatey and rich, no one believes they're dairy-free.
Coconut milk and cashews churn into ice cream that's actually creamier than traditional versions!
Coconut oil and applesauce create cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers, no butter needed. They're the cookies that disappear fastest at our house!
Frozen bananas transform into soft-serve magic with just a food processor. It's the healthy "ice cream" my son requests for dessert nightly.
Fresh strawberries and coconut milk freeze into creamy popsicles without any dairy. Summer isn't complete without a freezer full of these pink treats.
These fudgy clusters come together in minutes without any butter or milk. They're the fan favorite dessert that saves the day!
Coconut oil creates the perfect crumbly topping for tender apples, no butter required. Serve warm for the ultimate dairy-free comfort dessert.
Classic cookies made dairy-free with smart substitutions taste just like grandma's. They're soft, chewy, and perfect with a glass of oat milk.
Dates stuffed with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate create candy bars without any dairy. These healthier treats satisfy any sweets craving naturally.
Peanut butter and cocoa create brownie-flavored bites that are completely dairy-free. Keep them in the fridge for when sweet cravings strike!
50 Dairy Free Recipes
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Try this creamy vegan mac and cheese recipe, made with all whole foods! A luscious cashew sauce blankets tender noodles, creating cozy pasta comfort food that everyone will love.
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Pasta
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the mac and cheese
- 1 ¼ cups raw unsalted whole cashews
- 1 cup peeled, finely diced sweet potato (about 6 oz) or peeled sliced carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- 15-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional, for color)
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1 cup water
- 12 ounces small elbow macaroni (2 ¾ cups small elbows)
For the breadcrumb topping (optional)
- ½ tablespoon vegan butter
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- If making baked mac and cheese, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the cashews and sweet potato* or carrot in a pot on the stovetop and cover with 2 inches water. Bring to a boil, then boil for 15 minutes (if using carrots, add them after the first 5 minutes). Drain the cashews and carrots in a strainer.
- Meanwhile, fill a large saucepan with water and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain it and return to the pot or a baking dish. (If it finishes before the sauce, add a drizzle of olive oil to keep it from sticking.)
- If making the breadcrumb topping, melt the butter in a small skillet, then add the panko garlic powder, smoked paprika, and kosher salt and stir. Toast until lightly browned, stirring often, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Once the cashews and sweet potato are cooked and drained, place them in the bowl of a high speed blender. Add the drained artichokes, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, butter, and water. Blend on high until creamy and fully combined into a smooth sauce.
- Stir the sauce into the noodles in the pot or a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs if desired, and serve immediately. For baked mac and cheese (best flavor), place the mac and cheese in a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake for 15 minutes and serve warm.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/PUKgBrh
