9 of the Best Dairy-Free Cookies You Can Buy

No one wants to compromise on cookies. A steadfast staple snack of many a sweet tooth and an easily portioned dessert for others, cookies are a favorite to many and a friend to all. Dairy, however, isn’t.

Americans are slowly but surely eliminating dairy products from their daily routines for many reasons. For one, 65% of people have difficulty digesting lactose after infancy. Dairy also tends to be higher in saturated fat, so many opt to go dairy-free for health reasons (1).

What’s more, it’s becoming increasingly common for those with concerns about the environmental impact of dairy production and animal welfare in commercial farming to make the switch to a vegan or dairy-free diet (2).

When it comes to eating dairy-free, whether you do it by necessity or by choice, it can be a struggle to find something that captures the simplistic perfection of a cookie when half of the traditional cookie ingredients are left out of the mix. 

Luckily, dairy-free cookies are not only doable but delicious when done right. Here’s our take on 9 of the best and most nutritious dairy-free cookies on the market and our tips to pick them out — all without compromise on flavor, texture, or your values.

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Choosing dairy-free cookies

For those with allergies, reading the ingredients is an important first step. Phrases like “dairy-free” often become buzzwords in product branding when they aren’t always all-encompassing. Keep an eye out for whey and dehydrated or evaporated milk in the ingredients list. 

When choosing dairy-free cookies, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• The difference between vegan and dairy-free. Although dairy-free products are more likely to be free of other allergens and catered to more complex diets, dairy-free products are not inherently vegan. The Food and Drug Association (FDA) hasn’t established a regulatory definition of the term dairy-free, so it’s crucial to check the ingredients as well as the labels if you’re looking for a vegan product (3).

• Sugar content. Dairy-free products, especially desserts, can end up packing a lot of extra sugar in order to achieve a similar flavor or texture as its milk-containing alternative. The organization of the ingredient lists are in descending order by weight, meaning the higher on the ingredient list a sugar, the more of it is in the cookie. The recommended daily intake of added sugar is 10% of total calories per day, so be mindful of your added sugar intake and choose your sweets in moderation (4).

• Dairy-free doesn’t mean healthy. Dairy-free products often dip into other health categories like gluten-free,  soy-free, vegan, etc., but they can also use a lot of processing to get to the finished product. Ultra-processed foods are linked to increased caloric intake, obesity, heart disease and cancer, likely because they lend themselves to an excess intake of calories, sugar, refined oils, and other additives (5, 6, 7, 8). If you’re looking to reduce your intake of these components, choosing dairy-free cookies that contain fewer processed ingredients and consuming in moderation will be your best bet.

1. Lenny And Larry’s The Complete Cookie Peanut Butter

This chewy dairy-free cookie is highly nutritious with its 16g protein and 10g of fiber content. It’s made without high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

2. Madegood Organic Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Soft Baked Cookies

These organic mini cookies are free of the top eight allergens. It’s made without dairy, nuts, soy, eggs, gluten, and soy. It’s packed with a vegetable extract that provides 20% DV of Vitamin A, C, E, B6, and thiamin.

3. Partake Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These deliciously crunchy chocolate chip cookies are vegan and free of the top eight allergens. They are made with buckwheat, cassava, oat, and tapioca flour. Partake chocolate chip cookies are free of preservatives or artificial flavors.

4. Munk Pack Protein Cookie Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

This dairy-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookie is packed with fiber and protein. One cookie contains 16g of plant protein which provides 22% of DV.

5. Emmy’s Organic Lemon Coconut Ginger Cookies

These grain-free coconut cookies are made with organic coconut, almond flour, coconut oil, ground ginger, and lemon peel powder. Also, it’s sweetened with agave syrup instead of cane sugar.

6. E&C’s – Organic Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Glutenfree Cookies

These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies are free from dairy and gluten-free. They’re also made with organic ingredients.

7. Tone It Up Plantbased Protein Cookie Chocolate Chip

This dairy-free chocolate chip cookie provides 10g of plant protein — 16% DV —per serving. It’s a perfect post-workout snack due to its protein content. Also, it only contains 1g of added sugar.

8. Goodie Girl Smores Sandwich Cookies Gluten Free

These marshmallow cream-filled graham cookies are the perfect dairy-free option for campfire smores. They’re free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or preservatives.

9. Larabar Gluten Free Bar Cashew Cookie

This cookie bar is made with only two ingredients: cashews and dates. It’s a good source of fiber, protein, and iron. One pack provides 10% DV of protein and 7% DV of fiber.

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Key takeaways for choosing dairy-free cookies

Cookies are a delightful any-time snack or dessert, and dairy-free cookies offer a delicious alternative to many who can’t stomach dairy or opt-out of it in their daily eating routine. 

When making your dairy-free cookie selection, keep in mind that a dairy-free label doesn’t always mean it’s free of other things. If you’re vegan or have any other personal dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s essential to read the ingredient label. 

Like any other dessert, dairy-free cookies are likely to have some added sugars. It’s important to note the sugar content, use of sugar substitutes, and their placement on the ingredients list to aid in more conscious eating choices and habits. 

Dairy-free cookies — while snackable and tempting — are also often classified as “ultra-processed” foods, and overconsumption can lead to detrimental health effects, so consuming them in moderation is key.

Although dairy-free alternatives may seem daunting, with this list of items and tips, you’ll be able to find dairy-free cookies that will satisfy your cravings and help you make simple shifts that ease both a lactose-intolerant stomach and an environmental conscience.

There are 1,000s of food products that won’t be right for you

Let GreenChoice find the ones that are

Tell us your dietary needs & values and we’ll show you foods that match!

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GreenChoice, PBC has evaluated and rated more than 340,000 food & beverage products across hundreds of attributes related to diet, health, and sustainability. Easily find the best products for you, the planet, & your budget. Download the free GreenChoice app for Apple iO or Android!

Katherine

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