Many people with dairy allergies or sensitivities want to know if there are dairy-free brownie mix options available. The quick answer is yes, there are several brands that make dairy-free brownie mixes.
Why Dairy-Free Brownie Mixes?
For those who need to avoid dairy, having a high-quality dairy-free brownie mix makes baking brownies at home much easier. Pre-made mixes eliminate the need to gather all the dry ingredients and figure out proper ratios. They also often have recipes and instructions printed right on the box.
Dairy is a common allergen and many people are lactose intolerant or follow diets like paleo or vegan that avoid dairy. Typical brownie recipes call for ingredients like butter, milk, or cream. So finding a convenient pre-made mix that doesn’t contain dairy can be a challenge.
Fortunately, as dairy-free dieting has become more popular, food brands have responded by creating more high quality, dairy-free convenience products. This includes brownie mixes made without milk, butter, or other dairy components.
What to Look for in a Dairy-Free Brownie Mix
When evaluating dairy-free brownie mixes, here are some things to look for:
- No milk ingredients – Casein, whey protein, lactose or milk should not be listed.
- No butter or ghee – These common baking fats contain dairy.
- No cream or cream powder – Often added for moisture.
- Vegan friendly – Most vegan mixes will be dairy-free, but always check labels.
- Allergen labeling – Many brands now clearly mark dairy or milk allergens.
- Look for dairy-free alternate fats like oil or coconut oil.
- Dairy-free leaveners like baking powder or vinegar.
- Flavorings like cocoa powder, vanilla extract, etc. should be dairy-free.
Carefully reading ingredient labels is the best way to evaluate if a mix is dairy-free. Words like “milk-free” or “dairy-free” on the packaging can also help identify options.
Popular Dairy-Free Brownie Mix Brands
Here are some top brands making dairy-free brownie mixes:
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix
The gluten-free brownie mix from Betty Crocker is also dairy-free. It contains rice flour, potato starch, and other gluten-free flours along with cocoa powder for chocolate flavor. The mix makes fudgy brownies with a crinkly top crust.
Pamela’s Products Gluten Free & Dairy Free Brownies
Pamela’s makes a gluten-free & dairy-free fudgy brownie mix. It’s vegan and made with ingredients like rice flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and maple sugar. Their mixes are certified gluten-free and soy-free.
Kodiak Cakes Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix
The protein-packed brownie mix from Kodiak Cakes is dairy-free and contains no milk ingredients. It’s made with 100% whole wheat flour, whey protein, cocoa, and dark chocolate chips. Each brownie has 5g of protein.
Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
Enjoy Life Foods offers an allergy-friendly line of baking mixes that are all dairy-free. Their Double Chocolate Brownie mix is made with enriched rice flour and cocoa powder. It’s also gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and vegan.
Duncan Hines Sensible Sweets Brownie Mix
The Sensible Sweets line from Duncan Hines features treats sweetened with sugar substitutes. Their fudge brownie mix contains no dairy and is made with ingredients like enriched bleached flour, cocoa processed with alkali, and polydextrose.
Miss Jones Baking Co. Fudgy Brownie Mix
Miss Jones Baking Co. offers gluten-free, dairy-free brownie mixes like their Fudgy Brownie Mix made with almond flour, tapioca starch, cocoa powder, and coconut sugar.
Are There Any Dairy-Free Boxed Brownie Brands?
In addition to dry brownie mixes, there are also ready-to-bake brownie batters sold refrigerated or frozen. Some popular dairy-free brands of premade brownie batter include:
Immaculate Baking Company Dairy-Free Fudge Brownies
The Immaculate Baking Company makes refrigerated dairy-free brownie dough that comes in a tube. It’s sold at grocery stores like Whole Foods and made with rice flour and vegan dark chocolate.
Coconut Bliss Gluten Free Brownie Batter
Coconut Bliss offers a creamy dairy-free brownie batter made with coconut milk and coconut oil. Their gluten-free batter contains no soy or eggs and comes frozen in a recyclable cardboard pint.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Brownies
Simple Mills has a frozen Almond Flour Brownie Dough that’s grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo. Their batter uses almond flour, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and cocoa powder.
Are There Dairy-Free Options at Popular Brownie Mix Brands?
Some mainstream brownie mix brands also offer dairy-free alternatives or selections:
Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix
Ghiradelli makes a rich triple chocolate brownie mix that contains no dairy ingredients. It uses canola oil instead of butter and is made with Dutch cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
Cheryl’s Dairy-Free Classic Brownie Mix
Cheryl’s Cookies sells gluten-free and dairy-free baking mixes, including a Dairy-Free Classic Brownie Mix made with tapioca flour, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.
King Arthur Baking Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
King Arthur Baking Company offers a non-dairy Double Chocolate Brownie Mix that is vegan and made without milk, eggs, or butter. It contains Dutch-processed cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
Tips for Making Dairy-Free Brownie Mixes
When preparing dairy-free brownie mixes, here are some helpful tips:
- Always read labels – double check ingredients even on mixes labelled dairy-free.
- Check for allergens like nuts if needed.
- Use dairy-free milk like almond or coconut milk instead of cow’s milk.
- Replace butter or oil with equal amounts of dairy-free spreads or oils.
- Adjust bake times or temperatures as needed.
- Grease pans well as batter may stick more without butter.
- Let brownies cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
With the right substitutions and adjustments, dairy-free brownie mixes can result in fudgy, delicious brownies the whole family can enjoy. Whipped coconut cream or dairy-free ice cream make great toppings too.
Are There Any Dairy-Free Brownie Mixes at Common Grocery Stores?
Many major grocery store chains now carry dairy-free and allergen-friendly brownie mixes on their shelves. Here are some places to find them:
Walmart
At Walmart look for brands like Betty Crocker gluten-free, Duncan Hines Sensible Sweets, Enjoy Life Foods, or Kodiak Cakes dairy-free brownie mixes.
Target
Target grocery aisles stock Pamela’s Products and Cheryl’s dairy-free brownie batter mixes along with mainstream brands.
Kroger
Kroger’s natural food sections carry brands like Enjoy Life Foods, Annie’s Homegrown, or Immaculate Baking Company’s refrigerated brownie dough.
Publix
Publix features mixes from popular dairy-free brands like Betty Crocker, King Arthur, Pillsbury, and Ghiradelli.
Wegmans
Wegmans carries items like Duncan Hines dairy-free mixes, King Arthur, Enjoy Life, and frequently runs sales or deals on dairy-free baking products.
Whole Foods
Specialty baking brands like Miss Jones Baking Co., Immaculate Baking Company, Cheryl’s Cookies, and Coconut Bliss can be found in the frozen section at Whole Foods.
Online Stores for Purchasing Dairy-Free Brownie Mixes
In addition to traditional supermarkets, many online stores also offer a wide selection of dairy-free and allergy-friendly brownie mixes that ship directly to your home:
Amazon
Amazon carries all the major dairy-free brands like Enjoy Life, Pamela’s Products, Betty Crocker, Annie’s, and more. Prices are competitive and shipping is convenient.
Thrive Market
Thrive Market is an online natural foods store providing discounts for members. They stock grain-free, paleo, and vegan brownie mixes ideal for dairy-free diets.
Vitacost
Vitacost sells many specialty dietary and allergy-friendly food products, including several dairy-free brownie mix options.
iHerb
iHerb ships brownie mixes and other pantry items worldwide for cheap flat rate shipping. Look for Enjoy Life, Annie’s, and other natural brands.
Netrition
Netrition offers snacks, supplements, and baking mixes for specialized diets like gluten-free, diabetic, or dairy-free. Brands include Kodiak Cakes, Natures Path, and Simple Mills.
Are Dairy-Free Brownie Mixes More Expensive?
Dairy-free and specialty brownie mixes are often more expensive than regular mass-market brands. Some reasons why they may cost more include:
- Smaller production quantities
- Use of more expensive ingredients
- Increased processing or safety testing
- Niche distribution channels
- Passing on costs of specialty certifications
However, prices have improved recently as demand increases and more brands enter the market. Buying dairy-free mixes online or in bulk can also save money compared to single boxes at mainstream grocers.
Despite being more expensive, many feel the added cost is worthwhile to enjoy delicious brownies while avoiding dairy. Homemade brownies are often cheaper, but require more time and effort compared to convenient boxed mixes.
Are Dairy-Free Brownie Mixes as Good?
Dairy plays an important role in texture and flavor development in typical brownies. Removing ingredients like butter, milk, and cream presents challenges for achieving a similar quality.
Earlier dairy-free mixes often resulted in dry, dense, or crumbly baked goods. But thanks to better techniques and alternative ingredients, many modern dairy-free brownie mixes can deliver a moist, fudgy texture and rich chocolate taste comparable to regular mixes.
Ingredients like oil, aquafaba, fruit purees, eggs, coconut milk, almond milk, and cocoa butter are now used for moisture, richness, and binding. Other substitute flours also help mimic the structure wheat flour provides.
While homemade from scratch is still best, those new to dairy-free baking may appreciate the ease of starting with a quality boxed brownie mix first.
| Brand | Primary Flours | Sweeteners | Fats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betty Crocker Gluten Free | Rice flour, potato starch | Sucralose | Palm oil |
| Pamela’s Products Gluten Free & Dairy Free | Brown rice flour | Cane sugar | Palm fruit oil |
| Kodiak Cakes Dark Chocolate | 100% whole wheat flour | Cane sugar, honey | Sunflower oil |
| Enjoy Life Double Chocolate | Rice flour | Cane sugar | Sunflower oil |
| Duncan Hines Sensible Sweets | Enriched bleached flour | Acesulfame potassium, sucralose | Palm oil |
| Miss Jones Baking Co. Fudgy | Almond flour, tapioca starch | Coconut sugar | Coconut oil |
Conclusion
Finding delicious dairy-free brownies is now possible thanks to the growing selection of high-quality, allergy-friendly brownie mixes on the market. Leading brands like Enjoy Life Foods, Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, and Pamela’s Products all offer dry mixes perfect for vegan, paleo, or dairy-free diets.
Premade refrigerated and frozen brownie batter from Immaculate Baking, Simple Mills, and Coconut Bliss also provide tasty options for those avoiding dairy. Carefully reading ingredient lists and nutritional info ensures the best dairy-free choice.
While cost is still a bit higher than regular mixes, competition is bringing prices down. With the right substitutions like non-dairy milk and dairy-free butter, dairy-free brownie mixes can deliver close to indistinguishable chocolatey, fudgy results.
