Are there any dairy free Goldfish?

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Quick Answer: Yes, there are dairy free Goldfish crackers

Goldfish crackers by Pepperidge Farm do contain dairy ingredients like cheddar cheese. However, Pepperidge Farm has created some dairy free Goldfish flavors that are safe for people with milk allergies or on a vegan diet. The dairy free Goldfish flavors include:

Gluten Free Cracker – Rice & Quinoa
Gluten Free Pretzel – Original

Color Blasted – Xplosive Pizza
Baked with Whole Grain – Xtra Cheddar
Poppin’ Pirates – Parmesan

These flavors do not contain milk, cheese, or any other dairy ingredients. They are made with rice, quinoa, and other gluten free ingredients. Always check the ingredient label to confirm dairy free status as formulations can change.

What Goldfish flavors have dairy?

Most original Goldfish flavors contain dairy as a primary ingredient. These include:

Cheddar

Pretzel
Mozzarella & Herbs
Parmesan

Pizza
Flavor Blasted – Xtra Cheddar
Flavor Blasted – Sour Cream & Onion

Seasoned – Ranch

The first ingredient in these Goldfish is cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese. They also contain milk ingredients. People with dairy allergies or on a vegan diet should avoid these Goldfish crackers.

Always read the full ingredient list to check for potential dairy ingredients like milk, cheese, whey, casein, cream, butter, and yogurt. Minor dairy-derived ingredients can sometimes be hidden in flavorings or natural flavors. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to inquire about dairy free status.

Why are some Goldfish dairy free?

Pepperidge Farm has created several dairy free Goldfish flavors to appeal to people with dairy restrictions for health or dietary reasons.

Reasons some Goldfish are dairy free include:

Accommodate dairy allergies – Milk allergies are common in young kids who are a major consumer of Goldfish. Dairy free options allow kids with milk allergies to safely enjoy the snacks.

Appeal to vegan diet – The rise of plant-based diets has led to demand for more dairy free snack options. Goldfish wants to appeal to the vegan demographic.
Meet kosher dietary needs – Some kosher consumers avoid mixing meat and dairy. Dairy free Goldfish allow kosher consumers to enjoy the crackers in meat meals.
Provide gluten free options – Many gluten free consumers also require dairy free for various health reasons. Gluten and dairy free Goldfish meet many dietary needs.

Offering dairy free flavors allows Goldfish to be enjoyed by more people with food restrictions. It also meets consumer demand for plant-based snacks not made with animal products.

Where to find dairy free Goldfish

You can find dairy free Goldfish at most major grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and online retailers that sell Goldfish crackers including:

Walmart

Target
Kroger
Safeway

Publix
HEB
Costco

Sam’s Club
Amazon
Walgreens

7-Eleven

Always check the product details and ingredient list when purchasing to ensure you are choosing a dairy free variety. Availability of specific flavors may vary by location.

Many natural food stores and smaller grocery chains also carry dairy free Goldfish:

Whole Foods
Sprouts
Earth Fare

Fresh Thyme
Natural Grocers
Lucky’s Market

You can also order dairy free Goldfish online for delivery from grocery delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh. This provides a convenient option for stocking up on gluten and dairy free Goldfish.

Tips for finding dairy free Goldfish

Here are some tips for locating dairy free Goldfish crackers at stores:

Check allergy friendly section – Stores often group gluten free and dairy free items together.

Scan crackers aisle – Look on the shelves near regular Goldfish for dairy free varieties.
Search online – Check store websites and apps to see if they carry specific dairy free Goldfish before going to the store.
Ask for help – Inquire at customer service or with the store manager if you have trouble finding them.

Call ahead – Contact the store by phone to check availability and location of dairy free options.
Check with bakery – Some stores sell gluten free items in the bakery section.

Searching online and calling ahead can help you determine if a store sells dairy free Goldfish before making a trip. This can save time and frustration.

Dairy free Goldfish nutrition

Dairy free Goldfish provide a nutritious gluten free, plant-based snack option. Here is the nutrition profile of some popular dairy free Goldfish flavors:

Gluten Free Cracker – Rice & Quinoa

Calories: 140 per serving (about 55 crackers)

Fat: 2.5g
Carbs: 27g
Protein: 2g

Fiber: 1g

Gluten Free Pretzel – Original

Calories: 130 per serving (about 42 pretzels)

Fat: 1.5g
Carbs: 25g
Protein: 3g

Fiber: 1g

Color Blasted – Xplosive Pizza

Calories: 130 per serving (about 55 crackers)

Fat: 3.5g
Carbs: 21g
Protein: 2g

Fiber: 0g

The dairy free options are relatively low in calories and fat compared to traditional cheesy Goldfish. They offer a good amount of carbohydrates for energy.

Fiber content is a bit lower than regular whole wheat Goldfish, but still provides some filling fiber. The gluten free varieties add nutritious whole grains like rice and quinoa.

Overall, dairy free Goldfish provide a crunchy, satisfying snack that fits into many different diets.

Are dairy free Goldfish healthy?

Dairy free Goldfish can be part of a healthy diet in moderation, but there are some things to consider:

Lack some nutrients in dairy varieties like calcium and vitamin D

Lower in protein than cheese-based Goldfish
Gluten free varieties offer more nutrients from whole grains
Contain added oils and salt, though not excessive amounts

Offers enrichment like iron, B vitamins, and folic acid
Kid-friendly finger food high in carbs but low fat
Provides crunch from baking instead of frying for lower fat

The biggest nutritional difference is lacking the protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients found naturally in cheese.

However, dairy free Goldfish offer a vegan source of carbohydrates and have a kid-friendly crunchy texture. They can be enjoyed in moderation as part of varied, balanced nutrition.

Do dairy free Goldfish taste the same?

Dairy free Goldfish have a milder flavor and lighter, crispy texture compared to the cheddar cheese flavored crackers. They lack the rich, savory taste of cheese.

Some differences in taste for dairy free Goldfish:

Not as strong salty or umami taste
Subtler flavor profile

Lighter, crispier texture without cheese
Gluten free varieties have nutty whole grain flavors
Color Blasted flavors have seasoning but lack cheese taste

No dairy aftertaste

Those who enjoy Goldfish for the cheesy flavor likely will not find the dairy free alternatives to be exactly the same. But they offer a comparable light, crunchy texture with some seasoning.

Kids in particular may not notice a big difference in the gluten free Goldfish. They mainly provide the fun snackable experience Goldfish are known for in kid-friendly flavors.

Do dairy free Goldfish contain milk ingredients?

No, the specifically dairy free labeled Goldfish do not contain milk, cheese, or any other dairy derived ingredients.

Pepperidge Farm has several dedicated dairy free Goldfish flavors. These have been formulated not to contain common milk allergens or animal products unsuitable for vegan diets.

Always carefully read ingredient labels to confirm dairy free status. But Goldfish that indicate “Dairy Free” have been manufactured not to contain:

Milk
Cheese
Yogurt

Butter
Cream
Whey

Casein
Lactose

Avoid any regular Goldfish flavors listing milk, cheese, or whey on the ingredients. Only consume flavors specifically labeled as dairy free.

Contact the manufacturer if you need additional confirmation about milk allergen testing and production procedures.

Can you make dairy free Goldfish at home?

Yes, it’s possible to make homemade dairy free Goldfish with just a few simple ingredients:

Dairy Free Homemade Goldfish

Ingredients:

2 cups brown rice flour
1⁄4 cup potato starch or tapioca flour

1⁄4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 large flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)

1⁄2 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment.
In a bowl, whisk together the flours, salt, and baking powder.
In another bowl, mix flax egg, water, and olive oil.

Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until a sticky dough forms.
On a floured surface, roll out dough 1⁄4 inch thick. Cut into goldfish shapes with cookie cutter.
Arrange shapes on baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned.

Get creative by adding hummus, pizza sauce, or other dips and toppings after baking. Homemade allows control over ingredients for a truly dairy free Goldfish recipe.

Are there vegan Goldfish crackers?

Yes, the dairy free flavors of Goldfish are all suitable for vegan diets. Goldfish that are dairy free do not contain any animal products.

Some popular vegan Goldfish cracker options:

Gluten Free Crackers – Rice & Quinoa
Gluten Free Pretzels – Original
Color Blasted – Xplosive Pizza

Baked with Whole Grain – Xtra Cheddar
Poppin’ Pirates – Parmesan

Always check labels since formulations can change. But current ingredients for vegan Goldfish do not contain:

Milk or milk products
Cheese
Eggs

Honey
Gelatin
Other animal products

Goldfish make a handy vegan snack to pack in lunches or take on the go. Their fun shapes and colors appeal to both kids and adults.

Parent tips for picking dairy free Goldfish

Here are some tips for parents seeking dairy free Goldfish snacks for kids:

Read labels carefully – double check no dairy in the ingredients

Notify school staff – inform teachers and caregivers of kid’s dairy allergy
Buy single serve packs – handy portable portions for school lunchboxes and travel
Choose kid-friendly flavors – Pizza and Xtra Cheddar appeal to picky eaters

Check manufacturing dates – look for newly packaged to reduce cross contact risk
Buy from allergy-friendly bakeries – many stores now have dedicated dairy free sections
Carry emergency meds – have Benadryl, EpiPens, etc. in case of accidental exposure

Store in airtight containers – help prevent contamination at home

With vigilance reading labels and proactive communication, kids with dairy allergies can still enjoy favorite snacks like Goldfish safely. Look for single serve packs with clear allergy-friendly labeling.

Are Annie’s cheddar crackers dairy free?

No, Annie’s classic cheddar bunny and cheddar cracker products are not dairy free. They contain milk and cheese ingredients.

However, Annie’s does offer some dairy free cracker options:

Gluten Free Rice Crackers
Organic Vegan Cheddar Flavor Rice Crackers

Organic Vegan Cheddar Flavor Bunny Crackers

These varieties use rice flour instead of wheat and achieve cheddar flavor without dairy ingredients. Always check labels to confirm since formulations can change.

For kids with milk allergies, Annie’s dairy free crackers can provide a similar fun snacktime option to enjoy with friends. The bunny shape and cheddar taste appeal to little snackers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several dairy free Goldfish flavors available including gluten free and vegan options. While they lack the taste and nutrients of cheese varieties, dairy free Goldfish provide a crunchy snack kids love in kid-friendly flavors. Reading labels and contacting manufacturers can help identify truly dairy free options. With precautions, kids with milk allergies can safely partake in enjoying Goldfish at school or parties. Dairy free Goldfish meet many dietary needs while retaining the baked nibbly fun Goldfish are famous for.