Girl Scout cookies are a beloved American tradition, with many people eagerly awaiting the start of cookie season each year. However, for those with dietary restrictions like dairy allergies or sensitivities, finding suitable Girl Scout cookie options can be challenging. Thankfully, there are a few dairy-free Girl Scout cookies available, providing more people the opportunity to enjoy these iconic treats.
An Overview of Common Allergens in Girl Scout Cookies
Many classic Girl Scout cookies contain common allergens like wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and egg. Milk, butter, and whey are used in cookies like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Trefoils. For people with dairy allergies or intolerances, this rules out some of the most popular cookie varieties.
Thankfully, Girl Scouts of the USA has recognized the need for dairy-free options and has worked with their licensed bakers to expand their offerings over the years. While dairy-free choices used to be very limited, there are now a few cookies that fit a dairy-free diet.
Do S’mores Girl Scout Cookies Contain Dairy?
S’mores Girl Scout cookies are one variety that is dairy-free. Introduced in 2017, S’mores cookies feature layers of graham cookie coated in an icing resembling melted marshmallow topping, giving them the flavor profile of the classic campfire treat.
According to Girl Scouts of the USA, S’mores cookies do not contain milk derived ingredients. The full ingredient list is: whole grain wheat flour, sugar, vegetable shortening (palm oil, canola oil, palm kernel oil), graham cracker crumbs, cocoa processed with alkali, natural flavor, salt, baking soda, soy lecithin.
Soy lecithin is sometimes used as an emulsifier in place of dairy-derived lecithin. Therefore, S’mores are considered vegan and dairy-free.
Are Girl Scout S’Mores Crispy Cookies Dairy-Free?
S’mores Crispy cookies are another dairy-free option introduced by Girl Scouts in 2021. As the name implies, they have a crispy rice cereal texture on the outside with marshmallow and chocolate flavors.
The ingredients are: whole grain wheat flour, sugar, vegetable shortening (palm oil, canola oil, palm kernel oil), crisped rice (rice flour, sugar, salt, malt flavoring), graham cracker crumbs, cocoa processed with alkali, natural flavor, salt, baking soda, soy lecithin.
With the use of soy lecithin instead of dairy lecithin, S’mores Crispy cookies are considered vegan and dairy-free like the original S’mores cookies.
Do Lemon-Ups Girl Scout Cookies Contain Milk?
Lemon-Ups are a newer Girl Scout cookie that debuted in 2021. They feature a lemon cookie base coated in an icing inspired by lemon curd.
According to the ingredient list, Lemon-Ups do not contain any dairy derivatives: enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, palm oil, soybean oil, natural lemon flavor, citric acid, baking soda, salt, soy lecithin.
With no dairy ingredients like milk or whey, Lemon-Ups are another dairy-free Girl Scout cookie choice.
Are Toffee-tastic Girl Scout Cookies Dairy-Free?
Toffee-tastic cookies first became available from Girl Scouts in 2015. They consist of a rich, buttery cookie with toffee chips and are coated in a chocolatey icing.
Unfortunately, Toffee-tastic cookies do contain dairy ingredients. The full ingredient list is: whole wheat flour, sugar, palm oil, milk chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor [processed with alkali], cocoa butter, milk fat, soy lecithin, natural flavor), vegetable shortening (palm oil, soybean and/or canola oil), brown sugar, corn syrup, whey, baking soda, salt, soy lecithin, natural flavor.
The presence of milk chocolate chips, whey, and milk fat mean that Toffee-tastic cookies are not dairy-free.
Do Classic Tagalongs Contain Milk?
Tagalongs, featuring a chocolate covered peanut butter patty, are one of the most beloved Girl Scout cookie varieties. However, classic Tagalongs do contain dairy ingredients.
The ingredients are: enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate [vitamin b1], riboflavin [vitamin b2], folic acid), sugar, vegetable shortening (partially hydrogenated soybean oil), milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, artificial flavor), peanuts, corn syrup, dextrose, whey, palm oil, sodium bicarbonate, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin.
With milk chocolate, whey, and other milk derivatives, those with dairy allergies unfortunately have to avoid standard Tagalongs.
Are Peanut Butter Patties Dairy-Free Girl Scout Cookies?
Though classic Tagalongs aren’t dairy-free, Girl Scouts sells another similar peanut butter patty cookie called Peanut Butter Patties. These cookies feature the same peanut butter filling but with a sugar cookie base instead of chocolate coating.
The ingredients in Peanut Butter Patties are: Whole grain wheat flour, sugar, palm oil, peanuts, corn syrup, dextrose, soy lecithin, baking soda, salt, natural flavor.
With its simple ingredient list lacking any dairy-derived products, Peanut Butter Patties are a dairy-free alternative to Tagalongs.
Do Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies Contain Milk?
Thin Mint cookies are the top-selling Girl Scout cookie, loved for their refreshing mint flavor and crunchy chocolate coating. But classic Thin Mints do contain dairy.
The ingredient list for Thin Mints is: sugar, vegetable shortening (palm oil, canola oil, palm kernel oil), whole wheat flour, mint chocolate coating (sugar, palm kernel oil, cocoa [processed with alkali], whey, soy lecithin, vanillin, dextrose, maltodextrin, natural flavor), cocoa (processed with alkali), baking soda, salt, soy lecithin, natural flavor.
The presence of whey in the mint chocolate coating means unfortunately Thin Mints are not considered dairy-free.
Do Samoas Girl Scout Cookies Have Milk Ingredients?
Samoas, also sometimes called Caramel deLites, feature crisp cookies coated in caramel, toasted coconut, and stripes of chocolate. They’re a cookie lover favorite, but not suitable for those avoiding dairy.
The ingredients in Samoas are: whole grain wheat flour, sugar, coconut, palm kernel oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, milk, nonfat milk, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR, natural vanilla), high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, salt, sodium bicarbonate.
The milk chocolate in Samoas means they contain dairy and are not dairy-free.
Are There Vegan or Dairy-Free Alternatives Available?
Thankfully for those wanting plant-based Girl Scout cookie options, there are some dairy-free varieties made by vegan bakeries available through special order.
ABC Bakers, who produce cookies for Girl Scouts, offers two varieties of vegan cookies – Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Patties. These special order cookies are guaranteed dairy-free and plant-based.
Some Girl Scout councils also offer additional vegan cookies options based on their licensed baker. For example, Girl Scouts of Northern California partners with local vegan bakery Skeptical Chymist to offer vegan versions of Samoas and Tagalongs.
To find out about dairy-free cookie availability in your region, contact your local Girl Scout council to inquire about placing a special order.
Dairy-Free Girl Scout Cookie Choices
When it comes to finding dairy-free Girl Scout cookies, there are a few varieties that fit the bill:
- S’mores
- S’mores Crispy
- Lemon-Ups
- Peanut Butter Patties
- Vegan options (availability varies)
Those with dairy allergies or intolerances do have to avoid some iconic cookies like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. But thankfully with offerings like dairy-free S’mores, Lemon-Ups, and Peanut Butter Patties, Girl Scout cookie lovers still have some tasty options to choose from.
As allergy awareness increases, hopefully more dairy-free varieties will become available nationwide, providing more options for inclusion so all cookie lovers can enjoy the treats.
Nutrition Comparison of Dairy and Non-Dairy Girl Scout Cookies
When choosing between dairy and non-dairy Girl Scout cookies, you may wonder if there is a difference in nutritional value. Here is a comparison of key nutrients:
| Cookie | Calories (per cookie) | Total Fat | Carbohydrates | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samoas (dairy) | 53 | 3g | 7g | 1g | 35mg |
| Thin Mints (dairy) | 45 | 2.5g | 8g | 1g | 25mg |
| S’mores (non-dairy) | 55 | 3g | 8g | 1g | 65mg |
| Lemon-ups (non-dairy) | 45 | 2g | 8g | 1g | 75mg |
As the table shows, Girl Scout cookies are fairly similar nutritionally whether they contain dairy or not. The calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and fat content are comparable between the dairy and non-dairy options.
One difference is that non-dairy options tend to be slightly higher in sodium. For example, dairy-free S’mores have 65mg of sodium per cookie compared to 35mg in dairy-containing Samoas.
However, on the whole Girl Scout cookies are treats and their nutrition content is very similar. Those needing to avoid dairy should feel comfortable choosing non-dairy options without having to compromise nutrition.
Are There Health Benefits to Choosing Dairy-Free Girl Scout Cookies?
For those with dairy sensitivities or allergies, choosing dairy-free Girl Scout cookies prevents adverse reactions like stomach pains, bloating, and other symptoms. So in this case, avoiding dairy is clearly beneficial for health.
But for people without diagnosed issues with dairy, are there any additional health perks to choosing dairy-free options?
Some of the purported benefits of a dairy-free diet include:
- Reduced inflammation: Dairy may aggravate inflammation in those sensitive to it.
- Clearer skin: Less acne and skin irritation from dairy-triggered inflammation.
- Decreased sinus congestion: Dairy may thicken mucus secretion.
- Better digestion: Less issues like gas, cramping, and bloating.
- Weight loss: Potentially easier weight management as dairy is calorie-dense.
However, more research is needed to confirm these theorized benefits apply to the general population. For most people without dairy issues, occasional dairy-free cookies likely won’t have significant impacts.
That said, choosing the dairy-free Girl Scout cookie options a few times over the season could be an easy way to experiment with dairy free-eating. This can provide insight into whether you notice any changes by avoiding dairy.
Just keep portions in check, as they are still cookies with decent sugar and calories. But enjoying dairy-free Girl Scout cookies in moderation allows for inclusion of those with dairy restrictions without anyone having to sacrifice that iconic cookie experience.
Conclusion
Finding dairy-free Girl Scout cookies used to be a nearly impossible task. But thanks to efforts by the Girl Scouts organization and specialty bakeries, there are now several cookies that fit a milk-free diet:
- S’mores and S’mores Crispy rely on soy lecithin instead of dairy lecithin.
- Lemon-Ups avoid dairy ingredients entirely.
- Peanut Butter Patties make a Tagalong-like cookie without milk chocolate.
- Some councils offer vegan Thin Mints, Samoas, or Tagalongs through special order.
Classic favorites like Trefoils, Do-si-dos, and Tagalongs still contain dairy, limiting options slightly. But overall there are more varieties than ever before for those needing to avoid milk.
Comparing nutrition stats shows dairy and non-dairy cookies are fairly similar in calories, fat, carbs, and protein. The main difference is slightly higher sodium in dairy-free options.
While more significant health benefits of avoiding dairy require more research, choosing dairy-free Girl Scout cookies can be an easy way to experiment with milk-free eating. Most importantly, it allows for a delicious cookie experience that everyone can enjoy together.
