Quick Answer
Most waffle cones contain dairy ingredients and are therefore not dairy-free. Traditional waffle cone recipes call for butter or other dairy products. However, some brands offer dairy-free waffle cone options made with oil or non-dairy milk substitutes instead of dairy. Vegans and those with dairy allergies need to carefully read ingredients lists to find truly dairy-free waffle cones.
Ingredients in Traditional Waffle Cones
Waffle cones were invented around the turn of the 20th century as a way to eat ice cream without needing dishes or silverware. The crispy, cone-shaped waffles could conveniently hold scoops of ice cream and make them portable and fun to eat.
Traditional waffle cone recipes contain:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter or milk
- Leavening agents like baking powder and/or baking soda
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
The core dairy ingredients in standard waffle cone recipes are butter and/or milk. The butter gives the cones their signature flavor and imparts tenderness and flakiness to the texture. Milk also adds moisture, tenderness, and browning. Eggs are another animal-derived ingredient often used in waffle cones.
Butter
Butter is made from cream separated from cow’s milk. It consists of about 80% milkfat, 15% water, and 5% milk solids. Butter gives baked goods like waffle cones a rich flavor and supple, flaky texture. It tenderizes the cones while also allowing them to get crispy and golden brown. Recipes generally call for around 4-8 tablespoons of melted butter per batch of waffle cone batter. Most commercial waffle cone manufacturers use butter or other dairy fat in their recipes.
Milk
Whole milk, 2% milk, or skim milk are sometimes used in waffle cone recipes instead of or in addition to butter. The milk adds moisture as well as lactose sugars that promote browning during baking. Using milk creates cones that are slightly more tender but still crispy. Around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk per batch is typical in waffle cone recipes that include it.
Eggs
Eggs act as an emulsifier and leavening agent in waffle cone batter. They help incorporate air into the batter, which gives the baked cones a lighter, crisper texture. The proteins in eggs also contribute to the structure and golden-brown exterior of the waffles. Waffle cone recipes normally call for 1-2 eggs per batch.
Are Waffle Bowls Dairy-Free?
Waffle bowls are a variation of waffle cones shaped like bowls rather than cones. They are designed to hold ice cream, berries, fruit salad, chocolates, and other sweet treats. Like standard waffle cones, traditional waffle bowl recipes also rely heavily on dairy ingredients like butter and milk. So most waffle bowls available at ice cream shops and grocery stores contain milkfat and are not vegan or dairy-free. There are some dairy-free waffle bowl options made with oil instead of butter, but they are less common.
Dairy-Free Waffle Cone Options
Although standard waffle cone recipes are high in dairy content, there are some dairy-free waffle cone products available:
Cones Made with Oil
Some waffle cone manufacturers substitute vegetable oil like canola oil or coconut oil for the butter in their recipes. The oil helps replicate some of the moisture and tenderness that the butter provides. However, oil-based cones won’t have quite the same rich, buttery taste. Brands like Joy Cone offer dairy-free classic cone options made with oil instead of butter or dairy.
Cones Made with Non-Dairy Milk
Soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and other non-dairy milks can be used in place of regular milk in waffle cone batter. These help create dairy-free cones with a similar tender, baked texture. Some brands using non-dairy milks in their waffle cone products include Millie’s, No Whey!, and Raw Cones.
Vegan Waffle Cones
There are also vegan waffle cone options made without any dairy ingredients whatsoever. These rely on oil and non-dairy milk alternatives instead of butter and regular milk. Vegan waffle cones use flax or chia eggs as a substitute for regular eggs as well. Brands producing vegan waffle cones include King Cone and Madame Cones. However, they can be harder to find than standard non-vegan cones in grocery stores. You may need to seek them out from vegan brands or source them online.
Nutritional Differences Between Dairy and Dairy-Free Cones
Waffle cones made with butter and milk will have a different nutritional profile than dairy-free options:
Fat Content
Dairy ingredients add a lot of fat to standard waffle cones. A typical 2-inch waffle cone made with butter has around 6 grams of fat, while a non-dairy cone has closer to 1 gram of fat. The fatty acids in dairy fat give cones their rich taste, but increase their overall calorie and saturated fat content.
Calories
Waffle cones made with dairy also tend to be higher in calories than non-dairy ones. A regular dairy waffle cone may have around 90 calories, whereas one made with oil instead of butter or milk may have around 50 calories.
Sugar Content
There is little difference in terms of sugar when it comes to dairy vs. non-dairy waffle cones. They generally have similar amounts of added sugar from ingredients like white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, etc. The lactose natural sugar in milk contributes minimal extra sugar.
Carbohydrates
Waffle cones are a high-carb food regardless of whether they contain dairy ingredients or not. A standard 2-inch cone with or without dairy will have roughly 15-20 grams of total carbs.
Protein
Dairy ingredients provide a small boost in protein content. Waffle cones made with eggs and milk have 2-3 grams of protein typically, while dairy-free versions only have about 1 gram.
Fiber
There is no meaningful difference in fiber between dairy and non-dairy waffle cones. They have minimal fiber, around 0-1 grams per standard cone.
Sodium
Sodium levels are also similar with and without dairy, as waffle cones don’t tend to be very high in salt. Expect around 50-100 mg sodium for a typical waffle cone.
Finding Truly Dairy-Free Cones
Choosing a product labeled as “dairy-free” or “non-dairy” does not guarantee a waffle cone is 100% free of milk ingredients. Some brands use advisory labels, so cross-contamination is still possible in facilities that also handle dairy. Here are some tips for finding truly dairy-free waffle cones:
- Check the ingredients list and look for butter, milk, cream, or other obvious dairy-derived ingredients
- Look for cones labeled “vegan” or “plant-based” as these are free of any animal products
- Contact manufacturers directly to ask about potential cross-contamination risks
- Seek out brands that exclusively make dairy-free, vegan food products
- Purchase cones made by smaller bakeries that cater to vegan diets
- Make your own cones from scratch using oil, plant-based milk, and other dairy-free ingredients
Are Homemade Waffle Cones Dairy-Free?
Waffle cones are easy to prepare at home using a waffle cone maker or iron. This allows you to control the ingredients and customize them to be dairy-free. Simple baking recipes can be adapted to use:
- Oil like coconut oil instead of butter
- Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk instead of dairy milk
- Ground flax or chia seeds instead of eggs
- Non-dairy chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit purees for flavor
Be sure to use an oil with a high smoke point so the cones get crispy without burning. Coconut oil is a good choice, as is avocado oil or grapeseed oil. And take care not to overfill the cone maker or iron so the waffle batter cooks evenly into a crispy cone shape. Making dairy-free waffle cones at home allows total control over the ingredients.
Are Commercially Prepared Waffle Cones Dairy-Free?
Most commercially made waffle cones sold in grocery stores and ice cream shops contain dairy ingredients like butter, milk, and eggs. However, there are some brands producing dairy-free options:
| Brand | Dairy-Free Options |
|---|---|
| Joy Cone | Original Cones made with rice bran oil and no dairy ingredients |
| King Cone | Certified vegan classic waffle cones |
| Millie’s | Dairy-free classic waffle cones made with almond milk |
| No Whey! | Oil-based waffle bowls free of dairy and egg |
| Raw Cones | Coconut milk-based vegan cones |
Some ice cream brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs also offer dairy-free frozen dessert options served in dairy-free waffle cones. Check labels and product information carefully or contact the manufacturer to confirm which products are guaranteed dairy-free.
Are Waffle Cones Dairy-Free at Ice Cream Shops?
Most waffle cones served at ice cream parlors and frozen yogurt shops are not dairy-free. The shops source standard waffle cones containing dairy ingredients like butter for ease of supply and the traditional taste customers expect. Some artisanal ice cream makers may offer house-made dairy-free cones, but major chains likely do not. Those with dairy allergies or avoiding dairy for other reasons should ask about ingredients and options for dairy-free cones before purchasing. Some shops may be able to serve non-dairy ice cream in a cup instead of a dairy-based cone.
Can You Make Dairy-Free Waffle Cones Taste Buttery?
Part of the appeal of traditional waffle cones is their rich, buttery taste from ingredients like butter and milk. To mimic this flavor profile without the dairy, try using:
- Coconut oil – Has a natural creamy, tropical flavor
- Nut oils – Almond, pecan, and walnut oil provide nutty notes
- Non-dairy butters – Brands like Miyoko’s make plant-based butter from nut milks
- Margarine – Some dairy-free margarines can substitute for butter flavor
- Sunflower oil – Has a more neutral profile that allows other flavors to come through
- Vegan butter flavoring – Extracts and oils provide buttery taste without dairy
You can also add mix-ins to increase flavor complexity like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted nuts, coconut, caramel, or salt. Brushing the baked cones with vegan butter or coconut oil will make them shinier and more buttery-tasting too.
Do Waffle Bowl Cones Contain Dairy?
Like standard waffle cones, most waffle bowls also contain high amounts of dairy ingredients. The bowls require the same recipes as cones to achieve a crispy, tender baked texture capable of holding scoops of ice cream. Traditional waffle bowl recipes call for butter, milk, cream, eggs, and other dairy components. So unless the product packaging indicates it is dairy-free or vegan, waffle bowls likely contain milk-derived ingredients. Seek out brands like No Whey! that offer dairy-free waffle bowl options. Or make your own plant-based waffle bowls at home.
Can You Make Waffle Cones Without Eggs?
Yes, it’s possible to make egg-free waffle cones at home. Simply replace the eggs called for in most waffle cone recipes with:
- Flax or chia seeds – Whisk 1 tablespoon of ground seeds with 3 tablespoons water. Let sit briefly until thickened
- Applesauce – Use 1/4 cup applesauce per egg needed
- Banana – Mash 1 ripe banana per egg and substitute into batter
- Aquafaba – Use 3 tablespoons per egg; aquafaba is the viscous liquid from a can of chickpeas
- Commercial egg replacer – Follow package instructions for substituting
These all act as binders like eggs normally would to help hold the waffle batter together. They add moisture while still allowing the cones to crisp up nicely when baked.
Conclusion
While traditionally made waffle cones rely heavily on butter, milk, eggs, and other dairy ingredients, it is possible to find or make dairy-free versions. Brands like Joy Cone, King Cone, Millie’s, No Whey!, and Raw Cones offer plant-based waffle cones without butter or milk. Coconut oil, non-dairy milks, egg replacers, and other substitutes can also be used at home to whip up customized dairy-free waffle cones from scratch. With the right ingredients and a quality waffle cone maker, even those avoiding dairy can enjoy crispy cones to hold their scoops of frozen dessert.