Dairy Queen, often abbreviated as DQ, is an international chain of soft serve ice cream and fast food restaurants. With over 6,000 locations worldwide, it’s one of the most popular fast food chains known for its signature soft serve ice cream treats like the Blizzard. But is DQ dairy-free? Let’s take a closer look.
Is DQ Ice Cream Dairy-Free?
No, DQ soft serve ice cream is not dairy-free. DQ’s signature soft serve contains milk and cream, which means it contains lactose and is not suitable for people with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
According to the DQ website, their classic vanilla soft serve contains the following dairy-based ingredients:
- Milk
- Cream
- Nonfat milk solids
- Butter
All of these ingredients are derived from cow’s milk and contain lactose, the natural sugar found in mammalian milk. Lactose is what makes dairy products unsuitable for people with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
Why DQ Soft Serve Contains Dairy
There are several reasons why DQ chooses to use dairy products in their soft serve recipe:
- Creaminess – Milkfat from dairy products like cream gives soft serve a smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Flavor – Butter and milk solids provide a sweet, milky flavor consumers expect from soft serve.
- Cost – Using real dairy ingredients is cheaper than dairy alternatives made from nuts, soy, etc.
- Tradition – Dairy soft serve has been the norm since soft serve was invented in the 1930s.
Replacing the dairy ingredients with plant-based or dairy-free alternatives would alter the texture, flavor, and cost of producing the soft serve. As a popular and established brand, DQ has chosen to stick with the traditional dairy soft serve recipe that made it famous.
What About DQ Blizzards and Other Menu Items?
In addition to soft serve, DQ serves a wide selection of treats like sundaes, milkshakes, and the signature Blizzard. None of these menu items are dairy-free either.
Let’s look at some of the most popular DQ menu items and why they contain dairy:
Blizzards
DQ Blizzards are made by blending soft serve with mix-in ingredients like cookies, candy, and fruit. But since the soft serve itself contains dairy, all Blizzard flavors have dairy.
Milkshakes
DQ milkshakes are made from soft serve blended with milk and syrups. They contain dairy from both the soft serve and added milk.
Cakes and Sundaes
menu items like ice cream cakes, sundaes, and parfaits are made with DQ’s soft serve – so they also contain dairy.
Dilly Bars
Dilly Bars are DQ Soft serve coated in a chocolate or candy shell. The soft serve center contains dairy.
Other Frozen Treats
Treats like cones, cups, and Coolatta frozen beverages get their base from DQ’s dairy soft serve as well.
Are There Any Dairy-Free Options at DQ?
Unfortunately, DQ does not currently offer any dairy-free soft serve or ice cream options. Their treats are centered around traditional dairy soft serve. However, there are still a few dairy-free options you can customize at DQ:
- Sorbet – DQ locations with Orange Julius can serve you a cup or cone with sorbet instead of soft serve.
- Julius Originals – These fruit smoothies are dairy-free when ordered without yogurt or sherbet.
- Beverages – Soft drinks, juices, coffee drinks, and iced tea can be dairy-free.
- Candy – Individual candy pieces like Nerds or M&Ms make simple dairy-free treats.
Some locations may have additional dairy-free options depending on their menu. But in general, the selection is very limited compared to DQ’s full dairy menu.
Should You Consume DQ Products If You Have Dairy Restrictions?
Those with dairy allergies, lactose intolerance, or vegan diets should avoid DQ soft serve and ice cream products. Consuming them could cause uncomfortable symptoms like:
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin rash, hives, or itching
In severe cases, dairy could even trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
However, individual tolerance varies. Those who are lactose intolerant may be able to consume small amounts of dairy without issue. Some with mild milk allergies may tolerate butter or milk solids. It’s best to consult your doctor if you are unsure.
In general, DQ treats should be avoided if you have a confirmed dairy allergy, lactose intolerance, or vegan diet. Stick to the few dairy-free options available or visit a different ice cream shop with dairy-free choices instead.
Are There Any Dairy-Free Fast Food Chains Similar to DQ?
Yes, if you’re looking for drive-thru soft serve with dairy-free options, check out these chains:
Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s offers fruit-flavored Italian ices and custard-style Frozen Custard. Their ices are dairy-free and they have dairy-free sorbet options. Many locations also serve vegan chocolate and vanilla soft serve.
Carvel
Carvel offers dairy-free soft serve called Cindy’s, made from oat milk. They use Cindy’s to create sundaes, cones, shakes and more. Most locations carry Cindy’s but selection varies.
Sweet Frog
Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt has several dairy-free sorbet flavors. You can get sorbet in a cup, cone, or as part of their parfaits and shakes. Not all locations carry dairy-free options.
Foster Freeze
This West Coast chain has non-dairy Rice Dream options for shakes and soft serve. Availability can vary by location.
Checking individual chain and store websites can help you find one serving dairy-free soft serve near you. Chains like Freddy’s and Bruster’s also have some dairy-free options at select spots.
Is DQ Considering Dairy-Free Soft Serve Options?
As of 2023, DQ has not announced plans to add dairy-free soft serve options to their permanent menu. The chain is known for sticking close to its roots as an old-fashioned American dairy soft serve drive-in.
However, due to rising demand, we may see limited-time dairy-free soft serve promotions tested at certain DQ locations in the future. But DQ’s core menu will likely remain centered on traditional dairy soft serve for the foreseeable future.
Customers seeking dairy-free soft serve are better off patronizing chains that already offer it, like Carvel, Rita’s, and Sweet Frog.
The Bottom Line
DQ’s soft serve, Blizzards, sundaes, and other frozen treats are all made with dairy ingredients like milk, cream, and butter. The only dairy-free options are limited beverages, fruit smoothies, sorbet, and individual candies at select locations. Those with dairy issues should avoid DQ’s soft serve treats and instead visit chains that already serve dairy-free options.
While DQ may eventually test limited-time dairy-free offerings, their core menu remains centered on traditional dairy soft serve. Customers seeking regular access to dairy-free soft serve are better served looking elsewhere. Chains like Carvel, Rita’s, Sweet Frog, and Foster Freeze already offer dairy-free ice cream, sorbet, and Italian ices suitable for vegan, dairy-free, and lactose intolerant diets.
