Yes, there are definitely dairy free chocolate chips available on the market today. With the rise in food allergies and intolerances like lactose intolerance, as well as the popularity of vegan diets, there is a growing demand for high quality chocolate chips that don’t contain milk ingredients.
What are dairy free chocolate chips made of?
Dairy free chocolate chips are typically made from a combination of ingredients like cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar, soy lecithin, and natural flavors. Instead of milk ingredients like milk fat and milk powder, they rely on plant-based ingredients to create the creamy chocolate flavor and texture we know and love in chocolate chips.
Some of the most common dairy free chocolate chips include:
- Dark chocolate chips – made from cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder, sugar, and soy lecithin. These have a deeper, richer chocolate taste.
- Semisweet chocolate chips – similar to dark chocolate but with more sugar added for sweetness.
- Milk chocolate style chips – contain cocoa butter, sugar, soy milk powder, soy lecithin and natural flavors to mimic the taste of milk chocolate.
- White chocolate style chips – made from cocoa butter, sugar, soy milk powder, soy lecithin and flavors.
Brands that make dairy free chocolate chips will often state on the packaging that they are “dairy free”, “vegan”, “non-dairy”, or “pareve”. Always check the ingredients list for milk ingredients just to be safe.
Where can you find dairy free chocolate chips?
Dairy free chocolate chips can be found in many standard grocery stores these days alongside regular milk chocolate chips. Some brands to look for include:
- Enjoy Life
- Ghirardelli
- Nestle
- Guittard
- Toll House
- Trader Joe’s
You can typically find them near the regular baking chips and chocolate sections. Popular stores that sell them include Target, Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Stop & Shop, Publix and more.
Natural food stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts are another great place to look. They often have a bigger selection of allergen friendly and vegan chips. You can also find more niche dairy free chocolate chip brands here like Taza Chocolate, Equal Exchange, Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value brand and others.
Buying online is another option if you can’t find what you need locally. Amazon, Thrive Market, Vitacost, iHerb and Gluten Free Palace all carry many popular dairy free chocolate chip brands.
Are there benefits to choosing dairy free chocolate chips?
There are several potential benefits to using dairy free chocolate chips instead of traditional milk chocolate chips:
- Allergy friendly – Dairy free chips avoid milk allergens and are safe for those with milk/dairy allergies and intolerances like lactose intolerance.
- Nutritional profile – Chips made with alternate dairy like soy milk powder, almond milk, etc. often have fewer calories, fat and sugar compared to milk chocolate chips.
- Ethical reasons – Dairy free chips are suitable for vegan and plant-based diets. Avoiding milk products aligns with vegan ethics of using no animal products.
Additionally, some find that quality dairy free chocolate chips made with less processed ingredients have better flavor and taste compared to regular milk chocolate chips.
Are there any downsides to dairy free chips?
There are a couple potential downsides to dairy free chocolate chips to be aware of:
- Higher price – Dairy free chips sometimes cost more than regular chips, by $1-2 per bag usually.
- Different taste/texture – Non-dairy chips have a different taste and texture than what you may be used to with milk chocolate chips.
- Allergens – Dairy free chips may contain alternate allergens like soy, tree nuts or coconut that some people need to avoid.
These differences come down to personal preference. The only way to know is to try them yourself. Many find the taste and quality equally as good, while some strongly prefer the real milk chocolate versions.
How do you use dairy free chocolate chips?
Dairy free chocolate chips can be used in place of regular chocolate chips in any recipe or application. Here are some of the most common ways to eat them:
- Baked goods – Cookies, muffins, cakes, brownies, etc.
- Trail mixes and granola
- Melted as a dip or sauce for fruit
- Eaten plain as a snack
- Blended into smoothies or shakes
- Drizzled over ice cream, pudding and other desserts
- Incorporated into breakfast cereals like oatmeal
The possibilities are endless! Anywhere you want chocolate flavor without the dairy, these chips can be swapped in. Most brands provide substitution ratios on the bag when replacing milk chocolate chips in recipes.
One tip is to look for dark chocolate or semisweet dairy free chips and use less when baking. Because they don’t have milk ingredients, the chocolate flavor will be stronger and more concentrated. You may need to use only 2/3 the amount called for with regular milk chocolate chips. But doing some tests with sample cookies or whatever you’re making is advisable.
Are there potential issues when baking with dairy free chocolate chips?
When using dairy free chocolate chips in baking, the main thing to watch out for is a difference in how the chips melt and maintain their shape compared to milk chocolate chips.
Because milk ingredients help provide an emulsifying effect, regular dairy chocolate holds its shape well when baked. Non-dairy chocolate with alternate ingredients like soy lecithin may spread out more or lose their defined edges in the oven or when warm.
A couple steps can help prevent this:
- Use semisweet or dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate style. Less sugar and different texture helps maintain shape better.
- Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to help chips firm up.
- Bake at a slightly lower temperature, like 325??F instead of 350??F.
- Let cookies and other baked goods cool completely before eating for best texture.
Making these minor adjustments usually gives the best results when baking with dairy free chocolate chips!
Top 5 recommended dairy free chocolate chip brands
After testing many dairy free chocolate chip options, these brands consistently rise to the top:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Enjoy Life Mini Chips | Allergy friendly, various flavors like semi-sweet and mega chunk, hold shape well when baking |
| Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chips | Rich chocolate flavor, higher quality ingredients, classic chocolate chip taste |
| Taza Semi-Sweet Chocolate Disks | Stone ground chocolate from bean to disk, bold flavor, ethically sourced |
| Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels | Trusted brand, iconic chocolate chip taste, dairy free version of original recipe |
| Trader Joe’s Semi-Sweet Mini Chips | Affordable price, good quality, perfect size for baking |
While flavor and texture preferences vary person-to-person, these brands offer great taste and reliable performance for all your chocolate chip needs.
Recipes using dairy free chocolate chips
Here are some delicious recipes that show off how great dairy free chocolate chips can be:
Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are a classic chocolate chip cookie recreated in a dairy free version. Crispy edges with chewy middles and melty chocolate goodness.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter or dairy free margarine
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (10-12 oz) dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375??F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in vanilla.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool 5 minutes on pan before removing to cooling rack.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Blondies
These blondies have that irresistible combo of chocolate chips and chewy vanilla. Dairy free and perfect with nuts if you want to add them in.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dairy free butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 package dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350??F. Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Remove from heat and whisk in brown sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in the dry ingredients just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
- Bake 18-22 minutes until top is set and toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.
Dairy Free White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies
The tropical pairing of white chocolate and macadamia nuts makes these dairy free cookies extra special.
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup dairy free butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg or equivalent egg replacer like flax or chia
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 bag (10 oz) dairy free white chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350??F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until combined. Stir in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.
- Roll dough into balls and arrange on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
DIY Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Whip up this quick cookie mix ahead of time to have on hand for convenience. Just add wet ingredients when ready to bake.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips, any dairy free variety
Instructions:
- Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
- Add in chocolate chips and stir well.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use. Will keep 3 months at room temperature.
To make cookies:
- Preheat oven to 375??F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup butter or dairy free margarine, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar. Beat until creamy.
- Add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat well.
- Stir in pre-made cookie mix until fully combined.
- Scoop rounds of dough 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. Cool on pan briefly before transferring to a wire rack.
Conclusion
Dairy free chocolate chips provide a tasty way for anyone avoiding milk products to still enjoy chocolate in their favorite recipes and treats. Quality brands like Enjoy Life, Ghirardelli, Nestle and others make chips that are allergy friendly and capture the classic chocolate chip experience. With so many uses from cookies to smoothies and everything between, dairy free chocolate chips are a versatile pantry staple with chocolate goodness sans the dairy.
