When looking for dairy-free pastries, it’s important to check the ingredients list. Many pastries contain butter, milk, cream, or other dairy products. However, there are several delicious dairy-free options to choose from.
Dairy-Free Pastries
Here are some common pastries that can be made dairy-free:
- Scones – Use non-dairy milk and vegan margarine
- Muffins – Substitute oil or non-dairy milk for milk
- Croissants – Use vegan margarine instead of butter
- Danishes – Make with vegan puff pastry
- Donuts – Fry in oil instead of butter
- Pop-tarts – Use vegan margarine in the pastry dough
- Palmiers – Make with vegan puff pastry
- Cinnamon rolls – Use non-dairy milk and vegan margarine
- Bear claws – Substitute oil for butter in pastry dough
- Apple turnovers – Use vegan puff pastry
Many traditional pastry recipes can be adapted to be dairy-free by substituting butter with vegan margarine or vegetable oil, and replacing milk with non-dairy milk such as almond, soy or oat milk.
Tips for Baking Dairy-Free Pastries
Here are some tips for achieving great results when baking dairy-free pastries:
- Look for vegan and dairy-free margarines that contain little to no water, as too much water can inhibit rising.
- Nut milks like almond or cashew work well as dairy milk substitutes.
- Reduce oven temperature by 25°F since vegan doughs tend to brown faster.
- Use egg replacers like flax eggs or banana to replace eggs.
- Let dough chill for at least 30 minutes before baking to allow vegan margarine to re-solidify.
- Brush pastries with non-dairy milk before baking for sheen.
Health Benefits of Dairy-Free Pastries
Dairy-free pastries offer some health advantages over traditional pastries containing milk and butter:
- Lower in saturated fat since they don’t contain butter
- No cholesterol because they are plant-based
- Can be lower in calories when made with healthier fats
- Safer for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies
- Provide an option for vegans and those avoiding dairy
While no pastry is ever considered a health food, eliminating butter and using vegetable oil or vegan margarine can reduce the amount of saturated fat. And being dairy-free makes pastries accessible to more people with food restrictions.
Popular Dairy-Free Pastry Brands
Many mainstream and specialty bakery brands now offer dairy-free pastries:
| Brand | Dairy-Free Offerings |
|---|---|
| Annie’s | English muffins, snack bars |
| Pillsbury | Crescent rolls, biscuits, pie crust |
| Immaculate Baking Co. | Vegan cookies, brownies |
| Kinnikinnick | Donuts, cereal, bread |
| Enjoy Life | Cookies, snack bars, baking mixes |
Check your grocery store bakery or health food store for dairy-free treats like muffins, scones, croissants and more. There are now many brands creating tasty vegan and allergy-friendly baked goods.
Dairy-Free Pastry Recipes to Try
To get started baking your own dairy-free pastries at home, here are some recipes to try:
Flaky Vegan Croissants
These croissants use vegan butter and oat milk for ultimate flakiness. Fill them with jam or chocolate for a special breakfast.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
With pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, these muffins scream fall. Substitute oil and non-dairy milk for a dairy-free version.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, pillowy cinnamon rolls made with vegan cream cheese frosting. Proof and rise time is less than 2 hours total.
Blueberry Scones
Tender scones studded with fresh blueberries. Use maple syrup in place of buttermilk for a dairy-free take.
Conclusion
From scones to cinnamon rolls, there are lots of dairy-free options when it comes to pastries. With a few ingredient swaps like using vegetable oil, vegan butter and non-dairy milk, you can make delicious pastries without dairy. Brands like Annie’s, Pillsbury and Enjoy Life offer dairy-free treats, or try baking your own at home. Going dairy-free opens up pastries to more people who have food allergies or diet restrictions.
