Family-friendly dairy free recipes

Are you looking for family-friendly dairy free recipes? Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or just trying to cut down on dairy, we’ve got some great ideas for you. From appetizers to desserts, we’ve got something for everyone. So check out our easy recipes and get cooking.

There are lots of reasons these dairy free recipes will be handy. It’s nice to offer dairy-free snacks and treats when you’re hosting anyone who has a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance.

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Why would I need dairy free recipes?

Who eats dairy free? Lots of people! Many families choose to eat dairy free for a variety of reasons.

For many people, dairy free recipes are a necessity. Some people are allergic to dairy products, while others may have trouble digesting them.

Dairy free diets can also be recommended for people who suffer from certain medical conditions, such as Crohn’s Disease. Whatever the reason, dairy free recipes can be healthy and delicious.

There are now many cookbooks and websites devoted to dairy free cooking, and it is easier than ever to find dairy-free alternatives to milk, cheese, and ice cream. With a little bit of creativity, anyone can create dairy free dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

Are dairy free recipes also vegan?

Dairy free recipes are not necessarily vegan. While dairy free recipes do not include any dairy products, they may still contain other animal-based ingredients such as eggs, honey, and gelatin.

For a recipe to be considered vegan, it must not contain any animal-derived ingredients. In addition to being dairy free, vegan recipes also tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than recipes that contain dairy products.

As a result, they may be a healthier choice for those looking to reduce their intake of animal-based products. Whether or not a recipe is dairy-free or vegan is typically clearly labeled on the ingredient list. However, it is always important to double check the recipe to ensure that it meets your dietary needs.

How to make recipes dairy free?

Many recipes can be easily made dairy free with a few simple substitutions. Often, you can substitute dairy products with a non-dairy alternative. Or, you can substitute with a food that is naturally dairy-free.

One easy way to cook dairy-free is to replace cow milk with an alternative like almond, soy or oat milk. In baking recipes, in particular, you can often just substitute the same amount of non-dairy milk for whatever amount of cow milk the recipe calls for.

Instead of butter, margarine or olive oil can be used in most recipes. For example, rather than sauteing in butter, you can just use olive oil.

When it comes to cheese, there are now many dairy-free options available at most grocery stores. Just make sure to check the labels to ensure that the cheese is truly dairy-free.

With a little creativity, it is easy to make delicious dairy-free recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

When to avoid substitute dairy products

With some recipes, there is an easy swap. But for recipes like homemade brownies, where you would normally use 1/2 cup of melted butter, both the flavor and the texture would be changed if you used olive oil.

That’s when you are better off finding a tested dairy-free recipe like this one, which uses a combination of eggs and flavorless canola oil for moisture.

Woman in grocery store reading food label

Type of dairy products

Keep in mind that it’s not just dairy milk to avoid while cooking. Milk proteins are often used in processed foods as thickeners or stabilizers. As a result, dairy is present in many foods that you might not expect, such as baked goods, soups, and salad dressings.

While some people are able to consume dairy without issue, others may be lactose intolerant or have an allergy to milk proteins. For these individuals, avoiding dairy can be a challenge.

However, there are many dairy-free alternatives available, such as almond milk and coconut milk. With a little bit of searching, it is possible for everyone to find dairy-free options that fit their needs and preferences.

What contains dairy?

Unfortunately, having the label “dairy-free” doesn’t mean the product won’t contain milk derivatives. These are the words to look for when you’re reading labels to avoid dairy:

butter
casein
caseinates
curds
dry milk solids
lactalbumin
lactalbumin phosphate
lactoglobulin
lactose
milk
milk by-products
nonfat dry milk
whey

All our dairy-free recipes

These frugal, easy recipes are naturally dairy-free, so there’s no need to substitute dairy products in them.

Dairy-Free Recipes

Here are ALL the dairy-free recipes available at MoneywiseMoms.

Dairy Free Breakfasts and Snacks

Recipes for breakfasts and snacks that are naturally dairy-free

Non Dairy Smoothie Recipe

This easy berry smoothie is a great non dairy smoothie recipe that everyone can enjoy. We are making a smoothie recipe with no yogurt!

Tropical Green Smoothies with Almond Milk

This delicious tropical green smoothies with almond milk recipe is easy, delicious, and packed with nutrients!

Vegan Pumpkin Waffles

Homemade pumpkin waffles are a delicious and easy breakfast treat that the whole family will love.

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

White Bean Dip Recipe

An easy white bean dip recipe that you can make quickly and easily for parties, family gatherings, and more!

Dairy Free Desserts

Easy dessert recipes that are naturally dairy-free

Almond Butter Cookies

Same fabulous texture as Peanut Butter Cookies, but safe for those with peanut allergies. Plus, there’s no flour in this Almond Butter Cookies recipe!

Dairy & Egg Free Cupcakes

Meringue Cookies Lemon

These meringue cookies lemon flavored and perfect for sharing are easy to make and fun to eat! This is a great recipe for egg free cookies.

Egg Free Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Making these egg free dairy free chocolate chip cookies is fun and easy. These are allergy friendly cookies that everyone can enjoy!

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Trees

These easy 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie trees are perfect for the holidays! You can make them with any shape for a year round treat, too!

Dinner Free Dinners

Easy main dish/dinner recipes that are naturally dairy-free

Salmon Pasta Recipe

This easy salmon pasta recipe is great for busy weeknights. It's simple, quick to make, and you can use the leftovers for lunches and dinners throughout the week.

Apple Pork Tenderloin

My apple pork tenderloin recipe is delicious, easy, and made in just one oven safe skillet! This is a pork tenderloin with apples recipe that the whole family will love.

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

This quick and easy lemon rosemary chicken recipe is perfect for hectic weeknight meals. Featuring a classic blend of lemon, garlic, and rosemary, this dish doesn’t need a lot of fancy ingredients to deliver robust flavor.

Chicken Peppers and Potatoes

This delicious recipe is super simple. It's got chicken, peppers, and potatoes. This all in one casserole style dinner is great for those super busy weeknights.

Baked Lemon Pepper Tilapia

Baked lemon pepper tilapia is an easy and family friendly recipe that you can make from scratch! We have a great lemon pepper seasoning recipe linked for you as well!

Recipe for Lemon Pepper Chicken

This easy recipe for lemon pepper chicken is great for even busy weeknights. It pairs well with just about any side dish and is family friendly!

Crockpot Pineapple Chicken

This easy crockpot pineapple chicken is family friendly, simple to make, and preps well if you need to make it in advance.

Crockpot Vegetable Soup

Make homemade vegetable soup in the crockpot with this easy dump recipe. Use a combination of fresh, frozen and canned vegetables.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

See how simple it is to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker. After eating it, make homemade chicken stock from the remains.

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

It just doesn't get any easier than this Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken. This is an easy way to get your favorite take-out flavors in a home-cooked meal, just using a slow cooker recipe.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

This delicious recipe for slow cooker red beans and rice is indulgent and simple to make. A great weeknight recipe that everyone will love!

Hamburger Soup

This easy Crockpot Hamburger Soup is a simple slow cooker recipe that makes the perfect comfort food.

Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup

This simple and delicious no-fuss soup is perfect for fall. Slow cooker 15 bean soup is vegan and perfect for brisk autumn days.

Lentil Vegetable Soup

Make a big batch of this Lentil Vegetable Soup over the weekend, and then it's in the fridge all week for an easy lunch.

The Tastiest Quinoa Salad Recipe

This delicious quinoa salad is perfect for summer. Loaded with protein and fresh vegetables it's a great cold salad recipe that requires no reheating!

Dairy Free Side Dishes

Easy side dish recipes that are naturally dairy-free

Dairy Free Recipe Collections

We have several recipe collections with dairy free recipes. They’re easy to make and inexpensive, just like all the recipes you’ll find here at MoneywiseMoms.