Dairy-Free Foods & Fun Recipes

Milk and other dairy products, like cheese, cream and yoghurts, are said to be a fantastic source of protein and calcium: two things that can help to form a healthy and balanced diet. However, not everyone can tolerate dairy in their diet. 

Dairy intolerance is one of the most common food sensitivities. Some sufferers experience a delayed physical reaction, while others experience immediate consequences. Regardless of the severity of the intolerance, living with a dairy intolerance can be inconvenient and challenging. Finding foods to replace the lost benefits (such as the previously-mentioned protein and calcium) or to replace the general taste of dairy products is one of the biggest challenges facing those with a dairy intolerance. 

Those of you who are vegan or who want to explore a dairy-free diet may be wondering what foods are dairy-free. Well, there’s no need to worry! In this blog, we’ll detail some of the most popular dairy-free foods and alternatives. We will also look at some fun dairy-free recipes you can follow.

What Foods Contain Dairy?

Before delving into some of the best dairy-free foods, it’s worth considering what foods contain dairy in the first place. Here are some of the most popular dairy products: 

• Milk
• Cheese 
• Yoghurt 
• Butter
• Cream
• Ice Cream 
• Custard

Dairy-Free Milk

Just because you have a dairy intolerance does not mean you have to swear off milk entirely. There are many dairy-free milks out there, many of which are plant-based milks. Each dairy-free milk offers slightly different advantages and unique flavours. Below is a list of some of the most popular dairy-free milks, with a brief overview of their benefits: 

Almond Milk

With its light, slightly nutty flavour, almond milk has become a staple in many households, regardless of whether they have a dairy intolerance or not. It’s perfect for cereals, smoothies, and even baking. Not only is almond milk an excellent dairy-free alternative, but it is also a good source of vitamin E. 

Soy Milk

One of the original dairy-free milks, soy milk is high in protein and has a creamy texture, making it similar to cow’s milk. It’s a versatile option that’s great for drinking straight, in coffee, or for cooking.

Oat Milk

Known for its creamy consistency, oat milk has taken the coffee world by storm. It’s excellent for frothing and adds a subtle sweetness to beverages and baked goods. Furthermore, it contains a good quantity of fatty acids, protein, minerals and vitamins. 

Coconut Milk

Rich and creamy, coconut milk is a fantastic option for curries and desserts. Its tropical flavour can transport your taste buds to a sunny beach with every sip.

Rice Milk

Light and sweet, rice milk is a good choice for those with nut allergies. It’s a bit thinner than other plant-based milks, making it ideal for light drinks and recipes.

Hemp Milk

With a nutty flavour, hemp milk is a nutritious addition to smoothies and cereals, and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acid.

Dairy-Free Yoghurts 

Similar to milk, having a dairy intolerance doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yoghurt. There are a multitude of dairy-free yoghurt alternatives out there, some of which include:

Soy Yogurt

Creamy and high in protein, soy yoghurt is a versatile option that’s available in many flavours. Soy yoghurts, like soy milk, are also an excellent source of protein. 

Almond Yogurt

Light and nutty, almond yoghurt is perfect for breakfast bowls or as a delicious dairy-free snack.

Coconut Yogurt

Rich and creamy with a tropical twist, coconut yoghurt is a treat on its own or when paired with fresh fruit. It is also worth mentioning that coconut yoghurt contains a healthy dose of probiotics. 

Cashew Yogurt

Smooth and slightly tangy, cashew yoghurt adds a gourmet touch to your dairy-free diet, as well as a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals (such as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium). 

Dairy-Free Cheese

Cheese is a weakness for many people. It’s perfect for snacking on its own or as part of a meal. Luckily, even if you have a dairy intolerance you can still enjoy cheese with these dairy-free cheese alternatives. 

Nutritional Yeast

Often used as a cheese substitute, nutritional yeast brings a cheesy flavour to dishes, without the aid of dairy. As the name suggests, nutritional yeast does have some distinct benefits, including being a great source of vitamins and minerals. 

Cashew Cheese

Creamy and versatile, cashew cheese can be used in spreads or sauces, and it can even be sliced.

Coconut Oil-Based Cheese

Perfect for melting, this cheese alternative is great for vegan pizzas and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Dairy-Free Butter

Butter is one of the most important ingredients in many recipes. Not only is it perfect as a spread, but butter works wonders as a cooking oil for some recipes. Here are some of the most popular dairy-free butter alternatives:

Margarine

Made from vegetable oils, margarine is a popular choice for spreading and baking, and it is also dairy-free. 

Coconut Oil Butter

Rich and flavourful, coconut oil butter is excellent for cooking and baking dairy-free meals.

Avocado Oil Butter

A healthier option than margarine and coconut oil butter, avocado oil butter is great for spreading and sautéing.

Dairy Free Recipes

Now you know some of the most popular dairy-free alternatives, what about some fun recipes you can make with them?! While it’s difficult to narrow down dairy-free recipes to just a few different options, here are some of our favourites. 

Fluffy Dairy-Free Pancakes

Many of us love pancakes. While they may not be the healthiest food, they are an amazing option for a filling breakfast or a sweet dessert. 

There are multiple ways to make dairy-free pancakes. Generally speaking, the only real difference between making traditional pancakes and dairy-free pancakes is swapping out the milk to a dairy-free alternative such as almond or soy milk, and ensuring you use vegetable or melted coconut oil. If you are topping the pancakes with butter, you should also ensure it is a dairy-free alternative. 

If you would like to make your pancakes extra accessible, then consider swapping out the flour for a gluten-free flour blend. This way, you have a gluten and dairy-free recipe. 

While there are multiple ways to cook dairy-free pancakes, a rough guideline would be:

• Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it. 
• Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 
• In another bowl, mix dairy-free milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. 
• Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. 
• Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet, cook until bubbles form and edges set, flip, and cook until golden brown (this is usually for around 1-2 minutes). 

Dairy Free Pizza 

What night in would be complete without a couple of slices of pizza? Whether you are watching the big game or having a date night, you really can’t go wrong with pizza. 

Luckily, you can still enjoy pizza even if you are dairy intolerant. Because pizzas have such diverse and interesting toppings it is difficult to advise exactly how to make a dairy-free pizza. The most important thing with regards to toppings is to ensure you check the contents label to ensure that you avoid options which clearly contain dairy. 

Potentially the biggest difference between cooking a dairy-free pizza and a non-dairy-free pizza is ensuring you use a cheese alternative (such as almond cheese or nutritional yeast) for the base.

To make a dairy-free pizza:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let it sit until frothy (this usually takes 5-10 minutes). 
• Mix 2 1/2 cups of flour and salt in a bowl, add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then knead until smooth. 
• Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour. 
• Preheat the oven to approximately 245°C and prepare toppings. 
• Roll out the risen dough, place it on a baking sheet, and spread with tomato sauce, dairy-free cheese, and toppings. 
• Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and bubbly. 
• Cool, slice, and serve.

Dairy Free Cheesecake 

Cheesecakes are one of the most popular desserts out there. However, by virtue of the fact that “cheese” is in the name, many people with a dairy intolerance have been led to believe they can’t enjoy it. However, this isn’t the case. 

One of the main differences between making cheesecake and dairy-free cheesecake is using dairy-free cream cheese as opposed to normal cream cheese. 

You can start making dairy-free cheesecake by: 

• Preheating your oven. 
• Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted coconut oil or dairy-free butter, and sugar, then press into a 9-inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes. 
• Beat dairy-free cream cheese until smooth, add coconut cream, sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and cornstarch, and mix until creamy. 
• Pour over the crust. 
• Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C and bake for 50-60 minutes until set.
• Cool in the oven for an hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 
• Serve chilled with toppings of your choice.

Dairy-Free Hunter’s Chicken

Hunter’s Chicken is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. It is a popular dish at many bars and restaurants. Making this popular dish dairy-free is relatively straightforward with just a few minor adjustments: mainly changing out the cheese to a dairy-free alternative. 

To make a dairy-free hunter’s chicken dish:

• Preheat your oven to 190°C. 
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear for 4-5 minutes per side. Set aside. 
• In the same skillet, cook the chopped onion and garlic until softened, then add sliced mushrooms and cook until browned. 
• Stir in tomato paste, white wine (optional), diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and herbs; bring to a simmer. 
• Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over it, top with dairy-free bacon (optional), and bake for 25-30 minutes. 
• Garnish with parsley and serve.

Learn More About Dairy-Free Foods

To learn more about dairy-free foods with YorkTest, be sure to check out our previous blog on Dairy Free Desserts. 

Alternatively, if you think you may actually have a dairy allergy or intolerance, why not try one of our test kits today? We offer both food allergy tests and food intolerance tests, and you can receive your results in as little as 7 days.