14+ Popular Cookies that are Surprisingly Dairy Free

Dessert is a special treat that many people take for granted. When you follow a special diet, like dairy free, you can’t just pick something up at the bakery. And finding a good sweet at the store can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. That’s why I’ve done the work for you! I’ve found more than a dozen accidentally dairy-free cookies you can easily find at major grocers. Some are even sold in convenience stores!

Surprise! These Brands Make Accidentally Dairy-Free Cookies …

There are some great allergy-friendly cookie brands out there. But these are the cookies that just happen to be dairy-free. They’re not gluten-free, and only a few are accidentally vegan. These are just “normal” treats you can find almost anywhere and share without any funny looks from friends. They are listed alphabetically!

Allergen Notes: All items listed below are dairy-free by ingredients. But ingredients are subject to change at any time, and all products are at some degree of risk for allergen cross contamination, whether they have a “may contain” statement or not. Always read the label before consuming any food, and make sure you are familiar with this may contain information. Only you can decide what is safe for your needs.

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Grandma’s Cookies (select varieties)

Yes, some of those big, soft Grandma’s Cookies are made without milk! The Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Raisin come with two jumbo cookies per pack, just like they always have, and are surprisingly dairy-free by ingredients. (contains: egg, wheat, soy oil; also peanuts  in peanut butter variety)

Great Value (Walmart) Cookies (Select Varieties)

You won’t believe how many dairy-free cookies there are under the Walmart store brand Great Value. They include the list below (yes, some of them are Girl Scout Cookie copycats!). Many of these are accidentally vegan, too! (contains: soy, wheat; see label for additional top allergens in select varieties)

• Chewy Chippers (not other Chippers)
• Chocolate Chip (plain GV brand)
• Creme Wafer Cookies (most varieties)
• Fig Cookies
• Fudge Covered Peanut Butter Filled
• Fudge Graham
• Fudge Marshmallow
• Fudge Mint
• Fudge Striped Shortbread
• Gingersnap
• Iced Oatmeal
• Lemon Dipped Shortbread
• Oatmeal
• Sandwich Cookies (most varieties)

Keebler E.L. Fudge Elfwich Cookies

If you want to add a little extra fun to cookie time, these elf-shaped sandwich cookies come in Original and Double Stuffed varieties. Keebler also offers Vienna Fingers and Sugar Wafers without milk. (contains: soy, wheat)

Knott’s Berry Farm Shortbread Cookies

They are famous for their jams, so it isn’t surprising that Knott’s Berry Farm makes popular Thumbprint cookies, too! Both the Strawberry, Blueberry, Boysenberry, and Raspberry varieties are made without milk. (contains: egg, soy, wheat)

Lorna Doone Shortbread

Most shortbread cookies are made with dairy butter, but a few, like this Nabisco brand, are made without any dairy. It’s a mainstream brand, sold at many mega grocers and pharmacy chains. (contains: soy, wheat)

Lotus Biscoff

This brand is my sweet savior when traveling abroad. They are distributed globally and are even handed out on many airlines. The plain Biscoff Cookies and the Sandwich Cookies in Vanilla, Cream, and Vanilla Cream are all made without milk. (contains: soy, wheat)

Mi-Del Snaps

Don’t overlook these flavorful little cookies. They’ve been around for decades, and each snappy flavor is made without milk, including Ginger, Lemon, Vanilla, and Chocolate. (contains soy, wheat; they do make gluten-free varieties)

Moon Pies

Like Oreos, these classic treats have been accidentally dairy-free for decades. They are graham cookies, with a marshmallow filling (not vegan), dipped in a coating. They’re kind of the original S’mores cookies. They come in with Vanilla, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Mint, Blueberry, Strawberry, Banana , and seasonal Pumpkin Spice varieties. Several of the flavors come in Single Decker, Double Decker, and Mini sizes. (contains: soy, wheat)

Newtons

These little fruit filled bars almost feel like a healthy snack, but Fig Newtons do offer cookie satisfaction. They’re naturally dairy-free, and come in classic Fig, Strawberry, and Blueberry flavors. (contains: soy, wheat)

Nutter Butter

The majority of sandwich cookies happen to be dairy free, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that Nutter Butters are indeed made without milk. Their Classic and Mini versions are both non-dairy and accidentally vegan, and so are their Wafer Cookies. (contains: peanut, soy, wheat)

Oreos

If you’ve been dairy-free a while, this isn’t news. But if you haven’t, I’m happy to tell you that most Oreo flavors are accidentally dairy-free and vegan. See my Dairy-Free Oreo Cookie Guide for details. (contains: soy, wheat)

Pepperidge Farm Gingerman Cookies

Yes, all other Pepperidge Farm Cookies do contain milk, but their full-size Gingerman Cookies are surprisingly dairy free. Note that the Gingerman Minis do contain milk. Get the Gingerman while you can – they are seasonal. (contains: egg, soy, wheat)

Pillsbury Mini Soft Baked Cookies

Everyday dairy-free chocolate chip cookies do exist, and they’re made by Pillsbury! Their entire line of Mini Soft Baked Cookies is made without dairy. It includes Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Funfetti cookies. (contains: egg, soy, wheat)

Stella D’Oro

This century-old biscuit baker makes an entire range of cookies that are surprisingly dairy free. They include their Almond Toasts (like biscotti), Swiss Fudge, Egg Biscuits, Lady Stella Assortment, and more. (contains: egg, soy, wheat; select contain nuts)

Cookie FAQs

Which Cookies are Vegan?

In the “contains” note with each brand, I have noted if they contain egg, and I’ve included a note on the marshmallow varieties that contain gelatin. Any cookies without egg and gelatin could generally be considered vegan. But we haven’t checked on the sugar source or ingredient additives to ensure they are produced vegan. This is why we haven’t included vegan labels.

Are All Varieties of These Cookie Brands Dairy-Free?

The specific varieties we have listed are made without milk. Read carefully, as there are some nuances. For example, only the full-size Pepperidge Farm Gingerman cookies are dairy-free, not the minis. And as always, check the label before buying to confirm!

Why Are These Cookies “Accidentally” Dairy-Free?

In most cases, these cookie manufacturers didn’t have the intention of making their cookies dairy-free or vegan. But they have opted to use oils instead of butter, and didn’t use milk additives, like whey, in their products. So they are “normal” mainstream cookies that just happen to use dairy-free recipes!

Why Do Some of The Cookies Say “May Contain Milk” on the Packaging?

As noted in our allergen warning, these notes are unregulated and unrelated to the ingredients in the product. Only the “contains” notes refer to the ingredients and are regulated. All products are at some degree of risk for cross-contamination, whether they have a warning or not. Please familiarize yourself with our “may contain” post. It’s essential to understand these labels.

How to Spot Other Dairy-Free Brands & Generics

You’ll likely come across more store brands and some regional brands of cookies that have dairy-free options. The following types of cookies have greatest odds for being non-dairy:

• Sandwich Cookies – These Oreo copycats are frequently made without dairy.
• Fruit Filled Cookie Bars – Fig Newton lookalikes are usually vegan-friendly.
• Girl Scout Cookie Generics – If they look like Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, or any other cookies in our Dairy-Free Girl Scout Cookie Guide, take a look as they might be dairy free!
• Ginger Cookies – It’s actually somewhat rare to see this type of cookie made with butter – especially ginger snaps.
• Creme Wafers – These are definitely hit or miss. These light, sugary wafers can be made with dairy or without – but the odds aren’t bad, so it’s worth a look!

Craving More? See the Dairy-Free Cookie Gifts You Can Order!