Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips Guide

If you’re taking steps to remove dairy from your life and you love chocolate, you are going to want to read this Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips Guide. You’ll find there really is life after milk chocolate. You’ll find information on how to read labels, what to look for, and a listing of so many vegan chocolate chips to choose from!

This post was updated on November 9, 2020 to include even more brands of dairy-free chocolate chips and additional information to help you choose the best products.

Overhead view of a pile of chocolate chips with text that reads: Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Guide by namelymarly.com

If you’re used to milk chocolate, there are also some tips for making the adjustment to dark chocolate. Giving up milk chocolate was one of the most difficult parts of going vegan for me. I put it off to the very end.

Have you seen this video of kids trying dark chocolate for the first time?

That’s kind of what I thought about dark chocolate too.

But you know what? Our taste buds are malleable.

With a bit of time away from eating milk chocolate, my taste buds changed. Before long, I found some dark chocolate I actually liked, and then I started trying different varieties of dark chocolate. Next thing you know, something crazy happened. Now, I don’t even like milk chocolate anymore. It has a sour taste to it that you can’t even detect until you’ve been a milk-free chocolate connoisseur for a while.

So if you’re resisting the plunge, this dairy-free chocolate chip guide will help you make the transition from milk chocolate to dark chocolate!

Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips Guide

Here’s a compilation of various non-dairy chocolate chips listed in alphabetical order.

Amanda’s Own Chocolates

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet and Mini.
  • Emulsifier: None listed.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed — the website indicates they have dedicated equipment to eliminate the potential for cross-contamination.
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy Amanda’s Own Chocolate Chips online.
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Artisan Kettle Organic Chocolates

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Organic Bittersweet, Organic Extra Dark Chunks, Organic Semi-sweet, Organic Semisweet Minis, and Organic No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate.
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Yes
  • Cross Contamination Language: This website states, “Artisan Kettle has eight varieties that are free from all major allergens! The top eight allergens in the United States are Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Dairy, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Fish, and Shellfish.” These same products are VO (certified vegan) and certified Kosher.
  • Where to Buy It: Here are links to buy these chips from Amazon (paid links): Artisan Kettle No Sugar Added, Artisan Kettle Mini Chocolate Chips, Artisan Kettle Extra Dark Chunks, Artisan Kettle Semi-Sweet, and Artisan Kettle Bittersweet. Here are other ways to buy Artisan Kettle online.
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Bailey’s

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Irish Cream Semi-Sweet Baking Chips
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “May contain milk.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can also buy Baileys Irish Cream Semi-Sweet Baking Chips on Amazon (paid link).
  • Comments: This is the same company, Clabber Girl, that makes baking powder and cornstarch. I have not tried this product.

Bake Believe

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Chocolate, No Sugar Added, and Semi-sweet No Sugar Added.
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Yes
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed. The products listed above indicate that they are VO (certified vegan).
  • Where to Buy It: Here are links to buy these chips from Amazon (paid links): Bake Believe Dark Chocolate No Sugar Added and Bake Believe Semi-Sweet No Sugar Added.
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Baker’s

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Chocolate Chunks.
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated
  • Cross Contamination Language: Package states, “Contains soy. May contain milk.”
  • Where to Buy It: These chips are available at a variety of grocery stores, Walmart and Target. You can buy Baker’s Dark Chocolate Chunks on Amazon (paid link) or buy them directly from Baker’s Online Shop.
  • Comments: I have used these baking chunks and/or their baking bars in my Vegan Chunky Monkey Cookies, and they were great.

ChocZero

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Chocolate No Sugar Added
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: It looks like they’re. not certified, but the website says, “We only purchase slavery-free, fair trade cocoa beans from South America.”
  • Cross Contamination Language: The products listed above indicate that they are VO (certified vegan). It also states, “produced in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts and dairy. May contain trace amounts.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy ChocZero Dark Chocolate Baking Chips on Amazon (paid link). Here’s buying information from ChocZero’s website.
  • Comments: I have tried their dairy-free chocolate bars and chocolate chips and they were very good. I did not try baking with them.

Chocolate Emporium

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Butterscotch, Semi-sweet, White, and Mini White
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The website indicates their products are vegan, gluten-free, and Parve. Some of their products have this statement, “Processed on shared equipment for peanuts and tree nuts.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy Chocolate Emporium baking chocolates online.
  • Comments: I have tried their dairy-free chocolate bars and chocolate chips, and they were very good. I did not try baking with them.

Davis Chocolate

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chips
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Indicates it uses Fair Trade ingredients.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The website indicates their products “manufactured on equipment that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, and milk.” The products above are listed as Parve and Vegan.
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy Davis Chocolate online.
  • Comments: I have tried their dairy-free chocolate bars and chocolate chips, and they were very good. I did not try baking with them.

Enjoy Life

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Morsels, Semi-Sweet Chunks, and Semi-Sweet Mini
  • Emulsifier: None listed.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The product packages indicate they are made in a dedicated nut, soy, and dairy-free line. The plant does process dairy products, but not for these products.
  • Where to Buy It: You can find these chips in grocery stores, Target, and Walmart. Here are links to buy them on Amazon (paid links): Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chips, Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chips, and Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips.
  • Comments: I use these chocolate chips regularly in my baking.

Guittard

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet, Extra Dark, Akoma Semi-sweet, and Super Cookies
  • Other indications: Indicated as peanut-free and gluten-free
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Yes.
  • Cross Contamination Language: Each variety described above has this language: “Made on equipment also used to make milk chocolate: not suitable for individuals with milk allergies.”
  • Where to Buy It: Guittard Where to Buy.
  • Comment: This is one of my favorite brands of chocolate chips, especially the dark chocolate variety. I have found Guittard chocolate chips at my local grocery store, Sprouts, and sometimes Target.

Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

The Namely Marly Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Guide includes Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Chips

The Namely Marly Dairy-free Chocolate Chip guide includes the Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chips
  • Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chips. This may be my favorite chocolate chip of all time. They’re perfect to bake in cookies, and straight out of the bag. Sometimes dark chocolate can leave an unfavorable after-taste, but not these. They’re the perfect amount of sweet and chocolate.
  • Where to Buy It: You can find this brand at local grocery stores and Whole Foods. You can also buy Guittard’s Extra Dark Chocolate Chips in packs of four from Amazon (paid link).

Kirkland Chocolate Chips (Costco Store Brand)

The Namely Marly dairy-free chocolate chip guide includes Kirkland's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: The package doesn’t indicate Fair Trade Certified. However, there is this statement, “When you purchase Kirkland Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips you support a cocoa program that improves crops, helps farmers, and reduces the environmental impact of farm operations.”
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “Processed on equipment that also packages products that may contain peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, milk, and eggs.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can find it at Costco (although availability is sometimes spotty) or buy Kirkland Chocolate Chips on Amazon (paid link).
  • Comments: The motherload of chocolate chips comes in a great big bag that encourages one batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies after another!

Marly’s Tips

There are now 2 versions of Kirkland Chocolate Chips. The old version is dairy-free and the bag is mostly white (see image). The new version contains milk fat and has a bag that is mostly red with white lettering. Our local Costco continues to carry both bags, but sometimes the dairy-free version is harder to find.

Godiva

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Bittersweet
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “May contain milk.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy Godiva Chocolate Chips online.
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Organic Great Value (Walmart store brand)

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Organic semi-sweet, Organic white chocolate, organic dairy free dark chocolate chips.
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin.
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed.
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy them at Walmart stores or buy Organic Great Value Chocolate Chips online.
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Hu Chocolate

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Snacking and Baking Gems
  • Emulsifier: None listed
  • Fair Trade Certified: The website states that it purchases fair trade cocoa butter and will be certified fair trade sometime in 2020.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “Contains coconut. May contain traces of almond, cashew, & hazelnut. Allergen cleans made prior to production, but beware that product is produced using equipment that also processes tree nuts, soy, peanuts, milk, & wheat.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy Hu Baking Gems online.
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Lily’s

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Dark Chocolate Baking Chips
  • Emulsifier: Soy Lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Yes.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “Produced on equipment that also processes product containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts.”.
  • Where to Buy It: You can find this brand at health food stores like Sprouts and Natural Grocers. You can buy Lilly’s Dark Chocolate Baking Chips online.
  • Comments: I’ve had the Target store brand chocolate chips when they were called Simply Balanced. If this is the same product with a new l

Nestle Toll House Allergen-Free

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet, White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Chips
  • Emulsifier: None listed
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “May contain milk.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can find this brand at grocery stores, Target, and Walmart. You can find out more about Nestle Toll House Allergen-Free Chocolate Chips
  • Comments: I’ve had the Target store brand chocolate chips when they were called Simply Balanced. If this is the same product with a new label, it’s a good chocolate chip. I used them in my recipes with no complaints.

Organic Good & Gather (Target Store Brand)

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet, Dark Chunks
  • Emulsifier: None listed
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “May contain milk.”
  • Where to Buy It: At Target Stores or buy Organic Good & Gather Chocolate Chips Online
  • Comments: I’ve had the Target store brand chocolate chips when they were called Simply Balanced. If this is the same product with a new label, it’s a good chocolate chip. I used them in my recipes with no complaints.

Santa Barbara Chocolate

  • Dairy-free Varieties: They have an entire line of vegan chocolate, including Dairy free Milk Chocolate (certified Vegan), Stevia Chocolate Chips, Organic Dark Chocolate Chips.
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Yes.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The website has this language: “Manufactured in a facility that handles milk and dairy products and may contain traces.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can buy Santa Barbara Vegan Chocolate Chips Online
  • Comments: I have not tried these, but I’m looking forward to it. They are a bit pricey, but when it comes to chocolate, pricey is usually worth it!

Simple Truth Organic (Kroger Store Brand)

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet, Dark Chunks
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed.
  • Where to Buy It: At Kroger Stores or buy Simple Truth Organic Chocolate Chips Online
  • Comments: I have not tried this product.

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Chips

Scharfen Berger Chocolate Chips are dairy-free
  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated. However, the website states, “We recognize the positive role that cacao can play in preserving rainforest biodiversity. For this reason, we routinely visit the farms where our cacao is grown and encourage farmers to use sustainable farming techniques.”
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed. However, the OU-D logos indicate that the product itself is dairy-free but produced in a plant or on equipment shared with dairy-containing chocolate.
  • Where to Buy It: Learn more about Scharffen Berger Chocolate Chips
  • Comments: I’m now able to buy Scharffen Berger Chocolate Chips at Target for an affordable price. And this is high-quality chocolate, folks. The fact that it’s also dairy-free is like chocolate frosting on a chocolate chip cookie cake!

Sprouts

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “Processed on equipment that also packages products that may contain peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, milk, and eggs.”
  • Where to Buy It: At Sprouts Stores in the bulk section
  • Comments: These chocolate chips are a great back-up when my other sources have dried up. They’re a little on the sweet side, but other than that, I find they have a good mouthfeel and work very well in my recipes. They also melt well win dipping things in chocolate like chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls.

Trader Joe’s

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: The package has this language: “May contain traces of milk.”
  • Where to Buy It: You can only buy them at Trader Joe’s stores, or you can buy Trader Joe’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips on Amazon, but at the time I checked they were pricey. It’s much more affordable to buy them in the stores.
  • Comments: I’m a big fan of Trader Joe’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, however, We have two Trader Joe’s in KC, and whenever I’m near one I usually buy a few bags at a time.

Wegman’s

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Semi-sweet
  • Emulsifier: Soy lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed. The bags indicate these chips are vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free.
  • Where to Buy It: You can only buy them at Wegman’s stores (located primarily in the U.S. northeast), or buy Wegman’s Chocolate Chips online.
  • Comments: I have not personally tried these chocolate chips.

Wholesome Provisions (People’s Keto)

  • Dairy-free Varieties: Stevia-sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
  • Emulsifier: Sunflower lecithin
  • Fair Trade Certified: Not indicated.
  • Cross Contamination Language: None listed. The bags indicate these chips are vegan and gluten-free.
  • Where to Buy It: You can only buy People’s Keto Chocolate Chips online
  • Comments: I have not personally tried these chocolate chips.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Here’s one thing I bet you didn’t know about dark chocolate: It’s actually good for you. Believe it or not, dark chocolate includes:

  • Fiber
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Selenium
  • Flavanols.

Of course, chocolate chips also include sugar and cocoa butter (fat). That means you want to consume them in moderation. The good news is that dark chocolate is rich, so it doesn’t take much to satisfy that itch.

Some dark chocolate is made without dairy, but it’s important to read the labels. If you have a severe dairy allergy, you will want to purchase products that are certified dairy-free or certified vegan. Otherwise, a lot of dark chocolate will be manufactured in plants or on assembly lines that also process dairy which can result in cross-contamination.

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegan Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dairy-Free Labels

If you are highly allergic to even trace amounts of dairy, you will want to choose products that are certified dairy-free.

  • Kosher Labels (OU)— Some people rely on Kosher designations on products (a capital U in a circle) to determine if a product is dairy-free or not. However, it appears that Kosher designations do not indicate if a product has been processed on a machine or in a factory that also processes dairy.
  • Vegan Labels (OV) — If you have strict allergies or you’re a strict vegan, look for certified vegan products (A capital V inside of a circle) and/or the word “vegan” on the product.
  • Casually Dairy-Free — If you’re making lifestyle changes only (not motivated by an allergy), you may be more flexible. For example, you may be open to products that do not have dairy in the ingredients but may be processed on machines or in factories that also process dairy products.

What to Look for in Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips

If you’re on the prowl for milk-free chocolate chips, look for chocolate, cocoa butter, usually soy lecithin, vanilla, and sugar. You will see some chocolate chips refer to a cacao percentage. This is the total amount of cocoa butter and cocoa solids from ground-up cacao beans. If you see milk fat or dairy listed as an allergen, then you should pass.

Oftentimes you will see a statement like: “processed on equipment that also equipment that also packages products that may contain milk, nuts, wheat, etc.” This means that the plant that manufactures these chocolate chips may also have dairy, nuts, etc. If you have a serious allergy and cannot tolerate any form of contact with dairy, then you should probably buy something else.

These are the most common ingredients you’ll find in dairy-free chocolate chips:

  • Chocolate — This will appear as cocoa beans, chocolate liquor, unsweetened chocolate, etc.
  • Sugar — This is self-explanatory, but strict vegans may want to know the source of the sugar
  • Cocoa Butter – It has the word “butter” in it, but it’s not referring to dairy butter. Cocoa butter is the fat part of the cocoa bean and is completely dairy-free.
  • Lecithin — Lecithin is used in chocolate chips as an emulsifier, to create a smooth consistency. Lecithin can be made from animal products unless otherwise stated. Sunflower and soy lecithin are both plant-based.
Vegan Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

Dairy Free White Chocolate

If you’re looking for vegan white chocolate, you’re in luck because there are vegan versions listed above. You can also make your own, and it’s pretty simple to make. People have reported mixed results with purchasing vegan white chocolate, but there are options both at health food stores and online.

In Closing

Well, that’s it for this Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Guide.

Do you have some favorite dairy-free chocolate chips? Leave them in the comments below so we can consider adding them as we update this page.

24 Responses to Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips Guide

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyTori Reply

    Chips made from sugar processed that is with bone char are not vegan. They are not even vegetarian. I wanted to mention because I don’t see this as a technicality at all, as I might, say, a vegan food that is processed on equipment that also processes foods that contain milk. People are vegan for different reasons. I don’t think it’s possible to be 100% adherent but we can choose the slips or possible slips that will work best for us.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I understand your concerns, Tori. It would probably be best for you to look for chocolate chips that are certified vegan. I think for the majority, like me, I’m fine with chocolate chips that are made without dairy.

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyTracy Reply

    Not all sugar is processed using bone char, in fact there are several brands out there, including the sprouts brand, that does not use bone char.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Tracy! That’s very helpful.

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLiza Ottesen Reply

    Hi Marly,
    I would appreciate your hints on melting dairy free chips. I find that they are not as ‘stirable’ as semi sweet (dairy). What I mean is the melt is thicker and therefore harder to stir into and coat things. Would you recommend a teaspoon of solid veggie or coconut oil during the melting process to loosen things up? thanks for your help!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I agree Liza, and I usually recommend adding at least 1 teaspoon of coconut oil per 1 cup of dairy free chocolate chips. I have at times added up to 1 T of coconut oil per 1 cup of chocolate chips, but this creates a chocolate that should be refrigerated (especially in warmer temperatures). I hope this is helpful!

Rate / Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.