Do any Girl Scout Cookies not have dairy? An Updated 2025 Guide
For those with dairy allergies or following a vegan diet, navigating the annual Girl Scout Cookie sale can be tricky. The crucial first step is understanding that Girl Scout Cookies are produced by two licensed bakers, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, which serve different regions. Because the recipes, ingredients, and facility procedures can differ significantly between these two companies, the dairy status of a cookie is dependent on which bakery produced it. For the 2025 season, both bakeries offer options made without dairy-based ingredients, but the selection varies considerably.
The All-Important Bakery Factor
The most important detail for dairy-free cookie seekers is to identify the bakery responsible for your cookies. You can usually find the baker's name and logo printed on the side of the box. Many local councils will also provide information on which baker supplies their troops. Once you know your baker, you can confidently check the ingredients list for cookies made without milk or other dairy components.
Dairy-Free Options by ABC Bakers (2025 Season)
ABC Bakers, known for offering a wider range of vegan-friendly products, provides several cookies that do not contain dairy ingredients. For the 2025 season, these include:
- Thin Mints®: The classic chocolate-mint cookie is made with vegan ingredients, and this applies to cookies from both bakeries.
- Peanut Butter Patties®: This cookie features a crispy vanilla wafer topped with peanut butter and a chocolaty coating. It is essential not to confuse this with the Little Brownie Bakers' dairy-containing equivalent, Tagalongs®.
- Lemonades®: A savory, tangy lemon-iced shortbread cookie that is made with vegan ingredients. This is another variety with a dairy-containing twin from the other baker, Lemon-Ups®.
- Toast-Yay!™: This French toast-inspired cookie is made with vegan ingredients. Note: After the 2025 season, this cookie will be discontinued, so stock up while you can.
- Adventurefuls®: ABC Bakers has a new, dairy-free-by-ingredients recipe for this brownie-inspired cookie with a caramel-flavored crème. Make sure to confirm the recipe date on the packaging, as old stock or the Little Brownie Bakers version will contain milk.
- Caramel Chocolate Chip: This gluten-free cookie option is also made with vegan ingredients, making it both dairy-free and gluten-free.
Dairy-Free Options by Little Brownie Bakers (2025 Season)
Little Brownie Bakers offers a far more limited selection for dairy-free consumers:
- Thin Mints®: As with ABC Bakers, the Thin Mints from Little Brownie Bakers are made without milk ingredients. This consistency is a relief for dairy-free enthusiasts nationwide.
It is crucial to remember that similar-looking or sounding cookies from Little Brownie Bakers, such as Samoas® (Caramel deLites®), Tagalongs® (Peanut Butter Patties®), and Lemon-Ups® (Lemonades®), do contain milk and are not suitable for dairy-free diets.
Understanding Cross-Contamination Risk
For individuals with severe dairy allergies, reading the fine print on the packaging is non-negotiable. Both bakers include precautionary allergen disclosures that warn of potential cross-contamination. This means that while a cookie may be made without milk ingredients, it is manufactured on equipment that also processes products containing dairy. These shared facilities mean that trace amounts of milk could be present. If cross-contamination is a serious medical concern, it is best to avoid these products entirely or consult with your healthcare provider.
ABC Bakers, for instance, marks its vegan-ingredient products as certified kosher OU-D. The 'D' explicitly indicates that the item was either made with dairy or produced on shared equipment with items containing dairy ingredients. Little Brownie Bakers' Thin Mints are certified kosher pareve, which suggests less risk of dairy contact, but a shared facility warning is still present. This information underscores why relying solely on ingredient lists is insufficient for those with severe allergies.
Comparison of Dairy-Free Cookies by Bakery (2025)
| Cookie Name | ABC Bakers | Little Brownie Bakers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Mints | Dairy-Free by Ingredients | Dairy-Free by Ingredients | Nationally consistent dairy-free option. |
| Peanut Butter Patties | Dairy-Free by Ingredients | Not Dairy-Free (Tagalongs®) | Check the baker! Name variations apply. |
| Lemonades | Dairy-Free by Ingredients | Not Dairy-Free (Lemon-Ups®) | Check the baker! Name variations apply. |
| Toast-Yay! | Dairy-Free by Ingredients | Not Available | Discontinued after 2025 season. |
| Adventurefuls | Dairy-Free by Ingredients (NEW) | Not Dairy-Free | ABC recipe is new in 2024. |
| Caramel Chocolate Chip | Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free | Not Dairy-Free | Unique, specialized option from ABC. |
How to Buy Dairy-Free Girl Scout Cookies
To ensure you purchase the correct cookies, follow these steps:
- Find Your Local Council's Baker: Visit the official Girl Scouts website at
girlscoutcookies.orgor check your local council's page to see which baker supplies your area. - Verify on the Box: When you receive your cookies, always double-check the packaging to confirm the baker's name and read the ingredient and allergen list carefully.
- Consider Shipping: If your local troop uses Little Brownie Bakers, you may be able to find a troop served by ABC Bakers and order from them through the Digital Cookie platform, which can ship nationwide.
- Buy Early: If your preferred dairy-free variety is limited or being discontinued (like the Toast-Yay!), it is wise to order early and stock up.
Conclusion
Yes, several Girl Scout cookies are made without dairy ingredients, providing delicious options for those with dietary restrictions. However, the exact availability and type of cookie depend on which of the two bakeries, ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers, supplies your region. The good news is that Thin Mints are reliably dairy-free by ingredients from both bakers. For other varieties, like Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, and the updated Adventurefuls, ABC Bakers is the source for dairy-free versions. Always check the packaging to confirm the baker and be mindful of cross-contamination warnings, particularly for severe allergies, as facilities are shared.
Key Takeaways
- Two Bakeries: Girl Scout cookies are made by two separate bakers, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, which is the primary factor determining a cookie's dairy status.
- Thin Mints are a Safe Bet: Thin Mints are made without milk ingredients regardless of whether they come from ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers.
- ABC Bakers Offers More Options: For the 2025 season, ABC Bakers provides a wider variety of dairy-free-by-ingredients cookies, including Peanut Butter Patties®, Lemonades®, and the new Adventurefuls®.
- Check the Label Carefully: Always read the ingredient list and allergen statement on the packaging, as similar-named cookies from different bakers may have different ingredients.
- Beware of Cross-Contamination: For severe dairy allergies, be aware that most cookies are made in shared facilities, carrying a risk of cross-contamination, as stated in allergen warnings.
- Toast-Yay! Is Leaving: The Toast-Yay!™ cookie, a dairy-free option, will be discontinued after the 2025 season.
FAQs
Question: How can I tell if my Girl Scout Cookies are from ABC Bakers or Little Brownie Bakers?
Answer: Look for the baker's name and logo on the side of the box. Additionally, you can visit the official Girl Scout cookie website and use the locator to find out which baker supplies your local council.
Question: Are Samoas dairy-free?
Answer: No, the Little Brownie Bakers cookie known as Samoas® (or Caramel deLites® from ABC Bakers) contains milk ingredients and is not dairy-free. There are no dairy-free caramel and coconut options.
Question: Are Thin Mints always dairy-free?
Answer: Thin Mints are made without milk ingredients by both ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. However, they are produced in shared facilities, so those with severe allergies should be cautious of cross-contamination.
Question: I have a severe dairy allergy. Is it safe for me to eat the dairy-free options?
Answer: The risk of cross-contamination exists because these products are made in facilities that also process dairy. If you have a severe allergy, it is best to avoid these cookies entirely or consult your doctor, as the risk, while low, is not zero.
Question: What is the difference between Peanut Butter Patties® and Tagalongs®?
Answer: Peanut Butter Patties® from ABC Bakers are made with vegan ingredients and are dairy-free by ingredients, while Tagalongs® from Little Brownie Bakers contain milk ingredients. Always check the baker's name on the package.
Question: Why did my dairy-free cookie change its ingredients from last year?
Answer: Recipes can be updated, as seen with ABC Bakers' new dairy-free Adventurefuls® recipe in 2024. Always check the ingredient list on new boxes to ensure the product still meets your dietary needs.
Question: Is the gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie also dairy-free?
Answer: Yes, the Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie from ABC Bakers is specifically made with vegan ingredients, making it both dairy-free and gluten-free.
Question: Is there a vegan version of the new rocky road cookie for 2026?
Answer: According to reports, the new rocky road-inspired Exploremores cookie for the 2026 season from both bakers contains milk and is not dairy-free.
Question: Are Lemon-Ups dairy-free?
Answer: No, Lemon-Ups® from Little Brownie Bakers are not dairy-free and should not be confused with the dairy-free Lemonades® from ABC Bakers.
Question: Where can I find information directly from the bakeries?
Answer: You can find up-to-date allergen information and ingredient lists on the respective bakery websites, such as the ABC Bakers FAQ page.
