Is Simple Mills dairy free? A Closer Look at Their Product Line and Ingredients

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

While the Simple Mills brand has a reputation for using simple, plant-based ingredients, not all of their products are completely free of milk ingredients. For consumers with dairy allergies or intolerances, knowing if Simple Mills is dairy free is a nuanced question that requires careful label reading and a deeper understanding of their product lines.

Quick Summary

Not every Simple Mills product is dairy-free; some, like specific cheddar crackers, explicitly contain milk. Consumers should always check ingredient lists and allergen statements, as while many products are vegan-friendly, others are not. Look for the 'Vegan' label on the packaging for extra assurance.

Key Points

Not Always Dairy-Free: While many Simple Mills products are vegan and dairy-free, some cheese-flavored items explicitly contain milk ingredients.
Look for the 'Vegan' Label: Products that are vegan-friendly are often marked with a 'Vegan' label on the packaging, serving as a quick visual cue for dairy-free options.
Read the Ingredient List: Always check the ingredient list for hidden dairy ingredients like milk, cheese, or whey, especially for cheese-flavored snacks.
Check for Allergen Warnings: The 'CONTAINS:' statement and cross-contamination warnings are critical for individuals with severe dairy allergies.
Assume Nothing: Due to product line variations and potential cross-contamination, never assume a product is dairy-free based on the brand alone.
Many Options Exist: The majority of Simple Mills baking mixes and sweet cookies are formulated to be dairy-free, relying on plant-based alternatives.

The Simple Mills Approach to Ingredients

Simple Mills has built its brand around using simple, purposeful ingredients, often focusing on nut and seed flours. Many of their products are certified gluten-free, grain-free, and non-GMO, which aligns with many health-conscious diets. However, "simple" does not automatically mean free of all allergens. The company's commitment to using real-food ingredients means that some of their flavor profiles rely on real cheese, a notable dairy source.

To ensure product safety for those with allergies, Simple Mills has implemented strict manufacturing protocols, including segregating allergens and cleaning equipment between production runs. Despite these measures, some products carry advisories about potential cross-contamination. This highlights why it is crucial for consumers with severe allergies to look beyond general brand messaging and examine the details of every individual package.

Not All Products Are Created Equal

This is the most critical distinction to make when addressing the question: Is Simple Mills dairy free? The answer is that while many of their offerings are, specific products do contain dairy. The most prominent example is their cheese-flavored crackers. For instance, the Farmhouse Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers are clearly labeled with CONTAINS: Almonds, Milk. The ingredient list for these crackers includes Organic Cheddar Cheese and Organic Whole Milk, making them unsuitable for anyone following a strict dairy-free or vegan diet. Similarly, the Pop Mmms™ Cheddar Baked Snack Crackers also contain cheese and milk ingredients.

For most other product lines, including their baking mixes, cookies, and savory non-cheese crackers, the recipe is naturally dairy-free. These items are typically made with ingredients like almond flour, coconut sugar, and other plant-based components.

How to Spot Dairy-Free Products

To be sure a Simple Mills product is dairy-free, you should follow these steps:

Look for the 'Vegan' Label: Many products that are vegan-friendly have the word "Vegan" printed on the package in a colored box near the ingredients list. This is a quick and easy way to identify many dairy-free options.
Examine the Ingredient List: Even without a "Vegan" label, the ingredient list will explicitly state if milk or any other dairy component is present. Check for common dairy terms like milk, cheese, whey, or casein.
Check Allergen Statements: At the end of the ingredient list, there is a bolded CONTAINS: statement. This is a crucial indicator of major allergens in the product. For some products that are dairy-free by recipe, a warning like Made on a line that also processes tree nuts and milk may be present due to shared manufacturing equipment.

A Detailed Look at Dairy-Free and Dairy-Containing Items


Product Category	Dairy-Free Examples	Dairy-Containing Examples	Key Differentiating Factor
Crackers	Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers, Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers	Farmhouse Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers, Pop Mmms™ Cheddar Baked Snack Crackers	Presence of real cheese and milk ingredients
Baking Mixes	Vanilla Cupcake & Cake Mix, Chocolate Muffin & Cake Mix, Pancake & Waffle Mix	Requires preparation with dairy products, but the mix itself is dairy-free	Mix is dairy-free, but recipe may call for milk or butter
Cookies	Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies, Toasted Pecan Crunchy Cookies	None typically listed as dairy-containing; most are vegan	Plant-based ingredients like almond flour and coconut sugar

The Importance of Allergen Statements

While many products are intentionally formulated to be dairy-free, cross-contamination is a real concern for individuals with severe allergies. The Made on a line that also processes... milk warning indicates that while the product itself doesn't contain dairy ingredients, it was manufactured in a facility where milk is also handled. This can pose a risk for highly sensitive individuals, and it's a detail worth paying attention to. In fact, a past recall of almond flour crackers due to undeclared milk highlights why relying solely on a product's history can be risky; manufacturing errors can occur. Consistent, up-to-date label checking is the safest approach.

Conclusion: The Best Practice for Dairy-Free Simple Mills Fans

When considering the question, 'Is Simple Mills dairy free?', the answer is mixed and requires due diligence from the consumer. Simple Mills has a wide selection of excellent dairy-free and vegan products, which are clearly indicated on their packaging. However, some savory items, particularly cheese-flavored ones, contain milk. To ensure safety, always review the ingredient list and the allergen statement on the packaging before purchasing. Never assume a product is dairy-free based on the brand alone, especially if you have a severe dairy allergy. By being a vigilant label reader, you can confidently enjoy the many dairy-free options Simple Mills offers.

Shop the full range of Simple Mills products for specific product information and ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all Simple Mills products are dairy-free. While many are, specific items, particularly cheese-flavored crackers like the Farmhouse Cheddar and Pop Mmms™ Cheddar, explicitly contain dairy ingredients.

The most reliable method is to read the ingredient list and the allergen statement on the packaging. Many vegan products also feature a "Vegan" logo on the box for easy identification.

The baking mixes themselves are generally dairy-free and vegan. However, the prepared recipe might call for eggs or dairy, so you would need to use vegan substitutes.

Some Simple Mills crackers are dairy-free, like the Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers. However, the cheese-flavored varieties contain dairy. You must check the specific product label.

Simple Mills follows strict allergen control standards, but some products formulated without dairy are made on equipment that also processes milk. This can pose a risk for highly sensitive individuals, as indicated by a manufacturing line warning.

A recall occurred in 2021 for a specific batch of crackers due to an error that led to undeclared milk. This event underscores the importance of regularly checking labels, as even with careful manufacturing, errors can happen.

Yes, you can. The company has stated that their mixes are delicious when baked with vegan substitutes, and the mix itself is vegan.