Your Favorite Junk Foods Get a Dairy-Free Makeover

We try to eat as healthfully as possible, but we all have those snacks that we crave from time to time – those snacks that we label as “junk food” but keep loving all the same. Those snacks that just seem to satisfy in a way that no other food can.

Here at Daiya, we totally get it – which is why we specialize in making deliciously dairy-free foods like pizzas and shreds that perfectly top a plate of nachos in melty goodness. Because sometimes, you just need to indulge – and living dairy-free shouldn’t mean having to give up on your favorite foods, “junk” or otherwise.

Gluten-Free Vegan Cheez-Its

Gluten-Free Vegan Cheez-Its Recipe, by Fork & Beans

The ever-popular orange cracker gets a dairy-free makeover with the help of some Earth Balance buttery spread and Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds. Thanks to the use of gluten-free all-purpose flour, the crunchy snacks are gluten-free as well – so feel free to whip up a big batch for your next party!

Deep-Fried Daiya Cheeze Sticks

Deep Fried Daiya Cheeze Sticks Recipe, by Olives for Dinner

Also starring Daiya is this recipe for fried mozzarella sticks, typically found on the menu at diners and family-style restaurants. Instead of the usual dairy, Olives for Dinner uses our Mozzarella-Style Shreds, which perfectly melt into the gooey consistency you crave. Bonus: Made with cornstarch and white rice flour, these are also gluten-free!

Homemade Circus Animal Cookies

Homemade Circus Animal Cookie Recipe, by Fork & Beans (pictured)

On the sweeter side, these adorable pink and white cookies are sure to bring up fond childhood memories. And remember just a few years ago, when the announcement came that the original Mother’s™ cookies were to be discontinued – and the public outcry was so loud that the cookies magically reappeared on grocery store shelves not long after? Make them at home – the dairy-free version, of course – and you won’t wonder how they managed to make such an extraordinary comeback.

Vegan McDonald’s Big Mac

Vegan Big Mac Recipe, by Namely Marly

Perhaps one of the most famous junk foods of all time, the Big Mac is loved for its hefty size and bold flavors. This recipe keeps those qualities, but swaps out the notoriously unhealthy components for homemade pinto quinoa patties, a vegan mayo-based sauce, fresh microgreens and dairy-free cheddar-style slices. (Obviously, we recommend Daiya!)

Vegan Orange Julius Smoothie

Vegan Orange Julius Smoothie Recipe, by Domesticate Me

What better to wash this deliciously dairy-free feast of junk foods down than a rich and creamy Orange Julius-style smoothie? The shopping mall staple is made dairy-free with the help of frozen, ripe bananas, unsweetened almond milk, fresh squeezed orange juice and zest, vanilla extract, and your sweetener of choice. As expected, the results are wonderful.