Keep these ingredients on hand for creating easy vegan baked goods in a snap!
When it comes to vegan baking, we like to channel our inner pastry chef. But let us tell you—it’s never been easier to whip up mouthwatering treats without compromising your values. Vegan baking is all about using versatile, animal-free ingredients to create everything from crispy cookies to fluffy cakes. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or just starting to explore plant-based desserts, having the right ingredients is key!
Not All Baking Ingredients Are Vegan
Before we get into our go-to vegan baking essentials, let’s talk basics. Are baking ingredients vegan? Not always! Traditional baking ingredients often include animal-derived products like butter, milk, eggs, and even gelatin, which are not vegan-friendly. Luckily, there are countless plant-based alternatives available to replace these staples. From creamy dairy-free milks to flax eggs and rich vegan chocolate chips, these swaps allow you to enjoy all your favorite baked goods while staying true to a cruelty-free lifestyle.
Our Go-To Essential Vegan Baking Ingredients
Ready to stock your pantry with plant-based baking essentials? Let’s dive in! Check out our list of the 14 best vegan baking ingredients.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips
These versatile morsels are a must-have vegan baking ingredient. Not only are they the perfect addition to plant-based baked goods, but they also make great chocolate-dipped pretzels and fruit. While we have so many vegan chocolate chips in our baking cabinet, we’re currently loving the Pascha Organic Vegan White Baking Chips and Just Date Organic Dark Chocolate Chips.
Courtesy of Just Date
Baking Mixes
No need to reinvent the wheel here. We’re all about these simple baking mixes for delicious and easy vegan baked goods. You too can forgo measuring out flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients with these simple mixes. We’re grabbing an all-in-one mix and rolling with it—sometimes literally. Check out GoNanas for a variety of vegan baking mix options.
Courtesy of GoNanas
Plant-Based Oils
Many dessert recipes call for vegan butter or plant-based oils, but why settle for ordinary when you can level up your baking with a premium option? Enter SunnyGem Almond Oil! This cold-pressed, plant-based oil isn’t just versatile—it’s packed with powerful antioxidants. Perfect for desserts, savory dishes, and everything in between, SunnyGem Almond Oil has a mild, toasty flavor that adds a touch of sweetness making it your new go-to for elevating both flavor and nutrition in the kitchen.
Courtesy of SunnyGem
Egg Replacer
ISO a tasty vegan egg replacer? You’re in luck! Applesauce, aquafaba, and flax or chia seed eggs are the best vegan baking ingredients for the job. Additionally, both Neat Foods and Bob’s Red Mill make eggcellent baking alternatives. For more food puns, egg replacers, vegan omelets, and sunny-side-up eggs check out our list of vegan egg substitutes.
Courtesy of Neat Foods
Dairy-Free Whipped Cream
Did someone order a trifle? Whether you’re whipping up this layered dessert or creating another vegan treat using whipped cream, you’ve got plenty of options. Find tubs of dairy-free cream and aerosol cans of vegan whipped topping from a variety of brands. While it’s tough to play favorites here, we’re currently loving So Delicious Cocowhip.
Courtesy of So Delicious
Fresh Dates
Sure, chopped, fresh dates taste great in energy balls and baked goods alike. But that’s not the only reason to keep them among your vegan baking ingredients. These wrinkly, nutrient-packed fruits can also be used to create whole-food sweeteners. That’s right, we’re talking about date paste. For a sustainable take on this well-known fruit, use Joolies Dates in your plant-based baking.
Courtesy of Joolies
Vegan Honey
POV: You found a tasty dessert recipe, but it calls for honey. Don’t panic! Add bee-free honey to your next grocery list. While traditional honey is considered an animal byproduct, and therefore not vegan, there are several plant-based alternatives to check out. BlenditUp is one of our fave vegan honey brands, but agave, maple, and date syrups can also make great swaps.
Courtesy of BlenditUp
Jello and Pudding Mixes
From poke cakes to pudding cookies, those coveted hand-me-down recipes call for Jello and pudding mixes. Unfortunately, as you likely know, most mixes are not vegan as they contain gelatin and milk respectively. But don’t let that get you down! Brands like Simply Delish offer many tasty plant-based alternatives for your most coveted dessert recipes.
Courtesy of Simply Delish
Vegan Frosting
We’re trying to keep things simple over here. This is why we’re using ready-made vegan frosting. This essential vegan baking ingredient is such a timesaver! Plus, it’s so fun to steal a taste or two. You can find us using Miss Jones Baking Co. frosting varieties for all of our vegan frosting needs. Additionally, whipped canned coconut cream is another simple dairy-free swap.
Courtesy of Miss Jones Baking Co.
Non-Dairy Milk
When it comes to easy vegan baked goods, non-dairy milk is a must. But where do we start with this vegan baking ingredient? There are so many to choose from! Higher protein milk options tend to aid in the integrity of baked goods. So, think Silk Soy Milk and Ripple Pea Milk. But as we’ve said before, the world is your vegan oyster. Go with your fave plant-based milk alternative!
Courtesy of Ripple
Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream
Recipes for chocolate truffles and creamy mousse often call for heavy cream. Swap out that non-vegan ingredient for a dairy-free heavy whipping cream alternative. We promise this vegan baking ingredient works well and tastes great. Look for Silk Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative, Califia Farms Heavy Whip, Country Crock Plant Cream, and Trader Joe’s Vegan Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative. We promise you won’t regret it!
Courtesy of Califia Farms
Vegan Marshmallows
We’re obsessed with all things s’mores, hot cocoa, and rocky road. But you can’t recreate these iconic dessert flavors without marshmallows. Although traditional marshmallows contain gelatin and are not vegan, that doesn't mean you have to go without them! Both Dandies and Trader Joe’s offer vegan marshmallows, and we are here for it! Better yet, these brands offer a variety of flavors and sizes—we’re coming for you, Peppermint Dandies.
Courtesy of Dandies
Cruelty-Free Sprinkles
For a little extra sparkle and décor, your vegan baked goods need a sprinkling of color. Cue the plant-based sprinkles! While not all sprinkles are vegan, we’ve got our eyes on the Color Kitchen and Supernatural brands! From rainbow sprinkles and colorful sequins to decorative sugar, these brands will not disappoint. It’s time to give these vegan sprinkles a shake!
Courtesy of Supernatural
Flavor Enhancers
Looking to level up your plant-based baking? Vegan-friendly flavoring it is! Adding a little lemon extract or pure vanilla powder can be a memorable secret ingredient. Just be prepared to whip up these treats on repeat. Choose better-for-you flavorings from brands like Simply Organic and LorAnn. The latter also offers vegan food coloring to bring your culinary creations to a new level.
Courtesy of LorAnn
