Do Macarons Have Dairy? A Complete Guide for Allergy-Safe Baking

Do macarons have dairy? It’s a question I get often from readers trying to balance indulgence with dietary needs. At Recipes of Kitchen, The Gluten-Free Sweet Kitchen, I focus on making desserts that are both safe and satisfying—including classics like macarons.

As someone who shifted to gluten-free baking after a personal diagnosis, I quickly learned that understanding ingredient labels goes beyond just gluten—dairy is everywhere, often hidden in fillings. While macaron shells are usually dairy-free, the full answer depends on how they’re filled.

This guide breaks down exactly what’s inside a macaron, where dairy shows up, and how to enjoy or make them safely at home.

What Are Macarons Made Of?

Classic Macaron Ingredients Explained

At their core, macarons are made from just a few simple ingredients: egg whites, almond flour, and powdered sugar. These ingredients are whipped, folded, and baked to form the delicate cookie shells we all recognize.

The shells themselves are naturally dairy-free—there’s no butter, milk, or cream in them. However, that’s only half the story.

Macaron Shells vs. Fillings: Where Dairy Usually Hides

The catch? Most of the dairy in macarons comes from what’s in the middle. The classic macaron sandwich is filled with:

• Buttercream (made with butter and sometimes cream)
• Ganache (typically made with cream and chocolate)
• Cream cheese frosting
• Custard-style creams

These fillings are where you’ll most often find dairy ingredients. While the shells themselves are dairy-free by nature, the final product almost always includes some dairy unless clearly labeled otherwise.

Want a creative, allergy-friendly recipe that avoids both gluten and dairy? Check out our Dark Chocolate Granola—perfect for snacking or dessert layering.

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Do Macarons Have Dairy in the Shell?

The Role of Egg Whites in Shell Structure

Let’s start with the foundation: the shell. Classic French macarons are made using a method called the French meringue technique, which involves beating egg whites into stiff peaks and then folding in almond flour and powdered sugar.

This shell recipe is:

• Naturally gluten-free
• Free from butter, milk, or cream
• Safe for most dairy-sensitive individuals

So if you’re only avoiding dairy and not eggs, the macaron shell is generally a safe, non-dairy base.

That said, always check labels—especially for store-bought macarons, which may include milk derivatives as stabilizers, additives, or in the food coloring.

Why the Shell Itself Is Typically Dairy-Free

The reason macaron shells don’t need dairy is simple: the texture and structure come from egg whites, not fat. Egg whites act as a binder and a lifting agent. No butter or cream is needed to create that crisp shell and chewy interior.

Here’s a basic shell ingredient list for reference:

Ingredient	Dairy?	Function
Egg whites	No	Provides structure
Almond flour	No	Adds body & flavor
Powdered sugar	No*	Sweetener (check labels)
Granulated sugar	No	Stabilizes meringue
Cream of tartar (optional)	No	Meringue support

*Note: Some powdered sugars use cornstarch or anti-caking agents that could be processed with dairy—opt for organic or certified dairy-free versions.

If you’re baking at home, you control every ingredient. But if you’re buying macarons from a bakery or grocery store, don’t assume—they may brush shells with butter glaze or use dairy-based colorings.

Looking for a guaranteed dairy-free treat? Our Dark Chocolate Granola is gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for snacking.

Are Macarons Dairy-Free? (Answering the Big Question)

Answering: “Are Macarons Dairy Free?”

Technically, do macarons have dairy? But the real answer depends on the filling.

While the shell is made from egg whites, almond flour, and sugar, the filling—often a rich buttercream, ganache, or cream-based spread—is usually where dairy sneaks in. So if you’re asking, “Are macarons dairy free?” the correct response is:

Only sometimes.

You need to look closely at the ingredients or ask the baker directly. Unless the macaron is labeled “dairy-free”, there’s a good chance the filling contains butter, cream, or milk chocolate.

When They Are and When They’re Not

To make it simple, here’s a breakdown:

Type of Filling	Contains Dairy?	Notes
Buttercream	Yes	Contains butter and sometimes milk
Ganache	Yes	Typically made with heavy cream
Cream cheese filling	Yes	Dairy-based
Fruit purée (e.g., jam)	No (usually)	Often dairy-free, check for thickeners
Vegan buttercream	No	Made with plant-based margarine
Coconut cream frosting	No	Dairy-free and rich in texture

So, if you’re dairy-sensitive or allergic, avoid macarons unless you’re sure about the filling. The good news? Dairy-free versions exist, especially from specialty bakeries or homemade recipes.

Do Macarons Have a Lot of Dairy?

Answering: “Do Macarons Have a Lot of Dairy?”

So, do macarons have dairy—and if so, how much? The short answer: Yes, most filled macarons contain dairy, and some have quite a lot. While the crisp shells are usually dairy-free, fillings like buttercream, ganache, or cream cheese pack in more dairy than many people expect.

Here’s what you need to know about dairy in popular macaron fillings:

Filling Type	Contains Dairy?	Estimated Dairy Amount (per piece)
Buttercream	Yes	High (~3–5g of dairy per macaron)
Chocolate Ganache	Yes	Moderate to High (~2–3g dairy)
Cream Cheese Filling	Yes	High (~4g dairy)
Fruit Jam	Usually No	Minimal or dairy-free
Vegan Buttercream	No	0g dairy (plant-based)

If you’re wondering do macarons have a lot of dairy, the answer is yes—unless they’re labeled dairy-free. On average, traditional macarons are made with heavy dairy-based fillings. This adds flavor and richness but can be problematic for anyone avoiding lactose or dairy completely.

Do Costco Macarons Have Dairy?

Answering: “Do Costco Macarons Have Dairy?”

If you’ve ever picked up a macaron variety pack at Costco and wondered, do macarons have dairy, here’s your answer: Yes, Costco macarons contain dairy—in nearly every flavor.

These mass-produced macarons often use butter, cream, or milk chocolate in their fillings. Even fruity ones are made with dairy-based buttercreams or white chocolate ganache, which includes milk solids.

Here’s a flavor-based breakdown of a typical Costco macaron pack:

Flavor	Dairy Content
Vanilla	Butter and cream
Pistachio	Milk solids, butter
Raspberry	Often butter-based
Chocolate	Milk chocolate, heavy cream
Lemon	Buttercream (dairy-based)

To summarize: Costco macarons do have dairy, and plenty of it. Unless otherwise stated, assume these are not safe for dairy-free diets.

Quick Tip: Always check the back label. Costco sometimes features seasonal brands—some might offer dairy-free versions, but they’re rare.

Why Are Macarons Not Vegan?

Answering: “Why Are Macarons Not Vegan?”

A lot of people ask, “Do macarons have dairy, and does that make them non-vegan?” It’s true—traditional macarons are not vegan because of two main ingredients: egg whites and dairy.

First, macarons rely on egg whites to form the meringue-based shell. This provides the signature crisp exterior and chewy center. That alone makes them unsuitable for a vegan diet.

Second, most fillings are made with:

• Butter
• Cream cheese
• Milk chocolate
• Heavy cream

So when you ask do macarons have dairy, remember that both eggs and milk are standard. Even the coloring in some macarons contains animal byproducts.

Here’s a comparison of classic vs. vegan-friendly versions:

Component	Traditional Macaron	Vegan Alternative
Egg Whites	Yes	Aquafaba (chickpea brine)
Buttercream	Dairy-based	Vegan margarine, sugar
Ganache	Cream and chocolate	Coconut cream, vegan chocolate
Cream Cheese	Dairy	Cashew or tofu-based cream cheese

That’s why most macarons are not vegan. However, if you skip the standard ingredients and go plant-based, it’s possible to recreate them with a little trial and error.

How to Make Dairy-Free Macarons at Home

Ingredients for Dairy-Free Macaron Shells and Fillings

If you’ve been asking, do macarons have dairy, and want to skip the guessing game, the best solution is to make your own. The great news? Macaron shells are naturally dairy-free, so the main adjustment comes down to the filling.

Here’s what you need for dairy-free shells:

Ingredient	Dairy?	Function
Egg whites	No	Builds the meringue
Almond flour	No	Base texture/flavor
Powdered sugar	No*	Sweetens the mixture
Granulated sugar	No	Stabilizes meringue

*Tip: Always check that your powdered sugar is processed without milk derivatives.

To keep it dairy-free, avoid adding cream cheese, butter, or ganache made with dairy. Instead, use vegan buttercream, fruit purées, or coconut cream.

Pro Tips for Successful Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Macarons

Since many of us at Recipes of Kitchen bake without gluten or dairy, here are a few tested tricks:

• Use room-temperature egg whites for a stable whip.
• Fold gently—overmixing breaks structure.
• Bake on a silicone mat for even rise.
• Let them cool completely before filling.

When readers ask me, “do macarons have dairy?”, I always say: not if you make them yourself!

Try pairing your homemade macarons with our Eggless Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins for a full dairy-free dessert platter.

Best Dairy-Free Macaron Filling Ideas

Fruit Purée, Dairy-Free Ganache, and Vegan Buttercream

So now that you know the answer to do macarons have dairy, let’s explore how to keep them delicious without using milk or butter. The best part? Dairy-free fillings are easy to make—and just as indulgent.

Here are the top options:

Filling Type	Made With	Dairy-Free?
Vegan Buttercream	Plant-based margarine + powdered sugar	Yes
Coconut Cream Frosting	Chilled coconut cream + vanilla	Yes
Fruit Purée	Pureed berries or mango + cornstarch	Yes
Vegan Ganache	Dark chocolate + coconut milk	Yes
Nut Butter Filling	Almond butter + maple syrup (optional)	Yes

All these are rich in flavor and free of dairy, making them safe for anyone asking, “Do macarons have dairy, and can I avoid it?”

Store-Bought Options for Allergen-Friendly Filling

If you’re short on time, look for these products:

• Vegan frostings (Simple Mills, Miss Jones)
• Fruit spreads with no dairy additives
• Coconut-based whipped toppings (great for piping)

Check labels carefully—just because something is plant-based doesn’t always mean dairy-free.

What to Watch for When Buying Macarons

Ingredient Label Red Flags

When you’re browsing bakery shelves or shopping online, the question “do macarons have dairy” should lead you to one place first: the ingredients list.

Here’s what to look out for:

• Butter, cream, milk fat
• Milk chocolate
• Whey, casein, or lactose
• Condensed milk or milk solids

Unless the product is clearly marked “dairy-free”, assume the macaron has dairy. Most commercial macarons—even ones labeled gluten-free—still use dairy in the filling.

How to Ask Bakeries the Right Questions

If you’re shopping from a local patisserie or ordering online, here are smart questions to ask:

• “Are the fillings made with dairy?”
• “Is the ganache cream-based?”
• “Do you offer vegan or dairy-free macarons?”
• “Are the shells brushed with butter or glaze?”

When people ask me, do macarons have dairy, I always say: some do, some don’t—ask or make your own.

For a foolproof snack with no dairy or gluten, don’t miss our Dark Chocolate Granola—great on its own or as a topping for dairy-free frosting!

FAQs About Do Macarons Have Dairy

Conclusion: Do Macarons Have Dairy? The Final Word

So, do macarons have dairy? The short answer: usually, yes. While the delicate shells are naturally free from milk or butter, most fillings are not. From rich ganache to classic buttercream, dairy is common in both bakery and store-bought macarons.

The good news? You don’t have to miss out. By making your own or choosing dairy-free versions, you can enjoy this French favorite without the allergens. Whether you’re dairy-sensitive, lactose-intolerant, or just curious, there’s always a delicious way to adapt.

Looking for your next dairy-free dessert? Try our Eggless Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins or our Dark Chocolate Granola for simple, satisfying treats.