Vegan Chocolate Chips

Learn how to make your own vegan chocolate chips with just two ingredients! Perfect for cookies, brownies, or any desserts that call for chocolate chips, they are affordable and take seconds to make. 

Vegan Chocolate Chips

When it comes to staple ingredients, I love making my own almond flour, oat flour, and vegan chocolate chips. 

As someone who bakes plenty of desserts and snacks, I go through chocolate chips like they are their own food group. They are such a fun and tasty addition, and we all know everything tastes better with chocolate.

Because many of my recipes are vegan, I use special chocolate chips without dairy!

What are vegan chocolate chips? 

Vegan chocolate chips are just like standard chocolate chips, minus the dairy! They can be used just like traditional chocolate chips can or even eaten on their own! While many grocery stores stock them, you can easily make your own. 

This homemade recipe is a foolproof way to make chocolate chips without any dairy. There is no need to use cocoa butter and takes seconds to make. It’s perfect to use in all your favorite desserts, like chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and blondies. 

What I adore about this homemade version is how much more affordable they are than store bought ones- Some brands cost up to $12 for a package (especially if you aren’t in America!).

How do you make dairy free chocolate chips?

The Ingredients

• Unsweetened baking chocolate– 100% unsweetened chocolate bars designed specifically for baking. These particular chocolate bars have no added sugar in them and on their own, are extremely bitter. However, they melt perfectly and are easy to mix with other sweeteners (like maple syrup, honey, or granulated sugars). I used Guittard chocolate, but Ghiradelli and Bakers also make 100% unsweetened chocolate bars. 
• Raw sugar– Raw sugar or unrefined sugar. You must only use these two kinds of sugar, as traditional white or brown sugar blends use bone char (from animals) in the processing. 

The Instructions

Start by melting your chocolate using the double boiler method or in the microwave. Once the chocolate has melted and is glossy, whisk in the sugar until combined. Remove the melted chocolate from the heat.

Now, pour the melted chocolate into a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe tiny portions of the chocolate into a chocolate chip shape onto a plate or tray lined with parchment paper. Let the chocolate chips cool to room temperature, before peeling off the parchment paper and using as you would traditional chocolate chips! 

FAQ

Which brands of chocolate chips are vegan? 

You can skip the homemade version and simply buy your own! Here are four brands that are dairy free-

• Enjoy life– An easily accessible and popular brand of dairy free chocolate chips. I love using their mini chips and baking morsels for many of my cookie and brownie recipes. 
• Sunspire– They have both dairy free and traditional chocolate chips. More costly than other brands, their vegan carob chips have a slightly earthly flavor. 
• Guittard– My absolute favorite dairy free chocolate to use for baking. I’ve found this at Costco and several specialty supermarkets. 
• Pascha– These chocolate chips are also sugar free, perfect if you are watching your carbs or sugar. 

Are semi sweet chocolate chips vegan?

Semi sweet chocolate chips are richer and have a darker flavor than milk chocolate chips, but this does NOT mean they are vegan. Many brands still contain added dairy in them, even ones with a higher cocoa content. 

Where to buy vegan chocolate chips? 

Vegan chocolate chips are easily available from most grocery stores and health food stores. If you struggle to find them in stores, either make your own (hello, this recipe is here for a reason!) or purchase them from an online retailer. 

How is baking chocolate different from regular chocolate?

The biggest difference between baking chocolate and regular or eating chocolate is the sugar content. Most baking chocolate (like the one used in this recipe) has minimal or no added sugar. Furthermore, baking chocolate will often have higher levels of cocoa solids, making them easier to melt.

Can I use regular chocolate? 

Baking chocolate is preferred, but if you use a good quality chocolate bar (like Lindt or Green and Black’s), it can be made with those. 

Can I make white or milk chocolate chips? 

For non-dark chocolate chips, I recommend using a store bought option as making your own could be slightly more time consuming but it IS doable! 

• Vegan milk chocolate chips– Melt a vegan milk chocolate bar and whisk in one teaspoon of coconut oil. Add to the pastry bag and pipe out chips onto the parchment paper. 
• Vegan white chocolate chips– Melt a vegan white chocolate bar and pipe out chips using the pastry bag. 

Storage tips

• To store: Like traditional chocolate chips, these homemade ones can be stored at room temperature, in a sealed jar or ziplock bag. The chips will keep well for up to 2 months. 
• To freeze: I don’t recommend freezing the chocolate chips, but if you must, place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

Vegan dessert recipes using vegan chocolate chips 

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
• Brownies
• Blondies