Dairy-Free Scalloped Potatoes Recipe (Cheeseless & Milkless!) (2024)

Honestly, we usually make these delicious dairy-free scalloped potatoes for weeknight meals, because they are so darn easy and cheap. But this cheeseless, milkless casserole is also a fabulous side dish for holiday meals. It pairs well with Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas dinners. It can be made to suit almost any dietary need, and yes, I’ve been asked for this recipe by many dairy eaters!

Dairy-Free Scalloped Potatoes Recipe with No Special Ingredients Needed!

Forget the fuss of finding alternatives for your dairy-free scalloped potatoes casserole. There’s no cheese and no milk of any kind needed for this recipe. They come out perfectly rich, tender, and flavorful with an addictive crispy topping using simple, everyday ingredients. I originally shared this recipe way back in 2007, and it’s in my flagship book,Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook, Today, I’m updating it online, and have added even more options in the FAQs below.

Can I Use a Food Processor to Cut the Potatoes?

Definitely! In fact, a food processor with the slicing blade attached is the simplest and fastest way to thinly slice potatoes. I recommend amandolinsince it is a cheap, low tech option. Thinly slicing potatoes for scalloped dishes is tedious, and it can be hard to get even slices. A mandolin (or food processor) dramatically speeds things up while producing perfectly thin slices.

What Size Casserole Dish Should I Use?

A 9×13-inch or smaller should work fine. I typically use a deep 9×9-inch dish, but your favorite oval or square casserole dish in this range should work well.

Does it Matter Which Vegan Butter I Use?

Not really. I would just use your favorite brand. It can be a spread version or a stick version, but I typically use a stick version for that extra hint of richness. It’s cooked into the cream sauce, so the most important thing is that it has a flavor you enjoy.

Can I Substitute Olive Oil for the Dairy-Free Butter?

I don’t see why not! You might want to add an extra pinch of salt and/or a dash of garlic powder just to help compensate for that little extra flavor missing from the butter alternative. The buttery spread or sticks does add a bit more richness and well rounded flavor.

Can I Use Low Fat Mayonnaise?

Honestly, I wouldn’t use low fat mayonnaise. These dairy-free scalloped potatoes are already relatively low in fat. It might work fine, but the thickeners and lack of oil in low fat mayonnaise might cause less stellar results.

Do You Use Salted or Unsalted Broth?

When using broth, I typically use regular, salted. However, you can use low-sodium, if preferred. The sodium listed reflects the use of regular broth.

Can I Substitute Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, or Soy Milk for the Broth?

In theory, you can, but it isn’t my first choice. Non-dairy milk alternatives can add creaminess, but they also add hints of the flavor, like almond, coconut, or soy. Without the milk alternative, this scalloped potatoes casserole tastes like a naturally dairy-free dish, not one that was made with alternatives.

Which Herbs Do You Recommend for Topping?

My favorites herbs with potatoes are rosemary, chives, and thyme. But sage, dill, marjoram, or basil are also delicious options. You can use fresh herbs or dried. But I would use fresh herbs if you are using a more delicate herb, like parsley.

Can I Add Dairy-Free Cheese?

Did you know that traditional scalloped potatoes do not contain cheese. Scalloped potatoes with cheese are actually called au gratin potatoes. We do have adairy-freepotatoes au gratin recipe. But if you wish, you can add dairy-free cheese alternative. It might prevent the top from crisping up nicely. To avoid this issue, while still adding cheesiness, you could sprinkle in a little nutritional yeast.

Can I Add Garlic?

Yes, garlic would be a delicious addition. I don’t use it to avoid overpowering this dish. But you can add a minced garlic clove or two or about 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder if you want to add a hint of garlic to your dairy-free scalloped potatoes.

Do I Need to Broil the Potatoes?

You shouldn’t need to. After the long baking time, the top is typically golden and crispy. In very humid climates, your potatoes might not seem as crisp. If you want them more browned, you can turn the oven to broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes of baking.

Special Diet Notes:Dairy-Free Scalloped Potatoes

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, optionally egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, optionally vegan / plant-based, and optionally vegetarian.Simply use the buttery spread, flour, broth and mayo ingredients that work best for your dietary needs. The swaps are very minor, so your final result will still be delicious.

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