If you’re dairy-free and traveling to Italy, you might be wondering what you can eat for dessert.
I can help! If you’re traveling to Italy, you can trust me to give you the answers you are looking for. I’ve been living in Italia since 2012, eating my way around the peninsula. I’m happy to share my knowledge about Italian food traditions and popular dessert recipes – even ones that don’t include dairy!
I’ll also let you know where you can find some of them – whether it’s the region or the type of shop.
Eating Dairy-Free in Italy? Check out
My Guide to Eating Dairy-Free in Italy
A Day of Dairy-Free Eating in Italy
Dairy-Free Gelato Flavors in Italy
Dairy-Free Desserts in Italy
Where to Find Dairy-Free Gelato in Florence – Venice – Rome
What is Sorbetto?
Eating Lactose-Free in Italy
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Dairy-Free Sweet Treats In Italy
So much of Italian cuisine is actually dairy-free (except for Parmigiano-Reggiano which Italians will put on almost anything!) because historically, traditional culinary traditions were based on the idea of la cucina povera or the poor man’s cooking (i.e. healthy, wholesome food that can be grown easily and for little). This also includes dairy-free sweet treats! Let’s take a closer look.
Cavallucci
Cavalucci is an ancient cookie recipe that incorporates all kinds of dried fruit and nuts. Recipes will change from region to region but they are generally made to be enjoyed for a snack with tea or coffee.
Ciambelline Al Vino
Ciambelline al vino are simple cookies made with wine in Lazio, Marche, Umbria. Look for them at bakeries.
Cremolata
Cremolata is macerated fruit and ice, somewhat a mix between Italian sorbet and granita.
Learn More: Read about all the cold Italian desserts in The Differences Between Gelato, Ice Cream, Sorbet, Cremolata, and Granita.
Poached Pears
Poached pears are a dairy-free sweet treat to order in Italy in winter when pears are in season. They might be served in a reduced wine sauce or a chocolate sauce.
Celli Ripieni
Celli Ripieni are a plain short crust cookie dough filled with a grape compote best if you are traveling in Abruzzo.
Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti cookies are a light and airy almond cookie that you can easily find at bakeries and grocery stores throughout all 20 regions.
Ricciarelli
Ricciarelli are another Tuscan cookie that also happens to be dairy-free. They are easy to find at bakeries or small delis throughout most of central Italy but the best are from Siena.
Make Them: Ricciarelli are an easy gluten-free and dairy-free dessert to make at home with Ricciarelli – Italian Almond Cookies from Siena.
Mostaccioli
Mostaccioli are a chocolate nut cookie covered in chocolate made during the holidays in southern Italy. To read more about other traditional Christmas cookies, check out Italian Christmas Cookies To Try (That We Actually Make And Eat In Italy).
Gelato
Most gelato labeled vegan will naturally be dairy-free by using fruit as its base. In this case, it’s called a sorbetto (see below). Other times, on rare occasions, gelaterie will use a plant-based milk to create a creamy texture.
Gelato Lovers: Don’t miss
How To Order Gelato In Italy
Is Italian Gelato Gluten-Free?
Gelato In Italy – The Scoop on Italy’s Favorite Sweet Treat
Italian Gelato Flavors – A Complete List of Gelato Flavors You’ll Find in Italy (+ Printable Quick Guide)
Best Gelato in Florence – Venice – Rome
Dairy-Free Gelato Flavors + My Recs for Florence – Venice – Rome
Sorbetto
Sorbetto is a dairy-free version of Italian gelato made with either fruit, chocolate or nuts as the base. It’s usually more icy rather than creamy and is listed on a separate section or marked as vegano or senza latte on menus.
Granita
Granita is flavored shaved ice from Messina in Sicily, which is also where I suggest you go to try it. If that’s not on your itinerary, Sicily in general makes decent granita but I wouldn’t try it up north unless you are in a specialty southern Italian gelateria.
Popular flavors are fruit (such as lemon or strawberry), chocolate, almond or coffee.
Macedonia
Macedonia or fresh fruit salad is one of Italy’s most beloved desserts. Tourists tend to overlook such a simple dessert but it’s made with seasonal fruit and may be accompanied by pastry cream.
Castagnaccio
Castagnaccio is a chestnut cake made in Tuscany in the fall from chestnut flour and olive oil. It’s studded with nuts, raisins and rosemary, making for the perfect savory and sweet combination.
Panforte
Panforte is a dried fruit and nut cake from Siena typically served after Christmas dinner but is now readily available at bakeries, grocery stores and sweet shops across Italy. Look for the traditional panforte or a chocolate variation.
Torrone
Torrone is Italian nougat studded with various nuts. In Piedmont it’s made with hazelnuts but in Sardinia it’s made from hazelnuts, almonds or walnuts. You can buy it chewy or hard.
Cantuccini e Vin Santo
Cantuccini are small biscotti made with almonds originally from Prato in Tuscany served with a sweet wine known as Vin Santo. These are best sampled while visiting Tuscany but you may also see them in neighboring regions such as Umbria. They also pack up well and last a long time, making them ideal souvenirs from Tuscany.
Make Them: Cantuccini are easy to make at home with my step-by-step instructions in Authentic Cantuccini Recipe (Italian Biscotti).
Schiacciata all’Uva
Schiacciata all’uva is a dairy-free sweet treat from Tuscany made by baking traditional schiacciata flatbread with sweet uva fragola, a variety of grape. Order it at the best bakeries in Florence for a filling snack.
Marzapane
Marzapane (aka marzipan or almond paste) is a popular flavor throughout all of Italy but Sicily is particularly famous for their marzipan shaped fruits. The best are artisan made and sometimes flavored inside with other kinds of nuts like pistachios.
Try It: Head to I Peccatucci di Mamma Andrea in Palermo (Via Principe Scordia, 67) for excellent marzapane to bring home as a souvenir or gift.
Fichi Girotti
Fichi girotti are a specialty of Umbria made by filling dried local figs with nuts and chocolate. I have seen these dairy-free sweet treats in other areas of Italy but the best come from here!
BONUS: Cornetti Vegani
If you are looking to have a traditional Italian breakfast out at a bar then my advice is to get there early. Most bars these days sell cornetti vegani, which are dairy-free pastries but they do tend to run out on the earlier side. If you are there by 10:00 am, chances are you will find some kind of dairy-free sweet treat for breakfast. They are usually whole grain and/or are filled with jam.
