Is Cool Whip Vegan? (No, But THESE Brands Are!)

What Is Cool Whip?

Cool Whip is a store-bought whipped topping meant to be used as whipped cream. It's light, fluffy has a creamy texture, and can be used as an ingredient to make desserts or used as a dessert topping.

It is not made with dairy whipping cream but it does contain dairy ingredients making it not vegan.

What Is Cool Whip Made Of?

There are several different varieties of Cool Whip, all of them contain dairy and have slightly different ingredients, but let's look at the ingredients in the original version:

Water, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut and Palm Kernel Oils), Skim Milk, Contains Less Than 2% of Light Cream, Sodium Caseinate (from Milk), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Xanthan and Guar Gums, Modified Food Starch, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sodium Polyphosphate, Beta Carotene (Color).

So why is Cool Whip not vegan? The three bold ingredients above are milk ingredients, this is why Cool Whip is not vegan.

As you'll see in the ingredient list, Cool Whip also contains palm kernel oils, which is technically vegan, but because of the destruction its production process causes to rain forests and animals, many vegans choose not to purchase products that contain it. You can read about this issue in this article: "Is Palm Oil Vegan."

Ingredients to Look For

When looking for a vegan whipped cream to buy at the grocery store, the main things to look for are dairy ingredients and palm oils (if the use of palm oils is an issue for you).

There may be other non-vegan ingredients in store-bought whipped creams, but those are the main two to look for. If there's ever an ingredient you aren't sure of, look it up or contact the company directly to ask.

Vegan Whipped Cream Brands

In the list below, you'll find some vegan whipped cream brands, presented in no particular order. This is not a complete list of every dairy-free alternative out there, but it's comprehensive enough to help you find the perfect topping that you will enjoy and one that is easy to find in your area or online.

I’ve noted a few points about each brand, including a link to each brand’s website.

A few things to keep in mind as you read through the list:

• In most cases, even though these companies manufacture vegan whipped cream, that doesn't mean all of their products are also vegan, it is up to you to understand the labels, and if you don't, get in touch with the company to ask your questions.
• If cross-contamination is an issue for you, look for cross-contamination statements on the package or website. Depending on your level of comfort, it is up to you whether or not you want to purchase. If you are still not satisfied, or you can't find the info you are looking for, contact the company directly.
• The use of palm oil is very important to many vegans, so I have noted which brands use palm oils in their whipped topping.
• All statements about each brand below are based on the information presented on their websites at the time that this article was written.
• Look for these vegan whipped creams at your local grocery store, online retailers, or the specific store stated. If you cannot find them, look for the store locator on the brand's website for availability in your area.

So Delicious Cocowhip

• This whipped creamy topping is very close in taste and texture to Cool Whip but with a slight coconut flavour. It's certified vegan and gluten-free and comes in two varieties: regular and light.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• Look for Cocowhip in the freezer section of your grocery store, it must be kept cold.

TruWhip

• Truwhip makes a few different varieties, and only one of them is vegan, so be sure you are purchasing the one marked vegan (it's certified vegan). This Cool Whip alternative is also very close in taste and texture to Cool Whip.
• Palm oil is used in this product.
• Truwhip seems to only be available in the US at this time, look for it in the freezer section of your grocery store, it must be kept cold.

Gay Lea Coconut Whipped Topping

• This coconut whip comes in a spray can like many non-vegan whipped creams. It is certified vegan.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• Look for this whipped cream in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, it must be kept cold.

Reddi-Wip Coconut Milk

• Reddi-Wip manufactures several different whipped cream toppings, at this time, they only make two dairy-free varieties. This particular one is made with coconut milk instead of dairy and comes in a spray can.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• Look for this whipped cream in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, it must be kept cold.

Reddi-Wip Almond Milk

• Reddi-Wip manufactures several different whipped cream toppings, at this time, only two of them are vegan. This particular one also comes in a spray can and is made with almond milk instead of dairy (but it also contains coconut milk to add to the fat content to ensure proper texture and consistency [source].
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• Look for this whipped cream in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, it must be kept cold.

Silk Dairy-Free Whipping Cream Alternative

• This product is like dairy whipping cream (double cream / heavy whipping cream) you would buy in a carton for recipes and for whipping, except it's 100% dairy-free. It doesn't have any added sweeteners, so you can use it as an ingredient in your cooking and baking; it can be used in recipes the same way you would use real whipped cream. To use it as a whipped topping, simply whip it for a few minutes with a hand mixer, whisk, or stand mixer and it will transform into a thick, creamy coconut whipped cream. It has a coconut flavour and if you want it to be sweet, you can add as much or as little sweetener as you'd like, you can also add vanilla extract for flavour.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• Look for this whipped cream in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, it must be kept cold.

Nature's Charm Coconut Whipping Cream

• This product comes in a can and is thick coconut cream that you simply chill, whip, add any flavours that you'd like, and serve! It contains coconut sugar, so no need to add any sweeteners when whipping (unless you'd like it sweeter) and it's certified vegan.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• This product can be purchased online through online retailers and can also be found in your local grocery stores.

Cha's Organics Coconut Whipping Cream

• This is also a coconut cream that you have to chill, whip, sweeten (it does not contain any sweeteners), add any extracts or flavours that you'd like, and top your desserts. It's certified vegan.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• This product can be purchased online and can also be found in your local grocery stores.

Trader Joe's Brand Coconut Whipped Topping

• This is another spray vegan whipped topping made with coconut cream.
• Palm oil is NOT used in this product.
• Look for this whipped cream at Trader Joe's stores (a US chain) in the refrigerated section, it must be kept cold. It seems to be a seasonal item and gets taken off the website when it is not available which is why a link for this brand is not provided.

365 Brand Oat-Based Whipped Topping

• Rather than using coconut or almond, this Whole Foods Market brand uses oat flour in its spray whipped cream topping.
• Palm oil is used in this product.
• Look for this whipped cream at Whole Foods stores in the refrigerated section (it must be kept cold), or online through Amazon if you live in an area that delivers fresh groceries.

365 Brand Plant-Based Whipped Topping

• This is another whipped topping that's a close copy of Cool Whip in both taste and texture.
• Palm oil is used in this product.
• Look for this whipped topping at Whole Foods stores in the refrigerated section (it must be kept cold), or online through Amazon if you live in an area that delivers fresh groceries.

Homemade Vegan Whipped Cream

If you prefer to make homemade coconut whipped cream, you can!

Learn how to do it yourself in this step-by-step post: Vanilla Bean Coconut Whipped Cream.