Dye-Free Pantry Swaps for Everyday Cooking

If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of reading food labels (hi, welcome!), you’ll notice something wild — dyes show up in the most unexpected places. Like pickles. Or applesauce. Even some crackers! Once I realized how common artificial dyes were in everyday foods, I started making simple swaps in our pantry.

The best part? Most of these swaps taste exactly the same (if not better), and they come with a lot less stress. Here are a few of our favorite dye-free pantry staples that you can keep on hand for snacks, meals, and everything in between.

1. Annie’s Homegrown Mac & Cheese

The classic orange mac kids love — just without the synthetic dyes. Annie’s uses organic ingredients and real cheese with natural coloring like annatto.

Shop Annie’s Mac & Cheese (affiliate link)

2. 365 Ketchup

A clean ketchup with no high fructose corn syrup and no Red 40. It tastes like “real” ketchup — just with a better label.

Get 365 Ketchup (affiliate link)

3. GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce Pouches

Many flavored applesauces are dyed to look like fruit. This brand uses actual fruit purée and spices like cinnamon without any added coloring.

GoGo SqueeZ Pouches (affiliate link)

4. 365 Organic Cheddar Squares

A great alternative to the neon cheese crackers. These are crunchy, cheesy, and free from artificial colors and flavors.

Buy 365 Cheddar Crackers (affiliate link)

5. Natural Food Coloring Set

If your recipes ever call for a pop of color (think pancake syrup, cake batter, even homemade yogurt), having a set of natural food dyes on hand is a must.

Get Plant-Based Food Dyes (affiliate link)

A Better-For-You Pantry Making your pantry more dye-free doesn’t mean throwing everything out and starting from scratch. One swap at a time is all it takes. These staples are our favorites — easy to find, tasty, and toddler-approved.

Please note: All information in this post is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time it was published. However, companies may change their ingredients, packaging, or manufacturing practices at any time. Always read labels carefully and check with the manufacturer if you have any questions or concerns — especially when shopping for children with allergies or sensitivities.

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