To kick off the year, 16 Handles is launching a line-up of new artisan vegan soft serve flavors. These creamy creations were developed with proprietary recipes using cashew milk and and other natural ingredients. They will join the already extensive selection of dairy-free options on this frozen yogurt chain’s menu.
Since the very beginning, New Yorkers have embraced 16 Handles because of our commitment to quality, innovation, and inclusiveness. We want more options so our vegan and dairy-alternative guests can flaunt their flavor both in our shops and by ordering on our delivery platforms. Our Fro-Yo and ice cream fans are going to be surprised at how delicious these flavors are too. – 16 Handles CEO and founder, Solomon Choi.
16 Handles Swirls Vegan Flavors into Their Soft Serve Selection
This popular Fro You chain has two or three dairy-free and vegan flavors on tap daily. The three new cashew milk-based flavors will be added to this mix, and are scheduled to launch on the Sweet 16th of January, February, and March in 2019. They have been handcrafted by 16 Handles lead chef, and are made without dairy, gluten, soy, and corn syrup. I will update this post as the flavors are announced!
Bonus: 16 Handles app users get double loyalty points when they stop in to try the new flavors on the Sweet 16th of the month.
The first flavor, which is now in stores, is the ultra-indulgent Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle. It’s made with real hazelnuts and cocoa for a naturally rich and intense finish.
Dairy-Free & Vegan Soft Serve Flavors at 16 Handles
At last check, all of the following dairy-free and vegan flavors were available on rotation (2 to 3 daily) at 16 Handles shops. To make them easy to spot, all vegan flavors are clearly labeled above the handle. These flavors are also gluten-free, and they also have gluten-free labels above the handles in store.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle (creamy cashew milk-based)
- Cookie Dough Craving (creamy cashew milk-based)
- New Flavor – (creamy cashew milk-based; TBA March 2019)
- Yo Soy Vanilla (creamy soy milk-based)
- Raspberry Lime Mojito Sorbet
- Pomegranate Raspberry Sorbet
- Kiwi Strawbae Sorbet
- Welch’s Superfruit Mighty Concord Grape Sorbet
- Dannon Passion Fruit Orange Guava Sorbet
- So Fresh Mango Sorbetto
- Watermelon Sorbet
- Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet
- Green Apple Sorbet
- Berry Medley Sorbet
Their crafted sorbet flavors do change occasionally. And it looks like their Yo Soy Chocolate and Coco Loco vegan flavors have been discontinued.
Dairy-Free & Vegan Smoothies at 16 Handles
We have been told by 16 Handles that their Sorbet Smoothies are dairy-free. And depending on the location, you might have the option to make their other smoothies dairy free.
Dairy-Free & Vegan Toppings at 16 Handles
The dairy-free topping options at this popular chain are actually quite extensive, and they include a few sweet sauces. They also began offering new vegan chocolate chips when the cashew milk-based flavors were announced. At last check, all of the following garnishes appeared to be dairy-free and vegan, unless otherwise noted. But be sure to check in store to verify (ingredients can change!).
- Roasted Almonds
- Apple Jacks (not listed as vegan)
- Bananas
- Birthday Cake Oreos (not listed as vegan)
- Blue Raspberry Sour Tape
- Blueberries
- Cap’n Crunch (not listed as vegan)
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch (not listed as vegan)
- Cocoa Puffs (not listed as vegan)
- Honey (not vegan)
- Cookie Crisp (not listed as vegan)
- Froot Loops (not listed as vegan)
- Fruity Pebbles (not listed as vegan)
- Goji Granola
- Honeydew
- Kiwi
- Lychee
- Mango
- Maraschino Cherries
- Mint Creme Oreos (not listed as vegan)
- Oreo Cookies (not listed as vegan)
- Peanut Butter Sauce
- Pineapple
- Pumpkin Flax Granola
- Raspberry
- Raspberry Jam Sauce (with seeds)
- Raspberry Sauce
- Red Velvet Oreos (not listed as vegan)
- Sour Patch Kids Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Toasted Almond Crunch
- Trix Cereal (not listed as vegan)
- Vegan Belgian Chocolate Chips
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough by DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
- Welch’s Fruit Snacks (not vegan)
- Wet Walnuts
- Winter Oreos (not listed as vegan)
Important Topping Notes
Their “vegan” labeling doesn’t seem to be very reliable online. Since they are sourcing name brand cereals and cookies, I listed the items on our list above that are dairy-free. I can’t verify ingredient sourcing, like sugar, but for the most part, those cereals and cookies also appear to be vegan.
16 Handles doesn’t list the ingredients of their toppings on their website, so there are probably more dairy-free options. At first glance, it looks like the following toppings might be dairy-free: Blue Raspberry Gummi Rings, Candy Corn, Coconut Flakes, Gummi Bears, Jelly Rings, Papa Bear Gummies, Peanuts, Sour Patch Kids, and Sprinkles. But check in store to verify.
Cross-contamination with toppings is a big concern in frozen yogurt shops. Dairy-containing toppings can easily find their way into neighboring dairy-free ones. If concerned, ask the fro yo specialist to get a fresh topping from the back. They are usually happy to help.
Where to Find 16 Handles
For ten years, 16 Handles has been named New York City’s #1 frozen yogurt. They have shops dotted around the big apple. But they also have locations in other parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. See their website below for menus, locations, phone numbers, and hours. And if you want one in your area, they are franchising!
Website: www.16handles.com
