Snacks are truly a godsend—they can get you through a busy work week, a cram session in a dimly lit library basement, and even the kind of colossal breakup that leaves you ugly-crying in that same sad basement searching for something to eat your woes away. To our delight, a number of companies have been making accidentally vegan snacks for years, and we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite go-to treats you can find practically anywhere. Bookmark this list for the next time you’re on a road trip in the middle of nowhere, in need of something to munch on at the movies, or trying to get through a difficult moment and are in need of some sweet or salty fuel.
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What does accidentally vegan mean?
In a nutshell, if a product is “accidentally” vegan, this means that while the manufacturers didn’t set out to create a vegan product, the ingredients list is totally free of animal ingredients. Snacks like potato chips, cookies, crackers, and candy are often accidentally vegan (as you can see from below!). One important note, however. It’s important to look out for allergens, as many of these products may contain traces of milk or eggs, due to shared factory conditions.
25 of the best accidentally vegan snacks
1 Oreo cookies
How could we not include the most iconic cookies to ever exist as the kick-off to this delectable list?
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2 Pringles
The ultimate stackable snack can be found at your local grocery store—just be sure to go for the vegan-friendly Original flavor (Barbecue is vegan in some regions; check for milk in the ingredients!).
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3 Takis
Two flavors of these spicy, crunchy chips are vegan: Takis Fuego and Takis Nitro.
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4 Unfrosted Pop-Tarts
We already know which vegan flavors we’re having for a mid-morning snack tomorrow: Unfrosted Strawberry.
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5 Doritos
Finding these Spicy Sweet Chili-flavored tortilla chips at a vending machine or gas station is a safe bet.
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6 Fritos
The inventor of these salty corn chips was supposedly vegetarian. Try the Original and Bar-B-Q flavors for your dairy-free chip fix.
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7 Fruit by the Foot
Introduced in 1991, the fruity snack is like childhood currency at lunchtime and on playgrounds.
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8 Ritz Crackers
No butter is added to the original flavor of these buttery, versatile crackers—it’s made with vegetable oils—so enjoy them with vegan cheese, peanut butter, or salsa.
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9 Sour Patch Watermelon
We’re ready to get our sweets fix with this chewy, soft, and gelatin-free candy. Even better? Beloved Sour Patch Kids is also vegan.
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10 Ruffles Potato Chips
Classic Original and Canadian cult favorite All Dressed are two dairy-free flavors of these recognizable crinkle-cut potato chips.
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11 Smarties
We’re adorning ourselves with Smarties candy necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Nostalgia lane, here we come!
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12 Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
Granola bars are a smart addition when packing your bag for hiking, studying, or traveling. Flavors such as Apple Crisp, Cinnamon, Maple Brown Sugar, Peanut Butter, Pecan Crunch, and Roasted Almond are positively plant-based.
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13 Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
This common party staple’s Classic, Barbecue, Salt & Vinegar, and Lightly Salted Barbecue flavors have no animal-derived ingredients. Sports games and tailgates just got a whole lot simpler.
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14 Smucker’s Uncrustables
You can expect to find these peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the frozen aisle—the Grape Jelly and Strawberry Jam flavors are vegan. We’re packing them for our next picnic.
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15 Haribo Sour S’ghetti Gummi Candy
It’s sometimes a search to find a gummy candy that has no gelatin, so discovering these gelatin-free sour gummies has us jumping for joy.
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16 Thomas’ New York Style Bagels
If you’re craving a heartier snack, a bagel topped with vegan cream cheese or vegan butter is sure to satisfy. The Blueberry, Cinnamon Swirl, Everything, and Plain versions are plant-based.
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17 Lindt Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate in 70, 80, 85, and 90 percent cacao varieties is healthy, right? Right!
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18 Clif Bars
A quintessential snack to take for strenuous outdoor activities, every flavor is vegan except for Mini Blueberry Crisp.
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19 Nabisco Triscuit Crackers Baked Whole Grain Wheat
We’re seeing a trend—crackers, crackers, and more vegan crackers! We’re diving into Fire Roasted Tomato and Rosemary & Olive Oil Triscuits with hummus and a glass of red wine for a small but titillating treat.
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20 Nabisco Grahams Original Crackers
Snack-food giant Nabisco is clearly onto something. Its Ginger Snaps, Oreo Thins, and Saltine Crackers are all also accidentally vegan. Keep ‘em coming!
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21 Snyder’s of Hanover Jalapeño Pretzel Pieces
Jalapeño-flavored anything is sure to have us fired up, but jalapeño-flavored pretzels? Next level. Snyder’s Pretzel Sticks in Oat Bran and Pumpernickel & Onion are also vegan-friendly.
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22 Sun Chips
Often touted as a healthier chip option, it’s no surprise the Original flavor was also vegan all along.
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23 Swedish Fish
Are our eyes deceiving us? Swedish fish?! Yes, please!
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24 Nutter Butter Cookies
Shaped like peanuts with the same creamy, peanut butter taste, and accidentally vegan? We’ll take a case.
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25 belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits
Ideal for someone on the go, these crunchy biscuits provide lasting energy and come in flavors such as Toasted Coconut and Cinnamon Brown Sugar.
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Note: Ingredients may vary by country. This list is only for products sold in the US.
For more about vegan snacks, read:
Aruka Sanchir (@ruukes) is the Senior Editor at VegNews who is always looking for exciting new vegan products to test out.
