vegan snacks

The Best Vegan Snacks That Are Actually Healthy – Buyer’s Guide

Not all vegans are on a whole-food plant-based diet. Some merely avoid animal-based foods. If you fall into the latter category, then you are probably more willing to eat processed food. Lucky for you, there are still lots of easy snack options that are available at your local grocery shop. Keep in mind, these treats should be eaten sparingly since they are processed and possibly have unhealthy ingredients.Here are some of the best vegan snacks (see also ‘Best Vegan Road Trip Snacks‘) that I reviewed.

Our Top Vegan Snacks ([year] Updated)

PRODUCT

PRODUCT DETAILS

OUR #1 RATED

KIND Snacks

KIND Snacks

​(Editor’s Choice)

  • Contains 1/2 servings of fruit per serving
  • check Gluten-free
  • Non-GMO
  • check Good source of fiber

OUR #2 RATED

Louisville Vegan Jerky

Louisville Vegan Jerky

  • Free of gluten, cholesterol, and trans fat
  • check Contains organic ingredients
  • Made with freshly sourced Kentucky ingredients

OUR #3 RATED

Lenny & Larrys

Lenny & Larry’s

  • Non GMO, Vegan, Kosher
  • check No high fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners
  • Has the right balance of sweetness and dash of cinnamon

OUR #4 RATED

Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Squares

Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Squares

  • Non-GMO
  • Kosher
  • check 0g trans fat
  • check Ideal for a quick salt fix

OUR #5 RATED

Oreo Cookies

Oreo Cookies

  • Contains a rich creme filling
  • check Great for snacking and sharing at home

1. KIND Snacks (Editor’s Choice)

KIND has granola bars that taste great, and they have some vegan options.

You’ll have to investigate carefully to ensure that the nutritional label matches your standards.

They have varieties ranging from Cherry Apple Chia to Dark Chocolate Banana. These granola bars are a good source of fiber and contain no processed sugar.Most of the variants taste okay, but the smell might be overpowering for some.

KIND Snacks

PROS

  • Contains 1/2 servings of fruit per serving
  • check Gluten-free
  • Non-GMO
  • check Good source of fiber

​CONS

  • Smell is overpowering for some

2. Louisville Vegan Jerky

Vegan jerky (see also ‘What’s The Best Vegan Jerky?‘) is a thing. The jerky is made from soy protein and includes organic components like garlic, onion, and various spices.

Louisville Vegan Jerky is also non-GMO certified, gluten-free, and made with local Kentucky sources.

There are 21 grams of protein in each bag, which makes this a filling and healthy snack.However, it’s a little too salty for my liking.

Check this video out to learn more about its taste.

Louisville Vegan Jerky

PROS

  • Free of gluten, cholesterol, and trans fat
  • check Contains organic ingredients
  • Made with freshly sourced Kentucky ingredients

​CONS

  • Salty

3. Lenny & Larry’s

Lenny & Larry’s is famous for their delicious vegan cookies.

Their cookies have no high fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols, or artificial sweeteners. It has 6 grams of protein from pea and rice proteins containing all 9 essential amino acids.

They have different flavors, too. I love the classic chocolate chip cookie and apple pie.It’s not the cheapest out there, and I like the texture and consistency of the non-crunchy variant better.

Lenny & Larrys

PROS

  • Non GMO, Vegan, Kosher
  • check No high fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners
  • Has the right balance of sweetness and dash of cinnamon

​CONS

  • Expensive

4. Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Squares

Earth Balance is another brand known for its vegan food products.

I have a hard time finding vegan cheese that isn’t coconut based, but these vegan cheddar squares are an excellent knock-off of the original cheese squares. They also have recyclable packaging, although the plastic bag inside the box doesn’t appear to be recyclable.As much as I love vegan cheddar squares, this one is not as flavorful as I want them to be.

Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Squares

PROS

  • Non-GMO
  • Kosher
  • check 0g trans fat
  • check Ideal for a quick salt fix

​CONS

  • Not flavorful

5. Oreo Cookies

Do I need to sell you on Oreos? The cookies and cream are vegan (see also our favorite ice cream recipes), including the golden variety.

This childhood classic is always great with a glass of almond milk (see also ‘ Do Vegans Drink Milk?’ ).

So next time you are thinking about breaking from your plant-based diet, think about how you can still have Oreos and feel better. The texture, however, is a little more powdery than regular Oreos.

Oreo Cookies

PROS

  • Contains a rich creme filling
  • check Great for snacking and sharing at home

​CONS

  • Texture is more powderty

6. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips

The world’s most classic chips (see also our article on Pringles) are made with only three ingredients; potatoes, oil, and salt.

It’s the perfect salty snack, and it’s also gluten-free.

The chips are also free from artificial flavors and preservatives.

Due to the lack of preservatives, you’ll want to keep an eye on the expiration date. These only have a short shelf life of 60-90 days.

Lays Classic Potato Chips

Consumers should look for chips (see also ‘Are Takis Vegan?‘) that are air-fried and don’t contain any extra sugar or seasonings.

Maggie Michalczyk

RD

PROS

  • Gluten-free
  • check Made only with three ingredients: potatoes, oil, and salt
  • check Easy to carry, store, and pack

​CONS

  • Expires earlier unlike other chip brands

​>>Check our article on the best vegan chips<<

7. Clif Bar

I put Clif Bar on the list because they don’t source from animals.

You’ll want to read the ingredient list first before purchasing though since it might contain milk, whey, casein (see also ‘What Is Casein and is it Bad For You?‘), or honey.

Their labels also mention possible cross-contact with an animal source. You need to decide for yourself how comfortable you are with the risk. Also, it can be a little too sweet for some.Otherwise, these are packed with protein at 9-11 grams in each bar. Flavors range from Blueberry Crisp to Chocolate Brownie.

Clif Bar

PROS

  • Contains non-GMO ingredients
  • check Contains 9-11g of protein per serving
  • check Delicious flavors

​CONS

  • Too sweet for some people

8. Sun Chips

The multigrain chip (see also ‘Are Fritos Vegan?‘) also has the tasty flavor of harvest cheddar. You can get 21 grams of whole grains per ounce with these chips (see also ‘Are Your Favorite Chips Vegan?’).

They are a great wholesome snack option.Unfortunately, only the original flavor can pass as vegan.

The other flavors don’t make the cut.

Regardless, this is still an excellent option for your snacking needs.

Sun Chips

PROS

  • Made with 21 gram of whole grains per serving
  • check Convenient take-home bag
  • check Support heart health

​CONS

  • Only the original flavor pass as vegan

9. Sour Patch Kids

Surprisingly, Sour Patch Kids doesn’t contain any gelatin (see also ‘Is Jello Vegan? What is Jello Made Of?‘), which is commonly found in gummy candies.

I would be a little cautious though.

Nothing in the ingredient list that would suggest it’s not vegan, but artificial coloring has been tested on animals before.

It’s up to your discretion if this is an issue for you.

Sour Patch Kids

PROS

  • Does not contain gelatin
  • check Great for sharing

​CONS

  • Does not specifically state that it is vegan

>>Check our article on the best vegan gummy bears<<

10. Nutter Butter Cookies

Luckily, Nutter Butter cookies (see also our article on Girl Scout Cookies) don’t contain animal-based ingredients, and it’s also made with real peanut butter.

This is a cookie to eat sparingly, even if it is kosher-certified, cholesterol-free, and low in saturated fats.Some find it salty, but the peanut butter flavor surely salvages it.

Nutter Butter Cookies

PROS

  • Made with real peanut butter
  • check Kosher-certified
  • check Cholesterol-free

​CONS

  • Salty for some people

11. Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers

Ritz Crackers (see also ‘Are Ritz Crackers Vegan?‘) can be topped with anything and become a delicious appetizer.

Some topping options include pesto and vegan cheese, hummus (see also ‘Is Hummus Vegan & Dairy-Free?‘) with sweet peppers, and artichoke with dried tomato.

It’s hard to go wrong with this crunchy base.The whole wheat version is not as flavorful as the regular variant, but it still has that classic Ritz taste.

Ritz Crackers

PROS

​CONS

  • Not as flavorful compared to its regular variant

12. Unfrosted Pop-Tarts

Didn’t think you could enjoy pop tarts (see also ‘Are Pop-Tarts Vegan?’) anymore?

That’s not the case if you get the unfrosted versions.

Avoiding the frosting means that you also avoid animal products. The gooey filling inside a crumbly pastry crust is a great option if you are missing the original versions.

Enjoy them fresh out of the toaster or fresh out of the pack.Because it’s unfrosted, the flavor is a bit more mellow.

Unfrosted Pop Tarts

PROS

  • Contains 0g of trans fat
  • check Sweet, tasty, and ready to eat

​CONS

  • Flavor is mellow when unfrosted

What Types Of Snacks Are Vegan?

Some examples of healthy vegan snacks include:

  • Mixed nuts
  • Almond butter with apples
  • Plain popcorn
  • Roasted chickpeas
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Vegetables and hummus

These snacks are healthy for the body. For example, habitual consumption of avocados may reduce adult weight gain (1) and cocoa provides some cardiovascular benefits according to many human intervention studies (2).

Looking for something good for breakfast? Try these vegan cereal brands to prep a delicious breakfast for the kids.

What Ingredients Should I Check Before Buying Vegan Snacks?

You should avoid ingredients that contain milk, dairy, meat, or any animal byproduct. Some ingredients in food don’t immediately suggest they aren’t vegan. Here’s a quick guide for some sneaky ingredients to keep an eye out on while shopping:

  • Honey
  • Casein
  • Whey
  • Gelatin
  • L. Cysteine
  • Confectioner’s Glaze

Which Vegan Snack Should You Buy?

The vegan diet doesn’t mean that you have to let go of every unhealthy snack. It’s okay to have processed foods in moderation. This is why we recommend Kind Snacks.

They are still filled with lots of calories and other elements that aren’t the best, especially if you’re aiming for specific health goals.

But, it’s not at all bad to have a treat once in a while.If you want to make your own easy treats, then read some of our healthy vegan recipes like our Vegan Protein Balls, Vegan Protein Cookies, or Vegan Protein Bars.

For more vegan snack options, check out Pulsin.

Craving for some junk food, check out some vegan junk food options here.

KIND Snacks Box

KIND SNACK

Our #1 Vegan Snack

  • Contains 1/2 servings of fruit per serving
  • Gluten-free
  • No added sugar
  • check Non-GMO
  • check Good source of fiber

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