What Popular Junk Food Is Vegan? 15 Snacks You Can Actually Eat

Ever stared at a shelf of chips, candy, and frozen pizzas wondering which ones don’t have animal stuff in them? You’re not alone. A lot of people think vegan means salad and tofu, but the truth is, there’s a whole aisle of junk food that’s accidentally vegan-and some of it’s even delicious.

Most vegan junk food isn’t labeled as vegan

You won’t find ‘Vegan’ stamped on the back of most bags of chips or boxes of cookies. That’s because companies don’t bother marketing to vegans unless they have to. So you’ve got to check the ingredients yourself. The good news? Many of the cheapest, most common snacks are already free of dairy, eggs, and meat.

Take Lay’s Classic Potato Chips. No cheese powder. No butter. Just potatoes, oil, and salt. Same with Ruffles Original. Same with Kettle Brand Sea Salt & Vinegar. These aren’t ‘vegan snacks’-they’re just regular chips. And they’ve been vegan for decades.

Now, here’s where people get tripped up: flavors. Barbecue? Sometimes it’s got milk powder. Sour Cream & Onion? Almost always has dairy. But Salt & Vinegar? Always safe. Plain? Always safe. So skip the fancy stuff and stick to the basics.

Chocolate you can actually eat

Chocolate is the biggest trap. Most milk chocolate has dairy. Dark chocolate? Often vegan-but not always. Look for bars with 70% cocoa or higher. Brands like Lindt 70%, 85%, and 90% are dairy-free. So is Green & Black’s Organic Dark. Enjoy Life also makes a line of allergen-free dark chocolate bars that are 100% vegan.

But don’t trust the word ‘dark’ alone. Some brands sneak in milk fat or whey. Always check for ‘milk’ or ‘milk solids’ in the ingredients. If you see it, put it back.

And here’s a secret: most candy-coated chocolates like M&Ms? Not vegan. But Skittles? Yes. Original Skittles have been vegan since 2010. No gelatin. No dairy. Just sugar, corn syrup, and artificial colors. Same with Starburst, Sour Patch Kids, and Swedish Fish. Gummy bears? Usually not-but Fruit by the Foot? Totally vegan.

Fast food snacks that don’t need a menu change

You don’t have to go to a fancy vegan restaurant to get a quick bite. At McDonald’s, the Apple Dippers with caramel sauce? Vegan. The fries? In the U.S., they’re cooked in vegetable oil and have no animal ingredients. In the UK? Same thing-no beef fat. Just potatoes and oil.

At Taco Bell, the Black Bean Crunchwrap (without sour cream or cheese) is vegan. So is the Cheesy Burrito without cheese. And yes, the Nacho Fries are vegan if you skip the cheese sauce. Most chains now list vegan options online. Just search ‘[chain name] vegan menu’ before you go.

And let’s not forget the frozen aisle. Amy’s Kitchen has a line of vegan burritos, pizzas, and pot pies. Daiya makes vegan cheese pizzas that actually melt. And if you’re craving pizza rolls? Totino’s Cheese Pizza Rolls? Nope-dairy. But their Pepperoni? Vegan. Just check the box.

Snacks you thought were vegan… but aren’t

Here’s the list of things people get wrong:

• Pop-Tarts-most flavors have gelatin or milk. Only the Unfrosted Blueberry ones are vegan.
• Twinkies-contain dairy and eggs. No way around it.
• Oreos-the original ones are vegan! But some limited editions (like Peanut Butter or Mega Stuf) aren’t. Stick to the classic.
• Crackers-Ritz? Not vegan. Saltines? Yes. Triscuits? Yes. Cheez-Its? No.
• Pretzels-hard pretzels? Usually vegan. Soft pretzels? Often brushed with butter. Ask before you bite.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about knowing what’s safe so you don’t accidentally eat something you didn’t want to.

What about protein-packed junk food?

Vegan junk food doesn’t have to be empty calories. Some brands are making snacks that actually give you something back.

Seaweed snacks? Low-calorie, high in iodine, and crunchy like chips. Trader Joe’s has a salted version that’s just seaweed and sea salt. Same with Hippeas Organic Vegan Puffs-they’re made from peas, not potatoes. And they’ve got 4 grams of protein per serving.

Then there’s the new wave: vegan jerky. Made from soy, mushrooms, or jackfruit. brands like Primal Strips, Louisville Vegan Jerky, and Upton’s Naturals make stuff that actually tastes like meat. Not because they’re trying to trick you-but because they’re good.

And if you like crunchy, salty, and sweet all at once? Try roasted chickpeas. You can buy them pre-seasoned (like Biena or Saffron Road) or make your own. Toss dried chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, and salt. Roast for 40 minutes. Done.

How to spot vegan junk food fast

You don’t need to memorize every brand. Just learn the red flags:

• Don’t trust ‘vegetarian’-that just means no meat. Could still have dairy, eggs, honey.
• Watch for these ingredients: whey, casein, lactose, gelatin, honey, egg whites, animal fat, carmine (red dye from bugs).
• Look for ‘plant-based’-that’s a clue, but not a guarantee. Always double-check.
• Use the app-HappyCow or Is It Vegan? are free and reliable. Snap a pic of the label and get an instant answer.

And here’s a pro tip: if a snack is cheap and simple, it’s more likely to be vegan. The more ingredients, the more chances there are for animal stuff to sneak in.

15 vegan junk foods you can buy right now

Here’s a quick list of real, shelf-stable, widely available snacks that are vegan:

1. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
2. Ruffles Original
3. Skittles (original)
4. Starburst (original)
5. Sour Patch Kids
6. Swedish Fish
7. Oreos (original)
8. Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts
9. Enjoy Life Soft Baked Cookies
10. Pop-Tarts Unfrosted Blueberry
11. Triscuit Original
12. Saltine Crackers
13. Twizzlers
14. Hard Pretzels (plain)
15. Dark Chocolate (70%+ cocoa, no milk)

Most of these are in every grocery store. You don’t need to order online or pay extra. Just look past the marketing and read the label.

Why this matters beyond the snack aisle

Choosing vegan junk food isn’t about being pure. It’s about making choices that fit your life. Maybe you’re vegan for animals. Maybe you’re vegan for your gut. Maybe you just don’t want to eat something that came from a cow’s udder. Doesn’t matter why. What matters is you’re not giving up snacks to do it.

There’s a myth that veganism means sacrifice. But the truth? You can still eat chips, candy, and pizza. You just need to know which ones work. And once you do, you’ll realize vegan junk food isn’t rare-it’s everywhere. You just had to look closer.