16 Popular Vegan Snacks Ranked Worst To Best
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Just a few years ago, the snacking landscape for vegans looked pretty bleak. There weren't that many options, and it seemed like snack companies would sneak animal products into pretty much anything. However, as time goes on, more and more vegan products are coming out and hitting the shelves. Some of these products are "accidentally" vegan, meaning they're not advertised as such but just happen to have an animal product-free ingredients list. Others are purposefully vegan and aim to offer vegans and others more tastes, textures, and eating experiences.
But with all of those vegan snacks on the market, how do you really know which ones are the best? Here at Mashed, we want to help you navigate the vegan snacking landscape a little more successfully. That's why we've compiled some of the most popular vegan snacks and ranked them from worst to best. Read up on our favorites, and then head to the grocery store to stock up on the ones that sound most delicious to you. Whether you've been a vegan for years or just want to experiment with some cruelty-free snacks, we've got you covered!
16. Swedish Fish
We know some people love them, but let's just face it: Swedish Fish are not good. We get it if you ate them as a kid and now have a nostalgic love for them. But when you really get down to it, every bite you take tastes like bitter, artificially sweetened medicine. The texture is also all wrong. When you eat a gummy, you probably want it to be nice and juicy-tasting. Instead, when you eat a Swedish Fish, the result is just a dry, plastic-y red mass that'll get stuck in your teeth. Doesn't sound very appetizing, does it?
Swedish Fish are special because most of the time, vegans can't eat gummies. That's because gummies often contain gelatin, which is certainly not vegan-friendly. So, yeah, we get if you want to eat Swedish Fish because you love gummies and there aren't that many other options out there. But we just want to be honest and say that we're not fans of the taste at all.
15. Nutter Butters
There are so many cookies out there in the world to choose from — even vegan ones — so we're not sure why anyone would choose Nutter Butters over the other options. We don't think you could dream up a cookie that's more one-note than this one. It all starts with the cookies themselves, which basically just taste like baked peanut butter. Then, there's the peanut butter filling, which adds nothing interesting to the overall flavor. Altogether, it basically just tastes like you're eating a big, dry blob of peanut butter.
If you really love peanut butter, then this cookie might sound like a dream come true. But for the rest of us, something with different flavors working together is a lot more interesting. If there were some chocolate or something fruity in the mix, it may be a different story. As it stands now, though, we just can't get behind Nutter Butters as a snack.
14. Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos
We're not saying that we don't like Doritos in general because that's certainly not the truth. But when it comes to your vegan options, you're limited. That's because the only vegan flavor of Doritos is the Spicy Sweet Chili flavor. Let's just be honest here. This is probably the least common Doritos flavor for a reason. Whether you like the Nacho Cheese or the Cool Ranch more, we think that most people can agree that the Spicy Sweet Chili just isn't as good as the others.
That's because it's not really spicy or sweet. Instead, you just get a strange mixture of tangy and slightly sugary flavors. Neither of these flavors is strong enough to work very well, so you're left with a bland chip that's somehow too salty and flavored but has nothing interesting going on. While these chips aren't the worst snack on our list, we certainly wouldn't go out of our way to pick up a bag of these things. In the world of vegan snacks, you can do better.
13. Fruit by the Foot
If you grew up in the '90s or raised kids during that time, then you know there was one snack that was seemingly everywhere: Fruit by the Foot. It's basically just a fruit snack that's been flattened out into a long strip that's — you guessed it — a foot long. Of course, a big part of the appeal of this snack is the fact that it's fun to eat. You have to roll it out and take a good look at the worryingly bright colors. No wonder it was such a hit with the little ones. If you're looking for a snack that actually tastes good, though, Fruit by the Foot probably won't be your first choice.
They're sweet and artificial-tasting. They have a shiny, plastic-like consistency to them. Really, they're nothing special, and you're probably never going to crave one. While we admit that they're fun to eat, it's not really something we'd ever pick up at a grocery store.
However, if you have kids and you keep these things stocked in your pantry, it doesn't hurt to take a bite from time to time, especially considering they're vegan.
12. Ritz Original Crackers
Now, if you're looking for a solid cracker to hold your favorite vegan cheese or vegan spread, then Ritz crackers can definitely get the job done right. We love the fact that they're super buttery-tasting, and they have just the right amount of salt on them. They pair perfectly with creamy textures and somewhat neutral flavors. However, when it comes to eating Ritz on their own? We're not huge fans.
There's just not that much that's interesting about this type of cracker by itself. After just a few, your mouth is going to start feeling dry and sandy, and nothing there but the salt is going to want to make you reach for another cracker. So while, yes, Ritz crackers are delicious, we wouldn't exactly rank them that high as a snack by themselves.
So, our advice? Leave Ritz crackers out the next time you have guests over and you're serving a cheese plate. But we wouldn't suggest eating one after another straight out of the box.
11. Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bar
Did you know that most Clif Bar flavors are actually vegan? It's true. So, if you're going vegan and don't want to give up your favorite hiking snack, you're definitely in luck. There are several different flavors to choose from when you get Clif Bars, but we wanted to take a closer look at the Crunchy Peanut Butter flavor. First of all, they're not lying when they say that this bar is crunchy, and that's just what we want out of a good snack. The texture here is on point, and it's so dense that it's definitely going to fill you up — you could even replace your breakfast with one of these things.
When it comes to the taste, though, we're not massive fans. The peanut butter tastes good, and overall, the flavor is fine. However, we think it would be a lot more interesting if there were other ingredients added to the mix. That being said, if you're the kind of person who loves everything peanut butter-flavored, then this snack is probably going to be a hit for you. For the rest of us? There are some more interesting options.
10. Original Sun Chips
There are a lot of different Sun Chip flavors out there, but have you ever tried the original version? If you haven't, you may want to go grab a bag from the store right now to see what it's all about. In our books, it's not the best Sun Chips flavor, but it's not a terrible choice. These chips have that whole grain-esque quality to them that you already expect from the brand. They're not as light and crisp as many other chips — they're a bit denser, and they're not super oily. This makes them taste healthier, for sure, but it also makes them a little blander and less addictive. That's not a bad thing, though.
While some of the other Sun Chips flavors are a bit more interesting, with the original, you're getting a rather plain taste. There's a touch of sweetness and a touch of salt, but beyond that, you're mostly just picking up the flavor of the whole grains. So, is it our favorite vegan snack out there? No. But is it a solid one? Absolutely!
9. Original Pringles
Everyone has different opinions when it comes to the different brands of chips out there. We want to respect everyone's opinion, but we're not massive fans of Pringles. They're tasty, and they're absolutely snackable. But compared to some other chip brands on store shelves, they're just not our favorites. That being said, in the realm of vegan snacks, the original Pringles are actually relatively tasty.
There's not a whole lot of flavor here. Instead, you're mostly just getting a lot of saltiness. We love a salty chip, though, so we're not complaining. Mix that saltiness with plenty of carbs, and just about anyone would be hooked. If you're looking for a plain snack that just about everyone is going to want to eat up, then Pringles are a great option. If you're looking for a delicious vegan snack that's new, different, and something you've never tried before, though, you can probably do better.
8. Fritos
A step up on our chip scale is Fritos. Fritos are definitely a special snack. Are there any super interesting flavors in these chips you've never tried before? Not really. But the mixture of intense crunchiness and saltiness makes these things a treat we want to keep reaching for. Just note: If you don't like super-salty snacks, this one isn't for you. Fritos are so salty that you can even feel the powdered salt on them. And sure, they dry your mouth out, but that's exactly what makes them taste so good.
What's even better is the fact that they're so small. These aren't chips that you have to break just to fit in your mouth. You could eat a small handful of these at a time. That makes them dangerous in the binging category — you may not want to indulge after a night out drinking.
So while you may not be getting any groundbreaking flavor combos here, we still think Fritos are something special.
7. Smucker's Uncrustables
This one is really going to take you back. Remember Smucker's Uncrustables? They come in different flavors, but the grape is our favorite. They're basically just plain peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that — as you probably already guessed — are missing the crusts. The result is a pillowy soft bread pouch filled with generous portions of both peanut butter and jelly. This idea is super simple, but there's something that's just so appealing about it ... especially when you keep these in the freezer and eat them when they're still just a little bit frozen.
Are these "snacks" technically made for kids' lunchboxes? Sure. But who says you can't indulge in one just for the fun of it every once in a while? Of course, you could always just make a classic PB&J at home, but there's something nostalgic about Uncrustables that we can't help but love. If you've never tried them before, you're going to want to get on that.
6. Takis Fuego
Now, we know that not everyone is a fan of spice. But here at Mashed, we absolutely love spicy foods, and that's why Takis Fuego come in near the top of our list. Takis are a kind of chip, but they're not like any ordinary chip. Instead of coming flat or in random shapes, they're actually rolled into little tubes. That makes them even crunchier, which just adds to their appeal. But the true magic of Takis Fuego is, of course, the heat factor.
While there are spicier snacks out there, we can assure you that Takis Fuego really are pretty spicy. They're just spicy enough that they feel addictive — they're the kind of snack you can't just have one of. Keep in mind, though, that after you eat these, your fingers are going to be covered in that spicy seasoning.
There are other Takis flavors out there, but our favorite by far is the Fuego. Try them out the next time you're at a grocery store or a gas station, and they may just become a new favorite for you too.
5. Original Oreos
If there's one snack that has legendary status as a vegan snack food, it's Oreos. Even if you've never even dreamt of going vegan before, there's probably a good chance that you already knew Oreos were vegan. If you didn't, though, now you know: Oreos are vegan. This might be surprising considering the creamy white filling between the cookies, but that stuff is mostly sugar. At any rate, it's definitely not derived from animals, so if you're trying to eat cruelty-free, these cookies are still totally edible.
You've probably had plenty of Oreos in your time, and if you have, then you know the actual cookies are rich and chocolatey while the filling is super sweet with almost a grainy texture. The result is truly a magically sweet treat that you'll want to have stocked in your kitchen on the regular. They're even better if they're dipped in milk. However, if you're vegan, you're probably going to want to go with oat milk or a different non-dairy milk choice. Whatever you choose to pair them with, though, we think most people can agree that Oreos are a vegan classic.
4. Lay's Classic Potato Chips
Here come some of our favorite chips of them all. We like to keep things simple around here, and that's just what we can expect from Lay's Classic Potato Chips. This brand is super common, and you can find it just about anywhere chips are being sold. What can we say other than that this chip really is a classic? They're super thin potato chips with just the right amount of crisp. They are light and airy, so they melt right in your mouth, but they're also substantial enough to curb any crunch craving you have. What's not to love about that?
While Lay's boasts an incredible number of flavors, we really don't think there's anything like the original. It's got the perfect amount of salt and oil to make these chips downright addictive. Put a bag of these in front of us, and we're not going to stop until it's empty. And the best part of it all? They're as vegan as can be. If you're looking for the perfect way to indulge, these chips may just have you covered.
3. CORE Keto Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars
What if you're dying for a vegan snack but you want to keep things on the healthier side. And what if you're trying to eat keto on top of that? You may think it's impossible to find a snack that meets all of your dietary requirements, but we have something special for you to check out: CORE Keto Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars. First of all, you're not even going to know these are designed to be healthy. If you didn't read the packaging, you may think you're just biting into a brownie.
But the flavor is so much more interesting than a standard brownie. You've got plenty of sweetness from the chocolate, of course, but there's also enough sea salt there to really take the flavor to a whole new level. What you're left with is a dessert that has the perfect balance of sweet and savory — which we absolutely love. If you haven't tried these bars yet, what are you waiting for? You can even feel good about taking them to the gym with you.
2. Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Unfortunately, Reese's peanut butter cups are not vegan. That's super disappointing for all of those who agree that it's pretty much the best candy in the world. So, what are you supposed to do if you're vegan and can no longer eat them? Just suffer in silence for the rest of your life? We think not. And that's exactly why we love Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups so much. Think of these things as an elevated version of Reese's. In fact, we might even go so far as to say they're better than Reese's. Yes, we said it, and we'll take responsibility for it.
The dark chocolate here makes this candy a lot richer than Reese's, which means it works better with the salty peanut butter. The texture of the chocolate is also different — the chocolate in Justin's has more of a bite to it, so it's more pleasant to break into.
Basically, Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are just a fantastic treat, and whether you're vegan or not, you should give them a try. We think you're going to love them just as much as we do.
1. Savory Wild Sesame, Ginger, and Korean Chili Portabella Jerky
If you're looking for a snack that's completely new and unexpected and will completely change the way you think about vegan food, do we have the thing for you! It's Savory Wild's Sesame, Ginger, and Korean Chili Portabella Jerky. When you give up animal products, meat jerky is suddenly off-limits. But if you want that chewy, umami experience you love, you're not out of luck when you try this food product. That's because the texture of mushroom jerky is actually super close to that of beef jerky — you may just be surprised at how close it is.
And when it comes to the flavor? That's where the magic really happens. This is just a fantastic combo of flavors. The Korean chili adds just the right amount of heat, while the ginger adds some freshness and zing to the snack. Finish it off with the slight nuttiness of the sesame, and it's clear why this one is a winner.
We could easily eat a whole bag of this stuff on our own. The next time you're on the hunt for a new vegan snack to try, this one should be at the top of your list.