44 Foods You Didn't Know Were Vegan

Now that more people are opting for vegan diets to protect our health, nature and the environment, there’s no shortage of vegan recipes and cookbooks to keep us full. Thanks to the rise of veganism, even those who still eat meat can play around with vegan foods and snacks from time to time.

But since so many of the vegan foods we see advertised are expensive, hard to come by or difficult to make, those interested in moving away from animal products can easily become overwhelmed and reluctant to make the switch. 

Equally, for those who are already vegan, reading labels and making choices in the grocery store can be a tiresome, time-consuming task.

So many animal-derivatives are hidden behind complicated names that are hard to spot. This is why so many people associate a vegan diet with boring raw foods or inconvenient meal preps that take too much time. What people don’t realize is that so many of our favorite convenience foods are already vegan! 

While they may not be as healthy as the vegan recipes you cook from scratch, it’s helpful to have some of these snacks in your pantry for when you’re stuck for time.

Here are 44 vegan foods — sauces, snacks, drinks, cereals and more — you didn’t know were vegan. 

RELATED: What's The Difference Between Vegan And Vegetarian Diets (And How To Know Which One's For You)

Vegan Sweet Snacks

1. Twizzlers

Since many candies use gelatin for a gummy texture, they’re not vegan-friendly. Good news, though: Twizzlers use cornstarch and other stabilizers instead, making them 100 percent vegan.

(Target, $4.99)

2. Sour Patch Kids

Thanks to their large quantities of corn syrup and sugar, Sour Patch Kids don’t even need gelatin to make them chewy. They’re still super-unhealthy but a great vegan treat. 

(Target, $4.79)

3. Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix

Surprisingly, a lot of the Betty Crocker mixes are vegan so long as you replace the egg and milk with vegan alternatives. Whip up a flax egg and throw in some almond milk to make this delicious fudge brownie.

(Walmart, $11.58)

4. Back To Nature Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These chocolate chunk cookies are great for dunking into your favorite vegan milk.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

5. Skittles

Taste the rainbow! All Skittles flavors are made without using any plant-derivatives. 

(Walmart, $8.98)

6. Jolly Rancher Hard Candies

Vegan doesn’t have to mean eating veggies all day long. No animals were harmed in the making of these candies. 

(Target, $2.69)

7. CLIF Energy Bars

Every flavor, apart from peanut butter and honey with sea salt, is vegan. Not only are these a sweet treat, but they also provide high contents of protein which many vegans could be lacking. 

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

8. Swedish Fish

These fish-free candies don’t use gelatin. Instead, they swap it for thickening and stabilizing ingredients like cornstarch and mineral oil. 

(Target, $4.79)

9. Keebler Ice Cream Cups

Looking for something to eat your vegan ice cream from? This wafer cones are perfect for a vegan summer snack. 

(Walmart, $2.33)

10. Tic Tac Mints

These candies satisfy your sugar cravings and keep your breath minty fresh.

(Target, $1.39)

RELATED: I've Been Vegan, Vegetarian, And Pescatarian: Here Are All The Pros & Cons Of Each

Vegan Savory Snacks

11. Lay's Classic Potato Chips

The only ingredients in Lay’s original potato chips are potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt! They’re the perfect accompaniment to your vegan sandwich. 

(Walmart, $3.48)

12. Kettle Brand Potato Chips

Backyard barbecue, jalapeño, pepperoncini, red curry, roasted garlic, sea salt, sea salt and vinegar, spicy Thai, Sriracha, unsalted, and, most surprisingly, maple bacon — all are vegan flavors of Kettle chips.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

13. Ritz Crackers

These are perfect for taking on the go or snacking between meals. They don’t use any dairy or eggs. Instead, they contain soy lecithin for binding. 

(Target, $2.99)

14. Pringles

Original, BBQ, Salsa Tortilla Fiery, Sweet BBQ, Tangy Buffalo Wing, Lightly Salted, and Original Reduced Fat Pringles are all vegan. 

(Target, $1.69)

15. SkinnyPop White Cheddar Popcorn

Vegans craving a cheesy snack will love this low-fat, dairy-free cheddar flavored popcorn. 

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

16. Ore-Ida Tater Tots 

Turns out that butter potato flavor isn’t actually butter at all!

(Walmart, prices vary)

17. Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Chips

This tangy flavor along with the extra spicy Blaze Doritos are 100 percent vegan and insanely addictive. 

(Target, $3.99)

18. Simply Organic Tostitos Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

No Mexican-themed night is complete without this delicious chip. Dip into salsa and guac for a taste explosion. 

(Target, $3.69)

19. Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls

Make your kitchen a patisserie with these flaky pastry rolls. You can fill them with anything vegan to make them sweet or savory. 

(Target, $1.99)

20. Triscuits

These snacks are great for dipping in hummus or topping with tomatoes. Using very few ingredients, almost all of the varieties are 100 percent vegan. 

(Walmart, $2.56)

Vegan Breakfast Foods

21. Quaker’s Life Original

Lovers of this original and cinnamon-flavored cereal will be glad to know it’s 100 percent vegan and even gives you 70 percent of your recommended daily iron intake, making it great for those avoiding animal products.

(Walmart, $3.64)

22. belVita Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits

The blueberry, chocolate, cinnamon, cranberry, toasted coconut, and golden oat flavors are completely vegan-friendly and a great option for breakfast on the go. The banana bread, peanut butter and mixed berry flavors of the soft-baked breakfast biscuits are also vegan. 

(Target, $3.69)

23. Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch 

Pour your favorite vegan nut milk over this sweet cereal for a nutty explosion first thing in the morning. 

(Walmart, $2.72)

24. General Mills Cookie Crisp

This breakfast cereal also doubles up as a sweet dessert. The chocolate cookies are not only vegan but completely gluten-free. 

(Walmart, $3.64)

25. Kashi GoLean Original Crisp

Kashi cereals have a bunch of vegan flavors that make great toppings on vegan yogurt or with dairy-free milk. Try this original, honey toasted medley, their Toasted Berry Crumble, Organic Promise Autumn Wheat, Organic Promise Island Vanilla, or Strawberry Fields for plant-based deliciousness. 

(Target, $2.99)

26. Fiber One Original Bran

You can’t go wrong with a healthy bowl of fiber bran in the morning to keep you full until lunch. Top with bananas or berries to add flavor. 

(Target, $4.49)

27. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars

Another one for those who don’t eat cereal. The Apple Crisp, Cinnamon, Peanut Butter, Pecan Crunch, and Roasted Almond varieties of this bar are 100 percent vegan.

(Target, $3.59)

28. Nature's Path Gluten-Free Crunchy Vanilla 

This cereal is delicious and nutritious. It’s organic, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free, so you can nourish your body and your tastebuds. 

(Target, $3.14)

29. Cascadian Farm Purely O’s

If you’re craving your childhood favorite, Cheerios, this cereal is a good vegan dupe. They’re also organic and rich in wholewheat. 

(Walmart, $3.28)

30. Pop Tarts Unfrosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon

The frosting on Pop Tarts is not suitable for vegans, but some of the unfrosted varieties are. Blueberry, strawberry and brown sugar-cinnamon unfrosted Pop Tarts are lower in sugar than the frosted varieties and are 100 percent vegan.

(Walmart, $3.68)

RELATED: How To Go Vegan In One Week: A 7-Day Detox Plan

Vegan Condiments 

31. Blenditup Bee Free Vegan Honey

Since honey relies on the exploitation of bees, vegans should opt for this natural sweetener. It’s made from apples and is great in baking. 

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

32. Ka-Me Duck Sauce

Despite the name, this sauce is duck-free along with most of the Ka-Me sauces. Vegans can use the Black Bean Sauce, Black Pepper Sauce, Duck Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Hot Mustard, Plum Sauce, Soy Sauce, Sriracha Sauce, Stir-Fry Sauce, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, Szechuan Sauce, Tamari Sauce, and Teriyaki Glaze.

(Walmart, $26.80)

33. McCormick Bac’n Pieces

Turns out these bacon bits have no bacon in them at all! Add these to salads or on top of pasta dishes for a bacon flavor without hurting any animals. 

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

34. Classico Pasta Sauces

Some of your favorite flavors of these easy-to-make pasta sauces are suitable for vegans. The marinara with plum tomatoes and olive oil, mushroom and ripe olives, roasted garlic, spicy red pepper, spicy tomato and basil, tomato and basil, traditional sweet basil, Tuscan-Inspired olive and garlic, Cabernet marinara with herbs, caramelized onion and roasted garlic, fire-roasted tomato and garlic, Family Favorites Traditional, and organic tomato, herbs and spices are all vegan.

(Walmart, $1.98)

35. Walden Farms Bleu Cheese Dressing

All the flavor of cheese without the guilt! This dressing, along with some other creamy varieties from the brand, are completely vegan. If you like the Bleu Cheese, try the Buttermilk Ranch, Coleslaw, Chipotle Ranch, Creamy Bacon, and Creamy Italian.

(Walmart, $6.07)

36. Smucker's Marshmallow Topping

Most marshmallows use gelatin and cannot be consumed by vegans. But this delicious spread is completely free of animal products. The brand also has vegan walnut syrup, pecan syrup and strawberry spreads.

(Target, $1.99)

37. Hunt’s Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce

Since sloppy joes are more about a delicious sauce than they are about meat, you can try this sauce over beans or lentils and get just as much flavor as with ground beef. 

(Walmart, $6.63)

38. Peanut Butter & Co White Chocolate Wonder

This spread and the dark chocolate version are vegan and contain 6 grams of protein. Stir the spreads into oatmeal or any cookie recipe for a delicious nutty, chocolatey taste.

(Target, $4.49)

39. Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce

This sauce is delicious on bean burritos. It’s rich and flavorful without containing any meat or dairy products. 

(Target, $1.59)

40. Kraft Original BBQ Sauce

Marinate seitan or tofu in this sauce for a vegan grill. It’s tangy flavor goes deliciously with any vegan meat. 

(Walmart, $7.72)

Vegan Drinks

41. Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Hot Cocoa Mix

Nothing like a delicious cup of hot cocoa as the months get colder. The double chocolate, chocolate caramel, and chocolate mocha flavors of this mix are all suitable for vegans.

(Target, $0.99)

42. Chameleon Cold-Brew

Every flavor of this coffee is vegan, making it the perfect way to start your morning. Pour in your vegan milk of choice for extra flavor and depth. 

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

43. Red Bull Energy Drink

Since some energy drinks use amino acids that are taken from red meat, they’re not all vegan. Luckily, Red Bull uses no animal derivatives so it can keep vegans going on long days. 

(Walmart, $5.58)

44. Califia Farms Mocha Cold Brew Coffee

All flavors of this cold brew are suitable for vegans, but this one is blended with almond milk, making it much creamier and rich than other options. 

(Target, $5.99)

RELATED: I'm A Vegan Mom Who Hates When Parents Force Their Kids To Be Vegan

Alice Kelly is a writer and storyteller with a passion for lifestyle, entertainment, and trending topics.