Being vegan is easier than ever. The amount of trendy restaurants, food blogs, and vegan-friendly products has exploded in recent years, making those who are meat, dairy, and egg free smile from ear to ear. But it turns out a lot of things are coincidentally vegan that may shock you. If you think vegans only eat kale, brown rice, and vegetables in pretty bowls that look oh-so-pretty in Instagram pictures, you’ve got another thing coming.
For example: did you know Baco-Bits and Oreos are vegan? We know, we were shocked and fascinated as well, and lead to question exactly what is in these food products. That buttery taste you love in Ritz Crackers and Pillsbury Crescent Rolls? Same deal. We’re scratching our heads and itchin’ to look at ingredient lists. Take a look at these common and surprisingly vegan foods, just don’t try to convince yourself they’re healthy.
1. Oreos
America’s Favorite Cookie is vegan-friendly!
#SpoonTip: Be aware of cross-contamination with milk.
2. Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Frosting
The Home-Style Butter Cream, Caramel, Classic Chocolate, Vanilla, Coconut Pecan, Dark Chocolate Fudge, Lemon Supreme and Strawberry Cream varieties are all vegan. Cheers to vegan buttercream! Now hand us the spoon.
3. Duncan Hines Cake Mixes
In Classic Carrot, Moist Deluxe Butter Golden, Classic Yellow, Dark Chocolate Fudge, Devil’s Food, Fudge Marble, German Chocolate, Red Velvet, Swiss chocolate, Coconut Supreme, Lemon Supreme, Pineapple Supreme AND Strawberry Supreme all contain no dairy or eggs. Some people may get finicky about food dye sources, but for most, all of the above are vegan-friendly. Swap out the eggs and butter/oil for a can of soda or sparkling water and you’ve got yourself the fluffiest vegan cake you could ever want.
4. Jell-O Instant Pudding Mix
Vanilla, Chocolate, Lemon, Pistachio, and Banana Creame are all vegan! Add your favorite non-dairy milk and you’re good to go.
5. Smucker’s Marshmallow Ice Cream Topping
As marshmallows contain gelatin (made from cow hooves), lots of vegans pass them up. But now vegans can rejoice – Smucker’s has made a gelatin-free version AKA vegan marshmallow fix is possible.
6. Taco Bell’s Bean Burrito (minus the cheese)
No lard in these beans, bitches!
7. Taco Bell’s Cinnamon Twists
For after the lard-free burrito.
8. Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
For your soy milk, almond milk and non-dairy ice cream delight.
9. Chipotle Sofritas
Which honestly everyone should try.
10. Betty Crocker’s Bac-O’s Bacon Flavor Bits
We’re not sure if this is something to celebrate or be very, very afraid of.
11. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Ahh, the buttery taste of vegetable oils.
12. Ritz Crackers
Another food that prides itself on butter flavor, yet has none. Pass us a sleeve with some soy cheese, please!
13. Unfrosted Pop-Tarts
In Brown Sugar, Blueberry and Strawberry. Because Pop-Tarts are important.
14. Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets
A great shortcut to a delicious vegan dessert or appetizer.
15. Lindt Excellence Cocoa Bars in 70%, 85% and 90%
Chocoholics rejoice.
16. Famous Amos Sandwich Cookies
In Chocolate, Oatmeal Macaroon, Peanut Butter and Vanilla.
17. Goya Flan
Yeah, another thing we’re not going to try to explain.
18. Nutter Butters
Hollerrrr.
19. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
In Apple Crisp, Cinnamon, Peanut Butter, Pean Crunch, Roasted Almond AND Maple Brown Sugar. We are so darn excited it hurts. Bring on the crumbs!
20. Nabisco Original Graham Crackers
We suggest you pair these with some of that chocolate frosting mentioned above. #yum
21. Krispy Kreme Fruit Pies
In Apple, Cherry and Peach. PIE ME.
22. Thomas’s New York Style Bagels
In Blueberry, Cinnamon Swirl, Everything and Plain. Because carbs. And tofu cream cheese.
23. Super Pretzel Baked Soft Pretzel
Glorious, glorious salty carbs.
24. Chocolate Chip Teddy Grahams
Delicious and vegan. And so darn cute we can BEARly stand it.
25. DQ Star Kiss Bar
A non-dairy ice cream bar at Dairy Queen. Paradoxical, but we dig it.
26. Sara Lee’s Frozen Pies
In Cherry and Apple. We’ll take both.
22. Mast Brother’s Chocolate
No dairy in most varieties. WIN. WIN. WIN.
27. Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookies
Spicy sweet perfection. Pro tip: dip in almond butter.
28. Trader Joe’s Pound Plus Chocolate Bars
Dark Chocolate, 72% Dark Chocolate and Bittersweet with Almonds. We love you Trader Joe’s.
29. Trader Joe’s Soft-Baked Snickerdoodles
Again, we love you Trader Joe’s.
30. Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
Just sub an egg substitute like a tablespoon chia seeds and some almond milk or a few tablespoons of apple sauce and you’re seconds away from gooey vegan brownies.
Graphic by Spoon University