Snacks. The unsung heroes of everyday life. Whether you’re running errands, binge-watching telly, or just living in that awkward gap between lunch and dinner, snacks are essential. And if you’re vegan, finding the best vegan snacks in the UK can still be weirdly hit and miss.
The good news? There are loads of brilliant vegan snacks out there in the UK, from crisps and biscuits to dips, nuts, and sweet treats. And not all of them are tucked away in the “free from” aisle with a £5 price tag.
This post rounds up the best of the lot: tasty snacks you can buy in shops, many of which are accidentally vegan (more on that in a sec). These aren’t health food suggestions. They’re, satisfying, often salty, sometimes sweet, and always plant-based.
If you’re shopping for a friend and want to understand more about what vegan actually means, the Vegan Society explains it here.
What does “accidentally vegan” mean?
“Accidentally vegan” just means a product that wasn’t designed to be vegan, but happens to be, usually by luck or laziness. No dairy, no eggs, no honey, no gelatine. A perfect example is Oreos. They weren’t made for vegans, but someone left the milk out anyway. Thank you, whoever you are.
These snacks can sometimes carry “may contain milk” warnings due to factory cross-contamination, but that’s about allergens, not ingredients. It’s always personal choice, but many vegans are fine with that.
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Sweet Snacks
Sometimes you just need sugar. Here are the ones worth reaching for:
- NOMO Caramel & Sea Salt Bar – Sweet, smooth, and widely available. Great vegan chocolate that tastes amazing! Hip Chocolate Buttons – Ethically made, plastic-free, and genuinely lush.
- Nakd Bars – Date-based, no added sugar, and soft enough to eat when you’re tired and angry.
- Party Rings – Because sometimes nostalgia and sugar is all you need.
Nuts (Not Boring Ones)
Nuts are great, but we’re not here for plain almonds in a Tupperware. These are the ones with personality:
- KP Salt & Vinegar Peanuts – My personal favourite. Sharp, crunchy, and super salty.
- Marmite Cashews – Salty, savoury, and weirdly addictive even if you’re not a Marmite person.
- Graze Smokehouse Barbecue Crunch – Not technically nuts, but a protein-packed blend that tastes like crisps in disguise.
- Coated peanuts – Sweet chilli or wasabi ones are often vegan. Just avoid the honey roast.
Crisps (The Real Reason You’re Here)
Let’s be honest, this is where most of the snack magic happens.
- Eat Real Lentil Chips – Light, salty, and available in flavours like chilli lime and sea salt.
- Skips – Prawn cocktail flavour, but totally vegan. No actual prawn, just air and tang.
- Some Pringles – Original, Texas BBQ, and Sweet Chilli are vegan. Avoid Sour Cream, Cheese, and similar.
- Twiglets – Bitter, salty, and totally Marmite-y. Iconic.
- Tyrells Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar – If you like your crisps sharp enough to sting your gums (like I do).
Dips + Pairings
If you’ve got a fridge nearby, these snacks make things feel a little fancier.
- Hummus and anything – Crackers, carrots, toast crusts. It’s the ultimate vegan dip.
- Guacamole – Avocados, lime, salt, done. Ready-made ones can vary, so check for cream or yoghurt.
- Applewood Vegan Minis – Smoky, moreish, and oddly good cold.
- Violife Cheese Slices – Not all plant-based cheese hits the spot, but Violife holds up for a snack board.
Biscuits + Bites
Perfect for tea breaks, mood dips, and dunking rituals.
- Oreos – The original “accidentally vegan” icon. Most standard flavours are dairy-free, though seasonal ones can be dodgy.
- Biscoff Biscuits – Caramel flavour, totally dairy-free, and dangerous with coffee.
- Jammie Dodgers – Not just for kids. They’re vegan. It’s science.
- Digestives + Rich Tea (Some brands) – Check ingredients, but McVitie’s versions often qualify as vegan.
- Free From Mini Cookies – Many supermarket own-brand ones are labelled vegan now, and some are even good.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to live off kale chips and air. The UK has an amazing range of vegan snacks, and many of the best ones were never trying to be vegan in the first place.
Whether you’re after a crisp hit, a sweet fix, or just something to shove in your mouth between tasks, there’s no shortage of options. And most of them won’t cost £4 a portion either.
Love chocolate? I’ve already done a full deep dive on that here because, let’s be honest, chocolate deserves its own category.
Let me know if I’ve missed your favourite, and maybe there’ll be a part two (or a budget edition) soon.
Before you go…
If you’re vegan or just looking for cruelty-free supplements, chocolate, or meal kits, here are a few brands worth checking out.
Dr. Vegan make fully plant-based supplements with clear ingredients. Use code DR15 to get 15% off.
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