My favourite biscuit on earth is a Bourbon. Always has been. Always will be. And apparently, most Bourbons are vegan, which I didn’t even know until recently. Nobody told me. I’ve actually not been eating them for ages because I assumed they weren’t vegan. But now I know, I’ll be munching my way through them at full speed.
I also love Hobnobs. They’re crumbly, oaty, perfect with tea. Digestives too, plain or dark chocolate, they’re just so simple and comforting. And custard creams? Turns out, they’re often vegan as well. What a world.
So yes, these are my top favourite biscuits. And the good news is, if you’re vegan in the UK, you don’t have to give them up. You don’t even have to hunt down the fancy versions. Some of the best vegan biscuits in the UK are already sitting on the supermarket shelf, and they’ve been there the whole time.
What Does “Accidentally Vegan” Mean?
Accidentally vegan means the product isn’t labelled vegan, but the ingredients just happen to be plant-based. No eggs. No butter. No sneaky milk powder. Nothing animal-derived at all.
With biscuits, this happens a lot. Loads of UK classics are made with cheap oils instead of butter or cream, which means they just happen to be suitable for vegans, even if they’re not shouting about it.
You still need to check the ingredients now and then, because recipes change, and sometimes they sneak milk back in. But in general, the UK is weirdly brilliant at accidentally vegan biscuits. We love a biscuit, and it turns out we love them with margarine.
Accidentally Vegan Biscuits
Bourbons
Absolute top-tier. Chocolatey, creamy, crunchy, and no dairy. Supermarket own brands (Tesco, Asda, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Lidl) are usually safe. They’re rarely labelled vegan, but they usually are. A proper classic.
Custard Creams
They feel like they shouldn’t be vegan. The name sounds like it’s full of egg and milk. But most own-brand custard creams are completely dairy-free. The filling is just sugary vanilla-flavoured paste. And I mean that in the best way.
Hobnobs (Plain)
Oaty, crunchy, and perfect with a cuppa. The plain ones are vegan. The milk chocolate ones aren’t, but some dark chocolate versions are. Always check the label, but Hobnobs are pretty safe.
Digestives (Plain and Some Dark Chocolate)
Plain Digestives are often labelled vegan. Some dark chocolate versions (especially supermarket own-brand) are too. McVitie’s has flirted with making theirs vegan, but they’re inconsistent. Own-brand is usually a safer bet.
Party Rings
Fun, colourful, and totally plant-based. They’re nostalgic, sweet, and taste like childhood parties in a good way.
Lotus Biscoff
The caramelised biscuit that everyone secretly loves more than they’re willing to admit. Great with coffee, crushed into desserts, or just straight out of the packet. Completely vegan.
Jammie Dodgers
They went non-vegan for a while, then came back to the light. The current versions are usually vegan again, but always check. Fruity, chewy, jammy little legends.
Oreo Originals
Not technically a UK biscuit, but we eat them like one. The standard Oreos are vegan in the UK, even if the brand doesn’t promote it. Some limited-edition flavours might not be, so double-check, but the regular ones are safe.
Rich Tea
Mild, dry, very dunkable. They’re not exciting, but they’re dependable. Most supermarket versions are vegan.
Fig Rolls
Weirdly delicious, soft little biscuit-roll hybrids filled with fig paste. Most are vegan, just look for ones without milk powder.
Fruit Shortcake (some brands)
Crumbly biscuit with little raisins baked in. A few supermarket versions are vegan-friendly. Lidl’s often are.
Nice Biscuits
You know the ones, rectangular, sugar-topped, coconutty. Often overlooked, but very vegan-friendly and underrated.
Co-op Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy, and full of chocolate chunks. Some of Co-op’s own-brand bakery-style cookies are accidentally vegan. Worth checking the label every time though, as bakery recipes can vary.
Aldi Belmont Digestive Creams (Bourbon/Custard style)
Aldi strikes again with these cream-filled sandwich biscuits. Both the Bourbon and Custard Cream-style versions are often vegan, super budget-friendly and tasty.
Asda Oaty Rounds
Basically a Hobnob in disguise. Crunchy, oaty, and totally plant-based. Great for dunking or just eating five in a row without blinking.
Lidl Choco-Leibniz Style Biscuits (Dark Chocolate)
A knock-off of the German classic. Lidl’s dark chocolate ones are often vegan, and they’re that perfect mix of biscuit snap and chocolate slab.
Border Biscuits (selected flavours)
Some of Border’s classic biscuits, like the Dark Chocolate Ginger or Golden Oat Crumbles, are accidentally vegan. They’re not labelled as such due to cross-contamination, but the ingredients are usually clean. Always check the box, but if you spot them on a hotel tea tray, chances are you’re safe.
Vegan Biscuits (Labelled Vegan)
Not every vegan biscuit is a happy accident. Some are made for us on purpose, and sometimes that makes life easier. No scanning the label or second-guessing ingredients, they just say it on the packet.
Here are a few of the best vegan-labelled biscuits you can get in the UK:
NOMO Creamy Choc Biscuits
Chocolate-covered sandwich biscuits that are rich, crunchy, and absolutely dairy-free. NOMO make great vegan treats across the board, but these might be their best invention yet. Shop NOMO here!
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Maryland Plant-Based Choc Chip Cookies
They’ve released a plant-based version of their classic cookie. They’re not always in stock everywhere, but they do exist and they’re proper cookies.
Tesco Free From Shortbread & Cookies
In the Free From aisle, you’ll find quite a few vegan-friendly options. The shortbread is soft and buttery (without the butter), and the cookies do the job.
BOSH! Bourbon, Custard Creams and Digestives
If you’re nervous about own-brand Bourbons, these ones are fully vegan and labelled. Bonus, they taste just as good as the classic ones you grew up with.
Lazy Day Free From Biscuits
They make millionaire’s shortbread, chocolate tiffin, and ginger snaps. All labelled vegan, gluten-free, and a bit posh, but worth it.
Prewett’s Vegan Choc Chip Cookies
A lesser-known Free From brand, but solid. Their vegan choc chip cookies are simple, crunchy and great with tea.
Rhythm 108 Biscuits
Health food shop favourites. Bougie, yes, but the flavours like chocolate hazelnut or lemon ginger are great and fully vegan.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to give up biscuits when you go vegan. In fact, you might find out that your favourites were vegan all along. Whether you’re into custard creams, crunchy Hobnobs, or just want to rediscover the humble Bourbon, there’s no shortage of choice in the UK.
The best vegan biscuits in the UK are everywhere. Some are hiding in plain sight, some say it proudly on the packet, and that’s half the fun.
If you’re unsure how to spot vegan products while shopping, the Vegan Society has a helpful guide.
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.
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