Are thin mints vegan friendly?

October 20, 2025 •

3 min read

Thin Mints are the top-selling Girl Scout Cookie, and for good reason. As plant-based eating has grown in popularity, many have questioned, "Are thin mints vegan friendly?" The answer is a resounding yes, though the journey to get there is a tale of two bakeries.

Quick Summary

Yes, Thin Mints from Girl Scouts are vegan, with no animal products in their ingredients. This is consistent across both licensed bakeries that produce them, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, making them a safe choice for plant-based diets.

Key Points

Vegan Confirmation: Thin Mints are a certified vegan cookie, containing no animal-derived ingredients regardless of which bakery produces them.
Two Bakeries: Thin Mints are vegan from both ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, making them a consistent option nationwide.
Ingredient Composition: The cookies use plant-based ingredients like enriched wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil shortening, cocoa, and soy lecithin.
Not a Year-Round Item: Authentic Thin Mints are only available during the annual Girl Scout cookie season, though copycat versions exist year-round.
Beware of Imitators: Keebler Grasshoppers, while similar in flavor, are not vegan as they typically contain milk chocolate and are a different product.
Check Other Varieties: While Thin Mints are always vegan, other Girl Scout cookies may or may not be, depending on the specific variety and which bakery produces it.

Yes, Thin Mints Are Vegan

For decades, one of the most persistent rumors surrounding Girl Scout cookies was whether the beloved Thin Mints contained hidden dairy or other animal-derived products. It is now a confirmed fact that Thin Mints are indeed vegan, and they have been for some time. This applies universally, regardless of which of the two licensed bakeries produces them. For anyone following a plant-based diet, this makes the classic crispy, chocolatey, and minty cookie a guilt-free indulgence during cookie season.

Understanding the Ingredients

Both licensed Girl Scout bakeries, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, have a vegan formulation for their Thin Mints. While the ingredient lists may have minor variations, they consistently avoid animal products. The core ingredients typically include:

Enriched Wheat Flour: Provides the structure for the cookie wafer.
Sugar: Used for sweetness.
Vegetable Oil Shortening: A blend of plant-based oils like palm and palm kernel oils, used instead of butter or other animal fats.
Cocoa (processed with alkali): The source of the chocolate flavor.
Soy Lecithin: An emulsifier derived from soybeans, not animals.
Peppermint Oil: Provides the signature mint flavor.
Leavening (Baking Soda): Helps the cookies rise.

It is important to note that while the ingredients themselves are vegan, manufacturing processes can lead to cross-contamination for those with severe allergies. The official ABC Bakers website, for example, lists that its Thin Mints are manufactured in a shared facility with milk and peanuts. However, this does not affect the cookie's status as vegan, as cross-contamination is not part of the ingredient list itself.

The Tale of Two Bakeries: A Consistent Vegan Favorite

The Girl Scouts partner with two different licensed bakers, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, which serve different regions of the country. The specific cookie varieties and recipes can differ between the two, which often leads to confusion about which cookies are vegan. The good news is that Thin Mints are a consistent vegan option no matter which bakery your local troop uses. While one baker might offer more vegan varieties than the other, Thin Mints are the one reliable constant for plant-based cookie lovers everywhere.

Other Vegan Girl Scout Cookies

Depending on your region, you might have access to other vegan-friendly options from ABC Bakers. Little Brownie Bakers, on the other hand, typically only offers Thin Mints as their sole vegan cookie.

Vegan Cookies by ABC Bakers (confirm availability with your local troop):

Peanut Butter Patties: Don't confuse these with Tagalongs, which are not vegan.
Lemonades: These lemon-iced cookies are vegan.
Toast-Yay!: These French toast-inspired cookies are also plant-based, though they are being discontinued after the 2025 season.
Adventurefuls: ABC Bakers makes a vegan version, but check the label carefully as the Little Brownie Bakers' version is not.

Thin Mints vs. Keebler Grasshoppers

Many people wonder about the similarity between Girl Scout Thin Mints and Keebler Grasshopper cookies. Keebler's parent company, Ferrero Group, is connected to Little Brownie Bakers, one of the Girl Scout cookie manufacturers. However, there is a crucial distinction for vegans. Keebler Grasshoppers are typically made with milk chocolate, making them unsuitable for a vegan diet.


Feature	Thin Mints	Keebler Grasshoppers
Vegan Status	Yes, consistently vegan.	No, not vegan.
Baker	ABC Bakers & Little Brownie Bakers	Keebler (related to LBB)
Chocolate Coating	Dark chocolate coating.	Milk chocolate coating.
Ingredients	Vegan formulation (no milk).	Contains milk derivatives.
Availability	Seasonally (Girl Scout cookie season).	Year-round at grocery stores.

Conclusion

For anyone asking "Are thin mints vegan friendly?", the answer is a simple and happy yes. These iconic cookies are a safe bet for a plant-based treat during cookie season. While it's always wise to double-check labels for other Girl Scout cookie varieties, you can confidently enjoy Thin Mints knowing they are made with vegan-friendly ingredients. To find out which bakery serves your area and for other official cookie information, you can visit the official Girl Scouts website for details on your local council.

Frequently Asked Questions

While minor variations may exist, Thin Mints from both ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers use a vegan ingredient formulation, ensuring they are plant-based regardless of the bakery.

Thin Mints are made with a recipe that naturally avoids dairy and other animal products. Many other varieties, such as Samoas or Tagalongs from Little Brownie Bakers, contain milk and other animal-derived ingredients.

Yes, those with severe allergies should be aware that Thin Mints are manufactured in a shared facility with milk and peanuts, and some other allergens. While the ingredients are vegan, cross-contamination is a possibility.

No, authentic Girl Scout Thin Mints are only available during the annual cookie sale period. However, similar 'grasshopper'-style cookies from other brands like Keebler can be found year-round, but they are not the same and are not vegan.

Keebler Grasshoppers are a similar-looking mint and chocolate cookie. They are not vegan because their chocolate coating is typically made with milk chocolate, unlike the vegan dark chocolate coating on Thin Mints.

Yes, depending on your region and which bakery supplies your local troop, other vegan options from ABC Bakers may be available. These include Peanut Butter Patties and Lemonades, but you should always check the label.

You can find information about which licensed baker supplies your area by visiting the official Girl Scouts website and entering your zip code, or by checking the side of the cookie box.