Can Vegetarians Still Eat Animal Crackers?

November 8, 2025 •

3 min read

While the name might suggest otherwise, animal crackers are not made from animals, and the question of whether vegetarians can still eat animal crackers is a common one. The definitive answer depends less on the snack's animal shape and more on the specific ingredients used by different manufacturers.

Quick Summary

An analysis of popular animal cracker brands reveals which ones are safe for vegetarians by checking for dairy and other animal-derived additives, helping consumers make informed choices.

Key Points

Check Ingredients, Not the Name: The name 'animal cracker' refers to the shape, not the ingredients, which are usually plant-based for plain versions.
Beware of Dairy and Eggs: Some brands, like Keebler (milk) and Glutino (egg whites), are not vegetarian or vegan due to animal-derived ingredients.
Scrutinize Frosted Crackers: Frosted varieties are more likely to contain non-vegetarian ingredients, especially dairy.
Understand the Bone Char Issue: Some refined white sugar may be filtered using bone char (charred animal bones), which is a major concern for ethical vegans, though not an ingredient itself.
Look for Vegan Certification or Safe Sugar: If avoiding bone char, seek out products with organic sugar, beet sugar, or vegan certification.
Read the Allergen Warnings: The 'CONTAINS' list on a food label is the quickest way to spot common allergens like milk and egg.

A Common Misconception About Animal Crackers

For many, animal crackers evoke childhood memories, but for those on a plant-based diet, the name can cause confusion. The primary reason vegetarians can consume most plain animal crackers is simple: the shapes are an homage to animals, not an ingredient derived from them. The base ingredients for classic crackers typically consist of flour, sugar, and oil, making them inherently plant-based. However, this is not a universal rule across all brands or varieties, especially as you move from vegetarianism to stricter veganism.

The Crucial Differences Between Vegetarian and Vegan

When exploring whether a product is suitable for a plant-based diet, it is important to distinguish between vegetarian and vegan. A vegetarian typically avoids meat, poultry, and fish but may still consume animal by-products like dairy and eggs. A vegan, by contrast, avoids all animal products and by-products, requiring a much closer look at ingredient sourcing. This distinction is critical for animal crackers, as some brands include ingredients like milk or egg. Strict vegan ethics also concern the manufacturing process, particularly with sugar, which we will explore next.

Potential Animal-Derived Ingredients to Watch For

To ensure your animal crackers align with your dietary choices, always scrutinize the ingredient list for potential animal-derived additives. Here is a list of common culprits:

Dairy: Ingredients such as milk, whey, milk solids, or casein. Keebler animal crackers, for instance, are not suitable for vegetarians because they contain milk.
Eggs: Some recipes use egg whites as a binder. Glutino Original Animal Crackers and their Graham variety are explicitly listed as containing egg whites.
Gelatin: While not common in simple crackers, this ingredient derived from animal collagen is used as a thickener in some frostings or jellies. Be especially cautious with any frosted or chewy versions.
Honey: Found in some recipes as a sweetener, honey is produced by bees and is avoided by strict vegans.
Natural Flavors: The source of these can sometimes be animal-derived, though this is usually a concern for vegans. The source is often not specified on the label.

Brand-by-Brand Comparison of Animal Crackers

Navigating the grocery store aisle requires attention to detail. This table provides a quick overview of popular animal cracker brands and their vegetarian status, based on publicly available ingredient information.


Brand	Status for Vegetarians	Potential Vegan Concerns	Key Ingredient Notes
Barnum's (Nabisco)	Generally Yes	Bone char refined sugar possible.	Contains sugar, soybean/canola oil, no dairy or egg.
Stauffer's	Generally Yes	Bone char refined sugar, natural flavor source unknown.	May contain egg and milk due to cross-contamination warnings.
Keebler	No	Definitely not vegan.	Contains milk, making them unsuitable for lacto-vegetarians and vegans.
Kirkland (Costco)	Generally Yes	Bone char is less likely due to organic sugar.	Contains organic sugar and potentially non-vegan cream of tartar.
Glutino	No	Definitely not vegan.	Contains egg whites, unsuitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

The Hidden Complication: Bone Char in Sugar

For ethical vegetarians and especially for vegans, the biggest gray area is the use of bone char in processing sugar. Some refined cane sugar is filtered through bone char, which is made from charred cattle bones, to achieve its pristine white color. While the bone char does not become an ingredient in the final product, the use of animal products in the process leads many vegans to avoid it.

What to look for: If you are concerned about this, check for products made with organic sugar, beet sugar, or those certified vegan, as these processes do not typically use bone char. Many brands use a mix of suppliers, so without a vegan certification, it can be difficult to know for certain. For further reading on the issue, consider consulting resources like PETA regarding sugar production.

Conclusion: The Final Word on Animal Crackers

In conclusion, most plain animal crackers are vegetarian, but the devil is in the details. You can generally feel safe consuming classic brands like Barnum's (Nabisco) and Stauffer's, though stricter vegans may have issues with potential bone char in the sugar refining process. Conversely, brands like Keebler and Glutino are explicitly not vegetarian or vegan due to the inclusion of dairy or eggs. The key takeaway is to always check the ingredient label, particularly the allergens section for milk and eggs, before making a purchase. With a little vigilance, you can easily find animal crackers that fit your vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. PETA Sugar Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Nabisco's Barnum's Animal Crackers are generally considered vegetarian as their ingredients list shows no milk or egg products. However, strict vegans may have an ethical concern regarding the potential use of bone char in refining the sugar.

While the crackers don't contain meat, some brands use dairy (milk) or eggs, which are avoided by certain types of vegetarians and all vegans. The use of bone char to process sugar is also a concern for strict ethical vegetarians and vegans.

No. The use of bone char is specific to some refined cane sugar, not all sugar. Organic sugar and beet sugar are refined without bone char, so crackers using these ingredients would be safe for those concerned. Checking the label or a product's vegan certification is the best approach.

It is less likely that frosted animal crackers are vegetarian or vegan. Frosting often contains dairy, and the colorful sprinkles may contain animal-derived ingredients like confectioner's glaze.

Yes, making your own animal crackers is a great way to ensure they are fully vegetarian or vegan. You can use simple plant-based ingredients like flour, maple syrup, and vegan butter to make a delicious homemade batch.

Based on ingredient reviews, Keebler animal crackers contain milk, while Glutino Original and Graham animal crackers contain egg whites. Always check the ingredient list for 'milk' or 'egg' warnings.

A vegetarian cracker avoids meat, poultry, or fish, but might still contain dairy or egg. A vegan cracker, on the other hand, contains no animal products whatsoever, including dairy, eggs, honey, and any ingredients processed using animal by-products like bone char.