Discover What Food is Vegan at the Starbucks Menu

December 28, 2025 •

3 min read

With the rise in plant-based diets, an estimated 83% of consumers express concern over factory farming, a factor driving coffee chains to expand their vegan options. For those seeking cruelty-free and dairy-free choices, knowing what food is vegan at the Starbucks menu can make a huge difference during your coffee run.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of all available vegan food options at Starbucks, including breakfast items, lunch boxes, and various snacks. It covers specific product names, necessary modifications, and important regional menu differences.

Key Points

Oatmeal Customization: Order classic oatmeal with hot water or non-dairy milk and add vegan toppings like fruit or nuts for a customizable and filling meal.
Dependable Lunch Option: The Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box is a pre-packaged and reliably vegan lunch choice that is packed with protein and vegetables.
Regional Variations Matter: Be aware that menus, especially for items like breakfast sandwiches, can differ significantly between countries (e.g., USA vs. UK), so always check local menus.
Smart Drink Customizations: To veganize many coffee beverages, swap dairy for plant-based milks and avoid sauces like caramel drizzle and toppings like whipped cream.
Reliable Snacks: Look for the 'That's It' fruit bars, Hippeas, and bagged nuts for quick, pre-packaged, and confirmed vegan snacks.

Vegan Breakfast Options to Start Your Day

Starting the day with a satisfying vegan meal is easy at Starbucks, provided you know what to ask for. While hot breakfast sandwiches often contain dairy and eggs, several items can be enjoyed with simple customizations.

Bagels and Spreads

Many of Starbucks' bagels are vegan by default, but it's crucial to confirm the specific type and avoid common non-vegan toppings. The plain and everything bagels are generally safe bets. Instead of cream cheese, ask for the Avocado Spread, a flavorful and creamy plant-based alternative that pairs perfectly with a toasted bagel. The cinnamon raisin bagel is also often vegan, but always double-check with your barista due to possible regional recipe variations.

Oatmeal

Starbucks offers a Hearty Blueberry Oatmeal and a Classic Oatmeal that are both vegan when prepared correctly. Ensure you specify preparation with hot water or one of the plant-based milk alternatives instead of dairy milk. You can customize your oatmeal with a variety of toppings, such as dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar, or agave syrup.

Regional Vegan Breakfast Sandwiches

It is important to note that Starbucks' menu can vary significantly by country. In the USA, for instance, the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich is not vegan due to the inclusion of cheese and eggs. In the UK, however, some locations offer a fully plant-based version featuring an Impossible patty, tofu-turmeric egg alternative, and dairy-free cheese. Always check the local menu for specific availability.

Vegan Lunch and Snack Options

When hunger strikes in the afternoon, Starbucks provides several reliable vegan options to keep you fueled.

Spicy Falafel Pocket

A permanent menu fixture inspired by global flavors, the Spicy Falafel Pocket is a certified vegan item. It features smashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce in toasted lavash flatbread, requiring no modifications.

Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box

For a balanced, protein-packed lunch, the Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box is an excellent choice. It includes falafel-like chickpea bites, snap peas, carrots, and a side of avocado dip. Paired with a vegan drink, it makes for a satisfying coffee shop lunch.

Packaged Snacks

For quick bites, many of the packaged snacks are vegan. The options can include:

That's It Apple & Blueberry Bar
Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs
Rhythm Superfoods Roasted Kale Chips
That's It Apple & Mango Bar
Mixed Nuts

Customizing Your Favorite Drinks

While most of the food options are straightforward, many drinks require careful customization to be made vegan. The first step is always swapping out dairy milk for one of the non-dairy alternatives: almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk.

Common Customizations and Ingredients to Avoid

Caramel Sauce: Replace the standard caramel drizzle with the caramel syrup to avoid dairy.
Whipped Cream: Always request to omit whipped cream.
Mocha Sauce: The standard mocha sauce is vegan, but other chocolate sauces or chips may not be.
Honey: Avoid drinks with honey, such as the Honey Oatmilk Latte.

Table of Vegan Food Options and Customizations


Item	Vegan Status	Necessary Customizations	Notes
Plain Bagel	Vegan	Avocado Spread or Almond Butter	Avoid cream cheese and butter
Everything Bagel	Vegan	Avocado Spread or Almond Butter	Avoid cream cheese and butter
Classic Oatmeal	Vegan with mods	Request with hot water or non-dairy milk	Add agave or brown sugar, avoid dairy
Spicy Falafel Pocket	Vegan	None	Check for availability as a permanent or rotating item
Chickpea Bites Protein Box	Vegan	None	Check freshness and ingredients regularly
Impossible Breakfast Sandwich	Regional	Varies (often not vegan in US)	Not vegan in the US due to egg and cheese; some UK locations offer a vegan version

Conclusion

While the selection of exclusively vegan food items at Starbucks may appear limited, there are several solid choices available for breakfast, lunch, and snacking. The best practice is to always double-check with the barista about the ingredients and specify customizations, especially when ordering drinks. With a little knowledge, you can navigate the menu and find delicious vegan-friendly options, whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a study session. For the latest menu updates and product information, customers can refer to official Starbucks sources.

Explore the vegan menu expansion with reports from VegNews

Frequently Asked Questions

In the US, most breakfast sandwiches are not vegan due to the inclusion of cheese and eggs. However, menu options vary by country, with some UK locations offering a fully plant-based Impossible Breakfast Sandwich.

Starbucks offers four main non-dairy milk alternatives: almond, soy, coconut, and oat milk. These can be used to customize most espresso-based beverages.

Yes, many Frappuccinos can be made vegan with modifications. You must request a non-dairy milk and ask for no whipped cream. Avoid java chips or caramel drizzle, and specify clear, non-dairy syrups.

The vegan status of the Pumpkin Spice Latte depends on your location. In the US, the pumpkin spice sauce contains dairy and is not vegan. In the UK, the sauce is often vegan, but you must still request a non-dairy milk and no whipped cream.

Avoid sauces like the standard caramel drizzle and pumpkin spice sauce (in the US), as they contain dairy. Most clear syrups (like vanilla, caramel syrup) are generally vegan, but it's always best to ask your barista.

Specific vegan pastry offerings vary by region and time. While there may be seasonal or local options, there is no standardized vegan pastry available across all locations. In some regions, certain cakes or loaves might be available.

Several pre-packaged snacks are vegan, including specific fruit bars (like That's It), Hippeas chickpea puffs, Rhythm Superfoods kale chips, and mixed nuts.