What are mint Oreos made of? The ingredients and production process explained

October 19, 2025 •

2 min read

Despite the creamy appearance of their filling, Mint Oreos' vibrant green coloring and signature cool flavor come from a combination of peppermint oil and artificial colorings, not dairy. This leads many fans to ask, "what are mint Oreos made of," and how does their ingredient list differ from the classic version of America's favorite cookie?

Quick Summary

Mint Oreos consist of classic Oreo chocolate wafers sandwiching a mint-flavored creme made with peppermint oil, vegetable oils, and sugar. Artificial colorings give the creme its signature green hue, and like original Oreos, the recipe contains no dairy ingredients.

Key Points

Peppermint Oil: The primary ingredient giving Mint Oreos their signature cool flavor, used in the creme filling.
Artificial Coloring: Yellow 5 Lake and Blue 1 Lake are used to create the vibrant green creme.
Accidentally Vegan: Considered vegan-friendly as the ingredients are plant-based, though cross-contamination with milk is possible in the factory.
Similar Wafers: The chocolate wafer recipe for Mint Oreos is the same as the classic variety, made from enriched wheat flour and cocoa.
Plant-Based Oils: Like regular Oreos, the mint version uses palm and/or canola oil, not dairy.
Gluten-Free Alternative: A specific gluten-free Mint Oreo exists, using a rice and oat flour blend instead of wheat.
Manufacturer: Mondelēz International is the company that produces Mint Oreos.

The Core Ingredients of Mint Oreo Cookies

To understand what makes Mint Oreos unique, it's essential to examine their two main components: the chocolate wafer and the mint-flavored creme filling. While the wafer is nearly identical to the original Oreo, the creme is where the unique flavor profile resides. Mondelez International is the manufacturer behind the Oreo brand.

The Chocolate Wafer

The iconic dark chocolate wafer is a staple across many Oreo varieties.

The Mint-Flavored Creme

This element distinguishes Mint Oreos, featuring a specifically formulated creme for a cool, refreshing sensation. Its key flavoring agent is peppermint oil. The creme's recognizable pale green color comes from artificial colors like Yellow 5 Lake and Blue 1 Lake.

Mint Oreo vs. Regular Oreo: A Compositional Comparison

The primary difference between classic and Mint Oreos lies in the creme filling and additives.


Ingredient Category	Mint Oreo	Regular Oreo
Wafer	Same chocolate wafer base	Same chocolate wafer base
Creme Flavoring	Primarily Peppermint Oil	Classic vanilla-flavored artificial flavor
Creme Color	Artificial colors Yellow 5 Lake and Blue 1 Lake added	No artificial colors added to the creme
Main Sweeteners	Sugar, high fructose corn syrup	Sugar, high fructose corn syrup
Primary Fat Source	Palm and/or Canola Oil	Palm and/or Canola Oil

The "Accidentally Vegan" Status of Mint Oreos

Oreos are considered "accidentally vegan" as the standard recipe does not contain animal products. However, there are considerations for strict vegans.

The Dairy and Cross-Contamination Disclaimer

While plant-based, packaging often warns of potential milk presence due to shared factory equipment. This is a risk for those with severe milk allergies.

The Bone Char and Palm Oil Debate

Some vegans avoid Oreos due to ethical concerns like sugar filtered with bone char (in the US) or palm oil's link to deforestation.

What are mint Oreos made of? A Summary of Ingredients

Mint Oreos are a classic Oreo variation with a mint-flavored creme made with peppermint oil and artificial colors. Despite potential cross-contamination, the ingredients are plant-based, appealing to many vegans.

For More Information on Vegan-Friendly Options

To learn more about vegan-friendly products and read about other Oreo flavors, see this informative guide: {Link: VegNews https://vegnews.com/are-oreos-vegan}.

The Gluten-Free Mint Oreo: An Alternative Composition

A certified gluten-free Mint Oreo replaces wheat flour with white rice, oat flour, and tapioca starch, maintaining the same mint flavor profile with peppermint oil and artificial colors.

How the Mint Flavor is Achieved: The Role of Peppermint Oil

The refreshing flavor comes primarily from peppermint oil added to the creme, providing a consistent and recognizable minty taste without altering texture.

The Importance of Checking Labels

Always check ingredient lists for allergies or dietary needs, as formulations can vary by location or product type.

The Journey from Factory to Shelf

Chocolate wafers are baked, filled with mint creme, assembled, and packaged by Mondelēz International to ensure consistent quality and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

The green cream in Mint Oreos is made of sugar, palm and/or canola oil, peppermint oil for flavor, and artificial colors (specifically Yellow 5 Lake and Blue 1 Lake).

Mint Oreos are considered "accidentally vegan" because they do not contain animal-derived ingredients like milk or eggs in their standard recipe. However, they carry a "may contain milk" warning due to the possibility of cross-contamination in the manufacturing facility.

Mint Oreos get their minty flavor from peppermint oil, which is added to the creamy filling. The oil provides a clean, refreshing taste that distinguishes the cookie from the original version.

Yes, Mint Oreos contain artificial colors. The ingredient list includes Yellow 5 Lake and Blue 1 Lake to give the creme filling its signature green color.

No, gluten-free Mint Oreos differ in their flour composition. They replace the enriched wheat flour with a blend of white rice flour, whole oat flour, and tapioca starch to make them gluten-free, but use similar flavoring ingredients.

The core ingredients of Mint Oreos do not contain dairy. However, the product is made in a facility that also processes milk, so there is a risk of cross-contamination, which is why a warning is present on the packaging.

The main difference between Mint Oreos and regular Oreos is the creme filling. Mint Oreos feature a mint-flavored and green-colored creme, while regular Oreos have the classic vanilla-flavored creme.