What brand of puff pastry is vegan? A definitive guide for plant-based baking.

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that many store-bought puff pastry brands are accidentally vegan because they use vegetable fats instead of butter or lard? This makes finding what brand of puff pastry is vegan much easier, offering a convenient shortcut for plant-based bakers everywhere.

Quick Summary

Many popular store-bought puff pastry brands are accidentally vegan, relying on vegetable oil and margarine instead of dairy. Consumers should check product ingredient lists carefully to ensure no animal-derived products are included.

Key Points

Accidentally Vegan Brands: Many conventional puff pastry brands, such as Jus-Rol and Pepperidge Farm, are 'accidentally vegan' because they use vegetable-based fats instead of butter or lard.
Label Checking is Crucial: Always read the ingredient list to ensure no hidden animal products like butter, eggs, or ambiguous mono- and diglycerides are included.
Fat Matters: The key to vegan puff pastry is using vegetable oils or margarine, which provide the flaky texture without dairy.
Gluten-Free Options Available: Brands like Schär and Orgran offer gluten-free puff pastry for those with dietary restrictions.
Alternatives Exist: If you can't find a suitable vegan puff pastry, alternatives like phyllo dough can work well for certain recipes.
Palm Oil Consideration: Many vegan puff pastry brands use palm oil, an ingredient some vegans avoid for ethical reasons due to environmental concerns.
Homemade Option: For ultimate control and ingredient selection, making vegan puff pastry from scratch is a viable option.

Popular Vegan-Friendly Puff Pastry Brands

For vegan bakers, the discovery that many store-bought puff pastries are accidentally vegan is a game-changer. These brands often opt for vegetable fats, such as palm, soybean, or rapeseed oil, as a more cost-effective and shelf-stable alternative to butter. While ingredients can change, some brands have a consistent record of offering vegan-friendly products. Always remember to check the most current ingredient list on the packaging to be certain.

Jus-Rol

In many parts of the world, Jus-Rol is a reliable name for vegan puff pastry. Their refrigerated and frozen puff pastry products are widely known to be vegan-friendly, with their official FAQ confirming the status of their pastry doughs. Their recipes typically use a blend of vegetable oils, including palm and rapeseed oil. Jus-Rol makes both ready-rolled sheets and blocks, providing versatility for any recipe.

Pepperidge Farm

For bakers in the United States, Pepperidge Farm's Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets are a popular and widely available choice. Their standard puff pastry sheets are often cited as being vegan, containing vegetable oils like palm, soybean, and cottonseed. It's crucial to specify the standard puff pastry, as Pepperidge Farm has other product lines that may contain dairy or eggs. Bulk or foodservice versions are also explicitly labeled as vegan.

Wewalka

Found in the refrigerated dough section, Wewalka offers pre-rolled puff pastry dough that is frequently cited as vegan. This European brand uses vegetable fats to achieve its flaky layers, offering a high-quality product ready for immediate use. As with all brands, double-check the label for the latest ingredients, as formulations can change over time.

Schär (Gluten-Free)

For those with gluten sensitivity, Schär offers a reliable gluten-free puff pastry option. This brand specializes in gluten-free products and formulates its dough to meet these dietary needs, while also being vegan. It is typically found in the freezer section of grocery stores.

What to Look for When Reading Labels

When purchasing puff pastry, especially from store brands, a careful eye is essential. Avoid any product with the words "all-butter" in the name, as this clearly indicates it is not vegan. The main ingredients to scrutinize are potential animal-derived fats or glazes.

Fats: Look for butter, lard, or suet. The label should list vegetable shortenings, margarines, or specific oils like palm, soybean, or rapeseed oil instead.
Emulsifiers: Be cautious with ingredients like mono- and diglycerides. These can be sourced from either animal or plant fats. The label should specify if they are plant-derived.
Glazes: Some pastries are pre-glazed with an egg wash for shine. The ingredients list will indicate eggs, milk, or other dairy components if this is the case. If a package is simply labeled "vegetarian," it might still contain eggs or milk, so a thorough ingredient check is needed.

Comparison of Popular Vegan Puff Pastry Brands


Brand	Vegan Status	Gluten-Free	Format	Key Ingredients	Notes
Jus-Rol	Confirmed	No (Wheat-based)	Block, Ready-Rolled	Vegetable oils (Palm, Rapeseed)	Widely available, convenient
Pepperidge Farm	Confirmed	No (Wheat-based)	Frozen Sheets	Vegetable oils (Palm, Soybean, Cottonseed)	Very common in US grocery stores
Wewalka	Often vegan	No (Wheat-based)	Refrigerated, Ready-Rolled	Vegetable oils	Known for quality, check label
Schär	Confirmed	Yes (Gluten-Free)	Frozen Sheets	Various gluten-free flours, vegetable fats	Ideal for gluten-free diets
Orgran	Confirmed	Yes (Gluten-Free)	Pastry Mix	Maize starch, rice flour, vegetable gums	A dry mix, not a ready-made dough

Alternatives to Store-Bought Puff Pastry

Phyllo Dough

Often confused with puff pastry, phyllo dough is a great alternative for many applications. It is made with very thin sheets of dough layered with fat and is typically dairy and egg-free. Brands like Athens Foods offer a vegan-friendly version. Just be aware that the texture is lighter and more delicate than puff pastry.

Homemade Vegan Puff Pastry

For the ambitious baker, making your own vegan puff pastry from scratch is a rewarding option. This allows for complete control over ingredients, including the type of plant-based fat used. Recipes often involve a combination of flour, vegan butter or baking block, ice water, and salt. While it requires more time and patience, the result is a truly homemade, customizable product.

Conclusion

Navigating the grocery store for vegan puff pastry is straightforward once you know which brands to look for and how to read labels. Popular brands like Jus-Rol and Pepperidge Farm offer reliable, accidentally vegan options for convenience. If you prefer a gluten-free choice, Schär and Orgran are excellent alternatives. For an even more homemade touch, phyllo dough or a from-scratch recipe gives you complete control over your ingredients. With a little vigilance at the store, you can easily find a flaky, buttery puff pastry to suit your vegan baking needs.

As ingredient formulations can change, stay up to date on how to read labels by consulting resources like the Veganuary Label Reading Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, traditional puff pastry is made with dairy butter, which is not vegan. However, many commercial brands use vegetable-based fats instead of butter, making them accidentally vegan. Always check the ingredient list to be sure.

While some Pepperidge Farm products contain dairy, their standard Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets are widely known to be vegan-friendly and do not contain dairy. They use vegetable oils for the fat component.

Look for the words "all-butter" or any milk, egg, or whey on the ingredient list. Also, check for the vegan or plant-based symbols on the packaging. When in doubt, avoid ambiguous emulsifiers like mono- and diglycerides unless specified as plant-derived.

Yes, according to their official FAQ, Jus-Rol's puff pastry dough is vegan-friendly. Their products are available in both refrigerated and frozen forms in many countries.

Schär is a well-known brand offering a gluten-free puff pastry that is also vegan. The Orgran all-purpose pastry mix is another excellent gluten-free and vegan option, particularly for those who prefer to mix their own.

No, phyllo and puff pastry are different, though they can be used interchangeably in some recipes. Phyllo dough is much thinner and more delicate, while puff pastry is thicker and richer due to its layers of laminated dough.

Some vegans choose to avoid palm oil due to ethical and environmental concerns surrounding its production. Many accidentally vegan products use palm oil as a fat source. It is up to the individual to decide whether to consume products containing palm oil.