What Common Crackers Are Vegan? A Guide to Plant-Based Snacking

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to data on product labels, numerous classic cracker brands are made with simple, plant-based ingredients. However, navigating the snack aisle can be tricky for those avoiding animal products. This guide reveals what common crackers are vegan, from pantry staples to popular brands.

Quick Summary

This article identifies popular cracker brands and varieties that are typically plant-based, highlighting key ingredients to scrutinize for hidden animal derivatives like dairy or honey.

Key Points

Many Common Crackers are Vegan: Brands like Nabisco Saltines and Ritz Originals often use plant-based ingredients, making them accidentally vegan.
Always Check the Ingredients: Hidden dairy (whey, casein), honey, and cheese powders are common non-vegan additives. Reading the label is crucial.
'Buttery' Flavor is Often Artificial: Many crackers achieve a buttery taste without using real butter or dairy, which is why some Ritz crackers are vegan.
Palm Oil and Sugar are Ethical Concerns: Some vegans avoid products with non-sustainably sourced palm oil or sugar refined with bone char, though both are technically plant-based.
Specialty Brands Offer Guaranteed Options: Brands like Simple Mills and Mary's Gone Crackers clearly label their vegan products, providing certainty for consumers.

The Surprising Vegan Crackers in Your Pantry

Many unassuming crackers on grocery store shelves are actually "accidentally vegan," meaning they don't contain animal products despite not being explicitly marketed as such. These tend to be varieties with simple, straightforward ingredients like flour, oil, salt, and yeast. This is great news for plant-based eaters looking for familiar, budget-friendly options.

Accidentally Vegan Crackers to Look For

Saltines: Most generic saltine crackers are vegan. Brands like Nabisco Premium (in the US), Sunshine Krispy, and Keebler Zesta typically use plant-based ingredients. Be sure to check the specific brand's ingredient list for any unexpected dairy or butter derivatives, which are occasionally used.
Ritz Originals: While their classic, buttery flavor might suggest otherwise, many Ritz Originals, including flavors like Hint of Salt and Whole Wheat, are vegan because the buttery taste comes from artificial sources. However, any flavor explicitly mentioning cheese is not vegan, and some international varieties may differ.
Triscuit Original: The Original flavor of Triscuit crackers, known for their simple, whole-grain wheat recipe, is a consistent vegan option. Look for the standard original or the organic versions for reliable choices. Flavored varieties, however, require careful reading of the ingredients.
Good Thins: Many flavors of Good Thins, particularly the Simply Salt Rice Snacks and Sea Salt Corn Crackers, are often vegan and clearly labeled. Their simplicity makes them a safe bet, but checking for additives on flavored versions is always wise.

How to Scrutinize Cracker Ingredients

Since not all crackers are vegan, and recipes can change, it's crucial to know what to look for and what to avoid. The front of the box can be deceptive, so flip it over and read the ingredients list carefully.

Red Flags for Non-Vegan Ingredients

Dairy: This is the most common hidden animal product in crackers. Look out for terms like whey, casein, milk, milk powder, cheese powder, butter, butterfat, and buttermilk. Even plain-looking crackers might contain a dash of dairy for flavor or texture.
Honey: While not dairy, some crackers use honey as a sweetener, which is not vegan.
Natural Flavors: This ambiguous term is a source of frustration for many vegans. "Natural flavors" can be plant-derived or animal-derived, and unless the company specifies, there's no way to know for sure. Some strict vegans choose to avoid products with this ingredient, while others make a personal judgment call.

Ethical Considerations: The Gray Areas

Palm Oil: Palm oil is technically vegan as it comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree. However, its production is heavily associated with deforestation and habitat loss for endangered species. Some ethical vegans avoid it, opting for crackers with sustainable palm oil or other plant-based fats.
Sugar: A potential concern for strict vegans is that some granulated sugar is processed using animal bone char for whitening. Most vegans, however, consider this an acceptable risk in the broader scope of processed foods, but it's a detail to be aware of.

Crackers Comparison Table: Vegan vs. Non-Vegan


Cracker Brand	Common Flavor	Vegan Status	Key Ingredients to Check
Nabisco Premium Saltine	Original	Often Vegan	Flour, oil, salt, yeast. Check for added dairy.
Ritz	Original	Often Vegan	Flour, oil, salt, flavorings. Look out for dairy in other flavors.
Ritz	Cheddar	Not Vegan	Contains cheese or other milk ingredients.
Triscuit	Original	Vegan	Whole-grain wheat, oil, salt.
Good Thins	The Corn One Sea Salt	Often Vegan	Corn flour, oil, salt. Confirm flavor-specific ingredients.
Annie's	Cheddar Bunnies	Not Vegan	Contains real cheese and milk ingredients.
Keebler Zesta	Original Saltine	Often Vegan	Flour, oil, salt, yeast. Similar to Nabisco.

The Growing World of Vegan Specialty Crackers

Beyond the accidentally vegan options, the market for explicitly vegan crackers is thriving. Health food stores and even conventional grocers carry brands that cater directly to plant-based consumers. These often use more wholesome ingredients and are clearly labeled.

Simple Mills: A popular brand known for its almond flour and seed-based crackers. Many of their products are gluten-free and vegan, with flavors like Fine Ground Sea Salt being a great option.
Mary's Gone Crackers: Specializing in vegan, gluten-free, and organic crackers made from whole grains and seeds, these are a go-to for many vegans.
Back to Nature: Offers vegan-friendly options, such as their Cheezy Square Crackers, which are non-GMO and plant-based.

Conclusion: Confident Cracker Choices

Finding vegan crackers is simpler than it seems, especially with so many accidentally vegan options readily available. The key is to make label-reading a habit, watching out for common animal-derived ingredients like dairy and honey. With a little vigilance, you can confidently enjoy a variety of crackers straight from your pantry. For those seeking guaranteed vegan products, the expanding market of specialty vegan brands provides delicious and clearly labeled alternatives. To explore more plant-based alternatives, check out helpful resources like the snack guide from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many popular saltine cracker brands, including Nabisco Premium and Keebler Zesta, are vegan, typically made from simple ingredients like flour, oil, and yeast. However, it's wise to check the ingredient list for potential hidden additives.

Most Ritz Originals are vegan because their buttery flavor comes from artificial sources, not dairy. You should avoid flavors that list cheese or other milk ingredients and check the label on other varieties, as some may differ.

No, not all Triscuit varieties are vegan. The Original flavor is reliably vegan, but you must check the ingredient list on any flavored versions to ensure they don't contain animal products.

Common non-vegan ingredients include dairy derivatives like whey, casein, milk, and cheese powder. Additionally, watch for honey, which is not vegan.

While most cheese-flavored crackers contain dairy, some specialty brands offer vegan 'cheezy' crackers made with plant-based flavorings. Look for products specifically labeled vegan from brands like Back to Nature or Trader Joe's.

Palm oil, while plant-based, is avoided by some due to the environmental impact and deforestation linked to its production. Some sugar is also a concern for strict vegans because it's sometimes processed using bone char, an animal-derived product.

The most reliable method is to check the ingredient list for any animal products. If you are unsure about an ingredient, contact the manufacturer or stick to products with a certified vegan label.

It is difficult to know if a product with "natural flavors" is vegan, as the source is not always disclosed. If you are strict about avoiding animal derivatives, you may prefer to contact the company or choose an alternative.