What pastry can vegans eat? Exploring delicious plant-based options

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports, the vegan bakery market is seeing significant growth, driven by an increased consumer demand for plant-based alternatives. For those following a plant-based diet or exploring new options, discovering what pastry can vegans eat is a delightful journey with more choices available than ever before.

Quick Summary

A wide variety of pastries are suitable for vegans, including homemade and store-bought options that substitute animal products. Learn about delicious vegan croissants, pies, tarts, and other treats made with plant-based ingredients like vegan butter, aquafaba, and dairy-free milk.

Key Points

Accidentally Vegan Pastry: Many store-bought puff and shortcrust pastries are surprisingly vegan, but you must check the label for dairy and eggs.
Key Substitutions: Vegan baking relies on plant-based alternatives like vegan butter (preferably block-style), plant milks, aquafaba, and flax eggs to replace dairy and eggs.
Variety of Options: A huge range of pastries can be made vegan, including croissants, donuts, pies, tarts, cookies, and muffins.
History of Vegan Baking: The practice of vegan baking has a long history, with some techniques developed during periods of food rationing, like WWII and the Great Depression.
Focus on Taste and Texture: Advances in plant-based ingredients mean that modern vegan pastries can replicate the flavour and texture of traditional recipes without compromise.
Read Labels Carefully: Always scrutinize the ingredients list for non-vegan components such as whey powder, casein, or honey when purchasing pre-made goods.

Uncovering the World of Vegan Pastries

For many, the idea of a vegan diet brings up questions about beloved baked goods. Traditional pastries often rely on dairy butter, milk, and eggs for their rich texture and structure. However, with innovative ingredients and smart cooking techniques, the world of pastries is wide open for vegans. Modern recipes and readily available store-bought products prove that you don't need animal products to achieve flaky, tender, and decadent results.

The Rise of Accidentally Vegan Products

One of the most convenient developments in vegan baking is the increasing number of 'accidentally vegan' products found in mainstream supermarkets.

Puff Pastry: Many brands of ready-rolled or block puff pastry are made with vegetable shortening or margarine instead of butter. Brands like Jus Rol and some supermarket own-brands are often suitable, but always check the ingredients list for whey, casein, or butter.
Shortcrust Pastry: Similar to puff pastry, many store-bought shortcrust pastry varieties are also vegan. They typically use a combination of flour, fat, and cold water, easily replicable at home or purchased pre-made.
Other Doughs: Check for vegan-friendly options for cinnamon rolls and pizza dough, which are becoming more common in the refrigerated aisles.

Common Vegan Pastry Types and How They're Made

Many classic pastries can be easily veganized. The key is understanding the role of each traditional ingredient and finding a suitable plant-based substitute.

Flaky Favorites: Croissants and Danishes

Vegan croissants and danishes replicate the buttery, layered texture of their traditional counterparts by using high-quality vegan block butter or margarine. The lamination process, where the fat is folded into the dough multiple times, remains the same. Fillings can include fruit jams, chocolate spreads, or vegan custard made from cornstarch and plant-based milk.

Rustic and Hearty: Pies and Tarts

From sweet fruit pies to savory tarts, the possibilities are endless. For the crust, a vegan shortcrust can be made with flour, cold vegan butter or margarine, and a splash of cold water. Fillings are naturally vegan in many cases, such as fresh or stewed fruit for pies, or vegetables for savory tarts.

Sweet and Simple: Muffins and Scones

These comfort classics are perhaps the easiest to convert. Eggs can be replaced with flax or chia eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water), mashed banana, or applesauce. Dairy milk is simply swapped for any plant-based milk, and butter is replaced with vegan butter or oil. The result is a moist and tender bake that's indistinguishable from a traditional one.

Decadent and Rich: Brownies and Cakes

While not strictly a 'pastry' in the traditional sense, brownies and cakes are often part of the vegan baking conversation. Rich fudgy vegan brownies can be made using plant-based butter and dark chocolate, with a cornstarch or aquafaba binder instead of eggs. Layer cakes, like the classic Victoria sponge, are made with oil and plant milk for a moist crumb.

Essential Vegan Baking Substitutions

Successful vegan pastries rely on clever substitutions that mimic the function of animal products. Here’s a quick guide:

Vegan Butter/Margarine: Use block-style vegan butter for best results in pastries that require creaming or lamination, as tubs contain more water.
Aquafaba: The liquid from a can of chickpeas is an incredible egg white replacer, perfect for meringues, macarons, and adding airiness to pastry.
Flax/Chia Eggs: Mix 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tbsp of water and let it sit. This gelatinous mixture is excellent for binding ingredients in cakes and cookies.
Applesauce/Mashed Banana: These work well as binders and moisteners in sweet bakes, reducing the need for fat and sugar.
Plant-Based Milk: Soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk can all be used in place of dairy milk. Ensure it is unsweetened unless the recipe specifies otherwise.

Vegan Pastry Comparison Table


Pastry Type	Vegan Version Method	Key Vegan Ingredients	Notes
Puff Pastry	Laminated dough with vegan block butter or vegetable shortening	Vegan block butter, flour, salt, cold water	Often available store-bought; great for turnovers, tarts, and Wellingtons.
Shortcrust Pastry	Rubbing vegan block butter or margarine into flour	Vegan block margarine, flour, cold water	Excellent for pies, quiches, and cookies. Can be sweet or savory.
Croissants	Laminated dough with vegan block butter, folded to create layers	Vegan butter, flour, sugar, yeast, plant milk	Requires patience and specific technique for maximum flakiness.
Muffins	Wet and dry ingredients combined with a plant-based binder	Plant milk, oil, flour, sugar, baking powder, applesauce or flax egg	Quick and easy to make, a great entry point into vegan baking.
Cookies	Creaming vegan butter and sugar; can use various binders	Vegan butter, sugar, flour, plant milk, baking soda	Endless variations, including chocolate chip, oatmeal, and gingerbread.
Eclairs	Choux pastry made with vegan butter and aquafaba	Vegan butter, water, flour, aquafaba, cornstarch	Creates a light, airy shell that can be filled with vegan custard.

Conclusion: A World of Delicious Possibilities Awaits

From humble homemade cookies to elegant store-bought croissants, there's no shortage of delicious pastries for vegans to enjoy. With a few key ingredient swaps and an open mind, you can replicate almost any classic pastry you crave, or discover new plant-based creations. As the vegan market continues to grow, so too will the availability of exciting options, making it a wonderful time to be a vegan with a sweet tooth.

How to Get Started with Vegan Pastries

Start Simple: Try a classic vegan chocolate chip cookie or a fruit crumble, which require minimal substitutions.
Stock Up: Invest in quality vegan block butter and plant-based milk to have on hand.
Read Labels: When buying pre-made items, always check the ingredients list for hidden animal products like butter, eggs, whey, or honey.
Embrace Innovation: Don't be afraid to experiment with egg replacers like aquafaba, especially for lighter bakes.
Seek Inspiration: Follow vegan food blogs for a wealth of tested recipes and inspiration. For example, sites like Rainbow Plant Life and The Veg Space offer fantastic recipes for sweet and savory treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional croissants are not vegan as they rely heavily on butter. However, many brands of ready-made puff pastry and some artisan vegan bakeries offer delicious plant-based versions. Always check the ingredients list for dairy products like butter or whey.

Eggs can be replaced in various ways depending on their function. For binding, use a 'flax egg' (ground flaxseed mixed with water) or applesauce. For leavening and creating a light texture, aquafaba (chickpea brine) is a great substitute for egg whites.

For flaky and tender pastries like puff or shortcrust, use a block-style vegan butter or margarine. These have a lower water content than tub margarines and mimic the consistency of dairy butter more closely.

Many store-bought biscuits and cookies are accidentally vegan, but you must check the ingredients. Common non-vegan ingredients include milk, butter, whey, and eggs. Some brands, like Oreos, are accidentally vegan in certain regions, but it's essential to verify.

Some of the easiest vegan pastries to make at home include simple shortbread cookies, apple crumbles, fruit tarts with a basic vegan crust, and quick muffins made with applesauce and plant milk.

Vegan pastries, like their traditional counterparts, are often indulgent treats. While they are dairy and egg-free, they can still be high in sugar and fat. However, plant-based ingredients can offer additional benefits like fiber and minerals.

Websites like VegNews and BBC Good Food offer extensive collections of vegan dessert and pastry recipes. For store-bought options, checking the frozen dessert section of larger supermarkets is a good start.

Savory vegan pastries are equally accessible. Use accidentally vegan puff or shortcrust pastry for fillings like mushroom Wellington, vegetable sausage rolls, or savory tarts with ingredients like caramelized onion and dairy-free cheese.