What Walker's crisps are not vegetarian?

November 25, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that some historical versions of Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps were not suitable for vegetarians due to animal rennet? While the core range is now largely vegetarian, it's a common misconception that all savoury flavours are meat-free, so it's essential to know what Walker's crisps are not vegetarian.

Quick Summary

Identifying non-vegetarian Walkers crisps involves checking ingredients, as some flavours historically contained animal products and some limited editions still do. Reading the packaging is the most reliable method for confirming suitability for a vegetarian diet.

Key Points

Recipe Changes: Some past Walkers recipes for flavours like Smoky Bacon and Roast Chicken contained real meat, though the core versions are now vegetarian.
Check the Label: Always verify the "Suitable for Vegetarians" text on the back of the packet, as recipes can change over time.
Limited Editions: Special or limited edition flavours, especially those in "Meaty Variety" multipacks, are most likely to contain animal products.
Vegetarian vs. Vegan: Many vegetarian flavours, such as Cheese & Onion, contain milk or other dairy derivatives and are therefore not suitable for vegans.
Historical Ingredients: Walkers historically used animal rennet in some cheese flavours, like Cheese & Onion, before changing to a vegetarian alternative in 2004.
Modern Vegan Options: Walkers offers dedicated vegan ranges, such as the "Unbelievable Vegan" flavours, that mimic meat and cheese tastes without animal products.

The Shifting Sands of Flavour Recipes

For many years, the question of which Walkers crisps are not vegetarian was simpler, yet still confusing. Walkers' core flavours, such as Ready Salted, were always suitable for vegetarians. However, the complexity lies in specific flavours, recipe changes over time, and the introduction of special editions.

A notable controversy occurred in 2013 when Walkers updated the recipes for its Roast Chicken and Smoky Bacon flavours to include real meat extracts, causing a significant backlash from vegetarians. While the company's core range now primarily features vegetarian flavourings for its standard meat-flavoured crisps, this historical precedent highlights the need for vigilance. It's a reminder that a product's suitability for vegetarians is not always static.

Another example is the beloved Cheese & Onion flavour. Before 2004, this flavour was made using animal rennet, an enzyme derived from a calf's stomach, making it unsuitable for vegetarians. The company changed the recipe in response to consumer demand, but many older vegetarians remember the days when they couldn't enjoy this classic. Even now, while vegetarian-friendly, it contains dairy products, which makes it unsuitable for vegans.

Reading a Crisps Packet for Vegetarian Suitability

To determine if a Walkers product is vegetarian, there is no substitute for checking the back of the packet. Look for the 'Suitable for Vegetarians' label, which Walkers clearly marks on its packaging. If this label is absent, a look at the ingredient list is necessary. Key non-vegetarian ingredients to watch for include:

Meat Powders and Extracts: Ingredients like 'pork powder' or 'beef extract' confirm the presence of animal products.
Gelatine: While less common in crisps, it can sometimes be used as a binding agent or in flavour carriers.
Animal Rennet: Primarily an issue in some cheese products, though mostly phased out by Walkers in their main crisps range.
Shellfish Derivatives: For flavours like Prawn Cocktail, although the core Prawn Cocktail is currently vegetarian, it's always worth checking newer variations.

Comparison Table: Common Walkers Flavours


Flavour	Current Vegetarian Status	Notes
Ready Salted	Vegetarian & Vegan	Simple ingredients, no animal products.
Cheese & Onion	Vegetarian	Contains milk derivatives (whey, lactose), so not vegan.
Salt & Vinegar	Vegetarian & Vegan	Seasoning is plant-based.
Prawn Cocktail	Vegetarian	Flavouring is vegetarian-friendly, but not always vegan.
Smoky Bacon	Vegetarian	Flavouring is vegetarian, but some 'Meaty Variety' or special editions may differ.
Roast Chicken	Vegetarian	Flavouring is vegetarian; however, some older or special editions contained real meat.
Limited Edition Meaty Flavours	Varies	Often contain real meat or other animal products. Always check the label.

Specific Non-Vegetarian Crisps to Avoid

Certain Meaty Variety Multipacks: As confirmed by the product packaging, multipacks explicitly labelled as 'Meaty Variety' can contain flavours that use real meat ingredients.
Limited Edition Products: Specific limited edition flavours, like a former BBQ Pulled Pork, have been confirmed to contain animal products. The best advice is to assume these are non-vegetarian unless explicitly labelled otherwise.
Older Recipes: If you happen across old stock or import products, be aware of historical recipe changes. This is less likely but worth considering if in doubt.

The Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan

For many, vegetarianism and veganism are used interchangeably, but the distinction is crucial when it comes to crisps. A crisp can be vegetarian (e.g., Cheese & Onion) but not vegan because it contains dairy-derived ingredients like milk whey or lactose. Vegans, who avoid all animal products, must be particularly diligent when checking labels. Walkers has responded to this by launching dedicated vegan ranges, such as the 'Unbelievable Vegan' series, offering plant-based versions of popular meat and cheese flavours.

Conclusion: Always Double-Check

In summary, while Walkers has made significant improvements in making its core crisps range suitable for vegetarians, consumers must remain vigilant. The main takeaway is that not all savoury flavours are vegetarian, and the presence of meat-flavoured seasoning doesn't guarantee a meat-free product. The safest and most reliable method is to check for the 'Suitable for Vegetarians' label on each individual packet, especially for limited editions, older recipes, or specific multipacks. Being an informed consumer is the key to enjoying your snack of choice without compromising your dietary principles.

For more dietary information and product details, you can visit the official Walkers FAQs page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Walkers Cheese & Onion crisps are suitable for vegetarians. However, they are not vegan because they contain milk and milk derivatives like dried milk whey and lactose.

The standard Walkers Smoky Bacon flavour uses vegetarian flavourings and does not contain real bacon. However, some older recipes and specific limited edition 'Meaty Variety' packs may have included real animal products, so always check the label.

Yes, Walkers has used animal products in the past. Older Cheese & Onion crisps contained animal rennet before 2004, and certain Roast Chicken and Smoky Bacon recipes included real meat extracts around 2013.

No, most standard meat-flavoured crisps in Walkers' core range, such as Roast Chicken and Smoky Bacon, achieve their flavour using vegetarian seasonings. However, limited edition or specialty meat-flavoured ranges might contain real meat.

The main difference is dairy. A vegetarian crisp avoids meat but can contain animal-derived products like milk (as in Cheese & Onion). A vegan crisp is entirely plant-based and contains no animal products whatsoever.

Yes, many core flavours like Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar are vegan. Additionally, Walkers has released specific 'Unbelievable Vegan' ranges featuring vegan versions of traditionally meat or cheese flavours.

Checking the label is crucial because recipes can change over time, and different versions (e.g., standard vs. limited edition or variety pack) may have different ingredients. The 'Suitable for Vegetarians' label is the most reliable source of information.