Girl Scout cookie season is an annual rite of passage, but for those following a vegan diet, navigating the options requires careful attention. The key to finding which Girl Scout cookie flavors are vegan lies in understanding that there are two separate licensed bakeries, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, and their recipes differ. Depending on your region, your troop will use one of these two suppliers, and their lineup of vegan offerings is not the same.
ABC Bakers: The Vegan-Friendly Baker
For those in regions supplied by ABC Bakers, the selection of vegan-friendly cookies is much more extensive. These versions are made without dairy or egg ingredients, making them suitable for many plant-based diets. Always check the packaging, but the following are reliably vegan from ABC Bakers:
- Thin Mints: The classic chocolate-mint cookie is famously vegan and is one of the most consistent options across both bakers.
- Peanut Butter Patties: This vanilla cookie topped with peanut butter and coated in chocolate is vegan when from ABC Bakers. Be cautious, as the similar Tagalongs from the other baker are not.
- Lemonades: Tangy shortbread cookies with a lemon icing, these are vegan when sourced from ABC Bakers. The Little Brownie Bakers' version, Lemon-Ups, contains milk.
- Adventurefuls: A brownie-inspired cookie featuring a caramel crème center, this was reformulated to be vegan by ABC Bakers starting in 2024. The Little Brownie Bakers version is not vegan.
- Caramel Chocolate Chip: A chewy cookie with caramel, chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt, this is another vegan and gluten-free option from ABC Bakers.
- Toast-Yay!: Shaped like a piece of toast and full of French Toast flavor, these were vegan but are being discontinued after the 2025 season.
Little Brownie Bakers: Limited Vegan Choices
If your Girl Scout troop gets its cookies from Little Brownie Bakers, your options are far more limited. This bakery's recipes for cookies with similar names, such as Samoas (their name for Caramel deLites) and Tagalongs, contain dairy and are not vegan. The only consistent vegan offering from this baker is:
- Thin Mints: Regardless of which bakery supplies your area, the Thin Mint is always a safe bet for a vegan choice.
Vegan Girl Scout Cookies Comparison Table
| Cookie Name | ABC Bakers (Vegan) | Little Brownie Bakers (Not Vegan) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Mints | Yes | Yes | The only universally vegan cookie. |
| Peanut Butter Patties | Yes | N/A (Tagalongs) | Be sure to check the name on the box. |
| Lemonades | Yes | N/A (Lemon-Ups) | The Little Brownie version contains dairy. |
| Adventurefuls | Yes (since 2024) | No | Double-check the box, as the name is the same. |
| Toast-Yay! | Yes | N/A | Discontinued after the 2025 season. |
| Caramel Chocolate Chip | Yes | No (Toffee-tastic) | The gluten-free version from LBB is not vegan. |
| Samoas / Caramel deLites | N/A | No | Contains dairy and other animal products. |
| Do-si-dos / Peanut Butter Sandwiches | N/A | No | Contains milk ingredients. |
| Trefoils / Shortbread | No | No | Contains milk ingredients from both bakers. |
Navigating the Sale for Vegan Options
To ensure you are purchasing a vegan cookie, you have a few options. First, ask the Girl Scout or troop leader directly, as they should be able to tell you which bakery supplies their cookies. Second, you can visit the official Girl Scouts website and use their cookie finder to determine your region's bakery. Finally, the packaging will clearly list the ingredients and the bakery's name. Always read the ingredient list to confirm, especially if cross-contamination is a concern.
Cross-Contamination & Labeling
While vegan-friendly recipes avoid animal products, both bakeries use shared equipment. ABC Bakers notes that their vegan-ingredient cookies may be produced on the same equipment as dairy-containing items. For individuals with severe milk or egg allergies, this is a critical consideration. The cookies are still considered suitable for a vegan diet based on ingredients, but not necessarily free from all animal product traces due to manufacturing practices.
Conclusion: Your Vegan Cookie Strategy
Successfully buying vegan Girl Scout cookies requires knowing your local troop's bakery. Thin Mints are a safe bet regardless of location, but for more variety, you'll need to confirm your area is supplied by ABC Bakers to enjoy options like Peanut Butter Patties and Lemonades. As the cookie lineup evolves, with flavors like Toast-Yay! being retired after 2025, staying informed is key for plant-based enthusiasts. By checking your region and reading the labels, you can confidently support the Girl Scouts while enjoying delicious vegan treats.
