Like other baked goods, cookies are traditionally made using animal-based ingredients. Butter and eggs are the most common animal products found in cookies. In addition to butter, dairy can also make its way into store-bought cookies in the form of whey. While not as common, there are several boxed cookies that use honey for added sweetness. This is most often the case for graham crackers, but worry not, there are accidentally vegan options readily available.
It’s common knowledge that Oreos are vegan (if you’re just learning this now, surprise!), but these iconic sandwich cookies aren’t the only animal-free option you’ll find down the cookie aisle. Store-bought vegan cookies are more common than you might think—you just have to know where to look.
From soft-baked to crunchy, bite-sized to palm-sized, here are some of the best accidentally vegan cookies to dunk in a tall glass of oat milk.
Oreo
1 Oreos
It’s a bit ironic that milk’s favorite cookie is accidentally vegan, but we’re not complaining. Many of the Oreo varieties are also plant-based, including classic, Golden Oreos, and Double Stuffed. With so many flavor options, we’ll never tire of this classic cookie.
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Trader Joe’s
2 Joe Joe’s
Just like the original, Trader Joe’s version of the Oreo sandwich cookie is also vegan (except for the gluten-free Joe Joe’s, which contain egg). While the original satisfies a sweet tooth, the seasonal flavors are truly something to look forward to. Between the fall-inspired pumpkin, winter-themed peppermint, and springy mango and matcha varieties, there’s always something delicious coming to Trader Joe’s.
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Two Birds Baking Co.
3 Nutter Butters
Once you realize these peanut-shaped sandwich cookies are vegan, a whole new world opens up. Nutter Butters are fabulous on their own (who doesn’t love scraping the peanut butter crème with their teeth and dunking the cookie?), but Nutter Butter milkshakes are next level. Try it! Blend up a handful of Nutter Butters with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream and a splash of non-dairy milk. Dig in with a spoon.
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Girl Scouts
4 Girl Scout Cookies
Not all, but many Girl Scout cookie varieties are accidentally vegan. For the full lineup of vegan Girl Scout cookies, check out our guide here.
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Trader Joe’s
5 Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies
Buddy the Elf would love these maple syrup-infused sandwich cookies. They’re terrific on their own or dunked into tea, plant milk, or, in Buddy’s case, more maple syrup.
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Nabisco
6 Nabisco Original Graham Crackers
Whether you’re preparing for a bonfire or making a buttery cheesecake crust from scratch, these honey-free graham crackers are a safe bet for vegans. For something a bit more fun and innovative, try making our Grilled S’mores with Strawberries and Bananas or our Gooey Vegan S’mores Brownies.
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Fig Newtons
7 Fig Newtons
These original figgy cookies are vegan! There is something about these soft, fig-filled cookies with that distinct grainy texture that is both comforting and alluring. All varieties—from the Strawberry to Fat-Free—are naturally plant-based.
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Newman’s Own
8 Newman’s Own Cookies
If we were to list all the Newman’s Own cookies that were accidentally vegan as singular items, they would make up a good portion of this list. All of the sandwich cookies (Original, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla), as well as the Fat-Free Non-Dairy Fig Newtons, are vegan-friendly.
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Annie’s
9 Annie’s Bunny Grahams
We love smearing peanut butter onto these organic bunny-stamped biscuits. Many of the bite-sized Bunny Grahams are also vegan, including the chocolate chip, birthday cake, and chocolate flavors.
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Whole Foods
10 365 by Whole Foods Market Sandwich Crèmes
Are you sensing a theme here? Most crème-filled sandwich cookies are accidentally vegan. While grabbing lunch at the Whole Foods hot bar, grab a box of the chocolate, vanilla, or mismatched sandwich crème cookies.
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Keebler
11 Keebler’s Vienna Fingers
Oh, we fancy. What’s essentially an elongated vanilla sandwich cookie takes on a sophisticated persona when described as a dainty Vienna finger. Thanks to the hardworking Keebler elves for making a vegan option!
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Biscoff
12 Biscoff cookies
When we discovered these speculoos cookies were accidentally vegan, they became our airplane snack of choice. Many airlines carry them, so now vegans have a sweet counterpart to the salty pretzel standard.
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Teddy Grahams
13 Teddy Grahams
With the exception of the honey variety, these adorable bite-sized bears are vegan. Both the chocolate and chocolate chip flavors serve as a wonderful nostalgic snack. Enjoy them by the handful or crush them and sprinkle on top of a vegan chocolate pudding cup or non-dairy vanilla ice cream.
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Simple Truth
14 Simple Truth Organic Animal Crackers
There’s a slight irony to the fact that so many animal-shaped cookies are vegan. So far, we’ve noshed on bunnies and bears, but animal crackers are known for their smorgasbord of species. We swear, they’re entirely plant-based, and honestly, pretty addictive.
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15 Amazon Grocery Original Sandwich Cookies
Yep, even Amazon has its own version of Oreo cookies. And just like the original, these tasty chocolate sandwich cookies with creme are also accidentally vegan.
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16 Tru-Blu Vanilla Cookies with Vanilla Creme
We told you most crème-filled sandwich cookies are accidentally vegan! These Tru-Blu Sandwich Cremes with Vanilla Creme are also in the club.
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Stauffers
17 Stauffers Lemon Snaps Cookies
If you love the zesty, tangy flavor of a lemon cookie, then check out these Lemon Snaps from Stauffers. The ingredients list is 100 percent animal-free.
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Walmart
18 Great Value Iced Oatmeal Cookies
A few of Walmart’s Great Value cookies are vegan. Next time you’re whizzing around the grocery store, make sure to add these Iced Oatmeal Cookies to your cart. Other vegan-friendly options include sandwich cremes and vanilla wafers.
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For more vegan snacks, read:
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
