Opinion 15 ‘accidentally vegan’ snacks to add to your shopping list

Did you know that some of your favourite foods are secretly vegan? From ‘Beef Taco’ Shapes and Pringles to Sour Patch Kids, here are our top accidentally vegan snacks to pick up next time you’re at the shops!

We’ve all heard the age-old question: What do vegans even eat? The surprising answer is that a vegan diet includes a lot of foods that most people already know and love. And no, I’m not just talking about the basics like fruits, veggies, and grains – there’s a whole realm of popular vegan snacks out there, too, which many people don’t even realise are plant-based.

In fact, these days, you can find tasty plant-based snacks in literally every single supermarket aisle.

Some of these tasty treats, however, aren’t specifically labelled or marketed as vegan-friendly – and it’s these hidden treasures that we lovingly refer to as “accidentally vegan”. The more ingredient labels you check, the more unexpected treats you’ll find!

Ready to discover the best accidentally vegan snacks on the market? Here are some of our favourite secretly plant-based discoveries to add to your vegan shopping list.

1. Allen’s Jelly Beans, Spearmint Leaves & Berry Bunch

The humanoid, cap-wearing jelly bean on the packet may be legitimately haunting, but if you can get past that minor hurdle, Allen’s Jelly Beans are a delicious, vegan-friendly sugar boost.

Allen’s has been quietly serving up some of the most nostalgic accidentally vegan sweets on Aussie shelves. With minty-fresh Spearmint Leaves and juicy Berry Bunch lollies added to the vegan mix, these gelatine-free classics are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth (and a soft spot for childhood lolly bags). 

2. Arnott’s Shapes (Assorted Vegan Flavours)

Believe it or not, a surprising chunk of the Shapes universe is totally plant-based! The OG Barbecue, the wildly flavoured Fully Loaded range (yep, that includes Beef Taco, Chargrilled Korean BBQ, and Hot Chips & Sauce), and even the Mini Bites Salt & Vinegar all skip the animal ingredients.

3. Arnott’s Biscuits (Assorted Vegan Flavours) 

Apparently, Aussies consume more than 4.5 million packs of raspberry shortcake biscuits every year. In my mind, this means two things: Our national loyalty to jam-filled biscuits must be unparalleled, and a lot of people are already reaching for vegan snacks and treats, probably without even knowing.

Our national biscuit tin is, frankly, doing the most for vegans. Classics like Choc Ripple, Nice, Lemon Crisp, Ginger Nut and the aforementioned cult-fave, Raspberry Shortcake, are all accidentally plant-based. 

4. Savoury snack heaven: Thins Salt & Vinegar Onion Rings, Burger Rings & Pringles Smoky BBQ 

If tangy, crunchy, finger-staining snacks are your entire personality, this trio is about to become your holy trinity. Thins Salt & Vinegar Onion Rings, iconic Burger Rings, and Pringles’ Smoky BBQ flavour all bring huge flavour – without any sneaky dairy or animal-derived ingredients. Consider your snack stash sorted. 

5. NOMO Chocolate Range

Smooth chocolate, gooey caramel, and zero dairy – what more do you need? NOMO’s chocolate range is a proper melt-in-your-mouth treat that proves vegan chocolate can absolutely hold its own. Choose from Caramel, Creamy Choc, Fruit & Crunch, and more.  

6. Mission Chilli & Lime Tortilla Chips 

Ideal for dipping, crunching, or piling high with guacamole, these Mission tortilla chips are a vegan snack lover’s dream. They’re absolutely loaded with tangy, zesty flavour (the kind that coats your fingers and gets everywhere), making them a great plant-based alternative to cheesy Doritos. 

7. Funday Caramel Chews 

Sink your teeth into these soft, chewy morsels of caramel goodness – completely plant-based, but every bit as rich and satisfying as the old-school kind. Made without animal gelatine and full of that buttery flavour you remember, their vegan range also includes gummy bears, lollypops, and fruity chews. Find them at Coles and Woolworths. 

8. Oreos (Assorted Vegan Flavours) 

Good news for cookie monsters: lots of Australia’s most-loved Oreo varieties are accidentally vegan. From the classic Originals to Mint, New York Cheesecake, and even Caramilk, these crème-filled stacks skip the dairy entirely. Serve with a glass of plant-based milk, and dunk away! 

9. Sour Patch Kids 

Doesn’t your mouth just start watering at the thought of these gems? Unlike some other chewy lollies, OG Sour Patch Kids don’t contain any gelatine or bug-derived food colourings (yep, that’s a thing), so they’re entirely vegan-friendly. 

10. Cobs Salted Caramel Popcorn 

Sweet, salty, and seriously addictive, this popcorn nails the buttery caramel flavour without a drop of dairy. It’s a “How is this vegan?!“ moment with every handful. Find it at Coles, Woolworths, and most major supermarkets. 

11. Kooka’s Country Cookies (Raspberry, Choc Raspberry, Lemon) 

Jam-filled, chocolate-topped cookies that are vegan-friendly: is this heaven?! These country-style classics – Raspberry, Choc Raspberry, and Lemon – bring jammy centres, chocolate drizzles, or citrusy zing in a perfectly vegan-friendly format. Ideal for afternoon tea or a sneaky treat. 

12. Market Lane Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels 

Crispy pretzels filled with creamy peanut butter? Say less! A great go-to when you want something salty, sweet and cruelty-free, this elite snack is available at Coles. 

13. Harvest Snaps (Assorted Vegan Flavours) 

Oh snap!  Light, crunchy, and baked (not fried), Harvest Snaps are a great plant-based alternative when you want something savoury that still feels kinda wholesome. Vegan flavours include Lightly Salted, Black Pepper, Chilli, Tomato Basil, and BBQ — though ingredients can vary, so a quick label check never hurts. 

14. Clif Bars (Assorted Vegan Flavours) 

Big flavour, bite-sized energy, and plant-based to boot. Clif bars are the perfect nutritionally balanced snack, whether you’re heading out on a hike or nibbling at your desk. Many Clif Bar varieties are fully plant-based, giving you energy without the dairy. 

15. Koja Oat Bars (Assorted Vegan Flavours) 

Get oatta here! Think of these as the vegan cousin of a chewy British flapjack: oats, golden syrup vibes, and none of the dairy. Koja offers heaps of plant-based flavours that make for excellent brekkie-on-the-go or a reliable 3pm pick-me-up. 

Still hungry? Feast your eyes on more vegan snacks below!

With mouthwatering vegan snacks to be found just about everywhere these days, it’s never been easier to explore all the benefits – and indulgences – of a plant-based lifestyle. 

There are so many amazing accidentally vegan foods to discover (or, in some cases, rediscover) that every shopping trip can feel like a bit of a treasure hunt. No doubt you’ll find even more options as you browse and get to know your local store’s range, but if you’d like a head start, check out our easy vegan grocery list for beginners or pick up some of these delicious vegan chocolate bars and vegan lollies!

We’d love to hear about any accidentally vegan snacks or products you think we should include in our next list. But in the meantime, happy snacking!