Vegan Snacks: Easy Sweets and Treats You’ll Actually Want

• Written by Jun, 18 2025
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Ever stare into your pantry and wish you had something sweet but still vegan? You’re not the only one. The good news: there’s way more than just fruit or plain crackers out there. Tons of regular snacks are already “accidentally vegan”—think Oreos or Swedish Fish. But if you want something that feels homemade, it only takes a couple of swaps to whip up desserts without milk, eggs, or honey.

Let’s talk about basics. Dates, nuts, and dark chocolate are practically the holy trinity of easy vegan treats. Blend dates and nuts, roll into balls, and dip in chocolate if you want to go fancy. You can snack happy, and skip the label-reading headaches. Or if you’re just after something you can grab off the shelf, loads of brands have gotten smart and started labeling goodies as vegan right on the front. Life-changing when you don’t feel like reading ingredients on your phone with one hand and holding a grocery basket with the other.

• Everyday Vegan Sweets
• Store-Bought Vegan Gems
• DIY Easy Vegan Treats
• Making Snacks More Nutritious
• Vegan Baking Swaps and Tips

Everyday Vegan Sweets

Craving something sweet but not into complicated recipes? Everyday vegan snacks don’t have to be tricky or tasteless. You’ve probably got half the stuff you need sitting in your kitchen right now. Grab a banana, toss on some peanut butter, and sprinkle with a few dark chocolate chips—bam, instant dessert.

Lots of cereals are already vegan-friendly. Think Rice Krispies (the regular kind without added vitamin D3), original Cheerios, or even Cornflakes. Just check the label for honey or milk powders. If you want a fast and healthy treat, mix any of those cereals with a handful of berries and a splash of almond or oat milk. It tastes like dessert, but you get the bonus of fiber and vitamins.

Looking for something crunchy? Air-popped popcorn drizzled with melted coconut oil and a little maple syrup can easily become a light dessert. Or, try freezing grapes or blueberries—once frozen, they get this candy-like crunch that’s totally different from eating them fresh. My cat Muffin will literally glare at me until I give her a frozen blueberry—yes, cats are weirdly obsessed with vegan snacks sometimes.

"Everyone thinks going vegan means giving up treats, but snacks like nut butter on fruit or coconut yogurt with granola are as satisfying as any non-vegan option." — Isa Chandra Moskowitz, vegan chef and cookbook author

Quick tip: Keep a jar of dates in your fridge. They’re sweet, chewy, and packed with potassium and fiber. Split a date, spread a bit of almond butter in the middle, and top with a sprinkle of sea salt. It tastes like salted caramel and takes less than a minute to make. Or, if you want something even quicker, grab a handful of pistachios and add a square of vegan snacks chocolate—it’s super filling and hits that sweet-salty combo.

If you keep your pantry stocked with a few basics, having vegan sweets is never complicated. You just need a little creativity and maybe a stubborn cat who thinks dessert is for sharing.

Store-Bought Vegan Gems

People think vegan snacks are boring, but grocery aisles are actually packed with solid options. These aren’t just “weird health food” snacks. I mean popular treats you probably buy already, just without the animal products.

Take Oreos—they’ve been vegan for ages; the classic recipe uses plant-based oil and no dairy. Skittles dropped gelatin back in 2010, making them safe for vegans. Major brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Haagen-Dazs, and Magnum are all cranking out non-dairy ice cream pints now, and they seriously taste just as good as the originals. Even chewy candy like Sour Patch Kids or Airheads make the cut because they skip gelatin and beeswax.

• Oreos (most flavors)
• Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Pints
• Trader Joe’s Soft Baked Snickerdoodles
• Larabar (almost all flavors)
• HIPPEAS Chickpea Puffs
• Barnana Banana Bites
• Skittles & Sour Patch Kids

If you miss snacking on chocolate bars, check out brands like Enjoy Life or Theo—they’re soy- and nut-free by default and never use milk. Kind bars are also marked vegan if you want something that feels like a grown-up candy bar.

Some facts for label nerds: the vegan food market in the U.S. hit over $8 billion in 2023, according to the Good Food Institute. About 48% of Americans bought at least one vegan product last year (I’m betting snacks were high on that list). Even 7-Eleven sells vegan treats in their stores. See what you might spot next time you swing by the checkout:

Don’t forget about accidentally vegan favorites like Ritz Crackers or even Cracker Jack (as of 2024). Always peep the label, as recipes change. If you use store apps, just punch "vegan snacks" into the search bar and you’ll find a surprising amount of choice. Easiest snack run ever.

DIY Easy Vegan Treats

You don’t need to be a chef (or even brave) to tackle easy vegan snacks at home. Most recipes use stuff you probably already have: oats, nut butters, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Ditch the idea that vegan means fancy or weird—here are some no-fuss ideas that get the job done and taste awesome.

Let’s start with three-ingredient banana cookies. Mash up two ripe bananas, mix in a cup of rolled oats, and stir in your favorite add-ins—chocolate chips, nuts, maybe a pinch of cinnamon. Spoon them onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. Zero dairy, no eggs, and they taste like a treat you’d sneak for breakfast.

• Energy Bites: Mix 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1/2 cup mini vegan chocolate chips. Roll into balls and chill. No baking needed, and they hold up in lunchboxes.
• Dairy-Free Pudding: Blend one ripe avocado with 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Chill for a creamy, chocolatey dessert.
• Chia Pudding: Mix 3 tablespoons chia seeds with 1 cup plant milk and a touch of vanilla. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, top with berries or granola.

You can even make microwave mug cakes with just flour, sugar, baking powder, plant milk, oil, and cocoa powder. Stir everything in a mug and zap it for about a minute. Perfect when you want dessert but not dishes.

Check out this quick rundown of how long you can expect these treats to stay fresh:

One quick tip: swap in almond butter or sunflower seed butter for peanut butter if you’ve got allergies, and always double-check your chocolate is dairy-free. And if you want extra crunch, toss in some pumpkin seeds or toasted coconut. These treats keep snack time simple, sweet, and totally plant-based.

Making Snacks More Nutritious

It’s way too easy to load up on sugar with vegan desserts, but bumping up the nutrition just takes a little planning. Swapping in whole ingredients gives you more fiber, protein, and good fats—so your snack doesn’t just taste great, it actually fills you up. That way, you won’t get hangry between meals.

Think nuts, seeds, and whole grains for boosting the staying power of any vegan sweets. For example, adding flaxseed or chia seeds to your cookies or brownies not only gives a crunch but also adds omega-3s and fiber. I toss hemp seeds on top of my energy balls—it’s an easy win and you don’t even notice the taste.

• Blend beans (like chickpeas or black beans) into brownies or cookie dough. Sounds weird, but they amp up the protein and you can’t taste them once they’re mixed with cocoa or peanut butter.
• Use oat flour instead of regular flour to sneak more whole grains into your baked snacks.
• Try non-dairy yogurt dips as a creamy topping for fruit or muffins—extra probiotics, plus it makes snacks more fun.

Here’s a quick look at the nutrition boost you get when you pick smarter swaps for your vegan snacks:

If you make snacks ahead, store them in single portions for grab-and-go days. I stack snack bags in the fridge when I’m busy—much easier to choose homemade over packaged when you’re hungry or in a rush. And don’t be scared of fats from nuts and seeds. Healthy fats actually keep you satisfied longer, and your body needs them anyway.

Vegan Baking Swaps and Tips

If you’re aiming for that chewy cookie or fudgy brownie but want to keep it vegan, you’ll need a few solid swap tricks. Baking without eggs or dairy doesn’t mean dry or bland—honestly, my kitchen experiments say otherwise (just ask Muffin, she’s always sniffing around for the crumbs). So what exactly should you keep handy for your next baking session?

• Flax or Chia “Eggs”: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water. Let it sit a few minutes until it’s thick, then use it like a real egg in most baked goods.
• Banana or Applesauce: Half a mashed banana or about a quarter cup of unsweetened applesauce makes things moist, sweet, and sticky. They’re awesome in muffins, pancakes, or quick breads.
• Plant Milks: Oat or soy milk works just like dairy in cakes or muffins. No need for fancy blends—regular store brands do the job.
• Dairy-Free Butter: These come in tubs or sticks and melt just like the regular stuff. If you want coconut flavor, use coconut oil, but for that classic taste, go for vegan butters labeled for baking.

Don’t forget, not all sugars are vegan. White sugar in the U.S. is sometimes filtered through bone char. Organic, beet, or any sugar labeled vegan is safe.

Here’s a cheat sheet for swapping the usual baking ingredients:

If you want your vegan snacks to actually taste good, start by measuring carefully. Vegan baking is a little fussier—don’t eyeball ingredients. If a recipe flops, adjust baking time or switch up the egg or milk substitute next round. Try combos, like using both applesauce and flax eggs, until you nail the texture you crave. And don’t be shy about taste-tasting the batter. No raw eggs means it’s safe, so dig in while you bake.