Are Veggie Chips Vegan? Ultimate Flavors Guide 2023

A vegan lifestyle is rooted in compassion and a commitment to minimizing harm to animals, the environment, and even their own health. It’s about making thoughtful choices that align with these values in all aspects of life, particularly in what goes into their food. A lot of vegans might wonder: are Veggie Chips vegan? In this post, we’ll answer that question and give some additional healthy vegan snack ideas to stock up on. 

Vegans choose to abstain from animal products, not only because it reduces suffering in the animal agriculture industry, but also because it significantly lowers their environmental footprint. Thoughtfulness about ingredients is at the core of veganism, as it entails a careful examination of labels and a consideration of the broader ethical and environmental impact of what we consume. By scrutinizing ingredients and choosing plant-based alternatives, vegans contribute to a more sustainable and compassionate world while savoring a wide array of delicious, cruelty-free foods.

After reading this post, you won’t be wondering: are veggie chips vegan anymore! We’ll dive deep into the common ingredients used, why they are used, and tell if they are vegan-friendly or not. In this post, we’ll examine A LOT of flavors currently on the market so you can make an informed decision on which flavors to choose. We’ll also share a tasty veggie chip recipe that you can make at home to satisfy your cravings for a delicious, guilt-free snack that’s part of a balanced diet.

Vegans avoid all animal-derived ingredients and products. Here’s a list of ingredients and products that vegans typically avoid:

1. Animal Meat: All forms of meat, such as beef, pork, poultry, lamb, and game meats.
2. Dairy Products: This includes milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, and any other products made from animal milk.
3. Eggs: Vegans do not consume eggs or products that contain eggs.
4. Seafood: All types of fish and seafood are excluded from a vegan diet.
5. Honey: Honey is produced by bees, so it’s not considered vegan.
6. Gelatin: Gelatin is derived from animal collagen, often found in gummy candies, marshmallows, and some desserts.
7. Certain Food Colorings: Some food colorings like carmine or cochineal are made from crushed insects.
8. Casein: Casein is a protein found in milk and is sometimes used as an additive in processed foods.
9. Whey: Whey protein is another dairy-derived ingredient often found in protein bars, shakes, and some processed foods.
10. Lard: Lard is animal fat and is used in some baked goods and fried foods.
11. Ghee: Ghee is clarified butter and is not considered vegan.
12. Gelatin-Based Desserts: Desserts like Jell-O are made with gelatin.
13. Certain Processed Foods: Many processed foods contain hidden animal ingredients, so it’s important for vegans to carefully read ingredient labels.
14. Non-Vegan Baked Goods: Many baked goods, especially those from traditional recipes, contain dairy and eggs. However, vegan alternatives can be made without these ingredients.
15. Wool, Silk, and Leather: Veganism extends beyond diet to other areas of life, so many vegans also avoid clothing and products made from animal-derived materials like wool, silk, and leather.
16. Cosmetics and Toiletries Tested on Animals: Many vegans avoid cosmetics and personal care products that have been tested on animals.
17. Animal-Derived Additives: Some additives, like E120 (cochineal extract) or E901 (beeswax), are animal-derived and should be avoided by vegans.

Are Veggie Chips Vegan?

Veggie Chips, a healthy snack with a variety of flavors, can be vegan, but it depends on the specific ingredients and preparation method used to make them.

Veggie Chips are typically made from thinly sliced or dehydrated real vegetables, which are then fried, baked, or air-dried to create a crispy snack.

Are Veggie Straws Vegan?

Veggie Straws are often considered vegan, but it depends on the specific brand and ingredients used in the product. Veggie Straws are typically made from a mixture of potato flour, potato starch, and a blend of vegetable powders or purees, which can include ingredients like spinach, tomatoes, and beets. These ingredients are generally plant-based.

The use of natural flavors in these vegetable chips is a big part of what sets them apart from other chips on the market. The ingredients and cooking process can vary between brands and recipes.

To ensure that Veggie Chips are vegan, you should check the ingredient list for any non-vegan components.

Common non-vegan ingredients to watch out for include:

1. Dairy-based seasonings or coatings, such as cheese powder or butter.
2. Animal-derived flavorings, such as chicken or beef flavor.
3. Honey or other bee products.
4. Non-vegan coloring agents, such as carmine (a red dye derived from insects).

Vegan Veggie Chips typically consist of just vegetables, oil, and seasonings that are plant-based. Many brands offer vegan versions of Veggie Chips, and they will often be labeled as such. Always read the ingredient label and look for a “vegan” or “certified vegan” label to be sure. If you’re unsure, you can contact the manufacturer for clarification. Homemade veggie chips are also a great option because you can control the ingredients to ensure they are vegan-friendly.

The specific ingredients for veggie chips can vary depending on the brand and recipe used.

Here are some of the common ingredients found in the ingredients list for Veggie Chips:

1. Vegetables: Typically, veggie chips are made from a variety of vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, kale, spinach, or zucchini.
2. Oil: Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, or other plant-based oils are often used for frying or baking the chips.
3. Seasonings: Seasonings vary widely and can include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, nutritional yeast, and various herbs and spices.
4. Additional flavorings (optional): Some veggie chips may include additional flavorings, such as vegan cheese powder, spinach powder, or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
5. Starch or binder (optional): Some recipes may include ingredients like potato starch, potato flour, or tapioca starch to help bind the seasonings to the chips.
6. Natural sweeteners (optional): For sweeter veggie chips, natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar may be used.

Let’s Talk Flavor:

To illustrate the importance of checking product labels before consuming, we will list the flavors of a popular brand: Sensible Portions. Although choosing this type of snack is a healthier alternative compared to most snacks out there, some of these flavors may not be a vegan-friendly snack option. Sensible Portions Brand Veggie Wavy Chips flavors are: Sea Salt, Sour Cream and Onion, BBQ, Sea Salt & Vinegar, and Cheddar Cheese. Did you spot the trouble flavors?

Cheddar Cheese Veggie Chips are not vegan because they contain cheddar cheese, which is a dairy product made from cow’s milk. Vegans do not consume any animal-derived ingredients, including dairy products like cheese.

Non-vegan Cheddar Cheese Veggie Chips typically include ingredients like cheddar cheese powder or cheese flavorings, which are derived from dairy. These ingredients are added to give the chips a cheesy flavor. In addition to cheese, they may also contain other non-vegan components like milk solids, whey, or casein.

To make vegan cheddar cheese-flavored veggie chips, manufacturers would need to use dairy-free cheese alternatives, such as plant-based cheeses made from nuts, soy, or other non-dairy sources. These vegan alternatives can provide a similar cheesy flavor without using animal-derived ingredients, making the chips suitable for those following a vegan diet. It’s essential to check the product’s ingredient label or look for a “vegan” label to ensure that cheddar cheese veggie chips are free from animal products.

Let’s try another one: Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws. The flavors of these straws are: Sea Salt, Zesty Ranch, Screamin’ Hot, BBQ, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream and Onion, and Cinnamon Apple. Good news! They don’t contain any artificial flavors or artificial preservatives! But, vegans should steer clear of the flavors that include sour cream and cheese. Also, the BBQ, Zesty Ranch, and Screamin’ Hot flavors contain ingredients not suitable for vegans, including cane sugar and other milk products, like milk powder, buttermilk powder, and casein!

Why not cane sugar?

Cane sugar, the sweet superstar in many of our favorite treats, has a bit of a secret. You see, it’s not always the most vegan-friendly sugar in town. Why, you ask? Well, it’s all because of a character called “bone char.” Imagine this: sugar companies sometimes use the bones of animals, like our cow friends, to create something called bone char. It’s kind of like sugar’s scrub brush in the refining process. They pass sugar syrup through this bone char to make it all clean and sparkling white.

Now, here’s the catch – bone char isn’t actually an ingredient in your sugar bowl, but it plays a part in the behind-the-scenes process. And for many vegans, that’s a bit of a moral sticky wicket. So, they might choose sugars like beet sugar or organic cane sugar, which don’t involve bone char in their sugary tales.

So, which flavors of Sensible Portions Veggie Straws and Veggie Chips are vegan-friendly?

• Sea Salt
• Cinnamon Apple
• Sea Salt & Vinegar

It’s important to note that the ingredient list can vary widely between brands and homemade recipes, and some veggie chips may have more elaborate flavor profiles with additional ingredients. To ensure the Veggie Chips are suitable for your dietary preferences, always read the product label or recipe ingredients to confirm that they are vegan and free of any specific allergens or additives you may want to avoid.

Let’s Dive a little deeper into some of the ingredients of Veggie Chips:

• Spinach powder can be used as an ingredient in some veggie chips. Veggie chips come in various flavors and varieties, and manufacturers often use vegetable powders like spinach powder to enhance the color and flavor of the chips. Spinach powder is made by dehydrating spinach and grinding it into a fine powder. It can be added to the chip mixture along with other seasonings and ingredients to create spinach-flavored veggie chips.
• Potato flour is sometimes used in the production of veggie chips, especially those that have a potato or root vegetable base. Potato flour can be used to bind the ingredients together and provide a smoother texture to the chips. It can also enhance the potato flavor in potato-based veggie chips.
• Tomato paste and tomato powder are not common ingredients in veggie chips. Veggie chips are typically made from thinly sliced or dehydrated vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, kale, or zucchini. The primary focus is on the vegetables themselves and any seasonings or flavorings used to enhance their taste.
• Rice flour is a common ingredient used in some veggie chips. It can be used as a coating or batter to provide a crispy texture to the chips. Veggie chips, particularly those with a rice or rice-based component like rice cakes or rice crackers, may include rice flour in their ingredients.
• Kale powder is sometimes used in the production of veggie chips, especially those with a kale or leafy green base. Kale powder is made by dehydrating kale and grinding it into a fine powder. It can be added to the chip mixture along with other seasonings and ingredients to create kale-flavored veggie chips.
• Safflower oil is a type of vegetable oil that can be used in the production of veggie chips. Vegetable chips, including veggie chips, are often fried or baked using various vegetable oils to achieve their crispy texture. 
• Beetroot powder is sometimes used in the production of veggie chips, especially in veggie chips that have a beet or root vegetable base. Beetroot powder is made by dehydrating and grinding beets into a fine powder. It can be added to the chip mixture along with other seasonings and ingredients to create beet-flavored veggie chips.
• Maltodextrin is sometimes used in the production of veggie chips, particularly in flavored or seasoned varieties. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate commonly used as a thickener, filler, or to enhance the texture of processed foods. In veggie chips, it may be used as part of the seasoning or flavoring blend to help distribute the flavors evenly on the chips.
• Nutritional yeast is indeed vegan. In fact, it’s a popular ingredient among vegans and vegetarians because it provides a cheesy, umami flavor without any animal products. Nutritional yeast is made from a type of yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is grown, harvested, and then deactivated (killed) with heat. After deactivation, it is usually washed, dried, and crumbled into flakes or ground into a powder. It is often used as a seasoning or condiment to sprinkle on dishes like pasta, popcorn, salads, and more, to add a savory, cheesy flavor. It’s also rich in nutrients, particularly B vitamins, making it a nutritious choice for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet.

The specific preservatives used in Veggie Chips can vary between brands and recipes.

Some common preservatives that may be used in veggie chips and other snack products include:

1. Tocopherols (Vitamin E): Tocopherols are natural antioxidants that help prevent the oxidation of fats and oils, extending the shelf life of the chips.
2. Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant and can help preserve the color and freshness of the chips.
3. Citric Acid: Citric acid is often used as a preservative and flavor enhancer. It can help regulate acidity and prevent spoilage.
4. Sodium Bisulfite or Sulfites: These compounds are used to maintain the color and freshness of vegetables in veggie chips and prevent browning.
5. Calcium Propionate: Calcium propionate is a mold and bacteria inhibitor, commonly used in baked goods, including some veggie chips.
6. Rosemary Extract: Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help extend the shelf life of snacks while also providing a subtle flavor.
7. Tocopherol-Rich Extracts: These are natural sources of vitamin E and are used as antioxidants to prevent rancidity in the oils and fats used in veggie chips.
8. Potassium Sorbate: Potassium sorbate is a preservative that inhibits the growth of yeasts, molds, and certain bacteria.

It’s important to note that while preservatives can help extend the shelf life of snack products like Veggie Chips, some people may prefer to choose brands that use fewer or no preservatives for a more natural and minimally processed option.

Snacking Done Right: Vegan Goodies to Satisfy Your Cravings

If you’re like me and constantly on the hunt for tasty bites that are as good for your taste buds as they are for the planet, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of vegan snacking, from crunchy veggie chips to other delicious nibbles that’ll make your tummy and your conscience happy.

1. Veggie Chips: A Colorful Crunch Fest

Let’s kick things off with everyone’s fave: Veggie Chips! Not only are they vibrant and Insta-worthy, but they’re also a sneaky way to eat more veggies. Think rainbow-colored potato chips, kale chips that make Popeye jealous, and zucchini chips that deserve a standing ovation. The choices are endless. Just make sure they’re marked “vegan-friendly” on the package, and if you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand at homemade veggie chips for that extra “I made this” satisfaction.

2. Hummus and Veggie Sticks: A Classic Duo

Ah, hummus! It’s like the Beyoncé of vegan snacks – a true superstar. Grab some carrot, cucumber, celery, or bell pepper sticks and plunge them right into a tub of creamy, dreamy hummus. The blend of savory, nutty, and zesty flavors will have your taste buds doing the cha-cha. And don’t forget, hummus comes in all sorts of fun flavors like roasted red pepper, garlic, and spicy, so feel free to switch things up!

3. Roasted Nuts: Nature’s Power Snack

Nuts are like nature’s little gift to snackers. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios – they’re all there, ready to boost your energy with healthy fats and protein. Go for the unsalted or lightly salted versions to keep things in check. Roast them up to intensify their flavors and add a satisfying crunch. Oh, and a pinch of your favorite seasoning? That’s the secret sauce!

4. Trail Mix: A Snack Adventure

Trail mix is like a treasure chest of sweet, salty, and nutty goodness. Mix up your own combo with nuts, seeds, dried fruits (raisins, apricots, cranberries), and a handful of dark chocolate or carob chips. It’s a DIY snacking adventure that lets you tailor your mix to your taste buds’ desires.

5. Rice Cakes with Nut Butter and Fruit: Sweet Simplicity

Rice cakes are your blank canvas for snacking creativity. Slather on some almond or peanut butter, and then get fruity with banana, strawberries, or apple slices. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a drizzle of agave nectar or maple syrup takes it to the next level. It’s snacking made simple yet oh-so-delicious.

6. Popcorn: Poppin’ with Flavor

Air-popped popcorn, when sprinkled with your favorite herbs, nutritional yeast, or spices, transforms into a guilt-free munchie. It’s a whole grain delight loaded with fiber, and you can totally customize it to match your snack-time mood. Add some nutritional yeast for a cheesy twist or experiment with different spices for a flavor explosion.

These snacks are not just scrumptious, but also in sync with a compassionate and eco-friendly lifestyle. Next time your cravings hit, give one of these vegan treats a whirl. Your taste buds, tummy, and the planet will thank you! 🌱🍿🥦

Looking for scrumptious vegan recipes? Dive into this delightful piece on crafting Loaded Cheesy Raw Vegan Nachos!

Whether you choose Veggie Chips, Veggie Straws, other vegan snacks, or homemade veggie chips, one thing remains clear: vegans are not only making compassionate choices for animals and the planet but also smart choices for their own health.

By embracing a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based alternatives, they are nourishing their bodies with the nutrients they need to thrive. It’s a lifestyle that showcases how making conscious choices can lead to a healthier, more sustainable, and compassionate world for all.

FAQS

What are veggie chips made of?

Veggie chips, a crunchy snack favorite, are typically made from a blend of root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and taro. They’re sliced thin, fried or baked, and seasoned to perfection. But wait, there’s more! Some brands mix in spinach, beetroot, and carrots for that extra veggie punch.

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Are veggie puffs vegan?

Veggie puffs are the puffier cousins of veggie chips. Most of the time, they’re vegan, made mainly from grains and veggies. But, plot twist! Some brands sneak in milk products or cheese for flavor. Always check the label to be sure.

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Do veggie straws have dairy in them?

Veggie straws, those colorful, stick-like snacks, often contain dairy. Surprising, right? Manufacturers sometimes add milk or cheese for flavor, so they’re not always vegan-friendly. Be a label detective to find dairy-free options!

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Are veggie chips actually healthy?

The “healthy” label on veggie chips can be a bit misleading. Sure, they have veggies, but they’re often fried and salted, which reduces their nutritional value. However, if you’re craving something crunchy, they can be a better choice than regular potato chips. Moderation is key!

Veggie Chip Type	Main Ingredients	Vegan?	Gluten-Free?	Calories per Serving
Classic Veggie	Potato, Taro, Beetroot	Yes	Yes	150
Spicy Tomato	Tomato, Potato, Spices	Yes	Yes	140
Cheesy Kale	Kale, Cheese, Potato	No	Yes	160
Sea Salt Carrot	Carrot, Sea Salt	Yes	Yes	130
Sweet Potato	Sweet Potato, Cinnamon	Yes	Yes	145

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What are vegan chips?

Vegan chips are a plant-based snacker’s dream! They’re made without any animal products, including dairy and honey. You’ll find them in flavors like barbecue, salt & vinegar, and even exotic Thai chili. Look for labels that say “vegan” to be sure you’re in the clear.

Craving more delicious recipes? Try these: Favorite Vanilla Cake