Veganism is growing in popularity year on year with people all over the UK opting for a plant-based diet. This includes one in 12 parents now raising their children vegan. There are lots of reasons why parents choose a plant-based diet and use vegan products on their little ones, from dietary requirements to ethical beliefs and lifestyle choices. Bringing the best easy vegan snacks for kids is often key to having a successful family day out.
The right plant-based treats and snacks can calm a crying child instantaneously. But finding the best vegan snacks for kids on the go can be very difficult as so many products contain animal bypass products, even when they do not contain meat.
If you're wondering what kids snacks are vegan, we have compiled the best very best vegan snacks for kids that the internet and high street have to offer.
The best vegan snacks for kids
Best vegetable straws
Image: Ocadowww.ocado.com
The Kiddylicious Veggie straws are a healthier snack option than other crisps on the high street. They are the perfect size for little hands to practice self-feeding and are melt-in-the-mouth tasty. There are four packets that can be popped into any nappy bag as a go-to snack for days out.
Ingredients
Veggie Straws (Potato Starch, Dried Potato (40%), Tomato Powder (0.5%), Kale Powder (0.5%), Spinach Powder (0.3%), Beetroot Powder (0.2%), Salt, Turmeric), Rapeseed Oil
Review: "These are amazing. My baby absolutely loves them and they are so easy for her to hold and feed herself. Definitely keeps her entertained but she also very much enjoys the flavour. Such a great product."
Best vegan breakfast bar
Image: Tescowww.tesco.com
This Nakd breakfast bar is packed full of natural goodness. It is perfect for early morning park trips. Its main ingredient are dates, which will leave your little one feeling full due to their high fibre content.
Ingredients
Dates 39%, Gluten Free Oats 20%, Raisins 16%, Fruit Extract (Apple, Carob) 10%, Cashews 8%, Apple 7%, A hint of Natural Flavouring
Review: "Love this bar , great taste, one of your five a day, good fibre , no nasties , all natural , diabetic friendly and filling , what is not to love ? Great to put in your bag for a snack on those long walks, to put in your children’s lunch box or to enjoy with a nice cup of tea. Great for pcos women / diabetics / pre-diabetics/ hypoglycaemic’s"
Best baked fruit wheels
Image: Tescowww.tesco.com
Bear Yo Yos are to put it simply, so much fun. Children (and adults alike) can unroll the baked fruit wheels ripping off small strips to eat. There's something satisfying about tearing off as much or as little as you want. These delicious snacks are one of your five a day and are made completely of real fruit and veg.
**Ingredients
**Apples (65.8%), Pears (32.9%), Strawberries (1%), Black Carrot Extract (0.3%)
Review: "My two girls love the YoYos.... I have to stop them from devouring the box. My 5 year old especially loves the cards in the packs and swaps them with friends in school. I had been worried about the yoyos sticking to their teeth too much like raisins sometimes do, but we haven't had that issue and we will definitely still be eating them for some time (even mummy has been known to snack on a pack or two)"
Best vegan jam
Image: Ocadowww.ocado.com
Whether it's on toast or on a cake, jam is a British staple. It has the power to elevate any sandwich or sponge cake. The Fearne and Rosie vegan-friendly reduced sugar jam is a healthy alternative to traditional jams which are usually packed full of sugar. So although this isn't technically a snack on its own, it has made our best vegan snack shortlist.
Ingredients
Strawberries (71%), Sugar, Lemon Juice, Gelling Agent: Fruit Pectin, Prepared with 68g of Strawberries per 100g, Sugar 40g per 100g
Best vegan party snacks
Image: Tescoswww.tesco.com
Can you believe it? Party rings are VEGAN! Fox's mini iced shortcake rings are a delicious sweet treat for little ones and parents alike. Enjoy a flavour party in your mouth with this fun snack.
Ingredients
Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Sugar, Water, Palm Oil, Glucose Syrup, Safflower Concentrate, Salt, Raising Agents: Ammonium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Disodium Diphosphate, Partially Inverted Refiners Syrup, Radish Concentrate, Carrot Concentrate, Apple Concentrate, Glycerine, Flavouring, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Hydrolysed Wheat Gluten, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid, Blackcurrant Concentrate, Hibiscus Concentrate
Review: "Bought for when the grandkids come to visit …they love the colours of these tasty iced bite size biscuit rings"
Best dehydrated fruit snacks
Image: AmazonWe love Freddie's Farm Snacks because they are made from 100 per cent British fruit and vegetables from a family farm in Kent. These plant-based fruit snacks have no added sugar and are one of your five a day. The dehydrated bites come in a plastic packing which can be recycled. This set includes 12 packs of 20g snacks.
Apple Fruit Shapes
Ingredients
Apple, Beetroot, Carrot and Spinach
Raspberry fruit shapes
Ingredients
Apple, Raspberry, Beetroot, Carrot and Spinach
Blueberry fruit shapes
Ingredients
Apple, Blueberry, Beetroot, Carrot and Spinach
Review: "I saw these fruit snacks on a recent TV programme and was very impressed by the quality of the fruits, local sourcing of the ingredients and ethos of the company. Bought for my young grandson."
Best vegan gummy bears
Image: Holland and Barrattwww.hollandandbarrett.com
These sugar-free sweets by Free From Fellows are great treats that are made without gelatine, which means they are suitable for vegans. You wouldn't know these sweets are sugar-free as they are full of flavour. A must-have for vegans with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Sweetener: Maltitol Syrup, maize starch, water, acid: Citric acid, natural flavourings, coconut oil, glazing agent: carnauba wax; colour: lutein; colouring fruit and plant extracts: black carrot juice concentrate, spirulina concentrate, safflower extract.
Review: "My son love these sweets and I can give them him guilt free"
Best tomato-flavoured puffs
Image: Ocadowww.ocado.com
This nutritionist-approved snack by Piccolo is an organic puff that melts in the mouth. It's ideal for toddlers and infants who are still learning the art of self-feeding.
**Ingredients
**Organic Corn Grits 46%, Organic Red Lentil Grits 15%, Organic Quinoa Grits 15%, Organic Sunflower Oil 12%, Organic Dehydrated Tomato 12%, B1 Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) <0.1%
Review: "My daughters new favourite snacks. They keep her quiet and happy for some peaceful minutes! Snuck in a couple myself, very tasty and can tell healthy!"
Best vegan hazelnut chocolate bar
Image: Holland and Barrattwww.hollandandbarrett.com
Vego chocolate bars are not only vegan-friendly but they are also organic and Fairtrade. The ethical bar is award-winning and is packed with raw ingredients.
Ingredients
Cane sugar, whole hazelnuts (20%), cocoa mass*, hazelnut paste*, cocoa butter*, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin, vanilla extract* (*organic certified)
Review: "Tastes amazing, my sons favourite chocolate bar by far."
Best vegan rice cakes
Image: Ocadowww.ocado.com
We love these Organix apple rice cakes. They are simply delicious. The rice cakes have a lovely texture for little mouths who have just started trying different foods. They are suitable for a child over seven months but can be enjoyed by adults too.
**Ingredients
**Rice 84.9%, Apple Juice Concentrate 14.8%, Cinnamon Powder 0.2%, Thiamin (Vitamin B1)* <0.1%, Total 100%, *Thiamin (Vitamin B1) has no Organic certification
Best mango snack
Image: AmazonThese gently baked fruit snacks are 100 per cent fruit. Urban Fruit Mango is baked at low temperatures to ensure that it remains full of flavour.
Ingredients
Mango
Review: "We love these in our house, great for work or after school snack, perfectly portioned and amazing value for money- a must on my subscribe and save list"
Best fruit stripes
Image: AmazonThese sugar-free fruit bars are a perfect chewy bar full of the vitamins to contribute to a healthy diet. These are a great alternative to carrying around fresh fruit.
Apple - Raspberry Stripes
Ingredients
Apple and raspberry
Mango - Pear Stripes
Ingredients
Mango and pears
Apple - Pear Stripes
Ingredients
Apple and pears
Review: "My kids love these so much, I have bought 2 additional packs. Great value for money and healthy snack too. Would definitely recommend"
Best vegan cheese puff
Image: Ocadogroceries.asda.com
Not only are these Peppa Pig, making them an instant hit with tots, but they are also delicious. These baked red lentil puffs are a delicious crisp alternative. They have a cheese flavour seasoning but are vegan approved. These healthy crisps are baked instead of fried in oils, making them much healthier than other crisps.
Ingredients
Red Lentil (58%), Rice, Rapeseed Oil, Cheese Flavour Seasoning (10%) (Potato Maltodextrin, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Extract, Salt, Flavourings, Yeast Powder, Onion Powder, Acid: Citric Acid; Colour: Paprika Extract; Garlic Powder, Sunflower Seed Oil), Firming Agent: Calcium Carbonate
Review: "Our little ones love these crisps. Much cheesier than other kids crisps, lovely!"
Best vegan white chocolate
Image: Tescowww.tesco.com
Nothing is better than chocolate. Your little one doesn't have to miss out just because they are a vegan. These free-from white chocolate buttons give their dairy counterparts a run for their money.
Ingredients
Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Inulin, Maltodextrin, Maize Flour, Coconut Oil, Emulsifier (Soya Lecithins), Flavourings.
Review: "These are nice and creamy, and not overly sweet. Probably the best vegan white chocolate I’ve had, certainly the best for the price!"
Best organic biscuits
Image: Ocadowww.ocado.com
Organix has teamed up with the best-selling children's book The Gruffalo to make the perfect vegan snack. These tasty biscuits are made with organic cocoa powder and vanilla extract. These snacks are only suitable for children over one year old. The Gruffalo biscuits are suitable for vegans but are produced in a factory that also prepares milk-based food.
Ingredients
Wheat Flour 38.6%, Grape Juice Concentrate 24.9%, Wholegrain Wheat Flour 20.8%, Sustainably Sourced Palm Oil 5.9%, Sunflower Oil 3.6%, Wholegrain Oat Flour 3.0%, Cocoa Powder 2.1%, Vanilla Extract 0.5%, Lemon Juice Concentrate 0.4%, Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate)* 0.3%, Thiamin (Vitamin B1)* <0.1%, Total 100%, *Raising Agent (Sodium Bicarbonate) and Thiamin (Vitamin B1) have no organic certification
Review: "Great taste, nice and chocolatey but without being too sweet. Great for our little one, have since bought more."
Best strawberry fruit snack
Image: AmazonThese Kiddylicious wriggly worm-shaped fruit snacks are the perfect food for little fingers. This snack is made from fruit puree and is packed with real fruit.
Ingredients
98% Fruit (Apple Purée Concentrate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Strawberry Purée, Elderberry Juice Concentrate),
Gelling Agent: Pectin, Citrus Fibre
Review: "My son absolutely loves these he's got autism & has an eating disorder only likes his " safe foods" these being one of them we go through tons of these and to find them at such a cheap price makes it even better he spotted the box straight away to come and eat 🤣"
Best houmous
Image: Waitrose
This trio of houmous is a great way to elevate any snack. Just pop off the lid and let your little ones start dunking. Whether it's carrot sticks, celery, bread or even, dare we say fingers.
Red pepper houmous
Ingredients
Cooked chickpeas (40%) (water, chickpeas), roasted red pepper (20%) (red pepper, rapeseed oil), rapeseed oil, water, tahini (11%) (sesame seed paste), concentrated lemon juice, salt, garlic, colour (paprika extract).
4Plain houmous
Ingredients
Cooked chickpeas (46%) (water, chickpeas), water, rapeseed oil, tahini (13%) (sesame seed paste), concentrated lemon juice, garlic, salt.
5Lemon and coriander houmous
Ingredients
Cooked chickpeas (48%) (water, chickpeas), water, rapeseed oil, tahini (12%) (sesame seed paste), concentrated lemon juice (4%), coriander, salt, garlic, sugar, green chilli purée, ground coriander, paprika.
Review: "Love the choice of having three flavours and convenience of the small pots."
10.
LioBites Freeze Dried Fruit Crisps
Currently out of stock, but check back soon
Best freeze dried fruit crisps
Image: AmazonLioBites is a naturally sweet fruit crisp. The fresh fruit is picked in season, sliced and then freeze-dried to make sure the maximum nutrition and vitamins are retained, resulting in a sweet, crunchy fruit crisp.
Ingredients
100% Bananas with a trace of sunflower oil to prevent stickiness. 100% Granny Smith Apples with skin on. 100% Strawberries with traces of sunflower oil to prevent stickiness.
Review: "These are really lovely, crisp apple pieces. Very fresh and tasty. My daughter often takes them to school as a mid morning snack, but they are good for lunch boxes, taking on a day out or just eating at home. I also like them as a snack while I’m working as they are very healthy - it’s just freeze dried fruit and nothing added. Very good if you’re trying to avoid artificial sugar but want something sweet."
Vegan snacks for kids FAQs
What is a vegan diet?
What was once thought to be a niche craze has now become a mainstream way of living. The vegan diet even has its month, Veganuary. Veganism is the ideology that you should not consume anything that is produced or a by-product of animals. This means vegans do not eat things like meat, eggs, and milk. Most vegans do this because they believe that meat and animal by-products are exploitative and cruel to animals. An Ipsos study revealed that almost half (46 per cent) of Brits aged 16-75 are considering reducing their intake of animal products in the future.
Is it safe for a child to be vegan?
The long and short answer is yes. Like any diet, it is important to have a varied and healthy food intake. A well-planned and knowledge-based vegan diet is safe for people of any age including children. One of the concerns regarding a plant-based diet is that your child will not receive adequate nutrition. Parents need to be very well informed about which foods provide all of the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy diet. We have included a variety of vegan snacks for kids that will contribute to a balanced diet alongside healthy meals.
Are there any benefits of raising a child vegan?
One of the biggest driving forces for people to become vegans is to protect animal welfare. In raising your child vegan, you may choose for you and your family to take a stand against the exploitation of animals. This will lead to discussions around your personal beliefs and ideologies, which will help the way your little one sees the world around them.
The Vegan Society claims that some research has linked vegan diets with lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
What is a healthy vegan diet?
The NHS advises that to have a healthy vegan diet you need to:
• Eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables every day
• Include carbohydrates in meals (including potatoes, rice, pasta and bread)
• Choose calcium-fortified dairy alternatives
• Include beans, pulses and other proteins in meals
• Cook with unsaturated oils
• Drink lots of fluids
What do vegans feed their kids?
Vegans feed their kids a plant-based diet that includes a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant-based alternatives to dairy and meat. Vegan children receive essential nutrients through fortified foods, such as plant-based milk and cereals, to ensure they get adequate vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Parents may also offer plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh, lentils, and chickpeas. Careful meal planning is important to ensure the child receives all the necessary nutrients for growth and development.
What are some popular vegan snacks?
Popular vegan snacks include a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apple slices with almond butter, carrot sticks with hummus, or avocado toast. Other options include roasted chickpeas, mixed nuts, energy bars made from oats and dried fruit, and popcorn seasoned with nutritional yeast. Vegan chips, such as those made from kale or sweet potatoes, and plant-based yogurt with granola are also popular choices. These snacks offer a delicious mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats while keeping meals plant-based and nutritious.
_Hannah Carroll is a Senior Digital Writer at Bauer Media, specialising in product reviews, how-to guides, and listicles. With a background in Journalism and experience writing for outlets like Mother&Baby and Grazia, Hannah brings a wealth of insight into family life and practical home solutions. As a mother of three, she uses her firsthand knowledge of parenting to offer honest, relatable advice on everything from family tech to fashion and home décor.
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