Are Oreos Vegan? Try These Alternatives Instead
Are Oreos Vegan? Milk's favorite cookie is surprisingly dairy-free and egg-free, but the answer isn't as straightforward as it seems.
It’s almost impossible to resist one of the most beloved cookies on this planet. Did you know that how you eat an Oreo says a lot about your personality?
Whether you twist it open or dunk it, there is no doubt that Oreos are milk's favorite cookie. Even the Kardashians are in on the Oreo craze.
But are Oreos vegan? It's a question that many people, especially those new to a vegan lifestyle, often ask. On the surface, Oreos appear to be a vegan-friendly treat since they do not contain any direct animal-derived ingredients like dairy or eggs. However, the reality is a bit more complex.
Factors such as the use of sugar processed with bone char and potential cross-contamination during manufacturing might impact their suitability for strict vegans. Let's explore the details to understand whether Oreos can truly be considered vegan.
Table of contents
What the Ingredients Tell Us
According to the brand’s website, Oreos are not certified as vegan.
Here’s the ingredient list for the classic Oreos:
- Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid)
- Sugar
- Palm and/or Canola Oil
- Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Leavening (Baking Soda and/or Calcium Phosphate)
- Salt
- Soy Lecithin (oils extracted from soybeans)
- Chocolate
- Artificial Flavor
At first glance, you can see that there are no obvious animal or dairy products in the list above - making the Oreo "accidentally vegan".
However, if you follow a strict vegan lifestyle, here are a few things you should be aware of:
- Cross Contamination: Nabisco (the manufacturer) produces Oreo cookies in facilities that also process dairy, leading to potential cross-contamination. This is significant for those with severe allergies or strict dietary following.
- Artificial Flavors: They do not identify what type of artificial flavors are used. These can be derived from both plant and animal sources.
- Sugar: Nabisco (the manufacturer) does not state what type of sugar they use. Some food manufacturers use sugar that has been treated with bone char to give the brilliant white color we’re used to.
- Palm Oil: Oreo uses Palm oil/and or Canola oil - but it is unclear which oil they use in each of their cookies. Palm oil is a source of conflict for many vegans as it is a major driver of deforestation and has endangered several species such as the orangutan, Borneo elephant and Sumatran tiger. Many vegans do not consider Palm oil to be vegan due to its destructive nature of the environment.
Vegan and Non-Vegan Oreo Flavors
Here is a list of the most popular Oreo Flavors broken down by difference in dairy and eggs
| "Vegan" Flavors | Non-Vegan Flavors |
| Oreo Chocolate Sandwich | Oreo Cakesters |
| Oreo Gluten-Free | Fudge Covered Oreos |
| Oreo Sour Patch Kids | Oreo Cadbury Coated Cookies |
| Oreo Golden Sandwich | |
| Oreo Mint Creme | |
| Oreo Toffee Crunch Creme | |
| Oreo Lemon Creme | |
| Oreo Peanut Butter Creme | |
| Oreo Dark Chocolate Creme |
What started the Vegan Conflict
The oreo is over a century old, and was first rolled out in March 1912. More than 100 years old, Oreos were actually copycats of another cookie named Hyrox - an unfortunate naming flub that did not catch on with the masses.
Hydrox was the original chocolate sandwich cookie and was kosher. Oreos on the other hand used non-vegan ingredients such as lard (pig fat) in its cookie cream until the late 1990s. Nabisco (the manufacturer) changed the recipe to remove lard from the cookie's ingredients, making the Oreo kosher-friendly.
Removing lard allowed Nabsico to dominate against Hyrdrox against all fronts, and by 1998, it captured more than 95% of its market share.
Nabisco also removed Whey Protein (dairy based protein) in the early 2000s from its UK and US cookie versions, making the Oreo dairy free.
Try These Homemade Vegan Oreo Recipes
Still hesitant to buy these popular sandwich cookies? Then, it’s time to get creative in the kitchen!
Using wholesome ingredients, you can make your own vegan Oreos and indulge in some vegan junk food.
Here are some scrumptious Vegan Oreo recipes to satisfy your craving:
- Addicted to Dates has a no-bake version using simple ingredients like maple syrup and rolled oats
- This nutty version from Rhian’s Recipes is super cute!
- Adventures in Cooking’s vegan Oreos feature homemade coconut butter
- This yummy one from Short Girl Tall Order also looks fun to make!
- The Little Blog of Vegan uses aquafaba for her vegan Oreos. Find out how to gather, store and use aquafaba in this handy tutorial.
Try These Store Bought Alternatives Instead
Looking for a store bought option instead? Try these options that are healthier and taste just as good:
- Newman's Own Newman-O's Sandwich crèmes - Made with Organic Ingredients and has a taste reminiscent of Oreos. However, this is not gluten free and has Wheat as the primary ingredient in their recipe.
- Catalina Crunch Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies - Low Carb/Keto option when compared to traditional Oreo cookies. Has plant-based protein and fiber with minimal sugar, and tastes similar to the Oreo.
- HighKey Sugar Free Sandwich Cookies - these are a great gluten free option for those with gluten allergies. Plus they are low carb/keto friendly. They are however, not vegan as they contain eggs.
- Rip Van LEOs - Cookies and Cream Sandwich Cookies - If you are strict on a vegan diet, try these vegan alternate chocolate sandwich cookies instead. Plus as an added bonus, they are low carb/keto friendly option!
- Goodie Girl Double Stuffed Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies - These cookies are gluten free AND vegan - a rare find! Plus they are great for people with nut allergies - they have no peanuts in their ingredients.
Try These Vegan Recipe Alternatives
Also check out some of our favorite vegan recipes with a huge chocolate kick:
- Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
- Vegan Brownie Bites
- Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
- Chickpea Flour Brownies
- Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Vegan Cookie Bars
- Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
- Vegan Oat Flour Cookies
And here’s my vegan buttercream frosting recipe you’ll use again and again. It’s perfect for the Oreo filling.
Conclusion
So are Oreos vegan? The answer depends on how rigid your vegan diet is.
While Oreos are free from direct animal products, the use of bone char-processed sugar and potential cross-contamination with dairy means they might not meet the strictest vegan standards. For most vegans, however, Oreos are considered a vegan-friendly treat.
What’s your take on this controversial debate? Are you a vegan? Do you buy Oreos or make them yourself? Let us know in the comment section below!
FAQ
Unopened oreos can have a shelf life for 6-9 months. Store in a cool, dry place to avoid mold.
Once opened, consume within 2 weeks. Store in an airtight container to prolong freshness of the Oreos.
The first Nabisco factory opened in 9th Avenue, between 15th & 16th Street in Manhattan. It is also known as the "Oreo Way", where the current Chelsea Market now resides.
Today, Nabisco factories are made all over North America, including the United States and in Mexico.
Most Oreo flavors do not contain any animal-derived ingredients and are dairy-free and egg-free. However, the sugar used may be processed with bone char, and there is a risk of cross-contamination with dairy during production. While Oreos are vegan-friendly, strict vegans might want to avoid them.
Bone char is derived from animal bones, its use conflicts with the vegan principle of avoiding animal products and by-products. It is mainly used in refining sugar to remove impurities and decolorize the original yellow and brown hues that naturally exist within natural sugar.
Yes! some variations of the cookie are gluten-free. Look for the gluten-free label packaging in your local grocery store. Gluten-Free cookies are made with white rice flour (alternative to wheat flour). Check out all the gluten-free Oreo products here on the brand’s website.
More vegan resources
- Are M&M's Vegan?
- Is Cocoa Butter Vegan?
- Egg Substitutes for Baking
- Are Pretzels Vegan?
- Is Peanut Butter Vegan?
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