From plantbasednews.org
The international snack market is big business and this is the ultimate guide to vegan crisps available in the UK
It might not be the first thing you think of in association with the United Kingdom, but it’s undeniable that Brits love crisps. (Or chips, for US readers.) The savoury scents, countless flavours, and satisfying crunch combine to make crisps of all kinds some of the most popular snacks both here and around the world. However, the UK’s singular devotion to the salty treat remains unparalleled.
Brits alone consume around 6 billion packets of crisps annually – that’s an average of around 150 packs each per year – plus another 4.4 billion bags of other assorted savoury snacks as well, which is more than everyone else in Europe put together. The UK crisp market is predicted to reach a whopping £2.6 billion by 2024, with analysts also noting a drift towards premium and luxury brands in recent years.
Clearly labelled vegan crisps have also become increasingly commonplace, though long before the ongoing boom in plant-based products many different brands and supermarkets were producing “accidentally vegan” crisps and snacks. Because changing recipes and ingredients can be a little tricky to stay on top of, we at Plant Based News have prepared this comprehensive guide to vegan crisps, organized by brand.
(Please note: many of the crisps included in this list contain no animal products, but are not explicitly labelled as vegan due to the risk of cross-contamination during production. Recipes are subject to change – you should always check before you buy. This list concerns crisps in the UK, and recipes may differ in other countries).
Walkers crisps
Walkers is the single largest brand in the UK for savoury snacks. The Leicester-based company produces approximately 11 million bags of crisps per day and uses 800 tons of potatoes to make them. (That’s the weight equivalent of around 20 humpback whales!)
Unbelievable! vegan range
Walkers launched three new vegan crisp flavours for Veganuary 2024, which are Grilled Cheese Toastie, Vegan BBQ Pork Ribs, and Vegan Flame Grilled Steak. The “Unbelievable!” range is dedicated to providing meaty and cheesy crisp flavours without animal products.
“Walkers Unbelievable! Vegan range of crisps – our latest launch – signals our commitment to continue to offer choice to consumers,” said Rachael Smith, Senior Marketing Manager, in a statement. “We always strive to ensure shoppers don’t have to compromise on taste when making a dietary choice. You honestly won’t believe they’re vegan!”
Classic Walkers crisps
Many of the core Walkers range are already vegan-friendly, including Ready Salted, Prawn Cocktail, Marmite, Worcester Sauce, Pickled Onion, Roast Chicken, and of course, Salt & Vinegar. (Ones to avoid include BBQ Pulled Pork, which includes real animal-derived pork powder, and Cheese & Onion, which contains milk or whey powder.)
Walkers baked
Only the Sea Salt, Sticky Barbecue, and Prawn Cocktail flavour Baked crisps are vegan, as the majority of the range contains powdered milk or whey in the seasoning blend. (RIP Salt & Vinegar.) Milk powders might be used for a variety of reasons, including to enhance the flavour or to help the flavourings cake on the crisps.
Vegan Sensations
Walkers Walkers Sensations come in a variety of different vegan-friendly flavours
Sensations (which is technically another Walkers venture, as so many of these varieties are) was created as a fancy alternative to the core range. Sensations come in a mix of flavours, but only a select few are vegan-friendly. However, it’s worth noting that the Sweet Chili Peanuts are suitable for vegans too!
- Sensations – Balsamic Vinegar and Caramelised Onion crisps
- Sensations – Lime & Coriander Chutney Poppadoms
Vegan Squares
Walkers Squares are a super-vinegary lunchbox staple thanks to their strong flavour and big crunch. They also come in a mix of flavours but Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar are vegan.
- Squares – Ready Salted
- Squares – Salt & Vinegar
Vegan Max
Walkers Max is Walkers’ ridged crisp range
The Max range was designed by Walkers around a ridged crisp shape, which the company marketed as holding additional flavour. Launched in 1999, Walkers Max crisps were another particularly iconic school lunch item through to the mid-noughties.
- Max – Original Sea Salt
- Max – Chicken & Chorizo
- Max – Bold BBQ Ribs
- Max – Punchy Paprika
- Max – Chilli & Lime
Vegan Sunbites
Sunbites is another Walkers venture that was launched in 2007 as a healthier alternative to conventional fried potato crisps. Sunbites are made of three whole grains (corn, wheat, and oats) and baked instead of fried. Compared to other varieties, they are relatively high in protein and fibre without sacrificing on flavour or crunch.
Walkers Many Walkers Sunbites are vegan
- Sunbites – Lightly Sea Salted
- Sunbites – Sun-Ripened Sweet Chili
Vegan Quavers
Walkers Quavers make two vegan-friendly flavours, including Salt & Vinegar
Cheesy Quavers might be off-limits for those following a vegan diet, but the new-old flavours of Salt & Vinegar and Prawn Cocktail are both made without dairy products. (Did you know the secret ingredient for Quaver’s unique texture is potato starch?)
- Quavers – Salt & Vinegar
- Quavers – Prawn Cocktail
Vegan Doritos
Doritos Chilli Doritos are a hugely popular vegan crisp
In 1966, Frito-Lay’s Doritos actually became the very first nationally available tortilla chip in the US. Known for their sharp crunch and bold flavours, UK customers have access to just a small number of Doritos flavours, including two vegan-friendly staples.
- Doritos – Chilli Heatwave
- Doritos – Lightly Salted
Vegan Hula Hoops
Hula Hoops have been a UK staple since 1973 and are unique for their hollow, cylindrical shape. (How many can you fit on your fingers?)
- Hula Hoops – Original
- Hula Hoops – Salt & Vinegar
Vegan Discos
KP’s Discos were another 1970s launch and were popularized for their unique texture and strong flavour. There are a few varieties, but currently only Salt & Vinegar are vegan-friendly.
Discos Only one flavour of Discos is vegan-friendly
- Discos – Salt & Vinegar
Vegan Smiths
Smiths crisps were established in the UK back in the 1920s before moving production to Australia a decade later. Initially sold simply as salted potato chips in a greaseproof paper bag, by 1956 the company was producing 10 million packets every week. Both Salt & Vinegar and Salt & Shake (arguably the two classic flavours) are suitable for vegans.
Chipsticks Chipsticks offer some vegan flavours
- Smiths – Salt & Vinegar Chipsticks
- Smiths – Salt & Shake Crisps
Vegan Cofresh
Cofresh is a snack brand that was set up in 1974 by an Indian family who initially produced Bombay Mix in their fish and chip shop. Today, Cofresh has a turnover of nearly £30 million. The core range includes potato-based crisps, Ganthiya, poppadom curls, and more. However, it’s Cofresh’s Eat Real label that might be most familiar to vegans with its chickpea and quinoa-based gluten-free snacks, all of which are vegan.
Eat Real Lentil chips are growing in popularity, and many are vegan
- Cofresh – Chili & Lemon Grills
- Cofresh – Jalapeno Grills
- Cofresh Eat Real Lentil Chips Salted
- Cofresh Eat Real Lentil Chips Chili & Lemon
- Cofresh Eat Real Lentil Chips – Creamy Dill
Vegan Wheat Crunchies
Another classic from KP, Wheat Crunchies are extremely crunchy tube-shaped snacks that come in a mixture of flavours. However, only Crispy Bacon and Worcester Sauce are vegan (RIP Spicy Tomato).
Wheat Crunchies Many Wheat Crunchies are vegan
- Wheat Crunchies – Crispy Bacon
- Wheat Crunchies – Worcester Sauce
Vegan Golden Wonder
Before Walker’s dominance of the UK crisp market, Golden Wonder was the leading national brand. A classic-style potato chip available in a huge range of flavours.
- Golden Wonder – Salt & Vinegar
- Golden Wonder – Ready Salted
- Golden Wonder – Smoky Bacon
- Golden Wonder – Tomato Ketchup
- Golden Wonder – Prawn Cocktail
- Golden Wonder – Pickled Onion
- Golden Wonder – Spring Onion
- Golden Wonder – Sausage & Tomato
Vegan Skips
In contrast to the majority of the crisp brands listed here, Skips are designed to melt in the mouth rather than crunch. Made with either tapioca or maize starch, Skips fizz as they dissolve, and while there have been several flavours over the years, only the original is vegan.
- Skips – Prawn Cocktail
Vegan McCoy’s
Another ridged crisp, McCoy’s are named after the Scottish idiom “the real McCoy” – meaning authenticity, or the “real deal.” They are currently the third biggest brand in the bagged crisps market and the number one crinkle-cut crisp.
Sainsbury's McCoy’s are the number one crinkle-cut crisp in the UK
- McCoy’s – Ready Salted
- McCoy’s – Salt & Malt Vinegar
- McCoy’s – Paprika
- McCoy’s – Hot Mexican Chili
Vegan Pringles
Ocado Whether they’re technically “chips” or not, Pringles are a popular snack
Invented in 1968, Pringle’s were initially marketed as “newfangled” potato chips. Because Pringles are only 42 percent potato, they have long sparked debate over whether they qualify as chips or not – something that both the US Food and Drug Administration and the London High Court have weighed in on. A final fun fact: the precise aerodynamics of Pringles crisps have been optimized for processing with the help of supercomputers.
- Pringles – Original
Vegan Pom Bears
These teddy bear-shaped crisps are also made with reconstituted potato along with starch and paprika. Produced in the Netherlands, Pom Bears are now available in over 30 countries. They are available in three main flavours, and Original (ready salted) is vegan.
- Pom Bears – Original Flavour
Vegan Nik Naks
Nik Naks is a corn-based snack that was originally marketed as a crunchy version of Wotsits. The crisps are known for their almost hard texture and strong flavours.
Nik Naks NikNaks are vegan-friendly
- Nik Naks – Nice ‘N’ Spicy
- Nik Naks – Rib ‘N’ Saucy
- Nik Naks – Scampi ‘N’ Lemon
Vegan Tyrrells
Tyrrells is a widely awarded producer of crisps and snacks, but in recent years has become particularly known for its other root vegetable-based crisps which have a unique flavour. There are a wide variety of vegan options, including both potato and root veg varieties.
- Tyrrells – Naked (without salt)
- Tyrrells – Lightly Sea Salted
- Tyrrells – Lightly Sea Salted Sweet Potato
- Tyrrells – Mixed Root Veg
- Tyrrells – Balsamic Vinegar & Sea Salt Veg
- Tyrrells – Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar
- Tyrells – Sweet Chili & Red Pepper
- Tyrells – Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- Tyrells – Prawn Cocktail
Vegan Space Raiders
Best served fresh from your local corner shop or a leisure centre vending machine, Space Raiders are another classic British snack still popular today. Until 2010, each bag featured a short comic strip about aliens, which has now been replaced with a set of alien “stats.”
- Space Raiders – Pickled Onion
Private-label vegan crisps
In addition to the above is also a huge variety of ever-changing private-label crisps produced by supermarkets every year, and the easiest way to find the latest affordable snacks is to check the ingredients. In fact, many private-label versions of name-brand snacks are vegan whereas the originals are not. (We’re looking at you, Frazzles.)
Some specific supermarket honourable mentions include Asda’s Free-From Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips, Aldi’s Snackrite Monster Claws and Original Teddy Faces, Sainsbury’s Bacon Crispies and Onion Rings, and Tesco’s Finest Root Vegetables & Sea Salt Potato Chips.
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