This article looks into one of the most frequently asked questions regarding snacks that are vegan friendly: Are Saltine Crackers Vegan?
Yes! Almost all brands of saltine crackers (aka soda crackers) are vegan! Saltine crackers are usually made from white flour, yeast, baking soda, and topped with coarse salt – all of which are plant based ingredients. Whole grain and unsalted varieties of saltine crackers are also typically vegan. All the most popular saltines crackers brands will be evaluated is the following sections.
Arguably the most popular brand of saltine crackers, Nabisco’s Premium saltine crackers are vegan friendly! Nabisco also sells whole grain and “unsalted tops” varieties of their Premium Saltine Crackers which are also vegan. These crackers have been confirmed by Peta to be vegan.
Nabisco appears to sell these crackers under the name Christie’s Premium Plus Crackers in Canada. All three varieties (Unsalted – Original, Salted, and Whole Wheat) are vegan as well.
Ingredients
Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Soybean Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Sea Salt, Salt, Malted Barley Flour, Baking Soda, Yeast.
The second most popular brand of saltine crackers, Keebler’s Zesta saltine crackers are vegan friendly as well! Keebler also sells wheat and reduced sodium varieties of their saltine crackers which are also plant based. These crackers have been confirmed by Peta to be vegan.
Ingredients
Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Soybean Oil with TBHQ for Freshness, Salt, Contains Two Percent or Less of Corn Syrup, Yeast, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin.
Sunshine’s Krispy saltine crackers are vegan. Interestingly enough, the Sunshine Krispy Crackers and the Keebler Zesta crackers both have the same ingredients and parent company (Kellogs).
Ingredients
Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Soybean Oil With Tbhq For Freshness, Salt, Contains Two Percent Or Less Of Corn Syrup, Yeast, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin.
Target’s Market Pantry saltine crackers are vegan friendly.
Ingredients
Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Soybean Oil With TBHQ and Citric Acid for Freshness, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Yeast), Malted Barley Flour, Sodium Sulfite, Enzymes.
Harris Teeter brand original and unsalted tops saltine crackers are both vegan friendly.
Ingredients
Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Soybean Oil With TBHQ and Citric Acid for Freshness, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Yeast), Malted Barley Flour, Sodium Sulfite, Enzymes.
Wegmans Original and Unsalted Tops Saltines are both vegan. This is verified by Wegmans on each of the crackers product pages.
Ingredients
Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), High Oleic Safflower Oil, Salt, Contains 2% or less of: Baking Soda, Enzymes, Yeast, Malted Barley Flour, Soy Lecithin.
Winco Foods
Winco Foods Saltine Crackers are vegan according to the ingredients listed on Fooducate’s website.
Ingredients
Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vegetable Oil (Contains one or more of the following: Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Palm Oil, Soybean Oil), Salt, Contains 2% or less of the following: Sodium Bicarbonate (Leavening), Wheat Gluten, Malted Barley Flour, Yeast.
Summary
As a perfect complement to a side of hot soup or chili, saltine crackers are great option for vegans ans many of the top brands use only plant based ingredients. However, it should be noted that most saltine crackers provide little nutritional value as the primary ingredient is usually white flour.
Read about other vegan snack options here.
