All vegan snacks are not created equal. Consider that Oreos, potato chips, and Cracker Jacks are all technically vegan—the same category that we can file apples, oranges, and almonds! And while I wish I could say that the first thing I reach for when I’m feeling hungry between meals is a piece of fresh fruit or healthy carrot sticks, the truth is that I’m more often tempted by something sweet enrobed in chocolate.
Thankfully, there is a middle ground where super-convenient, unprocessed, no-sugar-added vegan snacks exist, and many of them are not only tasty, but actually good for you, too! The next time you have a hankering for something salty and crunchy or sweet and chewy (or a combination of the two), consider some of my favorite go-to treats that taste indulgent, but are still made from nutritious, plant-based ingredients.
Colleen’s Favorite Healthy Vegan Snacks
- Frooze Balls
These little spheres of goodness are made with simple, whole, non-GMO ingredients—dates, peanuts, coconut, hazelnuts, strawberries—and their packaging is 100-percent recyclable. But more importantly, they taste AMAZING! My favorites are Choc Hazelnut, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Lemon Cheesecake. - Wholesome Bars from OHi
My all-time favorite bar is a superfood powerhouse masquerading as a treat. Berries, seeds, and nuts give texture and a satisfying chew, and maca, spirulina, and organic reishi mushrooms bring health-supporting properties to the party. I highly recommend the Coconut Macadamia and Peanut Butter flavors! - RIND Snacks Dried Fruit Superfood Packs
Food waste is a huge problem in the United States, and RIND is doing its part to negate that waste by making packaged dried fruit with the peels left on. I love the tart and tangy combinations, including orange-pineapple-kiwi and strawberry-pear-apple. And if you haven’t tried dried watermelon yet, you’re in for a pleasant surprise! - Kale Chips from Rhythm Superfoods
What began as a kale-chip experiment at a tiny Texas juice bar morphed into a wellness snack brand that takes organic fruits and vegetables and transforms them into a snack bursting with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and flavor. Try the Kool Ranch and Bombay Curry flavors. They are EVERYTHING! - Superfood Trail Mix from Essential Living Foods
I love anything that’s vegan and organic AND made with cacao, and this trail mix ticks all the boxes. The chewy dried fruit combined with crunchy Brazil nuts and cacao nibs keeps it interesting, and knowing that the company supports indigenous farming communities adds even more good vibes to the snacking experience. - Leafy Green Chips from Forager Project
Brown rice, kale, and spinach are an amazing combo—especially when they find their way into a crunchy chip that even your gluten-free friends can enjoy. Supporting vegan family-owned companies is important to me, so I always feel good about buying these (and other tasty Forager products). And did I mention they’re organic, too? - Organic Kids’ Bars from Skout
Pro tip: if you’re just a tiny bit hungry, kid-size snacks are the perfect solution. These bars are diminutive in size but big in fresh fruity flavor, all from whole, organic foods. My favorite flavors are Blueberry Blast, made simply with dates, blueberries, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and Raspberry Rush, which tastes like just-picked berries. - Sprouted Nuts from Healthy Truth
I’m a fan of just about any kind of nut, but sprouted nuts have the added benefit of being easier to digest and higher in both antioxidants and micronutrients. I always have a bag of their organic sprouted cashews and almonds on hand for not just healthy snacks, but for tossing onto salads for extra oomph.