Sensations Potato Crisps, Thai Sweet Chilli, 12 x 150g

Product Information

Perhaps surprisingly vegan, any former omnivores who crave a bacon fix might choose these (though how close the taste is to real bacon, we really can’t remember!) Here we’ll present the best vegan-friendly crisps based on the most popular crisps brands in the UK, including the own-brand versions from the main supermarkets. Let’s first run through the brands we’re covering, then we’ll go into a lot more detail for each. Tesco’s Finest range offers high quality crisp options but with a price tag that is significantly below the likes of Kettle Chips or Tyrells (unless they are on offer). Constantly battling it out with Sainsbury’s to be the UK’s second biggest supermarket (behind Tesco), Asda began life in Leeds in 1949. Despite their size, Asda lag behind some of the other supermarkets when it comes to own-brand products, and especially vegan-friendly crisp options. Crisp Name/Flavour

French Fries– While the Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar flavours do not list any explicitly non-vegan ingredients, the manufacturer suggests they ‘contain milk’, so these (along with the Cheese & Onion and the Worcester Sauce flavours that do contain milk derivatives) are best avoided for peace of mind Despite bosses of Walkers (and Gary Lineker) wanting us to believe otherwise, there are plenty more crisps in the world than just Walkers. So, let’s take a look at the main alternative options for vegan crisp lovers. Doritos – Which Doritos Flavours Are Vegan?

Lighter and with less fat than the conventional Walkers crisps, the Oven Baked range take some getting used to for crisp fiends, but they are worth the effort.

BBQ Pulled Pork– Alas, these do contain pigs in the form of ‘pork powder’; interestingly, this is the only Walkers ‘core’ flavour that is unsuitable for vegetarians And, the good news for vegans, as we discuss in our Are Pringles Vegan? article, is that there are a good number of flavours that are fine for those following a plant-based diet. See below for the details. Crisp Name/Flavour Some people love ready salted crisps, in all their banal blandness. The Tesco own-brand version does what’s expected of them and are good value. Very similar to Pom Bears, these monkey face-shaped crisps will keep screaming toddlers occupied for at least 30 seconds. Oven Baked Sour Cream & Chive– Contains various milk products, including cream powder and buttermilkNow branded as Walkers, though previously a mainstay of Smith’s, the rather novel Salt & Shake concept was particularly popular in the days before parents realised that encouraging kids to put extra salt on their crisps maybe wasn’t a great idea. Still enjoying a small niche market, there is little between these and the Tesco version (other than the price).

A cheaper and less robust alternative to Doritos, these are fine as party or barbecue fodder but they tend to snap too readily when used to scoop up salsa. Deli Flame Grilled Spanish Chorizo With Roasted Onion– One of the few flavours of any Walkers crisps to be unfit for even vegetarians, these contain ‘pork powder’, as well as milk derivatives Marketed as a healthy crisp option due to their reduced fat levels relative to standard crisps, these own-brand popped crisps are nice enough without having anything resembling a wow factor. A reasonable (cheaper) alternative to Doritos that will suffice for anyone who isn’t a tortilla chip aficionado. Tomato Ketchup– This will come as a blow to many vegans… the Tomato Ketchup flavour crisps from Walkers contain dried milk wheyUtilising paprika extract and tomato powder instead of prawns for the flavour, these are a nice enough option for those seeking the taste of a 1980s dinner party. Made by roasting and salting broad beans, if vegetable crisps can be included in this category, then so can these. They are very crunchy and surprisingly tasty too, and with just broad beans, sunflower oil and salt listed as ingredients, they are one of the simplest ‘crisp’ options there is. Nothing originating from a pig has been put into these Bacon Crispies, and though the taste will not please everyone (or the concept for that matter), they are fine for vegans to consume if they so choose. Overall though, at least for the vegans who are prepared to risk the chance of cross-contamination with milk products, there is a vast range of crisp options available. In terms of the supermarket own-brand vegan-friendly crisp options, some fare better than others.

Whether you love it or hate it, there is no doubt that Marmite is something of a wonder food for vegans because it contains much-needed B vitamins that are not present in many vegan foods. Some time ago supermarkets came to the realisation that creating their own versions of well-loved food products could be a real money spinner. By creating similar (but often slightly less enticing) products, but charging a good deal less than the big name brands, supermarkets gave consumers the choice of prioritising brand or economic value. This is apparent across many different food product ranges, including crisps. None of the Kettle & More flavours are vegan at the time of writing (which should come as no great surprise for the Norfolk Pork Sausage flavour in particular). Loved by kids (and adults) who can’t resist putting a Hoop on each of their fingers before scoffing them, both the Original and the Salt & Vinegar flavours are vegan friendly.

These parsnip, sweet potato and beetroot crisps are tasty enough though they can make the fingers a little greasy. They are, however, robust enough to dip in hummus without breaking (usually), which is always good. Crinkles only come in two flavours at the time writing. The Simply Salted flavour is vegan, while the Cheese & Onion is not. Now the food arm of the John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose & Partners actually began life in 1904 as a small grocery store in Acton, in west London. Opening its first supermarkets in the mid-1950s, Waitrose gained a reputation for high quality produce and one that caters particularly to higher end customers (it even has a royal warrant from the Queen and Prince Charles!). Another flavour from the Taste the Difference range that is going head-to-head with Tyrells and Kettle Chips, and another that competes very well, all things considered.