Trying to work out if Nilla Wafers are vegan can be tough.
Biscuits and other snacks contain vague ingredients such as “natural colors and flavors” and even when you do get a full list, you rarely know how those ingredients were made.
To ensure that you’re only eating foods that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into Nilla Wafers’ ingredients and production process.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Nilla Wafers Vegan?
No. Sadly, these delicious vanilla wafers are not vegan.
Nilla Wafers contain whey and eggs. Whey is a milk derivative, and eggs are, of course, not vegan.
Not only that, but the wafers also contain sugar that is likely to have been processed with bone char.
Mono- and diglycerides are also on the ingredient list. While this ingredient can come from plant or animal sources, the animal-sourced ones are much more common because they’re cheaper to produce.
So, unfortunately for vegan snackers, Nilla Wafers are not an option.
But don’t despair!
There are plenty of other vegan-friendly vanilla wafers and biscuits on the market.
Are Nilla Wafers Cruelty Free?
Yes! Nilla Wafers are cruelty free.
The product is not tested on animals at any stage of production.
Nilla Wafers also don’t contain ingredients that are regularly tested on animals, like artificial colors.
Mondelez International, the creator of Nilla Wafers, is also committed to ensuring that all of its products are made in a way that does not harm or exploit animals.
So, even though Nilla Wafers are not vegan, they are still a cruelty-free product.
What Are Nilla Wafers Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Nabisco Nilla Wafers:
- Whey (from milk)
- Eggs
- Natural flavor
- Artificial flavor
- Canola oil
- High fructose corn syrup
- Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil
- Palm oil
- Salt
- Sugar
Unbleached enriched flour
- Wheat flour
- Reduced iron
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Thiamine mononitrate
- Folic acid
Leavening
- Baking soda
- Calcium phosphate
Emulsifiers
- Mono- and diglycerides
- Soy lecithin
Let’s break down each ingredient of Nabisco’s Nilla Wafer:
Whey (from Milk)
Whey is a type of protein that is derived from milk. It is used in many processed foods as a way to add protein. Whey is not vegan.
Eggs
Eggs are used as a binding agent in Nabisco’s famous Nilla Wafers. They are also used to add texture and flavor. Eggs are, of course, not vegan.
Natural flavor
Natural flavors can come from both plant and animal sources. In the case of Nabisco’s Nilla Wafers, the natural flavors are most likely from plant sources like most other sweet snacks.
Artificial flavor
Artificial flavors are made in a laboratory and do not come from natural sources. They are vegan.
Canola oil
Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the canola plant. It is used to add flavor and texture to foods. Canola oil is vegan.
High fructose corn syrup
A type of sweetener that is made from corn. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient that does not contain any animal products.
Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil
Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil is a type of vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen gas. It is used to add texture and flavor to foods. Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil is vegan.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the fruits of palm trees. It is used as a way to add flavor and texture to foods. Palm oil is vegan.
Salt
Salt is a mineral that is used to add flavor to food. Salt is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a type of sweetener that is made from sugar cane or sugar beets. Most sugar is refined using animal bone char, which makes it not vegan. Unless the product explicitly says that its sugar is “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.
Wheat flour
Wheat flour is a type of flour that is made from grinding wheat into a fine powder. It is the most common type of flour used in baking and is made from hard wheat. It is vegan.
Reduced iron
Reduced iron is a type of iron that has been processed to make it easier for the body to absorb. It is vegan.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin is a type of vitamin B that is found in food. It is vegan.
Niacin
Niacin is a type of vitamin B that is found in food. It is vegan.
Thiamine mononitrate
Thiamine mononitrate is a type of vitamin B that is found in food. It is vegan.
Folic acid
Folic acid is a type of vitamin B that is found in food. It is vegan.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a type of leavening agent that is used in baking. It is used to help baked goods rise. Baking soda is vegan.
Calcium phosphate
Calcium phosphate is a type of leavening agent that is used in baking. It is used to help baked goods rise. Calcium phosphate is vegan.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are a type of emulsifier used in food. Emulsifiers help to bind together ingredients that would otherwise not mix well. Mono- and diglycerides can be from plants or animals, but most are from animals because they’re much cheaper. So, unless the package specifically says that the mono- and diglycerides are from plants, they’re most likely not vegan.
Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is a type of emulsifier that is made from soybeans. Emulsifiers help to bind together ingredients that would otherwise not mix well. Soy lecithin is vegan.
Why Aren’t Nilla Wafers Vegan?
Nilla Wafers aren’t vegan friendly because they contain two clearly non-vegan ingredients—eggs and milk—as well as less obvious ones such as refined sugar and mono- and diglycerides.
These are all common ingredients in cookies and other sweet snacks, so it’s not surprising that Nabisco’s Nilla Wafers aren’t vegan. However, there are many vegan-friendly cookies on the market, so it’s easy to find a delicious and cruelty-free alternative.
Are Chips Ahoy! Vegan?
No. Chips Ahoy! cookies contain dairy products, such as whey. In addition, the sugar used in Chips Ahoy! cookies may be processed using bone char, which is an animal product.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Belvita Biscuits Vegan?
Some of their products are accidentally vegan, but not all. The vegan options are Golden Oat, Cranberry Orange, Blueberry, Toasted Coconut, and Chocolate.
This product has vegan and non-vegan options.
Are Oreo Cookies Vegan?
No. Oreos are not vegan. These popular cookie sandwich snacks contain dairy products, such as whey and milk. In addition, the sugar used in Oreos may be processed using bone char.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Nabisco’s Ritz Crackers Vegan?
No. Ritz Crackers contain sugar that may be processed with bone char and dairy products, such as whey.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Nabisco’s Teddy Grahams Vegan?
No. Teddy Grahams are not vegan. These popular cookies contain honey and dairy products that vegans actively avoid. Only one of the four flavors of Teddy Grahams doesn’t have honey or dairy, the cinnamon snacks. However, it does contain sugar. Nabisco’s sugar is very likely not vegan because the company sources its sugars from many different sources, none of which will guarantee their sugar is not processed with bone char.
Vegan Alternatives to Nilla Wafers
If you’re in the mood for delicious and vegan vanilla wafers, there are many other brands that make vegan-friendly versions of this classic cookie. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Manner Lemon Cream Wafers
- Nutter Butter Bites
- Veganz Organic Hazelnut Brittle
- Biona Organic Hazelnut Waffles
- Happy Day Premium Dark Chocolate Wafers
These are all vegan-friendly alternatives to Nilla Wafers that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Most use organic and natural ingredients, and all are free of animal products. So you can eat vanilla wafers without worrying about harming any animals.
Final Words
So there you have it! These famous Nabisco vanilla wafers are a delicious snack, but they are not vegan. With several non-vegan ingredients, such as eggs, milk, sugar, and mono- and diglycerides, these snacks are simply not suitable for a vegan diet.
If you are looking for a vegan alternative to Nilla Wafers, there are many types of vanilla wafers on the market. Or if you’re feeling creative and interested in making your own vegan, gluten-free vanilla wafers, you can find a homemade vanilla wafers recipe online.
Whether you’re looking for a store-bought or homemade option, there are plenty of delicious and cruelty-free vanilla wafers to choose from. So go out and enjoy a delicious vegan vanilla wafer today.
But as always, be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure the product is really vegan before purchasing it.