Doritos are that reliable snack — you can buy them everywhere, and there are a ton of flavors to choose from. But grabbing a bag of those triangle-shaped chips isn’t so simple when you’re following a vegan diet.
Some Dorito flavors are vegan-friendly, while others are loaded with animal-derived ingredients. Here’s how to tell which ones are OK for vegans and which you must avoid.
What’s in Doritos?
Each Doritos product has a unique ingredient list, so it’s crucial to dig into the details of specific Doritos flavors before munching away.
Doritos tortilla chips are made primarily from toasted corn, vegetable oil, and various seasonings that vary based on the flavor.
Non-Vegan Ingredients in Doritos
Certain varieties of the chips contain one or more animal-derived ingredients like milk products, animal ingredients such as natural chicken flavor, and other dairy-related components that make them non-vegan.
Some no-go Dorito flavors for vegans include:
- Nacho Cheese Doritos. Contains cheddar cheese, whey, and skim milk, among other dairy products.
- Cool Ranch Doritos. Includes sour cream, cheddar cheese, and whey protein concentrate.
- Salsa Verde Doritos. Contains cheese and buttermilk.
- Flamin’ Hot Nacho Doritos. Includes cheddar cheese and whey.
- Spicy Nacho Doritos. Contains milk ingredients and cheese.
- Taco Flavor Doritos. Includes cheese and other milk-based ingredients.
- Buffalo Ranch Doritos. Contains various dairy products like buttermilk.
Vegan Alternatives to Doritos
You still have plenty of options if you’re craving that Doritos crunch but want to keep it vegan.
The Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos and Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips, for example, don’t contain any blatant animal ingredients, making them suitable for most vegans.
You can also opt for other tortilla chip brands made with vegan-friendly ingredients.
- Beanfields Bean Chips. A nutritious and vegan alternative packed with fiber and protein.
- Late July Snacks. Their Jalapeño Lime and Sea Salt flavors are vegan-approved.
- Siete Foods. Offering grain-free, vegan-friendly tortilla chips in flavors like Lime and Nacho.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to check ingredient lists for the most current information before buying bags of these chips.
The Bottom Line
Navigating the Doritos aisle can be a bit of a minefield for vegans.
While some Doritos products are free of animal-derived ingredients, many popular flavors like Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch Doritos contain dairy products and other non-vegan ingredients like natural chicken flavor.
So, if you’re serious about your vegan diet, always scrutinize the ingredients list or opt for verified vegan alternatives.