Cereals offer a quick and convenient breakfast option. However, not all cereals are vegan-friendly. Some are fortified with vitamin D3, which is derived from sheep's wool, while some contain refined sugar that's filtered using bone char. So if you're having a hard time finding a vegan cereal, take a look at our buying guide for some tips!
To further help you with your search, we combed through the Internet and found the 10 vegan cereals that are highly recommended by reviewers. Our top pick was Quaker's Life Multigrain Cereal. It's packed with whole grains to give you sustained energy for the day ahead. There are nine other delicious options on our list, so do check them out!
Quick List - Top Vegan Cereals
Quaker
Provides You With Healthy Whole Grains
Kashi
Crunchy Flakes and Fruity Clusters
Andrea Marincovich (aka The Realistic Dietitian), is a registered dietitian and macros nutrition expert. She helps individuals reach their weight, body composition, and specific health goals through nutrition. Andrea specializes in altering diets in order to meet the needs of each client, such as: macro-centered, keto, paleo, Mediterranean, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, diabetic, renal, cardiovascular, IBS/IBD, and GERD diets.
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Picking a vegan cereal is not an easy task. To aid you with your search, we've created this handy buying guide with all the important factors that you should take into consideration! Read on to learn more about what non-vegan ingredients to avoid, and common flavors and textures.
One easy method that will help you identify a vegan cereal is to search for a product with a Certified Vegan logo. This trademark is regulated by Vegan Action, a nonprofit American organization, and means that the cereal is free from animal products and byproducts and is also not tested on animals.
You might also see vegan seals from other accredited organizations like the Vegan Society. Different organizations have different testing policies, so check out their website to check what their standards are and if they are a fit for your lifestyle.
A lot of cereals look like they're vegan, but they might contain sneaky non-vegan ingredients that you might not be aware of. Vitamin D3 is one example. It's extracted from lanolin, a waxy substance obtained from sheep's wool.
Also, some cane sugar might not be vegan. Some manufacturers refine raw sugar using bone char, which is made from the bones of cattle. So check with the manufacturers to ensure that the sugar isn't processed with bone char.
There are many sweeteners that are vegan, though. Some examples include maple syrup, molasses, agave, brown rice syrup, monk fruit, and stevia.
Take caution with natural flavors as they can be made from either plant or animal sources. Castoreum is one of the natural flavorings that you should stay away from. It's derived from the castor gland of beavers and is usually used as a substitute for vanilla extract.
To make sure the natural flavorings work for your vegan diet, you should contact the manufacturer for more detail. Also, don't worry about artificial flavors! They are not derived from animals or plants. Instead, they are made from synthetic chemicals and are vegan-friendly.
If you're looking for a healthier cereal, we suggest choosing a plain cereal that's free from extras. So, check the number of calories, sugar, and salt per serving to ensure that it fits your dietary needs. Many cereals are made from whole grains and contain a high level of fiber and can keep you full for a long time!
Moreover, many studies have shown that vegans are usually lacking in iron, calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. All of those nutrients are very important to our health. For example, calcium and vitamin D are crucial to building strong bones. Iron and vitamin B12 mainly come from meat sources and without proper consumption of these types of food items, different types of anemia can occur.
Iron helps maintain vital functions in the body, and an iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and even anemia. So, if you are concerned about getting enough vital vitamins and minerals, look for a cereal that's fortified with the desired nutrients. If you are unable to find a fortified cereal with these items, supplementation may be necessary to avoid deficiency.
Vegan cereals can come in different forms, including flakes, puffs, and squares. Flake cereals are crafted from corn grits, wheat kernels, oats, or rice kernels pressed into thin and crispy flakes.
Puffed cereals are made from corn or rice grains. Those grains are steamed under high pressure until they puff up. Puffs are light and crunchy. But they might get soggy in plant-based milk quickly.
The grain most commonly used to make shredded cereals is wheat. The wheat grains are cooked and tempered for a long time. Shredded cereals have a nice texture that stays crunchy in plant-based milk.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Quaker Life Multigrain Cereal, Original | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Provides You With Healthy Whole Grains |
2 | Quaker Cap'n Crunch Family Size | ![]() | Sweeten up Your Day With This Cereal | |
3 | Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch Cereal | ![]() | Cinnamon and Sugar for a Sweetly Spiced Flavor | |
4 | EnviroKidz Peanut Butter Panda Puffs | ![]() | Free From Artifical Flavors and Preservatives | |
5 | Kashi Organic Blueberry Clusters | ![]() | Currently unavailable | Crunchy Flakes and Fruity Clusters |
6 | Annie's Homegrown Organic Cocoa Bunnies | ![]() | Treat Yourself to This Chocolatey, Puffy Cereal | |
7 | Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffins | ![]() | Made With Real Peanut Butter | |
8 | Post Wheat 'N Bran Shredded Wheat | ![]() | A Simple Cereal With Only Three Ingredients | |
9 | Nature's Path Sunrise Crunchy Maple | ![]() | Maple Syrup for a Nice Fragrance and Sweetness | |
10 | Post Grape-Nuts | ![]() | Eat It Hot or Cold, or Use It in Recipes |
Quaker Life is a blend of whole grain flours such as oat, corn, and wheat. Each serving provides you with a whopping 20 grams of whole grains to keep you energized. This healthy and simple vegan cereal has a nice crunchy texture and makes a yummy addition to vegan milk or yogurt.
A few buyers don't like that this cereal contains artificial colors. However, it's still a favorite of many buyers as it's delicious and not too sweet. They also love that these squares don't get mushy quickly when plant-based milk is added. According to many, this cereal is fantastic eaten as a snack as well.
Cap'n Crunch original flavor is produced using ingredients like corn flour, oat flour, and coconut oil. It's lightly sweetened with brown sugar and is enriched with many vitamins and minerals. Its crunchy texture makes it great to snack on or eat with vegan milk or yogurt.
The review section is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority praising this vegan cereal for its sweet, fresh, and yummy flavor. They further comment that it has a great crunch!
Cascadian Farm's Cinnamon Crunch Cereal is made with whole grain wheat, rice flour, and oat fiber. It can provide you with 15 grams of whole grains and three grams of fiber per serving. Moreover, this organic cereal is sweetened and lightly spiced with cinnamon for a yummy breakfast.
A few buyers said that it's too sweet or tastes stale. On the other hand, many more buyers think that it tastes delicious, is filling, and is similar to Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
These EnviroKidz Panda Puffs are corn-based and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. With real peanut butter, these gluten-free corn puffs make a great treat when you're craving something rich and nutty. They are fantastic with vegan milk, but you can also add some nuts, fruit, or chocolate chips!
Although some reviewers think the cereal is a little bit sweet, many enjoy its light and crunchy texture that doesn't become soggy in milk. They further comment that the peanut butter flavor is right on and love that they are made with simple ingredients.
Kashi's Organic Blueberry Clusters is loaded with toasted oat flakes and blueberry granola clusters. This vegan cereal is healthy as well, containing 25 grams of whole grains and three grams of fiber per serving. Enjoy this cereal with plant-based milk or top it with some fruit, nuts, and yogurt!
For a few buyers, this cereal is a tad too sweet. Nonetheless, the majority think that it's fruity and nutritious. Another good point for buyers is that the cereal maintains a crunchy texture even in milk.
Infused with cocoa powder, Cocoa Bunnies from Annie's Homegrown makes a great treat to satisfy your chocolate craving. This vegan cereal is also loaded with whole grains to keep you feeling full for a long time. What's more, it's certified organic by the USDA and is free from artificial preservatives.
Some buyers complain that the cereal contains too much sugar and gets soggy fairly quickly when added to milk. Meanwhile, many love its puffy, light texture. They further mention that it has a nice hint of cocoa and provides a good amount of nutrients.
Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffins cereal is crafted with only a few ingredients, including corn flour, whole grain oat flour, rice flour, and sunflower oil. This cereal is also made with real peanut butter for a sweet and nutty taste in every bite. It has no artificial additives and is free from GMO ingredients, too!
Even though some buyers wish the peanut butter flavor was stronger, most reviewers are satisfied with the crunchy texture of this cereal. They also mention that the sweetness is just right. According to some others, this cereal tastes similar to Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter but is less sugary.
There are only three ingredients in this vegan cereal: whole grain wheat, wheat bran, and BHT, a preservative. It's great for those who are trying to limit their sugar and sodium intake, and also contains a high amount of fiber.
This simple vegan cereal is a must-have for a lot of buyers, as it's made with only simple ingredients and is free from added sugar and salt. They mention that it gives them sustained energy and tastes good with plant-based milk and fruit.
This Sunrise Crunchy Maple from Nature's Path is crafted from brown rice flour, whole grain cornmeal, buckwheat flour, quinoa, and flax seeds. It's a rich source of whole grains as well as fiber. Molasses and maple syrup give this cereal a sweetness and rich aroma. It's also gluten-free and certified organic.
A couple of buyers are concerned with the amount of sugar in this cereal. Even so, most find it scrumptious and super crunchy. They like that the pieces are all different shapes and textures. The maple flavor is a nice touch that many customers also love!
Grape-Nuts is a mix of whole grain wheat flour and malted barley flour. It doesn't contain any added sugar and is fortified with minerals and vitamins like vitamin B3, iron, and zinc. It can be eaten hot or cold, and makes a great addition to muffins and energy bars, and can also add some crunch to your salad.
Many buyers highly recommended it as it's crunchy, tasty, filling, and contains many nutrients. Reviewers love that they stay crunchy in plant-based milk, fill them up quickly, and have a sweet taste that goes well with bananas or yogurt.
We understand that choosing a vegan product is tough. But don't worry! We have many product guides that will help you choose essential items for you and your family.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Quaker|Life Multigrain Cereal, Original
No. 2: Quaker|Cap'n Crunch Family Size
No. 3: Cascadian Farm|Cinnamon Crunch Cereal
No. 4: EnviroKidz|Peanut Butter Panda Puffs
No. 5: Kashi |Organic Blueberry Clusters
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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