15 Best Vegan Cereal Brands to Start Your Day!

Cereal is really the unsung hero of breakfast.

But have you ever wondered how to navigate the cereal aisle with a vegan lens?

It’s simpler than you think!

This guide is your one-stop resource for everything you need to know about vegan cereals.

We’ve included our list of top vegan-friendly breakfast cereals, but if you find yourself wanting to branch out, a quick look at the nutrition panel can help you decide if the box goes in the cart or back on the shelf. For more box reading tips, check out our “Things to Watch For” section below.

Let’s get started…

Is Cereal Vegan?

As a die-hard cereal lover, one of my first questions, when I went vegan, was “can I still eat cereal?”.

I’m happy to say that the answer was (and still is) a resounding YES!

A decade later, I’d say that I’ve tried way more cereals as a vegan than I did when I still ate animal products – and much of that can be attributed to the fact that so many healthy food companies are coming out with vegan-friendly cereals for those with dietary restrictions.

Whether you need a healthy, whole-grain start to your day, or you want to dive back into childhood with something sugary and fluorescent, there are plenty of options that will satisfy your stomach and stay in line with your morals.

Vegan Cereals Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Things to Watch For When Shopping for a Vegan Cereal

Honey

This is an obvious one in cases of cereals like honey-nut cheerios, but don’t trust a box just because it doesn’t have honey in the name.

While sugar in some form tends to be the sweetener of choice for most breakfast cereals, honey can make its way into the ingredient list – especially if the cereal is from a more health-conscious brand.

Sugar

It’s also worth noting that some sugars used in cereals can be processed using bone char, which is not vegan. Opting for cereals that use organic sugar can help avoid this issue, as organic sugar is not processed with bone char.

Gelatin

Boiled down feet? In my cereal? No thank you! Gelatin is a tricky ingredient, and you’ll usually find it lurking in cereals that have a frosting, like Frosted Mini-Wheats, or that include marshmallows, like Lucky Charms (sorry, fans).

Since gelatin is made from boiled down feet and connective tissue from [usually] cows and pigs, this means cereals that contain this ingredient are neither vegan nor vegetarian.  Look carefully to ensure you’re not accidentally adding this cereal to your cart.

Vitamin D3

Breakfast cereals are a commonly fortified food, meaning that certain vitamins and minerals that don’t occur in the food naturally are added in during processing. In many cases, this is with nutrients like iron, but another commonly fortified ingredient is Vitamin D.

Vitamin D fortification can be tricky to navigate, as this vitamin can come in two forms. Vitamin D2 is derived entirely from plant sources, while Vitamin D3 can come from either vegan-friendly lichen or lanolin (sheep’s wool). Frustratingly, the source of the Vitamin D3 isn’t usually listed on the cereal box.

If you see that a prospective cereal lists vitamin D3 as an ingredient, you can usually take one of two courses of action.

First, look all over the box (usually on the front, or near the list of ingredients) for the word “vegan”. This has been a really helpful practice many food manufacturers have started doing that removes the time-consuming process of having to scan the entire ingredient list. If you see the word “vegan” (or certifications like “Certified Vegan” or “Vegan Action”) on your cereal, the Vitamin D3 is plant-based.

The other less immediate solution is to reach out to the company and ask about the source of their Vitamin D3. It won’t be instantaneous, but you’ll know for another trip.

Natural Flavors

Some cereals may list “natural flavors” in their ingredients, which can sometimes be derived from animal sources. It’s always a good idea to reach out to the company for clarification if you’re unsure.

Starting Your Day Off Right – and Vegan!

Whether you’re looking for healthy cereals, bowls of nostalgia, or something in between, there are plenty of breakfast cereals available that don’t rely on the use of animal products.

Many bowls of cereal are USDA-certified organic, use sustainable, natural sweeteners, and are made with ethical farming practices, so you won’t have to compromise to have a healthy breakfast. Look for cereals from companies that prioritize sustainable farming practices and use eco-friendly packaging for an extra layer of assurance.

Should you choose to try a cereal other than one of the ones we’ve listed (there are countless varieties out there), be sure to give the ingredient list a quick scan before making your way to the cash register.

If you see honey, gelatin, animal-based Vitamin D3, or non-organic sugar on the list, put it back on the shelf and try a different variety. Even easier? Look for cereals that list “vegan” or have a vegan certification on the box – not only will you get cereal you can eat, but you’ll also be supporting companies that make it easier to find vegan products.

When it comes to serving, don’t limit yourself to plain non-dairy milk (though it’s a classic for a reason!). Try adding fresh fruit or spices to your cold cereal, warm up the milk, or use your favorite protein shake in place of milk for a healthy post-workout meal.