If you’re a vegan and thought Pringles would have your back in the snack aisle, think again. For plant-based snackers, the Pringles range in the UK might make you shed a salty tear.
You’d think that a brand famous for its “once you pop, you can’t stop” tagline would give us a variety of cruelty-free options. But nope. Instead, Pringles has become the snack aisle’s biggest letdown for vegans.
Pringles Original – The Lone Crisp Standing

We’ve put together a list of all the vegan-friendly Pringles flavours currently available in the UK (hint: it didn’t take long).
Let’s not waste time, here’s the full list of vegan-friendly Pringles flavours available in the UK:
- Pringles Original.
That’s it. Just the OG.
Unlike many other flavours, it skips out on milk powders or other animal-derived ingredients. Plus, the emulsifier (E471) used in Pringles is plant-based.
Sure, the original flavour is a classic, but let’s be real, no spicy kick, no smoky paprika, no salt and vinegar, no tangy barbecue joy. Just original, sitting there like a lone island of vegan hope in a sea of disappointment.
But hey, pair it with some hummus, salsa or guacamole, and you’ll have all the flavour and crunch your taste buds could ever want.
To rub salt (pun intended) into the wound, many flavours that used to be vegan have sneakily added milk powder or whey over the years. Yep, flavours like Smokey Bacon and Texas BBQ were once safe picks, but now they’re off-limits.
It’s like Pringles decided to gatekeep the fun for no apparent reason.

Why Aren’t The Other Flavours Vegan?
Many of the Pringles flavours contain milk-derived ingredients, making them unsuitable for vegans. Unfortunately, this wasn’t always the case.
In 2021, Pringles made the controversial decision to reformulate several of its recipes, adding milk-based ingredients to flavours that were previously vegan-friendly.
This move disappointed vegans worldwide, as it drastically reduced the number of plant-based options in their range.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the non-vegan ingredients in popular flavours:
- Sour Cream & Onion: Sour cream powder, whey powder and milk proteins.
- Salt & Vinegar: Lactose.
- Texas BBQ Sauce: Lactose.
- Cheese & Onion: Cheese powder and lactose.
- Paprika: Whey powder.
- Hot & Spicy: Whey powder and milk proteins.
- Prawn Cocktail: Skimmed milk powder and milk proteins.
- Smokey Bacon: Whey powder.
Budget-Friendly Heroes: Aldi and Lidl’s Pringle Alternatives

If Pringles Original feels a little… lonely, don’t worry, Aldi and Lidl have your back.
These budget-friendly champions have stepped up to offer vegan Pringle alternatives that pack just as much crunch and flavour as the real Pringles.
Aldi’s Snakrite Stackz are a solid go-to. Their BBQ and original ready-salted flavours are vegan-friendly.
Over at Lidl, the Snaktastic options bring similar vibes. Texas BBQ and Original are suitable for vegans.
So, if Pringles has let you down, these supermarket legends might just become your new snacking best mates.
Not only do these alternatives taste great, but they’re also lighter on your wallet. They are around half the price of Pringles, so you’re getting more crunch for your cash!
What About Pringles HOT?

If you’re a fan of fiery flavours and bold spices, the Pringles HOT range might have caught your eye.
With flavours like:
- HOT Smokin’ BBQ Ribs
- HOT Flamin’ Cheese
- HOT Sweet Chilli Flavour
- HOT Kickin’ Sour Cream
- HOT Mexican Chilli & Lime Flavour
…they sound like the ultimate snack for heat-seekers. But for vegans? It’s a no-go.
Here’s why these spicy crisps are off the table…
Animal-Derived Ingredients
Despite their spicy allure, most of the Pringles HOT flavours contain milk-based ingredients, such as…
- Whey permeate powder
- Lactose
- Cheese powder
- Buttermilk powder
- Milk powder
- Milk proteins
- Sour cream powder
Flavours like HOT Flamin’ Cheese and HOT Kickin’ Sour Cream make their dairy content obvious in the name, but others, like HOT Smokin’ BBQ Ribs and HOT Sweet Chilli Flavour, sneak milk-derived ingredients into their recipes.
Even spicy-sounding options like HOT Mexican Chilli & Lime aren’t safe, as they too include dairy components.
Missed Opportunity
What’s frustrating is that these flavours could easily be made vegan. Other brands have nailed dairy-free spicy crisps, so why can’t Pringles?
It feels like a missed opportunity for the brand to cater to the growing plant-based snacking market.
What’s the Alternative to Pringles HOT?

If the Pringles HOT range has left you with a chilli craving, here are some vegan-friendly spicy alternatives to try instead…
- Doritos Chilli Heatwave – A classic option with plenty of kick.
- Walkers Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli – Packed with heat and flavour, these crisps are a fan favourite.
- Tesco Fiery Chilli Mix – An affordable, vegan-friendly snack mix for spice lovers.
- Co-op Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps – Perfect for those who love a balance of sweetness and spice.
So, while the Pringles HOT range doesn’t cater to vegans, there are plenty of fiery, vegan-friendly alternatives to keep your taste buds happy.
The Bottom Line
Pringles may have slim pickings for vegans, but at least Original remains a reliable classic.
While the lack of options from Pringles is disappointing, the good news is that there’s no shortage of vegan-friendly crisps in the UK. Aldi, Lidl and even high-street favourites like Walkers, KP Snacks, Seabrook and Tyrrells offer plenty of variety to keep your snacking game strong.
Which vegan-friendly crisps are your go-to? Let us know in the comments, we love a good snack debate!

Jac has been vegan for 15 years – long enough to wonder if tofu owes her a loyalty card. Hailing from Scotland, she enjoys the breathtaking scenery and believes vegan haggis deserves more appreciation. A proud mum to a curious and energetic daughter, Jac spends her time hiking scenic trails, devouring books, practicing yoga, honing her badminton skills, and creating colourful artwork with her trusty colouring pens. She’s passionate about living a vibrant, compassionate, and cruelty-free life, all while championing the magic of tofu.
Really appreciate the heads up on Aldi and Lidl’s alternatives! Always on the lookout for less expensive ways to enjoy my vegan snacks. Has anyone tried them yet? How do they stack up compared to the real deal?
I’ve tried the Lidl’s version, and they’re pretty good! Not exactly the same, but for the price, totally worth it.
yea tried both aldi & lidl, aldi’s kinda better tbh. price makes it even sweeter lol
Spar do crisps that are pretty much pringles, and are vegan! The paprika flavour is great, especially with some houmous. They have a hot & spicy flavour too.