Nutter Butter cookies have been a favorite peanut butter treat since their debut in 1969. Owned by Nabisco, they’re one of the top-selling peanut butter sandwich cookies in the U.S., with billions enjoyed annually.
But if you’re following a vegan lifestyle, you might wonder: Are Nutter Butters vegan-friendly?
The short answer: some are, but not all. Let’s dive into each variety to find out.
Controversial Ingredients to Watch For In Nutter Butters
Before we evaluate each Nutter Butter product, it’s important to highlight some controversial ingredients that may or may not align with vegan principles:
- Sugar: White sugar is often processed using bone char, an animal-derived substance. The sugar itself doesn’t contain bone char, but the refining process raises concerns.
- Colorings: Some food dyes, like Carmine, come from insects or are tested on animals.
- Palm Oil: While not animal-derived, palm oil production is associated with deforestation and harm to wildlife.
- Natural and Artificial Flavorings: These can be derived from either plants or animals, and their origins are not always clear.
Evaluating Nutter Butter Varieties
Here’s a breakdown of Nutter Butter products, including their ingredients and whether they’re vegan-friendly.
Traditional Nutter Butters
Ingredients: Unbleached Enriched Flour, Sugar, Peanut Butter, Canola Oil, Whole Grain Wheat Flour, Palm Oil, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Leavening Agents, Cornstarch, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor.
Are They Vegan? Yes, the traditional Nutter Butters are vegan! However, they do contain controversial ingredients like sugar, palm oil, and artificial flavoring.
Nutter Butter Cakesters
Ingredients: Bleached Enriched Flour, Peanut Butter, Palm Oil, Sugar, Nonfat Milk, Dried Egg Whites, Baking Powder, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor.
Are They Vegan? No, Nutter Butter Cakesters are not vegan. They contain nonfat milk and eggs, along with controversial ingredients.
Nutter Butter Bites
Ingredients: Similar to the traditional Nutter Butters, with Unbleached Enriched Flour, Sugar, Peanut Butter, Canola Oil, and Palm Oil.
Are They Vegan? Yes, Nutter Butter Bites are vegan. They’re identical to the traditional cookies but in a smaller size.
Fudge-Covered Nutter Butters
Ingredients: Peanut Butter, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Oil, Cocoa, Nonfat Milk, Soy Lecithin, Artificial and Natural Flavor.
Are They Vegan? No, the fudge-covered Nutter Butters contain nonfat milk.
Milk Chocolate-Covered Nutter Butters
Ingredients: Sugar, Peanut Butter, Palm Oil, Cocoa, Nonfat Dry Milk, Milk Glyceryl Lacto Esters, Artificial Flavor.
Are They Vegan? No, these cookies are not vegan due to nonfat dry milk.
Nutter Butter Creme Patties
Ingredients: Unbleached Enriched Flour, Peanut Butter, Sugar, Palm Oil, Cornstarch, Soy Lecithin, Baking Soda.
Are They Vegan? Yes, the Nutter Butter Creme Patties are vegan. However, they contain controversial ingredients like sugar and palm oil.
Nutter Butter Cereal
Ingredients: Corn Flour, Sugar, Peanut Butter, Whole Grain Oat Flour, Canola Oil, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Colorings (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
Are They Vegan? Yes, the cereal is vegan, but it includes controversial ingredients like artificial colorings.
Final Thoughts
Many Nutter Butter products, like the traditional cookies, Bites, and Creme Patties, are vegan-friendly, while others, such as the Cakesters and Fudge-Covered Nutter Butters, contain non-vegan ingredients like milk and eggs.
However, even the vegan-friendly varieties include controversial ingredients like sugar, palm oil, and artificial flavorings. It’s up to each individual vegan to decide whether these meet their ethical standards.
If you’re looking for a more transparent option, consider making homemade Nutter Butters to control the ingredients and avoid these concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nutter Butters Dairy-Free?
Yes, most Nutter Butter varieties are dairy-free, except for the fudge- and milk chocolate-covered versions.
Are Nutter Butters Gluten-Free?
No, Nutter Butters are not gluten-free as they contain wheat flour.
Can Vegans Eat Nutter Butter Cereal?
Yes, Nutter Butter cereal is vegan, though it includes controversial ingredients like artificial colors.
