Doritos are one of the most popular tortilla chip brands, known for their bold flavors and satisfying crunch.
But if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you might be wondering: can you enjoy Doritos guilt-free?
The answer is that most Doritos flavors are not vegan. Popular varieties like Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch contain dairy products and other animal-derived ingredients.
However, there is some good news: one flavor of Doritos sold in the U.S. is vegan-friendly!
In this guide, we’ll break down the non-vegan ingredients in Doritos, highlight the one vegan flavor, and share plant-based alternatives to satisfy your snack cravings.
Why Aren’t Most Doritos Vegan?
The majority of Doritos flavors rely on cheese, milk, and other dairy-based ingredients to create their signature bold taste.
Even some flavors that don’t explicitly mention dairy—like Salsa Verde or Flamas—contain animal-derived natural flavors.
Here are the most common non-vegan ingredients found in Doritos:
Non-Vegan Ingredients in Doritos
- Whey: A cheese-making byproduct often used in processed foods.
- Whey Protein Concentrate: A refined form of whey with higher protein content.
- Lactose: Milk sugar derived from whey.
- Skim Milk: Fat-free milk is used in powdered form in many snack products.
- Buttermilk: Fermented milk is used for a tangy flavor.
- Sour Cream: A fermented dairy product used for richness.
- Sodium Caseinate: A milk protein used as a stabilizer and thickener.
- Cheese: Common in flavors like Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch, made from milk and animal-derived enzymes.
- Butter: Used for its rich, creamy texture.
- Natural Chicken or Bee Flavor: Some Doritos flavors use animal-derived natural flavors.
These ingredients make most Doritos unsuitable for vegans.
Which Doritos Flavors Are Vegan?
After carefully reviewing the ingredient lists of all U.S. Doritos products, only one flavor is vegan-friendly:
Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili
This flavor is free from all animal-derived ingredients, making it the only vegan Doritos option available in the U.S. Certified vegan by PETA, Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos offer a bold combination of tangy sweetness and just the right amount of heat.
Non-Vegan Doritos Flavors
Unfortunately, most Doritos flavors contain dairy or other animal-derived ingredients. Here’s a full list of the non-vegan Doritos flavors currently sold in the U.S.:
- Nacho Cheese
- Cool Ranch
- Flamin’ Hot Nacho
- Flamin’ Hot Limón
- Spicy Nacho
- Poppin’ Jalapeño
- Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch
- Salsa Verde
- Tapatío
- Simply Organic White Cheddar
- Simply Organic Spicy White Cheddar
- Taco Flavor
- Dinamita Chile Limón
- 3D Crunch Chili Cheese Nacho
- 3D Crunch Spicy Ranch
Even flavors like Salsa Verde and Flamas, which don’t sound dairy-heavy, contain non-vegan ingredients like whey or natural chicken flavor.
Vegan-Friendly Alternatives to Doritos
If you’re disappointed by the lack of vegan Doritos options, there are plenty of plant-based tortilla chips that deliver bold flavors and satisfying crunch. Here are a few popular vegan-friendly brands:
- Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips: Available in vegan flavors like Nacho and Ranch.
- Beanfields Bean Chips: Made from beans and packed with protein, these come in flavors like Spicy Nacho and Ranch.
- Late July Tortilla Chips: Try their Sea Salt or Chia & Quinoa flavors for a simple and vegan-friendly option.
These snacks offer a wide variety of flavors without compromising on your plant-based values.
Why not read our guide to microwave popcorn next?
Final Thoughts
Doritos are a beloved snack, but most of their flavors are not vegan due to the inclusion of dairy and other animal-derived ingredients.
The good news? Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili is an accidental vegan option that delivers bold flavor without animal products.
If you’re looking for more variety, several other brands offer delicious vegan-friendly tortilla chips that are just as satisfying.
You may also like our guide to Funyuns.
