Although I’m still a fairly new vegan, I’ve got the basics down: no cheese, eggs, meats.

This new lifestyle means passing up on all those delicious chocolate bars and fresh baked cookies, which at times can be super difficult. Yearning for a sugar fix has fueled me to find substitute snacks.

To all my vegan friends out there, I’m happy to say I’ve discovered a hidden world of unintentionally vegan goodies.  I love kale as much as the next plant-based eater, but sometimes it’s necessary to indulge, yet still tray true to your diet.

Here are 5 tasty (and surprisingly) vegan snacks to spoil yourself:

1. Oreos: How exciting is it to find out Milk’s favorite cookie is vegan? While Oreos might have a creamy center, you won’t find an ounce of dairy in this cookie.
2. Swedish Fish: I had to do some “fishing” to find out if these delicious red candies met vegan standards, but turns out they do! Take a look at the ingredients list next time you snack on these little guys, no gelatin whatsoever.
3. Vienna Fingers:  Keebler’s delicious cookie passes the test. This scrumptious treat is not a vegan cookie, it just happens to be a cookie that is vegan.
4. Unfrosted PopTarts: If you avoid the frosting, you’re in the clear. These breakfast delights are sure to satisfy your sweets craving.
5. Twizzlers:  I was pleased to find this gummy candy is gelatin-free and landed on PETA’s accidentally vegan food list. 

Ok, ok. It’s nice to find out these processed treats are vegan, but I know we’d all rather snack locally.

Here are 5 of the best local, delightful vegan treats:

1. 

   Chocolate Uber Chuck: Take a trip over to Vedge on Locust Street to try out this pretzel-peanut crust, malt custard, stout ice cream. Can you say yum?

2.  Orange Cranberry Loaf with Orange Glaze: Sweet freedom bakery is not only the place where you’ll find this mouthwatering necessity, but Philadelphia’s first and only vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly bakery!
3. The Five Dollar Shake: Take your pick from Chocolate, Vanilla or Orangesicle. You’ll find these vegans shakes at one of my favorite Philly hot-spots, HipCityVeg
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie: The Vegan Commission is home to an array of plant based foods, and enchanting deserts. Head over to South Street for a pie with two of my favorite things, chocolate and peanut butter. Don’t tell me your mouth isn’t watering just thinking about them.
5. Vegan French Toast: Who doesn’t love to start off their day with a little French toast? Green Eggs Cafe is famous for their golden wheat bread dipped in a soy based batter topped with your choice of fruit and/or non-dairy whipped cream.

To my fellow vegan & vegetarians out there, where is your favorite place to eat local treats in the city?

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Julia Knable was an Editorial Intern in 2014. She studied Marketing and Management Information Systems at the Fox School at Temple University. After a summer internship at Terracycle inspired her to learn about what she could do to help and protect our ever-changing planet, she ended up with a stint at Green Philly. Along with her passion for sustainability, Julia enjoys exploring Philadelphia and trying all the vegetarian hotspots she can get her hands on. View all posts by Julia Knable