Is Cheez-It Vegan?
Not Vegan
Not certifiedCheez-It crackers are not vegan. Every flavor in the lineup is built around real dairy cheese, with the original variety listing skim milk, whey protein, and cheese cultures as core ingredients. There is no dairy-free version sold under the Cheez-It brand.
The catch: The entire product line is made with real dairy cheese. The brand itself advertises "100% real cheese" as its defining feature, so this is not a trace-amount concern or a cross-contamination question. Dairy is the product.
Category
Snacks
Verdict
Not Vegan
Brand
Kellanova (formerly Kellogg's)
Cheez-It Original ingredients (as listed on the Kellanova SmartLabel): enriched flour, vegetable oil, and cheese made with skim milk (skim milk, whey protein, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes, annatto extract color). That cheese component is the main ingredient after flour and oil.
Every other flavor follows the same pattern: White Cheddar uses full-fat milk cheese, Pepper Jack adds milk-based pepper jack, and the 2025-launched Cheez-It Crunch line (Kick'n Nacho Cheese, Zesty Jalapeno Cheddar, Sharp White Cheddar) all still feature real dairy cheese as the central ingredient. There are no regional US vs.
international formulation differences that remove dairy. Some flavors also contain buttermilk.
Palm oil is present in the vegetable oil blend, which is a separate concern for some vegans beyond the dairy issue. No flavor of Cheez-It currently on the market is suitable for a vegan diet.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕skim milk
- ✕whey protein
- ✕cheese cultures
- ✕cheese made with skim milk
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ Annie's Cheddar Bunnies (not vegan, but note: for vegan alternatives look below)
- ✓ 365 by Whole Foods Market Vegan Cheddar Crackers
- ✓ Miyoko's vegan cheese crackers (homemade-style)
- ✓ Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips (cheddar flavor uses vegan ingredients)
- ✓ Trader Joe's Soy and Flaxseed Crackers
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other snacks
Frequently asked
Is Cheez-It Vegan?
Cheez-It crackers are not vegan. Every flavor in the lineup is built around real dairy cheese, with the original variety listing skim milk, whey protein, and cheese cultures as core ingredients. There is no dairy-free version sold under the Cheez-It brand.
What is the catch with Cheez-It?
The entire product line is made with real dairy cheese. The brand itself advertises "100% real cheese" as its defining feature, so this is not a trace-amount concern or a cross-contamination question. Dairy is the product.
What can I use instead of Cheez-It?
Vegan options include Annie's Cheddar Bunnies (not vegan, but note: for vegan alternatives look below), 365 by Whole Foods Market Vegan Cheddar Crackers, Miyoko's vegan cheese crackers (homemade-style), Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips (cheddar flavor uses vegan ingredients).
Is Cheez-It certified vegan?
Cheez-It does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
Last verified June 20, 2026. See how we verify. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
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