Is Planters Peanuts Vegan?
It Depends
Not certifiedWhether Planters Peanuts are vegan depends entirely on the variety. Simple options like Unsalted Dry Roasted (just peanuts) and Lightly Salted Dry Roasted (peanuts and sea salt) are vegan. Most seasoned dry roasted varieties, including the flagship Salted Dry Roasted, contain beef-derived gelatin used to help spices stick. Honey Roasted varieties add honey, a second animal-derived ingredient. The Cocktail Peanuts (oil-roasted) line is generally vegan. You have to read the label every time.
The catch: The most popular variety, Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts, contains gelatin derived from beef. This catches a lot of people off guard because peanuts seem like a straightforwardly plant-based food.
Category
Snacks
Verdict
It Depends
Brand
Planters (Hormel Foods)
Planters sells a wide range of peanut products and the vegan status breaks down roughly like this. Unsalted Dry Roasted contains only peanuts and is vegan.
Lightly Salted Dry Roasted contains peanuts and sea salt and is vegan. Salted Dry Roasted (the standard blue can) contains beef gelatin as a binder for seasonings and is not vegan.
Sweet and Spicy Dry Roasted also lists gelatin. Honey Roasted Dry Roasted contains honey plus no gelatin, so it fails on a different animal ingredient.
Cocktail Peanuts (the classic red can, oil-roasted) contain peanuts, peanut oil, and salt only, making them vegan. Heat Peanuts have also been confirmed vegan by the brand.
The gelatin issue with dry roasted peanuts is not unique to Planters, other brands use the same technique, but it surprises most consumers. Planters confirmed on their website that the gelatin in their dry roasted peanuts is beef-derived.
As of mid-2025 the formulations above reflect current packaging; check labels when buying because Planters periodically reformulates. Hormel acquired Planters from Kraft Heinz in 2021 and no major vegan-relevant reformulations have been announced since.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Gelatin (beef-derived, in dry roasted seasoned varieties)
- ✕Honey (in Honey Roasted varieties)
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ 365 by Whole Foods Market Dry Roasted Peanuts (peanuts and salt only)
- ✓ Trader Joe's Dry Roasted and Salted Peanuts (no gelatin)
- ✓ Hampton Farms Unsalted Dry Roasted Peanuts
- ✓ Maranatha Dry Roasted Peanut Butter (for a peanut fix in spread form)
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other snacks
Frequently asked
Is Planters Peanuts Vegan?
Whether Planters Peanuts are vegan depends entirely on the variety. Simple options like Unsalted Dry Roasted (just peanuts) and Lightly Salted Dry Roasted (peanuts and sea salt) are vegan. Most seasoned dry roasted varieties, including the flagship Salted Dry Roasted, contain beef-derived gelatin used to help spices stick. Honey Roasted varieties add honey, a second animal-derived ingredient. The Cocktail Peanuts (oil-roasted) line is generally vegan. You have to read the label every time.
What is the catch with Planters Peanuts?
The most popular variety, Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts, contains gelatin derived from beef. This catches a lot of people off guard because peanuts seem like a straightforwardly plant-based food.
What can I use instead of Planters Peanuts?
Vegan options include 365 by Whole Foods Market Dry Roasted Peanuts (peanuts and salt only), Trader Joe's Dry Roasted and Salted Peanuts (no gelatin), Hampton Farms Unsalted Dry Roasted Peanuts, Maranatha Dry Roasted Peanut Butter (for a peanut fix in spread form).
Is Planters Peanuts certified vegan?
Planters Peanuts 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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