Is SkinnyPop Popcorn Vegan?
It Depends
Not certifiedSkinnyPop's flagship Original flavor is vegan (just popcorn, sunflower oil, and salt), and several other flavors carry official Certified Vegan status from Vegan Action. But a meaningful portion of the lineup, particularly any butter or white cheddar variant made with real dairy, contains milk, whey, or buttermilk. You have to read the specific flavor label every time.
The catch: The brand sells both vegan and dairy-containing versions of what sound like similar flavors. The standard "White Cheddar" contains organic milk, buttermilk, and whey. The "Butter" (real butter) variety contains organic whey, organic butter, and nonfat dry milk. There is a separately labeled "Dairy-Free White Cheddar" that is vegan, but it is a distinct SKU, not a reformulation.
Category
Snacks
Verdict
It Depends
Brand
SkinnyPop (owned by Hershey)
As of 2025-2026, the confirmed vegan flavors (Certified Vegan by Vegan Action) include Original, Dairy-Free White Cheddar, Sea Salt and Pepper, Sweet and Salty Kettle, and Jalapeno. The standard White Cheddar is NOT vegan (organic milk, buttermilk, whey).
The Butter flavor (also called Real Butter) is NOT vegan (organic whey, organic butter, nonfat dry milk). The microwave Butter Flavor was previously vegan but was reformulated at some point to include real dairy butter and skim milk.
Chocolate-flavored varieties (Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate) vary: the dark chocolate version appears free of dairy ingredients, but the milk chocolate version contains dairy. Seasonal flavors like White Chocolate Peppermint and Gingerbread Cookie may not contain dairy based on published ingredient lists, but they may not hold Vegan Action certification.
SkinnyPop products are manufactured in facilities that also process dairy, so there is a shared-equipment caveat for anyone with a dairy allergy (as opposed to a strictly ethical vegan concern). The Jalapeno and Sea Salt and Pepper flavors appear consistently free of animal ingredients.
Always check the current label, as the Hershey acquisition of SkinnyPop in 2018 has led to periodic reformulations over the years.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Organic Whey
- ✕Organic Butter
- ✕Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk
- ✕Organic Cheddar Cheese (Organic Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- ✕Organic Buttermilk
- ✕Organic Skim Milk
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ LesserEvil Popcorn (Original and most flavors are vegan)
- ✓ Boom Chicka Pop Sea Salt Popcorn
- ✓ Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP Simply Salted
- ✓ Quinn Snacks Popcorn (many flavors vegan)
- ✓ 365 by Whole Foods Market Popcorn Sea Salt
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other snacks
Frequently asked
Is SkinnyPop Popcorn Vegan?
SkinnyPop's flagship Original flavor is vegan (just popcorn, sunflower oil, and salt), and several other flavors carry official Certified Vegan status from Vegan Action. But a meaningful portion of the lineup, particularly any butter or white cheddar variant made with real dairy, contains milk, whey, or buttermilk. You have to read the specific flavor label every time.
What is the catch with SkinnyPop Popcorn?
The brand sells both vegan and dairy-containing versions of what sound like similar flavors. The standard "White Cheddar" contains organic milk, buttermilk, and whey. The "Butter" (real butter) variety contains organic whey, organic butter, and nonfat dry milk. There is a separately labeled "Dairy-Free White Cheddar" that is vegan, but it is a distinct SKU, not a reformulation.
What can I use instead of SkinnyPop Popcorn?
Vegan options include LesserEvil Popcorn (Original and most flavors are vegan), Boom Chicka Pop Sea Salt Popcorn, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP Simply Salted, Quinn Snacks Popcorn (many flavors vegan).
Is SkinnyPop Popcorn certified vegan?
SkinnyPop Popcorn 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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