Are graham crackers vegan? Plus, 7 delicious dessert recipes

Of all America’s most popular snacks, the graham cracker has perhaps the most unusual origin story. Whole wheat cookies began life in Connecticut in the late 1800s, when a Presbyterian minister named Reverend Sylvester Graham began looking for ways to discourage sexual desire (which, he believed, was making people sick).

Graham thought there was a connection between high-fat, meaty foods and sexual desire, so he took it upon himself to develop a new, alternative to processed white bread that, in turn, would help people achieve a life of morality. His creation? A very bland cracker made from whole grain wheat flour.

Dandies

Unfortunately for graham, and fortunately for America’s taste buds, graham crackers have taken on a life of their own since they were first invented. They’re one of the key ingredients in s’mores, a campfire classic that features layers of chocolate and marshmallows sandwiched between two graham crackers.

The white bread substitute wasn’t quite what the minister had in mind, but Americans loved them. In fact, research suggests that only about half of the 90 million pounds of marshmallows purchased in the United States each year are used in s’mores.

But graham crackers aren’t exclusive to s’mores. They can be used in a variety of desserts, from cheesecakes and pie crusts to protein shakes. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite vegan graham cracker recipes. But before we get into that, here’s a little more about graham crackers.

What are graham crackers?

Graham crackers are slightly sweet, crunchy, cookie-like crackers, usually made from a mixture of enriched wheat flour and whole wheat flour, as well as sugar, salt, canola oil (or palm oil), and baking soda. Some of the most popular graham cracker brands in the United States include Partek Foods, Honey Maid, Keebler, Anise, Kodiak Cakes, Nabisco, and Teddy Grahams.

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Are graham crackers vegan?

All of the main ingredients in graham crackers are animal-free, so it’s easy to find vegan versions of the snack on the shelves. However, many brands also choose to add extras to the recipe. If they’re made with chocolate or chocolate chips, for example, it’s worth checking the ingredients list to see if milk is added. Many graham crackers are also flavored with cinnamon, which is vegan, or honey, which most consider non-vegetarian.

Why is honey not vegetarian?

Although some vegetarians still prefer to eat honey and therefore still eat honey graham crackers, many believe that the ingredient is not vegetarian. Because it is made by animals: the female bee. These bees make honey to feed their young, and stockpile it as another food source during the winter months when there are fewer flowers around. If you want to learn more about why bees make honey, you can find more information here, as well as a guide to the best vegan options on the market.

Vegan Graham Cracker Recipe

Once you purchase your vegan graham crackers, the fun part begins. Of course, you can eat them straight from the packet. But you can decide to follow one of these vegetarian recipes below and make a delicious indulgent dessert too.

1 Easy Vegan S’mores Protein Smoothie

Who says protein smoothies have to be basic and boring? No one, that’s who. Liven up your shake with a s’mores-inspired twist. Yes, we’re talking about combining graham cracker crumbs, chocolate protein powder, and almond milk and butter for a delicious, creamy treat. To serve, top with delicious toasted marshmallows.
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little pine

2 Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake with Toasted Meringue

Cheesecake is always a decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert choice, especially when it features a toasted meringue topping and, of course, the all-important graham cracker crust. Make it even more delightful by adding homemade fudge sauce.
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Hannah Kaminsky

3 Indoor S’mores Bar

Q: How many s’mores-inspired desserts can you make with graham crackers? Answer: No limit. With a delicious chocolate filling, a graham cracker crust and a toasted marshmallow topping, your loved ones will be asking you to make these indoor s’mores bars again and again.
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Lauren Hartman and Julie Grace

4 Key lime pie bar

The classic dessert of Key Lime Pie isn’t complete without a deliciously thick, buttery graham cracker crust. And so it goes for this delicious, bite-sized version, which sees the Southern treat baked into a pie bar.
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Sam Turnbull

5 Chocolate Peanut Butter Graham Bars

If you love peanut butter cups, but can’t go through the hassle of making them, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Graham Bars give you the same taste, but without the hassle. Also, they come together very quickly.
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6 Magic Cookie Bars

Layer graham crackers, walnuts, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut to make these delicious, and easy, vegan magic cookie bars. They’re super easy to pull together, and if you want to make them quickly, save time by buying pre-made condensed vegan milk instead of making your own.
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Doron Peterson

7 Gooey S’mores Brownies

If you love s’mores, and you love brownies, what better way to treat yourself than to combine the two? They’re perfect year-round snacks, but if you’re going camping in the summer, make a batch ahead of time to enjoy by the fire, s’mores style.
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