The 2023 VegNews Guide to Vegan Girl Scout Cookies

Like the PSL season, the Girl Scouts cookie season starts earlier and earlier. Of course, we’re not complaining. From January through April, we’ll be keeping an eye on the girls at Green Sachs selling their deliciously addictive (and increasingly vegan-friendly) cookies. These behaviors aren’t just for us, though. Each box sold helps a Scout learn essential skills of entrepreneurship, empathy and communication. To keep up with the times, Scouts is also implementing new delivery and pre-order methods to get cookies in your hand wherever you are.

A tale of two bakeries

Girl Scout cookies are made by one of two bakeries: ABC Bakers (which offers six vegan cookie options: Toast-Y, Peanut Butter Patties, Thin Mints, Lemonades, Raspberry Rallies and Caramel Chocolate Chip) and Little Brownie Bakers (which offers two (does) Vegan Cookie Alternative: Thin Mints and Raspberry Gathering).

Each bakery serves different regions, so depending on your location, your vegan-friendly options will differ. To check which bakeries make cookies sold by your local troop, check out this map from Wide Open Eats. Have limited vegan options in your area and looking to get your hands on more? Visit the Girl Scouts Council Finder to find a troop served by ABC Bakers and ask about their digital cookie platform for shipping options.

Vegan Girl Scout Cookies

1 Raspberry assembly

Beware, Thin Mints, this cookie might get you. Girl Scout’s new cookie, Raspberry Rally, reimagines the classic Thin Mint with raspberry flavor instead of mint. Made by both bakeries using vegan ingredients, you’re always in the clear with this chocolate-enrobed treat.

How you help: Raspberry Rally is the first cookie available exclusively online. When you buy a box, you’re helping Scouts improve their e-commerce skills. So what are you waiting for? We’re not so quick to click “Add to Cart”—it’s for a good reason, after all.

Here’s how VegNews editors eat them: Stacked on top of a peanut butter patty for the ultimate PB&J.

2 Caramel Chocolate Chip

The classic caramel chocolate chip cookie just got a big makeover! You may have seen this cookie in years past, but this year, it’s back for the first time without animal ingredients. If that’s not cause for celebration, we don’t know what is. Bonus: It’s also making history as Girl Scouts’ first vegan and gluten-free cookie.

How you help: A box of these cookies not only promises a sweet indulgence, it also helps Scouts develop their people skills. In a world where networking is everything, it’s never too early to get started.

Here’s how VegNews editors eat them: Oats steeped in a tall, cold glass of milk. Don’t mess with the classics.

3 Toast-ya

Watch out, Thin Mints, a new favorite cookie may overtake you. These toast-shaped treats are delightfully sweet with butter, cinnamon and not an ounce of animal ingredients. Made by ABC Bakers with exclusively vegan ingredients, Toast-Yes is always vegetarian, so you’re in the clear! The only question of the season will be: Do you eat your toast-yes icing-side down or right-side up?

How you help: Every box of Toast-Yays translates into real-world business and customer service training. Scouts gain sales acumen, teamwork smarts and confidence to develop their true #girlboss selves.

Here’s how VegNews editors eat them: French toast cereal like cinnamon-cashew floating in a bowl of milk. don’t judge

4 Peanut Butter Patties

If peanut butter cups can be improved, then peanut butter patties. Crispy vanilla cookies topped with sweet, creamy peanut butter and enrobed in vegan chocolate. Make sure you don’t mistake them for tagalongs though. While ABC Bakers’ peanut butter patties are vegan, their tagalong cousin, Little Brownie Bakers, is dairy-free.

How you help: In a world of endless options and avenues fueled by marketing and social media, these crisp but creamy cookies focus on teaching a life skill we wish we could handle better: decision making. Scouts are taught how to plan, solve problems, commit to action, and think creatively. At least we can decide on one thing – we want these cookies.

Here’s how VegNews editors eat them: Dandies sandwich with vegan marshmallows to make a peanut butter more s’more.

5 thin mint

This eat-the-box minty chocolate cookie remains a best-seller year after year. They’re crumbled into non-dairy ice cream, dipped in hot chocolate, and of course, nibbled straight from the box! Pro-tip: Don’t break your head—both ABC Baker and Little Brownie Baker make these cult-favorite cookies with vegan ingredients.

How you help: These popular cookies teach a skill we can all improve: money management. Scouts learn how to track orders, keep records and develop essential skills needed by any young entrepreneur.

Here’s how VegNews editors eat them: Straight from the freezer for a minty cold treat.

6 Lemonade

Shrink it! These citrusy shortbread cookies balance tart and sweet with a tangy lemon icing and a sweet, crumbly base. Don’t confuse them with lemon-up — because this cookie, made by Little Brownie Bakers, contains milk.

How you help: When you hand over your five dollars for a box of these citrusy sweets, you’re contributing to a Scout’s goal-setting skills. Girls learn how to organize a sale, set goals and follow through.

Here’s how VegNews editors eat them: Crushed, melted mioko is mixed with butter and pressed into pie crust for a fluffy aquafaba-based lemon meringue pie.

Prefer to make your own cookies? Check out this delicious veganized version.