Most Americans have their favorite Doritos flavor. Even most of the healthiest eaters have enjoyed an occasional bag of yummy Doritos. But, can vegans safely eat Doritos?
Most Doritos varieties are not vegan. Non-vegan flavors include Cool Ranch, Nacho, Salsa Verde, and Poppin’ Jalapeno, while Sweet Chili is vegan-friendly. All Doritos flavors are high in fat, sodium, and artificial flavors. The best vegan and healthier alternatives to Doritos are Beanfields Nacho Bean Chips, Beanfields Vegan Cracklins Ranch, Nutstop Veggie Chips, and Forager Wasabi Greens.
Read on to discover whether your favorite Doritos flavor is vegan. We will also take a close look at the ingredients and nutrition data for the best-selling Doritos options, as well as healthier vegan alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Why Doritos are not a healthy snack choice
It is no secret that Doritos is a heavily processed food. They include a surprising number of additives and other ingredients that are known to be harmful.
- Corn: one of the most concerning ingredients in Doritos is corn – which is the first ingredient on the package. The corn used in Doritos was made with genetically modified corn. Most people following a healthy diet try to avoid GMOs.
- MSG: another unhealthy ingredient found in most Doritos is monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSGs are known to cause adverse reactions in many people. It’s an ingredient best avoided.
- Additives: of course, Doritos are also very high in unhealthy fats, salt, and sugars. All these ingredients can lead to negative health outcomes.
But you may still want to enjoy a very occasional, small portion of your favorite Doritos. If you are vegan, you may be wondering, is my favorite Dorito flavor vegan?
Let’s look at two of the best-selling Doritos flavors and see if your favorite makes the vegan list. The two most popular Doritos flavors are Nacho Cheese Doritos and Cool Ranch Doritos.
Are Nacho Cheese Doritos Vegan?
Unfortunately, Nacho Cheese Doritos are not vegan. With ingredients like cheddar and Romano cheese, as well as buttermilk, these definitely don’t make the cut. Following is the full scoop on these favorite chips.
Nacho Cheese Doritos
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Corn Oil
- Canola Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Salt
- Cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Whey
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Buttermilk
- Romano Cheese (part-skim cow’s milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Onion Powder
- Corn Flour
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Dextrose
- Tomato Powder
- Lactose
- Spices
- Artificial Color (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 40)
- Lactic Acid
- Citric Acid
- Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Skim Milk
- Red and Green Bell Pepper Powder
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
Nutrition Facts (Per 28 grams, ~12 chips):
- 150 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 18 g Total Carbohydrate
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 210 mg Sodium
- 1 g Sugars
Cool Ranch Doritos
The Cool Ranch Doritos are not vegan either. A few of the ingredients include cheddar cheese, buttermilk, and whey.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil
- Corn Oil
- Canola Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Salt
- Tomato Powder
- Lactose
- Whey
- Skim Milk
- Onion Powder
- Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Dextrose
- Malic Acid
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Buttermilk
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sodium Acetate
- Artificial Color (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5)
- Spice
- Citric Acid
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
Nutrition Facts (Per 28 grams, ~12 chips):
- 150 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 190 mg Sodium
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 18 g Total Carbohydrate
- 1 g Dietary Fat
- Less than 1 g Sugars
Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Tortilla Chips
A new favorite for many! Its taste is kind of a hot and sweet barbeque flavor. These Doritos are vegan!
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola and/or Sunflower Oil)
- Salt
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Fructose
- Sodium Diacetate
- Soy Sauce (Soybean, Wheat, Salt)
- Onion Powder
- Maltodextrin (Made from Corn)
- Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
- Garlic Powder
- Torula Yeast
- Malic Acid
- Extractives of Paprika
- Spices
- Caramel Color
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
- Dextrose
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 ounce/28 grams, ~12 chips):
- 140 Calories
- 7 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 18 g Total Carbohydrate
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 270 mg Sodium
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Sugars
Doritos Blaze Flavored Tortilla Chips
These are another vegan Doritos option. It’s been said that they taste “like liking a volcano”.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (Sunflower, Corn, and/or Canola Oil)
- Maltodextrin (Made from Corn)
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Salt
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Spices
- Garlic Powder
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Onion Powder
- Tomato Powder
- Jalapeno Pepper Powder
- Artificial Color (Red 40 Lake)
- Modified Corn Starch
Nutrition Facts (Per 28 grams, ~12 chips):
- 140 Calories
- 7 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 180 mg Sodium
- 17 g Carbohydrate
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- Less than 1 g Sugars
Doritos Salsa Verde Flavored Tortilla Chips
This is a popular choice for those who like a little kick but not too much heat. It’s got a nice tangy cheesy taste, but these are not vegan.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola and/or Sunflower Oil)
- Maltodextrin (Made from Corn)
- Salt
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Dextrose
- Jalapeno Pepper Powder
- Tomato Powder
- Paprika
- Onion
- Citric Acid
- Modified Corn Starch
- Natural and Artificial Flavors (Including Natural Chicken Flavor)
- Spices
- Garlic
- Spice Extractives
- Vinegar
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Artificial Color (Including Yellow 6 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake)
- Parsley
- Lemon Juice
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 ounce/28 grams, ~12 chips):
- 140 Calories
- 7 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 19 g Total Carbohydrate
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 210 mg Sodium
- 1 g Sugars
Doritos Spicy Nacho Flavored Tortilla Chips
These taste like a hotter version of regular Nacho Cheese Doritos and are also not vegan.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (Sunflower, Corn and/or Canola Oil)
- Maltodextrin (Made from Corn)
- Salt
- Whey
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Buttermilk
- Romano Cheese (Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Corn Starch
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Dextrose
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Spices
- Lactose
- Sodium Caseinate
- Artificial Color (Including Yellow 6 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
- Citric Acid
- Sugar
- Lactic Acid
- Skim Milk
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 ounce/28 grams, ~ 12 chips):
- 140 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 190 mg Sodium
- 16 g Total Carbohydrate
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
Doritos Poppin’ Jalapeno Flavored Tortilla Chips
These hot and spicy chips taste like cheese-stuffed jalapenos! Of course, due to the cheese, they are not vegan.
Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (Sunflower, Corn and/or canola Oil)
- Whey
- Salt
- Maltodextrin (Made From Corn)
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Buttermilk
- Romano Cheese (Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Onion Powder
- Sugar
- Corn Starch
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Spices
- Lactose
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Modified Corn Starch
- Dextrose
- Sodium Caseinate
- Skim Milk
- Lactic Acid
- Citric Acid
- Malic Acid
- Artificial Color (Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 40)
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 ounce/28 grams, ~ 12 chips):
- 150 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 18 g Total Carbohydrate
- 1 g Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Total Sugars
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 190 mg Sodium
Vegan Healthy Alternatives to Doritos
There are lots of delicious healthier vegan chips than Doritos. Below we review the best tasting ones we’ve found.
Beanfields Bean Chips, Nacho
These are a delicious alternative to Nacho Cheese Doritos! These chips are certified gluten-free, vegan, and Non-GMO.
Ingredients:
- Black Beans
- Navy Beans
- Brown Rice
- Safflower or Sunflower Oil
- Tapioca Maltodextrin
- Salt
- Tomato Powder
- Sugar
- Onion Powder
- Yeast Extract
- Dehydrated Green and Red Pepper
- Paprika
- Natural Flavors
- Extractives of Annatto
- Lactic Acid
- Grill Flavor (From Sunflower Oil)
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 ounce):
- 140 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 190 mg Sodium
- 18 g Total Carbohydrate
- 4 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 4 g Protein
Beanfields Vegan Cracklins Ranch
These yummy snacks are a great alternative to Cool Ranch Doritos. They are vegan, certified gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Ingredients:
- Navy Beans
- Safflower or Sunflower Oil
- Cassava Flour
- Chickpea Protein
- Tapioca Starch
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Spices
- Sea Salt
- Citric Acid
- Lactic Acid Powder
- Natural Flavors
- Yeast Extract
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Ounce, ~18 pieces):
- 130 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 190 mg Sodium
- 14 g Total Carbohydrate
- 3 g Dietary Fiber
- Less than 1 g Sugars
- 0 g Added Sugars
- 4 g Protein
Nutstop Veggie Chips
These are simple but delicious dried veggie chips.
Ingredients:
- Sweet Potato
- Squash
- Taro
- Carrot
- Green Bean
- Purple Sweet Potato
- Non-Hydrogenated Canola Oil
- Dextrin
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (Per 30 grams):
- 138 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 4 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 70 mg Sodium
- 24 g Carbohydrate
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 2 g Sugars
Forager Wasabi Greens
These Forager chips are USDA organic, vegan, and gluten-free. They have a delicious spicy taste.
Ingredients:
- Brown Rice
- Oil Blend (Sunflower Oil, Safflower Oil and/or Red Palm Olein)
- Sprouted Brown Rice
- Wasabi Seasoning (Cane Sugar, Rice Flour, Sea Salt, Spinach Powder, Mustard Oil, Ground Mustard)
- Leafy Greens Blend (Kale, Spinach Powder, Water)
- White Rice
- Black Sesame Seeds
- White Sesame Seeds
- Red Quinoa Seeds
- Millet Flour
- Quinoa Flour
- Amaranth Flour
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 ounce):
- 150 Calories
- 8 g Total Fat
- 150 mg Sodium
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 17 g Total Carbohydrate
- 2 g Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Total Sugar
Bare Baked Crunchy Sea Salt Beet Chips
These beet chips are surprisingly delicious! They have no added oil, are non-GMO, and contain lots of fiber.
Ingredients:
- Beets
- Sea Salt
Nutrition Facts (Per 40 grams):
- 140 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 260 mg Sodium
- 8 g Dietary Fiber
- 29 g Total Carbohydrate
- 15 g Sugars
- 0 g Added Sugars
- 4 g Protein
Takeaway
Doritos are some of America’s favorite chips. The Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch flavors have their own super fans!
Most Doritos flavors are not vegan and none of them are healthy snack options. Doritos are full of fat, sodium, and many known harmful ingredients.
You have many delicious, vegan, healthy snack options to choose from. Many have similar tastes to your favorite Doritos flavors.
If you give some of the alternatives to Doritos listed above a try, we think you’ll be surprised! You might even decide they are better than your favorite Doritos. You’ll certainly find them better for your health!
Related Questions
Are Doritos gluten-free?
Only Doritos Simply Organic White Cheddar Flavored Tortilla Chips are gluten-free. Many other Doritos flavors do not contain gluten ingredients; however, they may have been cross-contaminated with gluten-containing products and therefore cannot be labeled gluten-free. Cross-contamination is a big problem for those trying to eat a specific type of diet, such as vegan or gluten-free.
Are Doritos keto?
No, Doritos contain too many carbohydrates to fit into a keto diet for most people.
Do Doritos contain GMOs?
Yes, unfortunately, Doritos chips contain genetically modified organisms. GMOs are known to be harmful and should be avoided.