Animal Cracker Recipe Vegan: Easy, Fun, and Delicious Treats

Animal crackers are a beloved treat that spark nostalgia for so many of us. Whether you remember snacking on them from a circus-themed box as a child or sharing them with your own kids, there’s something undeniably whimsical about these bite-sized cookies shaped like lions, elephants, and bears.

But if you follow a vegan lifestyle or want to avoid animal products, you might be surprised at how easy it is to make your own vegan animal crackers at home! This recipe is everything you love about the classic: crisp, lightly sweet, with just the right hint of vanilla.

Plus, it’s made with simple pantry staples and ready in under an hour. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies, and enjoy a snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Completely Vegan: No dairy, no eggs, and absolutely no compromise on taste or texture.
• Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers.
• Customizable Shapes: Unleash your creativity—use classic animal-shaped cutters or any fun cookie cutter you prefer!
• Healthier Ingredients: Bake with simple, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about.
• Kid-Friendly: A fun project for little hands, from cutting out shapes to decorating the baked cookies.
• Perfect for Snacking or Lunchboxes: These crackers stay crisp and delicious for days, making them ideal for meal prep or on-the-go snacks.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk and spatula
• Rolling pin
• Animal-shaped cookie cutters (or any small cookie cutters)
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Wire cooling rack

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and optional cinnamon or nutmeg.
3. Cream the vegan butter and sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the cold vegan butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step, or simply a sturdy spatula.
4. Add wet ingredients: To the creamed butter mixture, add the applesauce, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
5. Combine the mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft but not sticky dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a splash more non-dairy milk. If it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.
6. Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or cover the bowl, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step makes rolling and cutting the dough much easier.
7. Roll out the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch (6mm) thickness.
8. Cut out shapes: Use animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the crackers. Gather scraps and re-roll as needed.
9. Arrange on baking sheets: Place the cut-out crackers about half an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
10. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just turning golden brown. If you like them extra crisp, bake for an additional minute or two, but watch closely to prevent burning.
11. Cool: Remove the crackers from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Store: Once cooled, store your animal crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Tips & Variations

• Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a citrusy twist.
• Spiced Up: Try adding a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom, or allspice for warm, cozy flavors.
• Chocolate Dipped: Dip cooled animal crackers in melted vegan chocolate and let set for a decadent treat.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend.
• Healthier Swap: Use whole wheat pastry flour for a more wholesome, fiber-rich snack.
• Make it a Family Activity: Let kids decorate the animals with a simple vegan icing or natural sprinkles.

“If your dough is sticking, dust your rolling pin and surface with a bit more flour. Remember, the thinner you roll, the crisper your crackers!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients used.

Serving Suggestions

• With Plant-Based Milk: Enjoy these animal crackers alongside a cold glass of oat or almond milk for the ultimate nostalgic snack.
• Lunchbox Favorites: Pack a handful in your child’s lunchbox or your own for a midday energy boost.
• Dessert Toppers: Crumble animal crackers over vegan ice cream or pudding for a fun, crunchy topping. For inspiration, try our Goat Milk Ice Cream Recipe No Eggs (just swap out the milk for a vegan version!).
• Cookie Platter: Add these to a homemade cookie platter alongside other vegan treats like the Gold Medal Flour Recipes Sugar Cookies or Lazy Cookie Cake Recipe.
• Pair with Fruit: Serve animal crackers with fresh fruit or a fruit dip for a balanced, satisfying snack.

Conclusion

With this easy vegan animal cracker recipe, you can bring a touch of childhood magic into your kitchen—minus the animal products! These little cookies are crisp, lightly sweet, and so much fun to make.

Whether you’re baking for your family, prepping snacks for the week, or even hosting a themed party, these crackers are sure to be a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.

Homemade always means you get to control the ingredients and the love that goes into every bite. Plus, you can customize your animal crackers to suit your taste with endless flavor and shape possibilities.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also love our Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe or satisfy your sweet tooth with the classic Grandma’S Old Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe. Happy baking, and don’t forget to share your animal cracker creations with us!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Animal Crackers”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “These vegan animal crackers are fun, nostalgic, and easy to make. Enjoy a plant-based twist on a classic snack, perfect for kids and adults alike.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT10M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “40 crackers”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 cup whole wheat flour”, “1/3 cup organic cane sugar”, “1/2 teaspoon baking powder”, “1/4 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 cup coconut oil, melted”, “1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce”, “2 tablespoons non-dairy milk”, “1 teaspoon vanilla extract”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add melted coconut oil, applesauce, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix until a soft dough forms.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cut out shapes with animal cookie cutters.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Arrange cookies on baking sheet.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cool completely before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “45 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “1 g”, “fatContent”: “1.5 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “7 g”}}