Peanuts are vegan. They're the seeds of a legume plant. What you need to check are peanut products: honey-roasted peanuts contain honey, some dry-roasted peanuts use gelatin to hold the seasoning on, and a few peanut butters add honey or milk.
Peanuts come up a lot on "is it vegan?" lists, usually because of a mix-up: they're called nuts, but they're legumes, related to peas and beans. Either way, peanuts themselves are entirely plant-based. It's what gets added to them that you need to watch.
Which peanut products are vegan?
| Product | Status | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Raw, plain roasted or salted peanuts | Vegan | |
| Dry-roasted peanuts | Check the label | Some brands use gelatin to stick the seasoning on. |
| Honey-roasted peanuts | Not vegan | Honey. |
| Plain peanut butter | Vegan | Usually peanuts, oil and salt. |
| Flavored or "honey" peanut butter | Check the label | Honey, milk or whey. |
| Powdered peanut butter | Vegan | Usually defatted peanuts, sugar and salt. |
| Peanut candy and chocolate | Check the label | Milk chocolate, butter, gelatin or glaze. |
| Satay sauce | Check the label | Fish sauce or shrimp paste in some recipes. |
Common myths
"Peanuts are nuts, so..." Peanuts are legumes, but it makes no difference to whether they're vegan. Both nuts and legumes are plants.
"Organic or natural means vegan." No. Organic peanut butter can still contain honey. Read the ingredient list.
"Bone char sugar in peanut butter makes it non-vegan." Some sweetened peanut butters use sugar that may have been filtered with bone char. Most vegans don't count that against a product. More on sugar.
Using peanuts in vegan cooking
Peanuts and peanut butter are cheap, versatile cupboard staples. Stir peanut butter into a satay or noodle sauce, add crushed peanuts to stir-fries and salads for crunch, or blend peanut butter with plant milk and banana for a quick smoothie.
Peanut snacks to check
| Product | Usually vegan? | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Plain or salted peanuts | Yes | |
| Dry-roasted peanuts | Check | Gelatin, milk powder in seasoning. |
| Honey-roasted peanuts | No | Honey. |
| Peanut butter | Usually | Honey, milk in flavored spreads. |
| Peanut brittle | Check | Butter. |
| Chocolate-coated peanuts | Check | Milk chocolate. |
| Satay sauce | Check | Fish sauce, shrimp paste. |
The bottom line
Peanuts are vegan. Check what's been added to them: honey, gelatin, milk and fish sauce are the usual culprits.