Vegan Snacks in Austrian Supermarkets: ultimate Guide for Hiking & Travel
In this guide, I share which vegan bars, snacks and meals you can buy at regular Austrian supermarkets like Hofer, SPAR and Billa. Hopefully, this guide will help you discover that being vegan in Austria can be both easy and delicious.
View over Nordkette and the Inn in Innsbruck, capital of Tyrol.
We all know that being vegan does not mean living on salads and carrots with hummus alone. Still, finding vegan snacks can be challenging when you are not shopping in your usual supermarket at home. To prevent you from getting seriously hungry or wandering around a foreign supermarket for hours, I made a list of vegan snacks available in the three biggest supermarket chains in Austria. Whether you are visiting Austria for a sunny holiday, a hiking trip in the mountains, or you live here permanently, this is information you will always want to have in your back pocket.
A quick German language tip
A bar (like a protein bar) is called a Riegel.
A snack is often called Jause or simply “Snack”.
Vegan cheese is sometimes called Genuss Scheiben (literally “enjoyment slices”).
The word vegan is written the same, but pronounced “véégáán”.
These words are helpful when browsing labels or asking locals for recommendations.
Other useful things to know
Most fresh breads are vegan, except those containing cheese or sausages (duh).
Vegan items are often marked on the packaging with a green V. Be careful: a green V can also mean vegetarian. The label will specify whether the product is vegan or vegetarian
Near the entrance of most supermarkets, close to the fruit and vegetables, you will usually find a ready-to-eat section. This is where the vegan meals are located.
If you cannot find any of the snacks mentioned below, I share naturally vegan options at the end of this blog that are available almost everywhere.
Vegan snacks at Hofer (Aldi)
Hofer is perfect if you are travelling on a budget. They now have vegan zones in their supermarkets, so it is easy to find vegan alternatives, to go snacks and tasty things to try. It changes regularly, so you might find new vegan snacks every time you visit.
Vegan bars
Golden Bridge Protein Linsenriegel Linse–Karotte
Golden Bridge Protein Linsenriegel Linse–Kokos
Vegan snacks
Hummus Chips Sweet Chili
FUN Mais Triangles (legumes)
Tip: Hofer sometimes sells fresh vegan sweet pastries, such as an apple triangle or a cinnamon bun. Check the fresh bread section.
Meals
Couscous or bulgur salad (from the cooled ready-to-go section)
Seaweed triangle (onigiri-style, also in the cooled section)
Vegan snacks at SPAR
In my opinion, SPAR has the smallest vegan selection of the three supermarkets in Innsbruck. If possible, visit larger (INTER)SPAR stores to increase your chances of finding good vegan options.
Vegan bars
High Protein Hafer-Riegel Erdnuss
High Protein Hafer-Riegel Erdnuss–Kakao
Vital Snack Bar with peanuts, dates and cocoa
All bars from Nussy
Neoh Riegel Peanut and Caramel
Vegan snacks
SPAR Veggie vegan muffins (Schoko and Stracciatella)
Mini meals
Gyoza Bowl
Veggie Vegan No Tuna Mexican
Vegan sandwich with cheese and rocket
Fresh vegan sushi
Eat Happy Gyoza
Vegan poke bowl
Vegan snacks at Billa
Billa is usually a bit more expensive, but in return you will find vegan products from brands that are often not available at Hofer or SPAR.
Vegan bars
Bio Haferriegel Nuss–Mandel
Bio Cranberry–Kokos Haferriegel
Bombus Raw Protein Riegel Banana
Bombus Raw Protein Riegel Coconut Cacao
Bett’r Fruit Balls Pistachio
Vegan snacks
Soletti Salzstangerl
Kelly’s Erdnuss Snips
Clever Erdnuss Flips
Kelly’s Pombär Original
Clever Paprika Chips
Lentil chips (salted)
Fresh apple strudel (often vegan, but always check the label)
Don’t forget DM
Did you know that DM (Drogeriemarkt) also sells a lot of vegan snacks? Besides plant milks and meat alternatives, they have a great selection of bars. I personally like the bars from Made Good.
Can’t find anything?
If you cannot find the exact snacks mentioned above, look for these naturally vegan options, which are available in almost every Austrian supermarket:
Fresh fruit
Nuts or dried fruit
Bread (most bread is vegan) with: hummus, vegan cheese or ham slices, nut butter, smoked tofu or ready-to-eat falafel
Smoothies without yoghurt
Vegan cookies like Oreos or Speculoos
Chips
Being vegan in Austria: easy or difficult?
Overall, being vegan in Austria is much easier than it’s traditional cuisine suggests. Supermarkets offer plenty of plant-based options, and with a bit of label reading, you will almost always find something suitable. In another blog, I compare Dutch and Austrian supermarkets and share my personal experience of being vegan in Austria and Tirol.
Are you looking for a vegan restaurant in Innsbruck?
Check out my recommendations in this video.