Forget Pumpkin Spice: Maple-Flavored Snacks Are Having a Moment

Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice has become a flavor that’s synonymous with fall. But there’s another flavor that’s taking some of the autumnal spotlight: Maple. Not just for pancakes anymore, maple is having a moment and there’s no time better than fall to enjoy this soothing sweet flavor. Here are a handful of my favorite maple-flavored snacks that just so happen to be vegan.

Nada Moo Maple Pecan Ice Cream 

Most people might not think of eating ice cream during the cooler days of fall (although in LA that doesn’t necessarily apply), but this maple pecan vegan ice cream from Nada Moo really does conjure up the flavors of the season. Unlike icy sorbets or other non-dairy ice creams, this organic coconut milk-based treat will even have non-vegans swearing it’s “just like regular ice cream!” Smooth and creamy and deliciously sweet with a pronounced maple flavor and crunchy pecan pieces, Nada Moo’s Maple Pecan is ridiculously good. Like eat-a-whole-pint-by-yourself-in-one-sitting good.

Sap! Maple Seltzer & Soda 

Another discovery from one of my Vermont visits, Sap! Maple Seltzer and Sap! Maple Soda were a fast favorite. Made from 100% pure maple sap straight from the maple trees of Vermont, these organic drinks offer a healthier alternative to sugary sodas. Maple sap offers many health benefits with more than 46 naturally occurring electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and nutrients. While the soda has 80 calories and 18 grams of natural sugar, I prefer the seltzer water, which still has subtle maple sweetness but just 40 calories and 9 grams of sugar.

Justin’s Maple Almond Butter + Pretzels

Whether you’re on the go in need of a mid-afternoon snack or at home craving a post-dinner treat, Justin’s pretzels and maple almond butter are convenient and satisfying. These snacks aren’t particularly maple-forward but you can taste a hint of it and the pretzels give a nice sweet-and-salty combo. Just be warned that the maple almond butter can be a little thick and hard to stir. (Try the chocolate hazelnut butter, which tastes just like Nutella, only it’s vegan!) Each pack has two grams of fiber, three grams of sugar and five grams of protein.

Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies

As far as store-bought cookies go, these seasonal maple-flavored snacks are a pretty good bet. Trader Joe’s maple leaf-shaped cookies are filled with maple cream (made with real maple syrup) and taste even better when dipping into a hot cup of tea. (TJ’s fall harvest herbal tea, perhaps?) In any case, these make for a cozy vegan maple-flavored treat on a cool fall night.

What are some of your favorite maple-flavored foods?

Related links:

Best caffeine-free coffee alternatives

Trader Joe’s vegan winter finds

Must-have fall items from Trader Joe’s

Mar Yvette

Lifestyle writer Mar Yvette is on a mission to bring you the best people, places, and products to make your life pop!