Is skyr vegan?
Is skyr vegan? No. Skyr is made from cow’s milk, so traditional skyr is not vegan. Oat-based skyr-style products exist in some markets, and Icelandic supermarkets stock plant yogurts.
What is skyr made of?
Skimmed milk and live cultures. The milk is cultured and then strained to remove the whey, which leaves a thick, high-protein curd. Traditionally, a spoonful of skyr from the last batch was used to start the next one.
Is there vegan skyr?
A few brands make oat-based “skyr-style” products, mainly for markets abroad. Whether you’ll find one in Iceland varies, so look in the plant-based fridge at Krónan or Bónus, where there are usually oat, soy or coconut yogurts.
Vegan breakfast ideas in Iceland
Oat or soy yogurt with Icelandic blueberries is a good start (in late summer you can pick the berries yourself). Oatmeal porridge is about as Icelandic as breakfast gets. Many rye breads (rúgbrauð) are vegan too, but check the label. Or try a pastry from a vegan bakery in Reykjavík.
More for vegans
Our vegan guide to Reykjavík covers where to eat. For more on traditional skyr, see our skyr nutrition guide.
Quick answers
Is skyr dairy?
Yes. Skyr is a cultured dairy product made from skimmed cow’s milk.
Is there a vegan version of skyr?
Some brands abroad make oat-based skyr-style products. In Iceland, check the plant-based section of the supermarket, as availability varies.
Is skyr vegetarian?
It depends on the product. Check the ingredients, including for rennet in some recipes and gelatine in some flavoured products.
Sources
Written by Elfar Tjörfi Steinason. We checked the facts in this article against these sources on 19 October 2026:
