Ripped Off or Rip Van?
(A Mom’s Honest Take On Vegan Strawberry Wafers)
As a mom, I am always looking for snacks that feel like a treat but don't make me immediately regret my life choices when I read the ingredient list.
If it tastes decent and I do not have to spiral afterward, that is a win.
That is how Rip Van Wafers ended up in my cart.
They are labeled Non-GMO, vegan, and keto-friendly, made in the Netherlands, and confidently marketed as “A Better Snack.”
Bold claim.
Let’s talk about it.
The Basics (Because We Read Labels Now)
Each box includes 6 individual packs, each 0.72 oz, for a total net weight of 4.68 oz.
Per pack:
130 calories
11g total fat
6g saturated fat
6g fiber
1g sugar
4g net carbs
0g protein
They market as Non-GMO, Vegan, and Keto-friendly.
Ingredients (The “Should I Be Concerned?” Part)
Palm fruit oil, vegetable fiber, wheat flour, strawberries, sugar cane fiber, natural flavors, sugar, canola lecithin, coconut oil, red beet juice powder, salt, citric acid, stevia leaf extract, and baking soda.
Translation: Nothing is alarming here. There are no artificial dyes, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no obvious red flags.
The fiber content is clearly doing a lot of the work, and while this is still a processed wafer, it lands comfortably in the better-than-junk-food category.
Smell vs. Taste (Very Important Information)
The smell hits first, and it hits hard.
They smell exactly like those strawberry popsicles made by Outshine—the kind with real strawberry pieces frozen inside.
The scent is sweet, bright, and instantly nostalgic, like summer afternoons and sticky fingers. It is the kind of smell that stops you mid-unboxing and makes you think,
Oh… these are going to be really good.
Your expectations do not quietly rise. They sprint.
Unfortunately, the smell sets expectations that the taste didn’t meet.
Taste Test: Mom vs. Kid
My daughter’s reaction was immediate. It started with an
“mmm,”
which is always a promising sign.
She said the inside filling was creamy and very sweet, and she finished the entire wafer without distraction.
If you are a parent, you know that alone counts as a solid endorsement.
My experience was different. The wafers themselves were pretty bland, and while the filling was lightly sweet, the overall flavor felt muted compared to the strong strawberry scent.
They are pretty little wafers, a 2-inch by 2-inch square, but I kept waiting for the flavor to really show up. It never quite did.
They were not bad. They were… underwhelming.
Let’s Talk Price (Because Absolutely Not)
Here’s where I fully tap out.
This is nearly a $7 box for six wafers.
Each wafer is roughly 4 square inches, light and airy, and gone in a few bites. At that point, I am not buying a snack—I am purchasing an experience, and this one does not justify the price.
I am all for paying more for cleaner ingredients. I am not willing to splurge on six tiny wafers that are not filling and do not deliver big flavor. For this price point, I expect either satisfaction or excitement. Ideally both. These gave me neither.
Rip Van Strawberry Wafers will not be a pantry staple for my house. This is a maybe-once, out-of-curiosity purchase—and even then, it better be on sale.
Just sayin.
About the “Keto-Friendly” Label
Technically, yes. With 4g net carbs, they fit the keto math.
However, with 0g protein and a light, airy texture, they are not particularly filling. This is keto on paper, not keto that keeps you satisfied. Pairing them with something else is necessary if you are trying to stay full.
IMBHO Final Verdict
These wafers are not better than traditional cookies or sugar-heavy snacks in terms of taste.
They are, however, better for you. They are low in sugar, a solid source of fiber, and made with relatively clean ingredients. Kids seem to enjoy them, which makes them workable for many households.
For me, the flavor still did not live up to the expectations set by the smell or the branding—especially given the price.
Would I buy them again?
For my daughter, yes—occasionally…maybe.
For myself, only if it’s on sale.
At full price, they are an easy pass.
They are the kind of snack you feel good about buying, however, even if you are not blown away while eating them.
And honestly, that is very on-brand for mom snacks.
