Trying to figure out if French bread is safe for vegans to consume can be difficult.
Bread makers often hide their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell which ones are vegan.
To ensure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of French bread.
Here’s what I found.
Is French Bread Vegan?
Yes! French bread is vegan bread.
Traditional French bread is a type of crusty bread that is typically made using flour, water, salt, and yeast. These are all vegan-friendly ingredients, which makes them suitable for a vegan diet.
However, vegans should still be careful when picking out French bread because some bakeries add milk, eggs, or refined sugar to their recipes to add flavor, texture, and color.
Milk and eggs are, of course, animal products, and refined sugar isn’t always vegan. It is often processed using bone char to make it white. Bone char is a type of charcoal that’s made from the bones of animals. Unless it’s labeled as “unrefined,” “organic,” or “raw,” they are probably not vegan.
These non-vegan ingredients are usually listed in the ingredient list on the packaging. So, be sure to give it a quick read before purchasing. If you’re ever unsure, you can always ask the bakery or store worker for clarification.
Is French Bread Cruelty Free?
Yes! French bread is cruelty free.
French bread is not tested on animals at any point in its production nor does it contain ingredients or additives that are routinely tested on animals, such as artificial colors.
Animal testing is an outdated and gruesome practice that should be stopped. It only leaves animals sick, injured, and, ultimately, dead. It involves cruel methods of animal suffering and brutality. There are alternative methods of testing that don’t involve animals, so there is really no excuse for food brands to still be using them.
What Is French Bread Made Of?
Here are the typical ingredients of French bread:
- Flour/wheat flour/malted barley flour
- Water
- Baker’s yeast
- Salt
Non-vegan ingredients sometimes added to French bread:
- Sugar
- Milk
- Eggs
- Honey
Let’s break down each ingredient of French bread:
Flour
Flour is a powder that’s made by grinding down cereal grains, such as wheat. It’s a key ingredient in baking that gives bread its structure. Flour is a vegan ingredient.
Water
Water is used in baking to hydrate the flour and make the dough easier to work with. Water is a vegan ingredient.
Baker’s yeast
Baker’s yeast is a type of yeast that’s used in baking to help bread rise. Baker’s yeast is a vegan ingredient.
Salt
Salt is a seasoning that’s used to add flavor to food. It’s also used in baking to help control the fermentation process of the yeast.
Sugar
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that’s used to sweeten food. Refined sugar is typically not vegan because it’s processed using bone char. Unless it is labeled as “unrefined,” “organic,” or “raw,” it is probably not vegan.
Milk
Milk is a white liquid that’s produced by mammals. It’s a common ingredient in baking that adds flavor, moistness, and texture. Milk is not a vegan ingredient.
Eggs
Eggs are commonly used in baking to help bind ingredients together and add structure. Eggs are not a vegan ingredient.
Honey
Honey is a sweet, sticky substance produced by bees. It is added to bread for flavor and texture. Honey is not vegan.
Why Is French Bread Vegan?
French bread is vegan because it typically only contains flour, water, yeast, and salt. These are all vegan-friendly ingredients.
However, it is important to check the ingredients because some bakeries add milk, eggs, or refined sugar to their recipes, so vegans should be careful when picking out French bread.
Is Sourdough Bread Vegan?
Yes. Like French bread, sourdough bread typically doesn’t contain animal-sourced ingredients. However, vegans still need to be careful when picking out sourdough bread because some bakeries add milk, eggs, or refined sugar to their recipes.
This bread is generally safe for vegan consumption.
Is Honey Wheat Bread Vegan?
No. Traditional honey wheat bread contains honey, a product produced by bees.
Honey wheat bread is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are French Baguettes Vegan?
Yes. A French baguette is just another way to say “French bread.” A baguette is just a thin, white loaf of bread. It describes the shape of bread, not the ingredient content. And just like with French bread in general, French baguettes are vegan or not depending on the ingredients they have. If they have animal-derived ingredients then they’re non-vegan.
French baguettes are usually safe for vegan consumption, but sometimes animal products are used to modify the basic recipe.
Vegan French Bread
If you’re looking for completely vegan-friendly French bread, you’re better off making it at home. That way, you can be sure that all of the ingredients are vegan-friendly. There are many vegan French bread recipes online that you can try at home. Here are some of my favorites:
- Whole Wheat French Bread by Holy Cow Vegan
- Easy French Bread by Holy Cow Vegan
- Vegan French Bread by Make It Dairy Free
These recipes are vegan and delicious! They don’t contain any animal-sourced ingredients and are completely safe for vegans to consume. Give them a try!
Final Words
So there you have it! French bread is generally vegan because they are mostly made with vegan-friendly ingredients. However, be sure to check the ingredient list or ask questions at the bakery or store before purchasing to make sure that no non-vegan ingredients have been added. Enjoy your vegan French bread! Bon appetit!