Figuring out whether BBQ Pringles are vegan can be a bit challenging.
Chips contain many ingredients, and some of them may be of animal origins.
To ensure you’re only eating foods that align with your vegan lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of BBQ Pringles.
Here’s what I found.
Are BBQ Pringles Vegan?
No. Pringles BBQ chips are not vegan.
These potato chips contain whey as their main non-vegan ingredient. This is a by-product of milk commonly used in cheese making.
Additionally, they contain sugar that may or may not have been processed with animal bone char. Bone char is a common filtering agent used in the sugar industry.
Not all refined sugar is processed using animal bone char, but Kellogg’s sources their sugar from many different sugar suppliers.
This makes it difficult to determine whether the sugar used in Pringles has been processed with bone char or not.
They also contain ingredients such as mono- and diglycerides. These are common in the food industry and can be either plant or animal based. Disodium inosinate is another ingredient that is usually of animal origin.
All these together mean that BBQ Pringles are not vegan.
Are BBQ Pringles Cruelty-Free?
Pringles BBQ potato chips are not tested on animals nor do they contain any ingredients that are tested on animals.
This means they are cruelty-free!
In 2019, Kellogg’s adopted a policy to end the cruel animal tests that they’ve been doing for years.
Kudos to them for taking this step!
So, while you might not be able to enjoy BBQ Pringles as a vegan, you can at least take solace in the fact that they are now cruelty-free.
What Are BBQ Pringles Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of BBQ Pringles:
- Dried potatoes
- Vegetable oil (corn, cottonseed, high oleic soybean, and/or sunflower oil)
- Degerminated yellow corn flour
- Cornstarch
- Rice flour
- Maltodextrin
- Sugar
- Mono- and diglycerides
- Salt
- Tomato powder
- Monosodium glutamate
- Citric acid
- Onion powder
- Spice
- Garlic powder
- Yeast extract
- Hydrolyzed corn protein
- Malted barley flour
- Malic acid
- Disodium inosinate
- Disodium guanylate
- Paprika extract color
- Natural Flavors
- Whey
- Wheat starch
Let’s break down each ingredient of BBQ Pringles:
Dried potatoes
Dried, or dehydrated, potatoes are the main ingredient of Pringles. These dehydrated potatoes are then cut and shaped into the signature Pringles shape. They are vegan.
Vegetable oil
Pringles uses a blend of different vegetable oils to fry their potatoes. These include corn, cottonseed, high oleic soybean, and/or sunflower oil. These oils have all been extracted from plants and are therefore vegan.
Degerminated yellow corn flour
Degerminated yellow corn flour is a type of corn flour that has had the germ removed. The germ is the part of the seed that germinates and grows into a plant. Removing it leaves behind the endosperm, which is ground to make flour and then used to add color, flavor, and texture to food. It is vegan.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a powder made from the starch of corn kernels. It is used as a thickening agent in many foods. This ingredient is vegan.
Rice flour
Rice flour is made from finely milled rice. It is used to add texture and flavor to food. This ingredient is vegan.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate made from starch. It is used as a thickening agent, filler, or preservative in food. This ingredient is also vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate made from sugar cane or sugar beets. It is used to sweeten food.
This ingredient can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how it’s processed. Refined sugar is often processed with bone char, which comes from animal bones. However, not all sugar is processed with bone char. You would need to check the label of the sugar you are using to see if it is vegan friendly.
“Raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined” sugar is usually vegan, while refined or bleached sugar probably are not.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are a type of fat used to emulsify or thicken food. Emulsifiers help to keep oil and water from separating. They can be either plant or animal based.
These ingredients are usually made from animals but can also be made from plants. You would need to check the label of the mono- and diglycerides you are using to see if they are vegan. Based on Kellogg’s FAQs, their mono- and diglycerides are not from animals.
Salt
Salt is a mineral used to add flavor or preserve food. Salt is a vegan ingredient.
Tomato powder
Tomato powder is a type of powder made from dried tomatoes. It adds flavor and color to food. This ingredient is vegan.
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a type of salt used to add flavor to food. This ingredient is vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid found in citrus fruits. It adds flavor and preserves food. This ingredient is vegan friendly.
Onion powder
Onion powder is a type of powder made from dried onions. It is used to add flavor to food. This ingredient is vegan.
Spice
Spice is any seasoning made from dried and ground plants. It adds flavor to food. This ingredient is typically vegan friendly.
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is a type of powder made from dried garlic. It is used to add flavor to food. This ingredient is vegan friendly.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is a type of extract made from yeast. It is used to add flavor to food. Yeast is vegan.
Hydrolyzed corn protein
Hydrolyzed corn protein is a type of protein made from corn. It is used to add flavor or preserve food. This ingredient is vegan.
Malted barley flour
Malted barley flour is a type of flour made from malted barley. It is used to add flavor or preserve food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Malic acid
Malic acid is a type of acid found in fruits. It is used to add flavor to food. This ingredient is vegan.
Disodium inosinate
Disodium inosinate is a type of salt used to add flavor to food.
This ingredient can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how it is processed. Disodium inosinate can be made from animals, but not all disodium inosinate is made from animals.
Disodium guanylate
Disodium guanylate is a type of salt that adds flavor to food.
This ingredient can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how it is processed. Disodium guanylate can be made from animals, but not all disodium guanylate is made from animals.
Paprika extract color
Paprika extract color is a color made from paprika. It is used to add color to food. This ingredient is vegan friendly.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are flavors made from natural ingredients. They add flavor to food.
Natural flavors can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how they are processed. Natural flavors can be processed with animal-derived ingredients, but not all natural flavors are processed with these ingredients and it is unclear how this ingredient is sourced in BBQ Pringles.
Whey
Whey is a type of protein made from milk. It is used to add flavor or preserve food. This ingredient is not vegan.
Wheat starch
Wheat Starch is a type of starch made from wheat. It is used to add flavor or preserve food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Why Aren’t BBQ Pringles Vegan?
These Texas BBQ sauce-flavored Pringles are not vegan because they contain whey, a milk protein, as its main non-vegan ingredient and other questionable ingredients that vegans are wary of, such as sugar, natural flavors, and disodium inosinate.
While some of these ingredients can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how they’re processed (and it’s unclear how these particular ingredients are sourced), most vegans err on the side of caution and avoid them altogether.
Are Pringles Cheddar Cheese Crisps Vegan?
No. Pringles Cheddar Cheese Crisps are not vegan. They contain whey, cheese, and milk, which are dairy products.
This product is not vegan.
Are Pringles Buffalo Ranch Crisps Vegan?
No. Pringles Buffalo Ranch Crisps are not vegan. They contain whey and milk, which are dairy products.
This product is not vegan.
Are Pringles Sour Cream & Onion Crisps Vegan?
No. Pringles Sour Cream & Onion Crisps are not vegan. They contain whey and milk, which are dairy products.
This product is not vegan.
Are Pringles Salt & Vinegar Crisps Vegan?
No. Pringles Salt & Vinegar Crisps are not vegan. They contain lactose, which is milk sugar.
This product is not vegan.
Are Pringles Pizza Crisps Vegan?
No. Pringles Pizza Crisps are not vegan. They contain cheddar cheese, whey, and milk, which are dairy products.
This product is not vegan.
Are Pringles Smokey Bacon Flavor Vegan?
No. Pringles Smokey Bacon Flavor are not vegan. They contain milk, which is a dairy product.
This product is not vegan.
Are Pringles Wasabi & Soy Sauce Potato Crisps Vegan?
No. Pringles Wasabi & Soy Sauce Potato Crisps are not vegan. They contain refined sugar, as well as natural and artificial flavors that may or may not be processed with animal-derived ingredients.
This product is not vegan.
Are Any Pringles Vegan?
Yes! There are a few flavors of vegan Pringles. The Original, Wavy Classic Salted, Lightly Salted Original, and Reduced Fat Original Pringles flavors are vegan. If you are looking for vegan-friendly Pringles, these are the options you should stick to.
Vegan Alternatives to BBQ Pringles
If you’re craving the taste of BBQ Pringles but want a vegan-friendly option, there are many vegan chips on the market that are similar in taste and texture.
Here are some vegan chips you can try:
- Terra Vegetable Chips with Sea Salt
- Kettle Brand Potato Chips Unsalted
- Popcorners Flourish Toasted Cauliflower Veggie Crisps
- Taco Bell Mild Tortilla Chips
- HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs + Vegan Nacho Vibes
These chip brands are vegan and they offer a variety of flavors for you to choose from. So, if you’re looking for a vegan alternative to BBQ Pringles, give one of these a try!
Final Words
As you can see, BBQ Pringles or Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce are not vegan. Whey is the main culprit for this. There are also other controversial ingredients in these chips that vegans are not too fond of.
The good news is, if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly alternative to BBQ Pringles, there are many options on the market that you can try! So, go ahead and try one of these vegan BBQ chips the next time you’re in the mood for a snack.
But as always, be sure to check the ingredients list and nutrition facts label before purchasing any food product.