Figuring out whether Bojangles Fries are vegan can be a bit tough.
Restaurant-bought fries often contain ingredients that may be of animal origins.
To make sure you’re only eating fries that align with your vegan diet, I’ve looked at the ingredients and production processes of Bojangles Fries.
Here’s what I found.
Are Bojangles Fries Vegan?
No. Bojangles Fries are not vegan.
Bojangles fry their potatoes in beef tallow, which is a type of fat derived from cows. This means that the fries are not only coated in beef fat but also absorb it while cooking.
All their fried items are cooked in the same fryer, so cross contamination is a certainty. The oil is always mixed with beef tallow, so even if you order an item that doesn’t normally contain beef fat, it may have been cooked in it.
If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly restaurant, Bojangles is not the place for you. However, if you’re willing to eat some sides without meat or dairy, they do have some options.
Are Bojangles Fries Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Bojangles Fries are cruelty-free.
The product is not tested on animals nor does it contain any ingredients that are tested on animals like artificial flavors or colors.
So, even though the fries are not vegan, they are still cruelty-free.
What Are Bojangles Fries Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Bojangles Fries:
- Potato
- Bo’s famous seasoning:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Paprika
- Spices (including celery seed)
- Caramel color (sulfite)
- Natural flavor (yeast extract, natural flavors)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Palm oil
- Extractives of paprika
- Dextrose, less than 2% tricalcium phosphate added to prevent caking
- Oil (canola oil and beef fat)
Let’s break down each ingredient of Bojangles Fries:
Potato
Potato is the main ingredient of Bojangles Fries.
Salt
Salt is a common ingredient in seasonings and is what makes food taste salty. It is also used to preserve food.
Salt is a vegan ingredient.
Sugar
Sugar is a sweetener. It is a vegan ingredient if it’s not processed with bone char. However, it’s not disclosed if the sugar used in Bojangles Fries is processed with bone char.
Paprika
Paprika is a red powder made from dried peppers and is what gives food a red color. It is also used to add flavor.
Paprika is a vegan ingredient.
Spices (including celery seed)
Spices are dried and often ground plants that add flavor to food. They can come from the bark, root, fruit, or seed of a plant. Common spices include cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Celery seed is a type of spice that comes from the celery plant. It is used to add flavor and is also a preservative.
Spices are vegan.
Caramel color (sulfite)
Caramel color is a food coloring made by heating carbohydrates with sulfites. It is used to add color to food and can also act as a preservative.
Caramel color is a vegan ingredient if it’s not processed with bone char. However, it is not disclosed if the caramel color used in Bojangles Fries is processed with bone char.
Natural flavor (yeast extract, natural flavors)
Natural flavors are chemicals that are derived from plants or animals. They are used to add flavor to food. Natural flavors can come from the meat, fruit, or vegetable of an animal or plant.
Yeast extract is a type of natural flavor that is made by extracting the yeast from beer brewing. It is used to add a savory flavor to food.
Natural flavors are usually vegan, but it depends on the source. The natural flavors in Bojangles Fries are not disclosed, so I don’t know if they are vegan or not.
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is a seasoning made from ground dried garlic. It is used to add flavor and can also act as a preservative.
Garlic powder is a vegan ingredient.
Onion powder
Onion powder is a seasoning made from ground dried onions. It adds flavor and can also act as a preservative.
Onion powder is a vegan ingredient.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the fruit of the palm tree. It is used in food and cosmetics.
Palm oil is a vegan ingredient, but it is controversial because of the environmental damage caused by palm oil production. Sustainable palm oil is a more ethical option for vegans, but Bojangles does not disclose if their palm oil is sustainable or not.
Extractives of paprika
Extractives of paprika are chemicals derived from paprika. They are used to add color and flavor to food.
Extractives of paprika are vegan ingredients.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a type of sugar that is made from corn. It is used to sweeten food and can also act as a preservative.
Dextrose is a vegan ingredient if it’s not processed with any animal products. However, it is not disclosed if the dextrose used in Bojangles Fries is processed with any animal products.
Tricalcium phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is a type of salt that is used to prevent caking. It can be made from animal bones or minerals.
Tricalcium phosphate is a vegan ingredient if it’s made from minerals. However, it is not disclosed if the tricalcium phosphate used in Bojangles Fries is made from minerals or animal bones.
Why Aren’t Bojangles Fries Vegan?
Bojangles Fries are not vegan because their fries are fried in oil with beef fat.
Beef fat is still widely used by fast-food restaurants for frying because it creates a crispy coating on food and imparts a beef flavor. So be sure to check with the restaurant before ordering to see if their fries are fried in beef fat.
Is the Bojangles Cajun Chicken Filet Biscuit Vegan?
No. Bo’s Cajun Chicken Filet Biscuit is not vegan because it is a chicken filet fried in oil mixed with beef fat.
This menu item is not vegan friendly.
Is the Bojangles Chicken Sandwich Vegan?
No. Bo’s Chicken Sandwich is not vegan because it contains chicken that is fried in oil mixed with beef fat.
This menu item is not vegan.
Are Bojangles Cajun Pinto Beans Vegan?
Yes! One of the few vegan options at Bojangles, Cajun Pinto Beans are vegan because they do not contain any animal products.
This menu item is vegan friendly.
Is Bojangles Dirty Rice Vegan?
No. Bojangles’ Dirty Rice is not vegan because it contains beef fat.
This menu item is not vegan.
Is Bojangles Sausage Egg & Cheese Vegan?
No. Bojangles Sausage Egg & Cheese is not vegan because it contains sausage, egg, and cheese.
This menu item is not vegan.
Are Bojangles Cinnamon Biscuits Vegan?
No. Bojangles Cinnamon Biscuits are not vegan because they contain milk.
This menu item is not vegan.
Is Bojangles Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Combo Vegan?
No. Bojangles Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Combo is not vegan because it contains bacon, egg, and cheese.
This menu item is not vegan.
Is Bojangles Sausage Biscuit Vegan?
No. Bojangles Sausage Biscuit is not vegan because it contains sausage.
This menu item is not vegan.
Is Bojangles Southern Gravy Biscuit Combo Vegan?
No. Bojangles Southern Gravy Biscuit Combo is not vegan because it contains an animal-based gravy.
This menu item is not vegan.
Are Bojangles Mashed Potatoes Vegan?
No. Bojangles Mashed Potatoes are not vegan because they contain milk.
This menu item is not vegan.
Are Bojangles Biscuits Vegan?
No. Bojangles Biscuits are not vegan because they contain milk. It’s okay if vegetarians eat Bojangles Biscuits, but not vegans.
This menu item is not vegan.
Is Anything Vegan at Bojangles?
While Bojangles Fries are not vegan, they do offer some side items that are vegan friendly, such as Cajun pinto beans, green beans, grits, the garden salad with fat-free Italian dressing (request to remove the cheese or croutons), BBQ Sauce, and Ken’s Fat-Free Italian Dressing.
Vegan Alternatives to Bojangles Fries
If you’re really craving some salty, crispy fries, then there are many vegan-friendly fast-food brands that offer vegan options. Here are some of my favorites:
- Jack In The Box Seasoned Curly Fries
- In-N-Out French Fries
- Hardee’s Natural Cut French Fries
- Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries
- Burger King Fries
These vegan options are fried in vegetable oil and don’t use beef tallow. They use simple ingredients, such as salt and pepper.
Final Words
Bojangles French Fries are a delicious fast-food option, but unfortunately, they are not vegan. If only they’d fry their fries in vegetable oil instead of beef fat.
The good news is there are many vegan options for fast-food fries you can choose from. So go ahead and indulge in some delicious fast food fries, just be sure to check the ingredients first