Figuring out whether Burger King’s Onion Rings are vegan can be a tough task.
Fast food onion rings often have many ingredients and some of them may be of animal origin.
To ensure that you only eat foods that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Burger King’s Onion Rings.
Here’s what I found.
Are Burger King Onion Rings Vegan?
No. Burger King Onion Rings are not vegan because the batter contains whey.
Whey is a milk derivative often used as a binding agent in batters. Whey is a protein that is leftover after milk has been curdled and strained. This ingredient is definitely a no-go for vegans.
Egg and milk are surprisingly not in the picture for Burger King’s onion rings. However, with whey in the batter, it’s safe to say that these onion rings are not vegan.
Are Burger King Onion Rings Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Burger King’s Onion Rings are not tested on animals nor do they contain any ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial coloring or flavoring.
Animal testing is a gruesome and unnecessary process that often leaves animals disfigured, injured, or dead.
As a vegan, it’s important to me that the foods I eat are not only free of animal products but also free of animal cruelty.
I’m glad to say that Burger King’s Onion Rings fit this criterion.
What Are Burger King Onion Rings Made Of?
For something that is as seemingly simple as an onion ring, this fast-food item actually has quite a few ingredients.
Here are the ingredients of Burger King’s Onion RIngs:
- Water
- Bleached wheat flour
- Dehydrated onion
- Modified corn starch
- Yellow corn flour
- Sugar
- Gelatinized wheat starch
- Salt
- Guar gum
- Methylcellulose
- Fructose
- Onion powder
- Food starch-modified
- Sodium alginate
- Sunflower oil
- Natural flavors
- Grill flavor (from sunflower oil)
- Canola oil
- Wheat gluten
- Modified palm oil
- Sodium tripolyphosphate
- Whey
- Dextrose
- Garlic powder
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate)
- Spice
- Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
- Yeast extract
- Cornstarch
- Sorbitol
- Dried yeast
- Calcium chloride
Let’s break down each ingredient of Burger King’s Onion Rings:
Water
Water is used as a solvent in the batter. It is, of course, a vegan ingredient.
Bleached wheat flour
Bleached wheat flour is a type of flour that has been treated with chlorine gas to speed up the bleaching process. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Dehydrated onion
Dehydrated onion is a type of onion that has been dried to preserve it. It is used as a flavoring in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Modified cornstarch
Modified cornstarch is a type of cornstarch that has been treated with chemicals to change its properties. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Yellow corn flour
Yellow corn flour is a type of flour that is made from ground yellow corn. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is used to sweeten the batter. Sugar can be vegan or non-vegan depending on whether it has been filtered with bone char. Most sugars in the US are processed with bone char, while sugar in the UK is generally vegan.
So if you’re buying the onion rings in a Burger King in the US, the sugar is likely not vegan. However, if you’re buying the onion rings in a Burger King in the UK, the sugar is likely vegan.
Gelatinized wheat starch
Gelatinized wheat starch is a type of wheat starch that has been treated with heat and pressure to change its properties. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Salt
Salt is used as a flavoring and preservative in the batter. It is vegan.
Guar gum
Guar gum is a type of gum that is made from the seeds of the guar plant. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Methylcellulose
Methylcellulose is a type of cellulose that has been treated with chemicals to change its properties. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Fructose
Fructose is a type of sugar that is found naturally in fruits and vegetables. It is used as a sweetener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Onion powder
Onion powder is a type of seasoning that is made from ground onions. It is used as a flavoring in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Modified food starch
Modified food starch is a type of starch treated with chemicals to change its properties. It is used to thicken the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Sodium alginate
Sodium alginate is a type of salt made from algae. It is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is a type of vegetable oil made from sunflower seeds. It is used as an ingredient in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are flavorings derived from natural sources. They can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on the source of the flavorings. In this case, it is not known what sources were used to create the natural flavors in the batter.
Grill flavor (from sunflower oil)
The grill flavor in the batter is derived from sunflower oil. This ingredient is vegan.
Canola oil
Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from a type of rapeseed. It is used as an ingredient in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Wheat gluten
Wheat gluten is a type of protein found in wheat. It is used as a binding agent in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Modified palm oil
Modified palm oil is a type of palm oil treated with chemicals to change its properties. This ingredient is vegan.
Sodium tripolyphosphate
Sodium tripolyphosphate is a type of salt that is used as a preservative. This ingredient is vegan.
Whey
Whey is a type of protein found in milk. This ingredient is not vegan.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a type of sugar made from cornstarch. It is used as a sweetener and preservative in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is a type of seasoning made from ground garlic. It is used as a flavoring in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate)
The leavening in the batter is made from baking soda and sodium aluminum phosphate. These ingredients are vegan.
Spice
Spice is a term that can refer to any number of dried and ground plant materials used to flavor food. In this case, it’s not known what spices are used in the batter.
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose is a type of cellulose treated with chemicals to change its properties. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is a type of seasoning made from yeast. It is used as a flavoring in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is used as a thickener in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol made from glucose. It is used as a sweetener and humectant in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Dried yeast
Dried yeast is used as a leavening agent in the batter. This ingredient is vegan.
Calcium chloride
Calcium chloride is a type of salt used as a firming agent. This ingredient is vegan.
Why Aren’t Burger King’s Onion Rings Vegan?
Burger King’s onion rings are not vegan because they contain whey, which is a type of protein found in milk. This alone disqualifies them from being considered vegan.
Additionally, the sugar used in the batter can be vegan or non-vegan depending on the source. In this case, it is not known what sources were used to create the sugar in the batter.
Finally, the natural flavors in the batter can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on the source of the flavorings. It is not known what sources were used to create the natural flavors in the batter.
For these reasons, Burger King’s onion rings are not considered vegan.
So, if you’re looking for a vegan option at Burger King, their onion rings are not the way to go. However, there are other items on the menu that are vegan friendly, such as french fries, French toast sticks, and Dutch apple pie.
Are Burger King Fries Vegan?
Yes! Burger King french fries are vegan because they are fried in vegetable oil and do not contain any animal-based ingredients.
This product is safe for vegan consumption.
Are Burger King French Toast Sticks Vegan?
Yes! Burger King French toast sticks are vegan because they do not contain milk or eggs like most French toast recipes do.
This product is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Burger King Dutch Apple Pie Vegan?
Yes! The Dutch apple pie at Burger King was vegan because it did not contain any animal-based ingredients.
This product, while safe for vegan consumption, has been discontinued.
Are Burger King Buns Vegan?
Yes! Burger King buns are vegan because they do not contain dairy or eggs as most bread recipes do.
Is the Impossible Whopper Vegan?
Yes! Burger King’s Impossible burger, or as they call it the “Impossible Whopper,” is vegan. The patty, which is the Impossible Burger from Impossible Foods, the buns, and the toppings are all vegan.
Are There Vegan Onion Rings Out There?
Yes! If you’re looking for a vegan onion ring option, many brands offer vegan-friendly options. Here are some of my favorites:
- Alexia All Natural Frozen Crispy Onion Rings
- Ian’s Gluten-Free Onion Rings
- Every 365 Crispy Breaded Onion Rings
- Red Robin’s Crispy Onion Rings
- Ore-Ida Gourmet Onion Rings
These onion ring products are all free of animal-derived ingredients and can be found at most grocery stores.
Final Word
There you go! Burger King’s onion rings are not vegan. The offending ingredients are whey, natural flavors, and sugar. But there are plenty of other vegan-friendly options available at the restaurant. Or, if you’re in a grocer’s freezer aisle, there are many brands that make delicious vegan onion rings. Pick the ones I listed above and enjoy!