Trying to work out if Chester’s Hot Fries are vegan can be difficult.
Spicy sweet chili products often mask the actual ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural colors and flavors,” and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.
To make sure you are only eating foods that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Chester’s chips.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Chester’s Hot Fries Vegan?
No. Chester’s Hot Fries are not vegan.
This snack food is not vegan because it contains several non-vegan ingredients, such as Romano cheese, buttermilk, and whey.
Romano cheese is a type of sheep’s milk cheese.
Buttermilk is a dairy product made from the residual liquid left behind after churning butter from cream.
Whey is a dairy protein that is a by-product of cheese production.
So if you are vegan, you should avoid eating Chester Hot Fries.
If you want to eat hot fries that are vegan, you can look for brands that make vegan fries or you can make your own at home.
Are Chester’s Hot Fries Cruelty-Free?
No. Chester’s Hot Fries are not cruelty-free.
This product itself is not tested on animals, but it does contain artificial colors that are often tested on animals to assess safety.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, injured, or dead.
There are many food dye alternatives available that don’t require any animal testing, so there’s no excuse for companies to still be using them.
What Are Chester’s Hot Fries Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Chester’s Hot Fries:
- Enriched corn meal (corn meal, ferrous sulfate, niacin, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Salt
- Whey
- Buttermilk
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Tomato powder
- Romano cheese (cow’s milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Vegetable oil (corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil)
- Cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Onion powder
- Artificial color (Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6)
- Natural flavors
- Garlic powder
- Sodium caseinate
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Lactose
- Lactic acid
- Citric acid
- Sugar
- Skim milk
- Whey protein concentrate
- Disodium inosinate
- Disodium guanylate
Let’s break down each ingredient of Chester’s Hot Fries:
Enriched cornmeal
Enriched cornmeal is a type of flour that has had nutrients added back into it that were lost during the milling process. It typically contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron. The flour and nutrients are all vegan friendly.
Salt
Salt is a mineral made up of sodium and chloride. It is found in underground deposits and is extracted through mining. It is used to add flavor to food or as a preservative. It is vegan friendly.
Whey
Whey is a dairy protein that is a by-product of cheese production. It is often used as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in processed foods. Whey is not vegan.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a dairy product made from the residual liquid left behind after churning butter from cream. It is high in fat and protein and is often used as a baking ingredient. Buttermilk is not vegan.
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer that is made from glutamic acid. It is often used in savory foods and is considered safe to eat in small amounts. MSG is vegan.
Tomato powder
Tomato powder is a dehydrated form of tomatoes that is often used as a seasoning or colorant in foods. It is high in vitamins and minerals and is considered safe to eat. Tomato powder is vegan.
Romano cheese
Romano cheese is a type of sheep’s milk cheese. It is made from pasteurized sheep’s milk, salt, and enzymes. Romano cheese is an animal product.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oils, like sunflower oil and olive oil, are a type of fat derived from plants. Vegetable oil is often used in cooking and baking. Vegetable oil is vegan.
Cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is a type of cow’s milk cheese. It is made from pasteurized cow’s milk, salt, enzymes, and bacteria. Cheddar cheese is an animal product.
Onion powder
Onion powder is a type of seasoning made from dried and ground onions. It is often used to add flavor or as a colorant in foods. Onion powder is vegan.
Artificial color
Artificial colors are synthetic dyes that are used to add color to foods. They are made from coal tar and are safe for vegan consumption.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are chemicals that are derived from plants or animals. They are used to add flavor to food. Natural flavors can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on their source.
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is a type of seasoning made from dried and ground garlic. It is often used to add flavor to food. Garlic powder is vegan.
Sodium caseinate
Sodium caseinate is a type of protein that is derived from milk. It is often used as an emulsifier or thickener in foods. Sodium caseinate is not vegan friendly.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that is made from starch. It is often used as a thickener or filler in foods. Maltodextrin is vegan friendly.
Lactose
Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk. It is often used as a sweetener in food or as an ingredient in processed foods. Lactose is not vegan friendly.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is a type of acid that is found in milk. It is often used as a preservative or flavor enhancer in food. Lactic acid is not vegan friendly.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. It is often used as a preservative or flavor enhancer in food. Citric acid is vegan friendly.
Sugar
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is made from sucrose. It is often used as a sweetener in food or as an ingredient in processed foods. Sugar is plant based, but it is often processed with animal bone char, making it unsafe for vegan consumption
Unless the sugar in question is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it’s probably not vegan friendly.
Skim milk
Skim milk is a type of cow’s milk that has been filtered to remove the fat. It is high in protein and calcium and is often used as a beverage or in baking. Skim milk is an animal product, so it is definitely not vegan friendly.
Whey protein concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is a type of protein that is derived from whey. It is often used as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in processed foods. Whey protein concentrate is not vegan friendly.
Disodium inosinate & disodium guanylate
Disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are flavor enhancers that are often used in savory foods. They are often made from animal sources and are generally not considered vegan friendly.
Why Aren’t Chester’s Hot Fries Vegan?
Chester’s Hot Fries are not vegan because they contain a variety of animal products like Romano cheese, buttermilk, and whey.
In addition, they also contain sugar that is often processed with animal bone char.
This product is far from vegan friendly. If you are looking for a vegan alternative, check out my list of the best vegan hot fries.
Is Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Popcorn Vegan?
No. Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Flavored Popcorn is not vegan because it has buttermilk, Romano cheese, whey, and sugar.
Chester’s popcorn is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Chester’s Butter Puffcorn Vegan?
Yes! Chester’s Butter Puffcorn is vegan. Despite the butter in the product’s name, it does not actually contain any dairy products.
Chester’s Butter Puffcorn is a great vegan option.
Is Chester’s Cheese Puffcorn Vegan?
No. Chester’s Cheese Puffcron is not vegan because it contains whey and cheddar cheese.
Chester’s Cheese Puffcorn is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Chester’s Hot Puffcorn Vegan?
No. Chester’s Hot Puffcorn contains cheddar cheese, whey, and buttermilk.
Chester’s Hot Puffcorn is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Chester’s Cheddar Fries Vegan?
No. Chester’s Cheddar Fries contain whey, buttermilk, and Romano cheese.
Chester’s Cheddar Fries are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries Vegan?
No. Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries contain whey, buttermilk, and Romano cheese.
Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries are not safe for vegan consumption.
What About Other Hot Fries Brands?
There are other potato chips and corn chips brands on the market that sell hot fries, but many of them aren’t vegan because they have either animal products or sugar that is likely processed with animal bone char. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is an example of a salty and nutritionless snack that is also unsafe for vegans.
There are a few hot corn fries on the market, such as Andy Capp’s Hot Fries, that are vegan. But these are few and far between. I’ve listed a few more of these products that are safe for vegan consumption below.
Vegan-Friendly Alternatives to Chester’s Hot Fries
If you are looking for a vegan snack foods alternative to Chester’s snacks, there are many options available. Here are some of my favorites:
- Hippeas White Cheddar Chickpea Puffs
- Zapp’s Hotter ‘N Hot Jalapeño
- Ore-Ida Fries
- Andy Capps Hot Fries
These are a few of the vegan options that are available to you. You can buy most of these online or at your local grocery store. Andy Capp’s Hot Fries, for example, are available at most Walmart and Kroger stores, as well as Amazon.
Final Word
So, there you have it! Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries are not vegan because they contain several non-vegan ingredients, such as Romano cheese, buttermilk, and whey. If you are looking for a vegan alternative to Chester’s Hot Fries, check out the ones I’ve listed above so you can enjoy hot fries without feeling guilty.
But as always, be sure to check the labels before you buy to make sure the product is truly vegan friendly.