Are Cinnabon Delights Vegan & Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Figuring out whether Cinnamon Delights are vegan can be a bit tough.

Manufacturers of baked snacks often mask the actual ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.

To make sure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Cinnabon Delights.

Here’s what I found.

Are Cinnabon Delights Vegan?

No. Cinnabon Delights are not vegan. Far from it.

This pastry contains eggs, dairy products, refined sugar, and mono- and diglycerides.

Eggs and dairy are, of course, animal products, and they automatically disqualify a product from being vegan.

This pastry also contains refined sugar. To make sugar whiter, it is frequently filtered with bone char. Bone char is made from the ashes of animal bones and is not vegan. Unless the product specifies that its sugar is organic, raw, or unrefined, it is unlikely to be suitable for vegan consumption.

Mono- and diglycerides can be derived from plants or animals but are more often of animal origin. These ingredients are commonly used as emulsifiers in processed foods.

In addition, Taco Bell indicates that its pastries are prepared in the same frying oil that is used to cook meat dishes, so cross contamination is almost certainly an issue. To strict vegans, this is a deal-breaker.

So, unfortunately, Cinnabon Delights are not vegan. However, if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly pastry, there are plenty of other delicious options out there.

Are Cinnabon Delights Cruelty-Free?

Fortunately, yes! Cinnabon Delights are cruelty-free.

Cinnabon Delights do not involve any animal testing at any point in the production process. They also do not include any animal-tested ingredients, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that frequently results in the deformity, pain, or death of helpless animals. There are alternative ingredients available on the market, so there is no reason for any company to continue using vulnerable animals.

Thankfully, Taco Bell, the maker of Cinnabon Delights, does not tolerate such horrible animal treatment and is helping to put an end to animal cruelty.

What Are Cinnabon Delights Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Cinnabon Delights:

Sugar
Margarine
Cream cheese
Water
Cornstarch
Corn syrup solids
Cellulose
Natural flavors
Lactic acid
Potassium sorbate
Enriched wheat flour
Vegetable shortening (palm and soybean oil)
Cage-free eggs
Yeast
Emulsifiers (nonfat milk, salt, mono and di-glycerides, sodium alginate)
Malted barley flour
Enzymes
Cinnamon
Soybean oil
Canola oil
Wheat
Soy
Milk (certified vegetarian)

Let’s break down each ingredient of Cinnabon Delights:

Sugar

Sugar is used to sweeten food and give it flavor. It is often used in baking to add sweetness and texture to baked goods. Most refined sugar is not vegan because it is filtered with bone char.

Margarine

Margarine is used for its buttery flavor and texture. It is made from vegetable oils, water, and salt. Most margarine is vegan, but some brands may use animal-derived ingredients such as milk or cream.

Cream cheese

Cream cheese is made from cow’s milk and contains rennet. Rennet is an enzyme that is used to coagulate milk. Cream cheese is not a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Water

Water is a necessary ingredient in many food products. It is often used to moisten or dilute ingredients. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a type of flour that is made from corn kernels. It is often used as a thickening agent in food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Corn syrup solids

Corn syrup solids are a type of sugar that is made from corn syrup. They are often used to sweeten food and add texture. They are a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Cellulose

Cellulose is used for its thickening properties. It is often used in food as a stabilizer or emulsifier. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Natural flavors

Natural flavors are used to add flavor to food. They can be made from plant or animal sources. Taco Bell did not disclose what their natural flavorings are made from, but given it’s a sweet pastry, it’s likely that they are plant based.

Lactic acid

Lactic acid is used as a preservative in food. It is often used in dairy products, but it can also be derived from plants. Most lactic acid is vegan.

Potassium sorbate

Potassium sorbate is used as a preservative in food. It is often used to extend the shelf life of food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Enriched wheat flour

Enriched wheat flour is a type of flour that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals. It is often used in baking. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vegetable shortening

Vegetable shortening is a type of fat that is made from vegetable oils. It is often used in baking to add texture and flavor. It is vegan.

Cage-free eggs

Cage-free eggs are eggs that have been produced without the use of battery cages. They are often considered to be a more humane option for egg production. Cage-free eggs are animal products.

Yeast

Yeast is used in baking to help bread rise. It is a type of fungi that feeds on sugar. Yeast is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are used to bind together oil and water. They are often used in food as stabilizers or thickening agents. Cinnabon Delights’ emulsifiers consist of nonfat milk, salt, mono- and diglycerides, and sodium alginate. It is a non-vegan ingredient.

Nonfat milk

Nonfat milk is a type of milk that has had the fat removed. It is often used in baking to add moisture and texture. Nonfat milk is a dairy product and is not vegan.

Salt

Salt is used to add flavor to food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Mono- and diglycerides

Mono and di-glycerides are used to bind together oil and water. They are often used in food as stabilizers or thickening agents. Most mono and di-glycerides in products are sourced from animals because it is much more cost-effective. They are not vegan.

Sodium alginate

Sodium alginate is used to bind together oil and water. It is often used in food as a stabilizer or emulsifier. Sodium alginate is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Malted barley flour

Malted barley flour is a type of flour that is made from malted barley. It is often used in baking to add flavor and texture. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Enzymes

Enzymes are used in food to help with the chemical processes of digestion and fermentation. They are often derived from fungus or bacteria. Enzymes are a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the bark of cinnamon trees. It is often used to add flavor to food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Soybean oil

Soybean oil is a type of oil that is made from soybeans. It is often used in cooking and baking. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Canola oil

Canola oil is a type of oil that is made from rapeseed. It is often used in cooking and baking. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Wheat

Wheat is a type of grain that is used to make flour. It is often used in baking. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Soy

Soy comes from the soybean plant and is used to make soy milk and tofu. It is often used as a meat alternative. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Milk

Milk is a type of fluid that is secreted by mammals to nourish their young. It is often used as a food and beverage. Milk is an animal product.

Why Aren’t Taco Bell Cinnabon Delights Vegan?

Taco Bell Cinnabon Delights are not vegan because they contain a host of animal-based ingredients such as milk, eggs, cream cheese, refined sugar, and mono- and diglycerides. Milk, eggs, and cream cheese are animal products, and refined sugar is often processed with animal-based bone char.

Mono- and diglycerides can be sourced from animals or plants, but most manufacturers use the animal-based form because it is much more common and cheaper.

Are Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists Vegan?

No. Taco Bell’s Cinnamon Twists are not vegan because they contain refined sugar.

This pastry is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes Vegan?

No. Taco Bell’s Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes are not vegan because as the name suggests, they contain cheese.