If you love cinnamon rolls, you might have wondered if Cinnabon, the famous bakery chain, offers any vegan options.
Determining whether or not this product is vegan is difficult because manufacturers hide the true nature of their ingredients.
This article will uncover the truth and support you in your vegan lifestyle.
Is Cinnabon Vegan?
The short answer is no. Cinnabon does not have any vegan options on its menu. All of its baked goods contain animal products, such as dairy, eggs, and whey. Even its basic beverages, such as coffee drinks and lemonade, are not vegan-friendly.
Is Cinnabon Cruelty-Free?
The short answer is also no. Cinnabon is not cruelty-free because it uses ingredients that come from animals that are exploited and harmed for human consumption. Dairy, eggs, and whey are all products of animal agriculture, which is a major cause of environmental destruction, animal suffering, and human health problems.
What Is Cinnabon Made Of?
According to the Cinnabon website, the classic cinnamon roll is made of the following ingredients:
- Enriched flour bleached
- Water
- Sugar
- Palm and soybean oil
- Dextrose
- Yeast
- Wheat starch
- Salt
- Wheat flour
- Corn syrup solids
- Mono- and diglycerides
- Datem
- Fructose
- Sodium stearoyl lactylate
- Cellulose gum
- Sucralose
- Cornstarch
- Molasses
- Canola oil
- Rice flour
- Xanthan gum
- Barley malt extract
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Color added
- Polysorbate 60
- Guar gum
- Soy lecithin
- Locust bean gum
- Egg whites
- Nonfat milk
- Cream cheese (pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, carob bean gum)
- Margarine (palm oil, water, soybean oil, salt, whey solids, mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin, natural flavor, annatto extract color, vitamin A palmitate)
- Powdered sugar
Enriched flour bleached
This is a type of flour that has been stripped of its bran and germ, which are the most nutritious parts of the wheat grain. It has been bleached to make it whiter and softer, but also less healthy. It has been enriched with some synthetic vitamins to make up for the loss of nutrients. This ingredient is not vegan because it may be processed with animal-derived enzymes or chemicals.
Water
This is plain water that is used to make the dough. It is vegan.
Sugar
This is a sweetener that comes from sugarcane or sugar beets. It is used to add sweetness and flavor to the dough and the frosting. It may or may not be vegan, depending on how it was processed. Some sugar is filtered with bone char, which is made from animal bones, to make it whiter and finer. There is no way to tell if Cinnabon uses vegan sugar or not.
Palm and soybean oil
These are plant-based oils that are used to add fat and moisture to the dough and the frosting. They are vegan, but they are not very healthy or sustainable. Palm oil is a major driver of deforestation, habitat loss, and human rights violations in tropical regions. Soybean oil is often genetically modified and highly refined.
Dextrose
This is a simple sugar that comes from cornstarch. It is used to add sweetness and flavor to the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Yeast
This is a type of fungus that helps the dough rise by producing carbon dioxide gas. It is vegan.
Wheat starch
This is a carbohydrate that comes from wheat flour. It is used to thicken and stabilize the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Salt
This is a mineral that adds flavor and preserves the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Wheat flour
This is another type of flour that comes from wheat grains. It is used to add structure and texture to the dough. It is vegan.
Corn syrup solids
These are a form of sugar that comes from cornstarch. They are used to add sweetness and moisture to the dough and the frosting. They are vegan.
Mono- and diglycerides
These are fatty acids that are used to emulsify and improve the texture of the dough and the frosting. They may or may not be vegan, depending on their source. They can come from plant or animal fats, but there is no way to tell which one Cinnabon uses.
Datem
This is an acronym for diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides. It is a dough conditioner that helps the dough rise and stay soft. It may or may not be vegan, depending on its source. It can come from plant or animal fats, but there is no way to tell which one Cinnabon uses.
Fructose
This is a simple sugar that comes from fruits or corn. It is used to add sweetness and flavor to the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Sodium stearoyl lactylate
This is a chemical compound that is used to improve the texture and shelf-life of the dough and the frosting. It may or may not be vegan, depending on its source. It can come from plant or animal fats, but there is no way to tell which one Cinnabon uses.
Cellulose gum
This is a polysaccharide that comes from plant cell walls. It is used to thicken and stabilize the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Sucralose
This is an artificial sweetener that is derived from sugar. It is used to add sweetness without adding calories to the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Cornstarch
This is a carbohydrate that comes from corn kernels. It is used to thicken and stabilize the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Molasses
This is a thick, dark syrup that comes from sugarcane or sugar beets. It adds color and flavor to the dough and the frosting. It may or may not be vegan, depending on how it was processed. Some molasses is filtered with bone char, which is made from animal bones, to make it lighter and sweeter.
There is no way to tell if Cinnabon uses vegan molasses or not.
Canola oil
This is a plant-based oil that comes from rapeseed plants. It is used to add fat and moisture to the dough and the frosting. It is vegan, but it may be genetically modified and highly refined.
Rice flour
This is a type of flour that comes from rice grains. It is used to add structure and texture to the dough. It is vegan.
Xanthan gum
This is a polysaccharide that comes from fermented sugars. It is used to thicken and stabilize the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Barley malt extract
This is a sweetener that comes from malted barley grains. It is used to add flavor and color to the dough and the frosting. It is vegan.
Natural and artificial flavors
These are substances that are added to enhance the flavor of the dough and the frosting. They may or may not be vegan, depending on their source and composition. They can come from plant or animal sources, but there is no way to tell which ones Cinnabon uses.
Color added
This is a vague term that refers to any substances that are added to change the color of the dough and the frosting. They may or may not be vegan, depending on their source and composition. They can come from natural or synthetic sources, but there is no way to tell which ones Cinnabon uses.
Polysorbate 60
This is a chemical compound that is used to emulsify and improve the texture of the frosting. It may or may not be vegan, depending on its source. It can come from plant or animal fats, but there is no way to tell which one Cinnabon uses.
Guar gum
This is a polysaccharide that comes from guar beans. It is used to thicken and stabilize the frosting. It is vegan.
Soy lecithin
This is a phospholipid that comes from soybeans. It is used to emulsify and improve the texture of the frosting. It is vegan.
Locust bean gum
This is a polysaccharide that comes from carob seeds. It is used to thicken and stabilize the frosting. It is vegan.
Egg whites
These are the clear, protein-rich parts of eggs that come from chickens. They are used to add structure and texture to the frosting. They are not vegan, because they come from animals that are exploited and harmed for human consumption.
Nonfat milk
This is milk that comes from cows that has had most of its fat removed. It is not vegan because it comes from animals that are exploited and harmed for human consumption.
Cream cheese
This is a soft cheese that comes from cow’s milk. It is used to add creaminess and tanginess to the frosting. It is not vegan because it comes from animals that are exploited and harmed for human consumption.
Margarine
This is a spread that is made from vegetable oils and water. It is used to add fat and flavor to the frosting. It may or may not be vegan, depending on its ingredients. Some margarines contain animal-derived ingredients, such as whey, lactose, or vitamin D3. There is no way to tell if Cinnabon uses vegan margarine or not.
Powdered sugar
This is a fine sugar that is mixed with cornstarch to prevent clumping. It is used to add sweetness and texture to the frosting. It may or may not be vegan, depending on how it was processed. Some powdered sugar is filtered with bone char, which is made from animal bones, to make it whiter and finer.
There is no way to tell if Cinnabon uses vegan powdered sugar or not.
Why Isn’t Cinnabon Vegan?
As you can see from the list of ingredients, Cinnabon is not vegan because it contains several animal products, such as dairy, eggs, and whey. These ingredients are not only cruel to animals but also harmful to your health and the environment.
Dairy products come from cows that are forcibly impregnated, separated from their calves, and milked until they are exhausted and slaughtered.
Dairy consumption has been linked to various health problems, such as acne, allergies, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Dairy production also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, land degradation, and deforestation.
Eggs come from chickens that are confined in cages or crowded sheds, where they suffer from stress, disease, mutilation, and cannibalism.
Egg consumption has been linked to high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Egg production also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, land degradation, and deforestation.
Whey is a by-product of cheese making that contains lactose, protein, and minerals. Whey consumption has been linked to digestive problems, allergies, acne, inflammation, and kidney damage. Whey production also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, land degradation, and deforestation.
Cinnabon Varieties
Cinnabon offers several varieties of its classic cinnamon roll:
Caramel Pecanbon
This is a cinnamon roll topped with caramel frosting and chopped pecans. It is not vegan because it contains dairy, eggs, and whey.
Chocobon
This is a cinnamon roll topped with chocolate frosting. It is not vegan because it contains dairy, eggs, and whey.
Chocobon Bites
These are bite-sized pieces of cinnamon roll filled and drizzled with chocolate frosting. They are not vegan because they contain dairy, eggs, and whey.
Caramel Pecanbon Bites
These are bite-sized pieces of cinnamon roll topped with caramel frosting and chopped pecans. They are not vegan because they contain dairy, eggs, and whey.
Cinnabon Stix
These are twisted strips of dough dusted with sugar and cinnamon. They are not vegan because they contain dairy, eggs, and whey.
Vegan Alternatives to Cinnabon
If you are craving a delicious cinnamon roll but don’t want to compromise your vegan values, don’t worry, there are plenty of vegan alternatives to Cinnabon. Here are some options:
- Make your own vegan cinnamon rolls at home using plant-based ingredients, such as vegan butter, non-dairy milk, flax eggs, and maple syrup. You can find many recipes online for vegan cinnamon rolls that are easy and tasty.
- Buy vegan cinnamon rolls from a vegan bakery or a health food store. Some brands that offer vegan cinnamon rolls are Annie’s, Amy’s, Cinnaholic, and Trader Joe’s.
- Make or buy vegan cream cheese frosting to top your vegan cinnamon rolls. You can make your own vegan cream cheese frosting by blending vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
You can also buy ready-made vegan cream cheese frosting from brands like Daiya, Tofutti, and Follow Your Heart.
- Enjoy other vegan baked goods that have a similar flavor and texture to cinnamon rolls, such as vegan muffins, scones, cookies, or breads. You can add cinnamon, raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips to make them more decadent.
Conclusion
Cinnabon is not a vegan-friendly place to get your sweet fix. All of its products contain animal products that are cruel to animals, harmful to your health, and damaging to the environment.
However, you don’t have to miss out on the joy of cinnamon rolls if you are vegan. There are many vegan alternatives to Cinnabon that are delicious, compassionate, and satisfying.
You can make your own vegan cinnamon rolls at home or buy them from a vegan bakery or health food store. You can also make or buy vegan cream cheese to add some extra indulgence to your vegan cinnamon rolls. Or you can enjoy other vegan baked goods that have a similar flavor and texture to cinnamon rolls. The choice is yours!