Are Duck Donuts Vegan and Cruelty-Free? The Doughy Truth

June 2, 2023

Figuring out whether Duck Donuts are vegan can be difficult.

Donuts often contain many ingredients and some of them may be animal derived.

To ensure that you are only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Duck Donuts.

Here’s what I found out.

Are Duck Donuts Vegan?

No. Duck Donuts are non-vegan donuts.

Duck Donuts is not vegan because most of its donuts contain milk and eggs, both of which are animal products. These two ingredients are often used in doughnuts to make them softer and give them a richer flavor.

Also, most of the flavors of Duck Donuts contain refined sugar. Sugar is technically vegan but is often processed using animal bone char to make sugar white. Bone char is the ground-up bones of cows. Unless the sugar is specifically labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it probably is not vegan.

The Duck Donuts market has started offering a new vegan donut in Orange County, the first Duck Donuts market to do so. This vegan donut is made with plant-based milk and does not contain any eggs or refined sugar. It is only available Mondays and Tuesdays though.

So, while Duck Donuts is not currently vegan, it is taking steps in the right direction by offering vegan options.

Are Duck Donuts Cruelty-Free?

Yes. Duck Donuts is cruelty-free.

Duck Donuts products are not tested on animals, nor do they include any animal-tested ingredients, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Animal testing is a gruesome and outdated practice that frequently results in the deformity, suffering, or death of innocent animals. Thankfully, Duck Donuts does not support this inhumane practice and is cruelty-free!

What Are Duck Donuts Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Duck Donuts:

  • Wheat and corn flour
  • Soybean oil
  • Nonfat dry milk
  • Egg yolks
  • Beta carotene

Let’s break down each ingredient:

Wheat and corn flour

Wheat and corn flour are used to make the dough of Duck Donuts. They are used to make the dough rise and give it a fluffy texture. They are both vegan-friendly ingredients.

Soybean oil

Soybean oil is used to fry the donuts. It is a type of vegetable oil that has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying. It is a vegan ingredient.

Nonfat dry milk

Nonfat dry milk is used in the dough of the donuts. It is a dairy product that contains milk solids and is not vegan friendly.

Egg yolks

Egg yolks are used in the dough. They are added to make the dough richer and more flavorful. They are not vegan friendly.

Beta carotene

Beta carotene is used to give the doughnuts their orange color. It is a type of pigment that is found in plants and can also be made synthetically. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Why Aren’t Duck Donuts Vegan?

Duck Donuts is not vegan because most of its donuts contain dry milk and egg yolks, both of which are animal derived. Also, most of the flavors of Duck Donuts contain refined sugar, which is often processed with animal bone char to make it white.

Duck Donuts does offer vegan donuts, but they are only available on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Is the Bacon in the Sun Donut Vegan?

No. Bacon in the Sun donuts contain actual bacon.

Bacon in the Sun donuts are not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Beach Ball Donut Vegan?

No. Beach Ball donuts contain vanilla icing, which contains milk and refined sugar.

Duck Donuts Beach Ball donut is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Strawberry Confetti Donut Vegan?

No. The Strawberry Confetti donut contains strawberry icing, which contains milk and refined sugar.

Duck Donuts Strawberry Confetti is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the S’mores Donut Vegan?

No. Duck Donuts S’mores contains chocolate icing, which is made of milk and refined sugar.

The S’mores donut is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Beach Donut Vegan?

No. The Beach contains vanilla icing, which is made of refined sugar and milk.

The Beach donut is not safe for vegan consumption.

Vegan Alternatives to Duck Donuts

If you’re craving fresh donuts but want to maintain a vegan lifestyle, there are numerous other donut shops that offer vegan donuts. Here are a few of my favorites:

Or, if you enjoy experimenting and cooking your own food, try these homemade vegan donut recipes:

With a few ingredients and a bit of time, you can easily make your own vegan donuts that are just as delicious as Duck Donuts!

Final Words

So there you have it! The answer to the question, “Are Duck Donuts vegan?” is no. They’re not vegan because they contain milk, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients. 

If you’re in the mood for some delicious donuts but it’s not Monday or Tuesday, there are many other delicious vegan donut brands that offer vegan donuts. You can also make your own vegan donut by checking out the recipes I’ve listed above. With a little bit of effort, you can easily make delicious vegan donuts! Enjoy!