Are Eggos Vegan and Cruelty-Free? Leggo the Truth

June 2, 2023

Figuring out whether Eggo waffles are safe for vegans to consume can be a bit tough.

Ready-made, frozen waffles often contain many ingredients and some of them may be animal products or by-products.

To make sure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Eggo waffles.

Here’s what I found.

Are Eggos Vegan?

No. Eggo waffles are not vegan.

Eggo, a Kellogg’s product, is a brand known for its egg flavor in frozen waffles, pancakes, and toasters. From the name, you probably guessed that eggs are one of the main ingredients.

However, eggs are not the only non-vegan ingredient in these frozen waffles because Eggos also contain whey, a milk derivative. Some Eggo waffles varieties even contain butter.

Additionally, they contain refined sugar, which is often processed with bone char. Bone char is a type of animal charcoal used to whiten and refine sugar. It comes from the ground-up bones of animals.

Unfortunately for vegans, Eggo waffles are not something you can add to your grocery list. The brand currently offers no vegan flavors.

Are Eggos Cruelty-Free?

Yes! Eggos are cruelty-free.

Eggo waffles are not tested on animals at any point in their production, nor do they contain ingredients that are routinely tested on animals, such as artificial colors.

Animal testing is an outdated and inhumane process that companies must abandon. It’s a cruel practice that leaves innocent animals traumatized, disfigured, harmed, and dead.

Thankfully, more and more companies are moving away from this cruel testing practice and are finding other ways to test the safety of their products.

What Are Eggos Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Kellogg’s Eggo Homestyle Waffles:

  • Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid)
  • Water
  • Vegetable oil (soybean oil, palm oil, canola oil, and/or cottonseed oil)
  • Sugar
  • Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
  • Salt
  • Dextrose
  • Spice
  • Whey
  • Eggs
  • Soy lecithin
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Iron
  • Vitamin A palmitate
  • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
  • Vitamin B12

Let’s break down each ingredient of Eggo:

Enriched wheat flour

Enriched wheat flour is a type of wheat flour that has nutrients added to it. These nutrients include niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. Enriched wheat flour is vegan.

Water

Water is a vegan ingredient and is used in many food products as a solvent.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oils are oils that come from plants. Soybean, palm, canola, and cottonseed oils are all vegan friendly.

Sugar

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is found in many food products. It is technically vegan, but most sugar brands are processed with animal bone char to make it white. Unless the sugar is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.

Leavening

Leavening is a type of agent that helps the dough to rise. Baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, and monocalcium phosphate are all vegan-friendly leavening agents.

Salt

Salt is a mineral that is used to add flavor to food or as a preservative. It is vegan friendly.

Dextrose

Dextrose is a type of sugar that is often used as a sweetener in processed foods. It is mostly made from corn, which would make it vegan friendly if it weren’t also commonly filtered with bone char. Dextrose is probably safe for vegans to consume, but if you’re a strict vegan opposed to the possible use of bone char, you might want to either avoid it or conduct further research on products containing it. 

Spice

Spices are plant-based ingredients that are used to add flavor to food. They are vegan friendly.

Whey

Whey is a milk derivative that is often used in processed foods. It is not vegan friendly.

Eggs

Eggs are not vegan—they come from chickens. They are one of the main ingredients in Eggo waffles.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is a type of emulsifier that is derived from soybeans. It is vegan friendly.

Calcium carbonate 

Calcium carbonate is often used as a dietary supplement. It is vegan.

Iron

Iron is a mineral that is important for the transport of oxygen in the blood. It is vegan.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A palmitate is a vitamin that is important for vision and immunity. It is vegan.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is important for metabolism. It is vegan.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that is important for the nervous system and red blood cell production. It is vegan.

Why Aren’t Eggo Waffles Vegan?

Eggo waffles are not vegan because they contain refined sugar, eggs, and whey. Eggs are, of course, an animal product. Whey is a milk derivative, and refined sugar is typically processed with animal bone char to make it white.

There are, however, a variety of frozen waffles available at grocery stores that are vegan. Or if you’re more of a hands-on vegan, you could make your own vegan waffles, freeze them, and have your own toaster waffles at the ready.

Are Eggo Buttermilk Waffles Vegan?

No. Buttermilk Eggo waffles are not vegan. They contain buttermilk, refined sugar, and eggs.

These frozen waffles are not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Apple Cinnamon Eggo Waffles Vegan?

No. Apple Cinnamon Eggo frozen waffles are not vegan. They contain sugar, eggs, and whey.

These frozen waffles are not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Eggo Blueberry Pancakes Vegan?

No. Eggo Blueberry Pancakes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar, eggs, and whey.

Eggo Blueberry Pancakes are not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Eggo French Toast Vegan?

No. Eggo French Toast is not vegan. It contains sugar, eggs, and whey.

Eggo French Toast is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Eggo Bites Chocolate Chip Pancakes Vegan?

No. Eggo Bites Chocolate Chip Pancakes are not vegan. This chocolate chip pancake contains buttermilk, sugar, and eggs.

Eggo Bites Chocolate Chip Pancakes are not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Eggo Thick & Fluffy Whole Grain Waffles Vegan?

No. These Eggo waffles contain refined sugar, eggs, and whey.

These Eggo frozen waffles are not safe for vegan consumption.

Vegan Alternatives to Eggo

If you’re craving some breakfast goodness but want to stay away from animal products, don’t worry, there are plenty of vegan frozen waffles alternatives to Eggo waffles. Here are some of my favorite vegan frozen waffles:

Or you could try a mix if you have a waffle iron:

With these pancake and waffle mixes, you can easily make a delicious vegan breakfast without any animal products. 

If you’re into whole foods and prefer to make your own vegan waffles from scratch, try one of these recipes:

So whether you’re craving a vegan Belgian waffle or a vegan AND gluten-free waffle, go ahead and enjoy some guilt-free homemade waffles!

Final Words

So, there you have it! If you’ve always wondered “Are Eggos vegan?” the answer is no, Eggo waffles are not vegan. Kellogg’s Eggo waffles contain eggs, sugar, whey, and sometimes milk and butter. 

However, there are many vegan alternatives to Eggo waffles that are just as delicious. You don’t have to worry about missing out on your favorite breakfast food just because you’re vegan. With a little bit of research, you can easily find delicious vegan waffles that will suit your taste. So go ahead and enjoy some guilt-free waffles!