Are Einstein Bagels and Cruelty-Free? The Crumby Truth

July 30, 2023

Figuring out whether Einstein bagels are safe for vegans to consume can be challenging.

Bagel brands 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 ensure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Einstein Bagels.

Here’s what I found.

Are Einstein Bagels Vegan?

No. Einstein bagels are not vegan.

The majority of Einstein bagels contain refined sugar and dairy products, including milk and butter. These ingredients are not vegan.

Sugar is not vegan unless it is specifically labeled “raw,” “unfiltered,” or “organic.” Sugar is frequently processed with bone char to make it whiter. Dairy products, on the other hand, such as milk and butter, are made from animals and, hence, are not vegan.

So, if you’re looking for a delicious and vegan-friendly bagel, Einstein bagels are not the right choice. However, there are several other brands that offer vegan bagels.

Are Einstein Bagels Cruelty-Free?

Yes. Einstein Bagels are cruelty-free.

Einstein Bagels are never tested on animals at any point throughout the production process. They also contain no additives that have been tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Animal testing is a cruel and obsolete practice that results in the deformity, misery, or death of vulnerable animals. There surely are alternatives to animal testing, therefore there is no reason for any food brands to continue participating in this inhumane practice.

Thankfully, Einstein Bros Bagels does not contribute to animal cruelty.

What Are Einstein Bros Bagels Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Einstein plain bagels:

  • Enriched unbleached wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Yeast
  • Molasses powder (molasses, wheat starch)
  • Malted barley flour
  • Soybean oil
  • Hydrolyzed wheat gluten
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Enzymes
  • Cornmeal

Let’s break down each ingredient of Einstein bagels:

Enriched unbleached wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)

Enriched unbleached wheat flour is a type of wheat flour that has been enriched with nutrients, such as niacin, iron, thiamine, and folic acid. It is also unbleached, meaning that the flour has not been treated with chemicals to make it whiter. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Wheat flour is a type of flour that is made from grinding wheat. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Malted barley flour is a type of flour that is made from malted barley. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B₃, is a type of water-soluble vitamin that is found in food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Reduced iron is a type of iron that has been reduced from its ferric state. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Thiamine mononitrate is a type of thiamine that has been chemically treated to make it more water soluble. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B₂, is a type of water-soluble vitamin that is found in food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Folic acid is a type of water-soluble vitamin that is found in food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Water

Water is used as a solvent in many food products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is used as a sweetener in many food products. It is not vegan unless it is raw, unfiltered, or organic.

Salt

Salt is used as a flavor enhancer and preservative in many food products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Yeast

Yeast is used as a leavening agent in bread products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Molasses powder (molasses, wheat starch)

Molasses powder is a type of sugar that is made from molasses. It is not a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Molasses is a type of sugar that is made from sugar cane or sugar beets. It is not a vegan-friendly ingredient because it, too, may be filtered with bone char.

Wheat starch is a type of flour that is made from wheat. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Soybean oil

Soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from soybeans. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Hydrolyzed wheat gluten

Hydrolyzed wheat gluten is a type of protein that is made from wheat. It is not a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a type of water-soluble vitamin that is found in food. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Enzymes

Enzymes are used as a flavor enhancer and preservative in many food products. They are not vegan friendly unless they are derived from plant or microbial sources.

Cornmeal

Cornmeal is a type of flour that is made from corn. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Why Aren’t Einstein Bros Bagels Vegan?

Einstein bagels are not vegan because most of the bagels contain refined sugar, milk, and butter. Sugar is not vegan unless it is labeled “raw,” “unrefined,” or “organic.” Dairy products, such as milk and butter, are animal products and are not vegan. These ingredients clearly make Einstein bagels unsuitable for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein Bagels’ Jalapeño Bacon Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Jalapeño Bacon bagel contains refined sugar, bacon meat, and cheese.

The Jalapeño Bacon bagel at Einstein Bros Bagels is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein Bagels’ Spinach Florentine Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Spinach Florentine bagel contains sugar, milk, and cheese.

The Spinach Florentine bagel at Einstein Bros Bagels is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein Bagels’ Ancient Grain Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Ancient Grain bagel contains brown sugar, which is also probably processed with bone char.

The Ancient Grain bagel at Einstein Bros Bagels is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein’s Take & Toast Plain Bagel Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Take & Toast plain bagel contains refined sugar.

The Take & Toast plain bagel at Einstein Bros Bagels is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein’s Garden Veggie Shmear Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Garden Veggie Shmear contains non-vegan cream cheese, a dairy product.

The Garden Veggie Shmear at Einstein Bros Bagels is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein’s Heavenly Chocolate Chip Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Heavenly Chocolate Chip bagel contains refined sugar and milk.

The Heavenly Chocolate Chip bagel at Einstein Bros Bagels is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein’s Bacon, Avocado, & Tomato Bagel Sandwich Vegan?

No. Einstein Bros Bagels’ Bacon, Avocado & Tomato bagel sandwich is not vegan. The bagel and roasted tomato spread contain real bacon, refined sugar, and egg.

The Bacon, Avocado & Tomato bagel sandwich is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein’s French Toast Bagel Vegan?

No. Einstein’s French Toast Bagel contains refined sugar.

Einstein’s French Toast Bagel is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Einstein’s Avocado Veg Out Vegan?

No. Einstein’s Avocado Veg Out contains sugar and cream cheese.

Einstein Bros Bagels’ Avocado Veg Out is not safe for vegan consumption.

Vegan Alternatives to Einstein Bros Bagels

If you are in the mood for some bagels but want to stick to your vegan diet, there are great vegan-friendly alternatives to Einstein Bros Bagels. Here are some of my favorite vegan bagels:

These brands are as close as you’ll get to an Einstein’s bagel in terms of taste and texture, but they’re vegan! You can add your favorite vegan cream cheese or any dairy-free cream cheese and partner it with almond milk. And voilà! You’ve got a delicious vegan breakfast.

Final Words

So there you have it! The answer to the question “Are Einstein Bagels vegan?” is no. Most of the bagels at Einstein Bros contain milk, butter, and non-vegan refined sugar. However, there are many vegan options offered by other brands. You can find my favorites listed above. Grab a bagel from one of these brands next time you’re in the mood for a delicious vegan breakfast! Enjoy!