Figuring out whether Fazoli’s Breadsticks are safe for vegans to consume can be difficult.
Restaurant chains often hide their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even if they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to determine which ones are vegan and which ones are not.
To make sure that you’re only eating vegan food that aligns with your diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Fazoli’s Breadsticks.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Fazoli’s Breadsticks Vegan?
No. Fazoli’s Breadsticks are not vegan.
Fazoli’s is a restaurant chain that specializes in Italian cuisine, and its breadsticks are one of its most popular menu items. Unfortunately, vegans will not be able to enjoy these breadsticks because they contain milk, refined sugar, and mono- and diglycerides.
Milk is already a no-no for vegans because it is an animal product. Sugar is naturally vegan, but most sugars are processed with animal bone char. Bone char is a black porous substance made from the bones of animals. Unless it is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” sugar is not vegan.
Mono- and diglycerides can be either plant or animal derived. However, animal-sourced ones are more common because they are cheaper to produce.
So, while Fazoli’s Breadsticks might be delicious, they are not vegan. However, there are options for vegans who want to enjoy a similar breadstick experience.
Are Fazoli’s Breadsticks Cruelty-Free?
Yes. Fazoli’s Breadsticks are cruelty-free.
Fazoli’s Breadsticks are not tested on animals at any point in their production, nor do they use ingredients or additives that are routinely tested on animals, such as artificial colors.
Animal testing is an outdated and inhumane practice that only makes animals suffer. It often leaves innocent animals disfigured, sick, or dead. Fortunately, many food brands have turned to more ethical methods.
What Are Fazoli’s Breadsticks Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Fazoli’s Breadsticks:
Breadstick:
- Enriched bleached malted flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), folic acid)
- Water
- Soybean oil
- Cane sugar
- Yeast
- Wheat gluten
- Salt
- Dough conditioners (sodium stearoyl lactate, ascorbic acid, calcium peroxide, monocalcium phosphate, enzyme)
- Calcium propionate (preservative)
- Molasses
- Mono- and diglycerides
- Vinegar
- Wheat starch
Garlic butter topping:
- Breadstick oil (soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, natural flavor (milk, soy), natural and artificial flavor, TBHQ and citric acid added as preservatives and artificial color)
- Water
- Salt
- Granulated garlic
Let’s break down each ingredient of Fazoli’s Breadsticks:
Enriched bleached malted flour
Enriched bleached malted flour is a type of wheat flour that has been enriched with vitamins and minerals, including niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and folic acid. It is then bleached with chemicals to make it whiter in color.
Malted barley flour is a type of flour made from malt, which is a grain that has been sprouted and dried. These are all vegan.
Water
Water is often used as a moistening agent in bread recipes. It is vegan.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from soybeans. It is vegan.
Cane sugar
Cane sugar is a type of sugar that is made from the juice of sugarcane. Cane sugar is often filtered and processed with animal bone char to make it white. Unless it is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
Yeast
Yeast is a type of single-celled fungus that helps the bread to rise. Yeast is vegan.
Wheat gluten
Wheat gluten is the main protein found in wheat. It is often used as a meat replacement in vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Salt
Salt is a vegan ingredient that is often used to add flavor to recipes.
Dough conditioners
Dough conditioners are ingredients that help to improve the texture of the dough. They include sodium stearoyl lactate, ascorbic acid, calcium peroxide, monocalcium phosphate, and enzymes, which are all vegan.
Calcium propionate
Calcium propionate is a type of preservative that is often used in bread recipes. It is vegan
Molasses
Molasses is a type of sweetener that is a by-product of refining sugarcane or sugar beets into table sugar. Just like refined sugar, unless it is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are a type of fat that can be either plant or animal derived. However, animal-sourced ones are more commonly used because they are cheaper. Therefore, mono- and diglycerides are typically not vegan.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a type of liquid that is made from the fermentation of alcohol. It is vegan.
Wheat starch
Wheat starch is a type of flour that is made from the starchy part of wheat. It is vegan.
Breadstick oil
Breadstick oil is a type of vegetable oil that is used to coat breadsticks. It consists of soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, natural flavor (milk, soy), natural and artificial flavor, TBHQ, and citric acid added as preservatives and artificial color.
Hydrogenated soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen to make it more solid. It is vegan.
Natural flavor is a term that is used to describe a flavor that comes from an animal, plant, or microbial source. The natural flavors used in Fazoli’s Breadsticks are milk and soy. Soy is vegan.
Artificial flavor is a term that is used to describe a flavor that is not natural. These are synthetic and vegan.
TBHQ is a type of preservative that is derived from petroleum. It is vegan.
Citric acid is a type of acidic compound that is found in citrus fruits. It is vegan.
Granulated garlic
Granulated garlic is a type of dried and ground garlic that is often used as a seasoning. It is vegan.
Why Aren’t Fazoli’s Breadsticks Vegan?
Fazoli’s Breadsticks are not vegan because they contain refined cane sugar, mono- and diglycerides, and milk. Cane sugar is a type of sugar that is made from the juice of sugarcane. It is technically vegan but most sugars are processed using animal bone char. Mono- and diglycerides are mostly animal-sourced and milk is, of course, an animal product that comes from cows.
Sadly, this means that those who follow a vegan lifestyle cannot enjoy Fazoli’s Breadsticks.
Is Fazoli’s House Side Salad Vegan?
No. Fazoli’s house side salad comes with cheese.
This salad is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fazoli’s Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks Vegan?
No. Fazoli’s Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks contain pork and milk.
Pepperoni Pizza Breadsticks are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fazoli’s Chicken Parm Breadstick Slider Vegan?
No. Fazoli’s Chicken Parm Breadstick Slider contains chicken and cheese.
The Chicken Parm Breadstick Slider is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fazoli’s Dozen Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce Vegan?
No. Fazoli’s Dozen Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce is not vegan. It contains milk and its derivatives.
Fazoli’s Dozen Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are There Any Vegan Options at Fazoli’s?
Fortunately, there is a Fazoli’s vegan menu. It’s not very big, but it’s something. Here are some of Fazoli’s vegan menu items:
- Impossible Spaghetti (Impossible meat crumbles are the only vegan topping at Fazoli’s.)
- Impossible Baked Spaghetti (order with no cheese)
- House Side Salad (order with no cheese)
- Red Wine Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Fat-Free Italian
- Strawberry Italian Lemon Ice
- Unsweetened Tea
As for desserts, sadly, there are no vegan desserts on Fazoli’s vegan menu because they all contain dairy products or refined sugar processed with animal bone char.
Vegan Alternatives to Fazoli’s Breadsticks
If you’re craving breadsticks and are looking for a vegan-friendly alternative, I recommend trying out one of the many delicious vegan recipes for breadsticks that are available online. Here are some of my favorites:
- Vegan Garlic Parmesan Breadstick by Karissa Vegan Kitchen
- Traditional Vegan Breadsticks by Yuzu Bakes
These vegan breadsticks recipes will surely satisfy your cravings! You can follow these recipes to the T or experiment and put your own spin on them. Either way, you’ll end up with a delicious vegan-friendly dish that everyone will love!
Final Words
So, there you have it! Fozali’s Breadsticks are, unfortunately, not vegan. However, there are many delicious vegan recipes for breadsticks that you can try out at home. With a little effort, you can easily make a vegan-friendly dish that not only tastes great but is also good for you! So, don’t despair—you won’t be missing out on anything by avoiding Fazoli’s breadsticks.