Vegan Diets And Bread: What You Need To Know

Bread is a staple food for many people, but is it suitable for vegans? The short answer is yes, but not always. The fundamental ingredients of bread are flour, yeast, water, oil, and salt – all of which are vegan-friendly. However, some breads contain additional animal-derived ingredients that are unsuitable for vegans, such as eggs, milk, butter, honey, or lard. Breads like brioche, challah, and egg bread typically contain eggs and are therefore non-vegan, while naan bread is often made with yoghurt, and bagels and crumpets sometimes contain milk or eggs. When buying bread, it's important to read the ingredients list to ensure it's suitable for a vegan diet.

Breads that are usually vegan

Bread is a staple food for most people, and vegans are no exception. The simplest form of bread is vegan, but not all bread is vegan. Some recipes include animal-derived ingredients such as eggs, butter, milk, or honey.

Sourdough

Sourdough is a type of fermented bread made from flour, water, salt, and sometimes commercial baker's yeast. It has a crisp crust and a tangy flavour. However, some varieties use milk instead of water, so it's important to check the ingredients list to ensure it is vegan-friendly.

Pita

Pita is a flatbread that is usually vegan. It is made from a simple mixture of flour, water, yeast, and salt. However, some varieties may add milk, eggs, or honey for flavour, so it's important to check the ingredients.

Ezekiel Bread

Ezekiel bread is made from sprouted whole grains and legumes. It is often vegan and typically richer in protein and other nutrients. It is also less processed and more nutritious compared to other types of bread.

Ciabatta

Ciabatta is a flat, elongated bread with a hard crust and a soft, airy crumb. Most versions are vegan, but some varieties, such as ciabatta al latte, use milk instead of water, making them non-vegan.

Baguette

A baguette is a popular French bread that is long and thin with a crispy crust and tender crumb. It is usually vegan, but it's always good to check the ingredients to be sure.

Focaccia

Focaccia is an Italian flatbread topped with herbs and a source of fat, typically olive oil. It is baked in a flat pan. Most recipes for focaccia are vegan, but a few may use butter or eggs, so checking the ingredients is essential.

In addition to these types of bread, many flatbreads, savoury, or dry types of bread are more likely to be vegan. When in doubt, checking the ingredient list is the best way to ensure that your bread of choice is suitable for a vegan diet.

Breads that are usually non-vegan

While the simplest form of bread is vegan, not all bread is vegan. Some recipes include animal-derived ingredients, such as eggs, butter, milk, or honey, which are unsuitable for vegans.

Naan

Naan is a type of flatbread that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is often made with milk or a clarified butter known as ghee, which are both animal-based products.

Brioche

Brioche is a rich, fluffy bread that typically contains milk and eggs, making it non-vegan. It is often used for sweet dishes, such as French toast, or as a base for bread pudding.

Bagels and Crumpets

Some bagels and crumpets are made with milk or eggs, which are not vegan-friendly. These ingredients are sometimes used as fillers or stabilizers in commercially sold breads.

Challah

Challah is a traditional Jewish braided bread that usually contains eggs. There are some varieties that use water instead of eggs, making them suitable for vegans.

Rye and Other Darker Grain Breads

Darker grain breads, such as rye, may use honey as a sweetening agent. Honey is an animal product that some vegans choose to avoid.

Animal-based ingredients in bread

Bread is a staple food for most people, and the simplest form of bread is vegan. At its core, a bread recipe contains four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. However, some types of bread include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats, which can be of animal origin.

• Dairy: This includes milk, butter, yogurt, and whey. These ingredients can be used to modify the flavour or texture of the bread.
• Eggs: Eggs are sometimes used in bread recipes to bind the ingredients together and create a fluffy texture.
• Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can be added to bread for extra flavour.
• L-cysteine: This is a dough conditioning additive derived from feathers, pig hair, or even human hair. It is often used in the refinement process of white flour.
• Mono and diglycerides: These are emulsifiers that are added to commercial breads to improve texture and retain moisture. They are usually derived from soybean oil but can also be sourced from animal fats.
• Lecithin: Lecithin is another type of emulsifier that is frequently added to commercial bread ingredients. It is typically derived from soybeans, but it can sometimes be sourced from egg yolks.

It is important to note that not all of these ingredients are always derived from animal sources. For example, mono and diglycerides, and lecithin are often plant-based. However, it can be challenging to determine the source of these ingredients simply by looking at the label. Therefore, it is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and, if necessary, reach out to the manufacturer to confirm the source of these ingredients.

How to identify vegan bread

Bread is usually vegan, but not always. The simplest form of bread is made from flour, water, salt, and yeast—all vegan ingredients. However, some breads contain animal-derived ingredients like eggs, milk, butter, honey, or other animal products.

Check the Ingredient List

The best way to ensure your bread is vegan is to check the ingredient list. Breads that include eggs, honey, royal jelly, gelatin, or dairy-based ingredients like milk, butter, buttermilk, whey, or casein are not considered vegan.

Some ingredients, like mono and diglycerides and lecithin, are usually vegan but can sometimes be derived from animal products. If you want to be sure, it's best to avoid these ingredients unless the product is certified as vegan.

Choose Simpler Breads

The less processed the bread is, the more likely it is to be vegan. Flatbreads, savory, or dry types of bread are often vegan, while fluffier brioche-style breads are more likely to contain animal-derived ingredients.

Know Common Vegan Breads

Some common types of bread that are typically vegan include:

• Sourdough (although some varieties may use milk)
• Pita (although some varieties may add milk, eggs, or honey)
• Ezekiel bread (made from sprouted whole grains and legumes)
• Ciabatta (although ciabatta al latte uses milk)
• Baguette
• Focaccia (although some recipes may use butter or eggs)
• Kosher bread (many varieties are dairy-free and some are also egg-free)

Buy from Vegan Bakeries or Brands

If you're unsure about the ingredients, buying from vegan bakeries or brands that offer vegan options can be a safer choice. Some popular options include:

• Angelic Bakehouse
• Dave's Killer Bread
• Rudi's Rocky Mountain Bakery
• Cobblestone Bread Co.
• Thomas' bagels
• Alvarado Arnold Bread
• Ezekiel / Food for Life
• Trader Joe's brand

Make Your Own Bread

The best way to ensure your bread is vegan is to make it yourself. Simple bread recipes are naturally vegan, and you can modify more complicated recipes by substituting non-vegan ingredients with vegan alternatives. For example, you can replace eggs with flax or chia seeds, use plant-based milk instead of dairy milk, and choose plant-based oils instead of butter.

Vegan-friendly bread types

While the simplest form of bread is vegan, not all bread is vegan. Some animal-derived ingredients to look out for include eggs, milk, butter, honey, gelatin, and dairy-based ingredients like buttermilk, whey, or casein. Ingredients like mono- and diglycerides and lecithin are usually vegan but can sometimes be derived from animal products.

• Sourdough: Sourdough is a type of fermented bread made from flour, water, salt, and sometimes commercial baker's yeast. It has a crisp crust and a tangy flavour.
• Pita: Pita is a flatbread made from flour, water, yeast, and salt. It is usually vegan, but some varieties may add milk, eggs, or honey.
• Ezekiel: Ezekiel bread is made from sprouted whole grains and legumes and is often vegan and richer in protein and other nutrients.
• Ciabatta: Ciabatta is a flat, elongated bread with a hard crust and a soft, airy crumb. It is usually vegan, but ciabatta al latte is made with milk and is not vegan.
• Baguette: A baguette is a long, thin, popular French bread with a crispy crust and tender crumb.
• Focaccia: Focaccia is an Italian flatbread topped with herbs and a source of fat, usually olive oil, and baked in a flat pan. Some recipes may use butter or eggs, so it is important to check the ingredients.
• Lavash: Lavash is a traditional Turkish bread made from a simple mixture of flour, water, salt, and oil.
• Naan: Naan is a yeast-leavened, oven-baked flatbread of Middle Eastern origin, now commonly associated with Indian cuisine. However, it often contains milk or clarified butter, so it is not always vegan.
• Whole grain: Whole grain breads are typically made with plant-based ingredients and are a good option for vegans.

Frequently asked questions