Vegan Diets And Bread: What You Need To Know

Bread is a staple food for many people, but is it suitable for vegans? The answer is: it depends on the type of bread. A simple bread recipe with flour, water, salt, and yeast is vegan, but some breads contain added ingredients that are not vegan-friendly. For example, Naan bread is often made with yoghurt, and brioche usually contains milk and eggs. Breads like bagels and crumpets are sometimes made with milk or eggs, and darker grain breads may be sweetened with honey. However, there are many types of bread that are typically vegan, including pita bread, sourdough, focaccia, baguettes, and ciabatta. So, while not all breads are suitable for a vegan diet, there are plenty of options available.

Bread ingredients that are always vegan

A basic bread recipe contains just four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. All of these ingredients are vegan-friendly. Flour is a mixture of ground grains, water is an animal-free substance, salt is derived from seawater or the earth, and yeast is a type of fungus that helps bread rise.

However, some types of bread include additional ingredients that may be derived from animal products. These include sweeteners, fats, eggs, butter, milk, and honey. For example, brioche, cornbread, challah, and naan are types of bread that are typically non-vegan.

• Sourdough: This type of bread is made with natural fermentation using wild yeasts and typically does not contain animal products. However, some variations may include eggs, milk, butter, or honey.
• Whole Wheat: As long as it does not contain dairy, honey, or other animal-derived ingredients, whole wheat bread is generally vegan-friendly.
• White Bread: White bread can be vegan if it does not include animal-derived ingredients like eggs, milk, or honey.
• Rye Bread: Rye bread is typically made with rye flour, water, and yeast, and is usually vegan. However, some brands may add non-vegan ingredients like eggs or dairy.
• Gluten-Free Bread: Many gluten-free varieties are vegan-friendly, but some may contain dairy or eggs, so it's important to check the label.
• Pita: Pita bread is typically made with water, flour, yeast, and salt, and is usually vegan. However, some brands may add milk or butter.
• Focaccia: Focaccia is an Italian flatbread that is usually vegan, but some versions may include cheese or other animal-derived toppings.
• Baguettes: The basic recipe for baguettes is vegan-friendly, but some bakeries may add milk or butter to the dough.
• Bagels: Plain bagels are typically vegan, but those with toppings or fillings (such as cream cheese or ham) are often not.
• Ciabatta: Ciabatta is usually vegan, but some recipes may include milk or other animal-derived ingredients, so it's important to check the ingredients.
• Spelt Bread: Spelt bread can be vegan or non-vegan, depending on the ingredients used. Some recipes may include honey or other animal-derived products.

Bread ingredients that are sometimes not vegan

Bread is usually vegan, but some types of bread contain animal-derived ingredients. The simplest form of bread—made with flour, water, salt, and yeast—is vegan. However, some bread recipes include additional ingredients like fats and sweeteners, which can be of animal origin.

Eggs

Eggs are often used in bread to modify flavour or texture, or as a leavening agent. They are found in many types of bread, including brioche, challah, focaccia, and ciabatta al latte.

Dairy

Dairy products such as milk, butter, buttercream, buttermilk, whey, and casein are sometimes added to bread to improve consistency and flavour. These ingredients can be found in white bread, wheat bread, sourdough, pita, focaccia, ciabatta, and challah.

Honey

Honey is a sweetener that is sometimes added to bread. It is a common ingredient in whole-wheat bread and pita. Honey is one of the most controversial foods in the vegan community.

Mono- and Diglycerides

Mono- and diglycerides are fats used as emulsifiers to improve texture and retain moisture in bread. They are often derived from soybean oil but can also be sourced from animal fats.

Lecithin

Lecithin is another type of emulsifier usually derived from soybeans. However, it can also be sourced from egg yolks, so it may not always be vegan.

L-Cysteine

L-Cysteine is a dough conditioner often sourced from feathers or human hair. It is commonly found in pre-packaged breads and baked goods, including white and wheat bread.

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Ghee, or clarified butter, is often used in Indian cooking, especially in naan bread.

Lard

Lard is a cooking fat rendered from pigs that gives bread a moist and tender texture. It is commonly found in fry bread and tortillas.

Bread types that are usually vegan

The simplest form of bread is vegan, but not all bread is vegan. Some common types of bread that are usually vegan include:

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. While sourdough is usually vegan, some varieties may use milk instead of water, making them non-vegan.

Pita

Pita is a flatbread made from a simple mixture of flour, water, yeast, and salt. It is commonly used for falafel sandwiches or folded around a filling. While pita bread is often vegan, some brands may add milk, eggs, or honey, so it is important to check the label.

Ezekiel Bread

Ezekiel bread is made from sprouted whole grains and legumes, and it is often vegan and richer in protein and other nutrients. It is a top pick among parents for being less processed and more nutritious than other breads on the market.

Ciabatta

Ciabatta is a flat, elongated bread with a hard crust and soft, airy crumb. Most versions of ciabatta are vegan, but some recipes may replace water with milk, making them non-vegan.

Baguette

A baguette is a popular type of French bread that is long and thin with a crispy crust and tender crumb. While the basic recipe for a baguette is usually vegan, some bakeries may add milk or butter, so it is always good to check the ingredients.

Focaccia

Focaccia is an Italian flatbread topped with herbs and a source of fat, typically olive oil. It is similar to pizza crust and is sometimes used as a base for pizza or sandwiches. While focaccia is usually vegan, some versions may contain cheese or other animal-derived toppings.

Kosher Bread

Kosher bread is made following Jewish dietary laws, which prohibit mixing dairy with meat. Therefore, many kosher types of bread are dairy-free to allow for meat toppings. Some kosher breads also do not contain eggs, making them vegan.

Rye Bread

Rye bread is a hearty, dense bread typically made with rye flour, water, and salt. It may also include other ingredients such as yeast, honey or molasses for flavour, and seasonings like caraway or cumin. While rye bread is usually vegan, it may contain eggs or dairy products, depending on the brand.

Tortillas

Tortillas are unleavened flatbreads made with wheat or cornflour, water, salt, and fat to create a soft, pliable texture. Most tortillas are vegan, but those containing lard (pig fat) are not.

Spelt Bread

Spelt bread is a type of whole-grain bread made with spelt flour, an ancient grain related to wheat. It is a good source of fibre and protein and has a nutty flavour. Spelt bread can be either vegan or non-vegan, depending on the ingredients used. Some recipes may include honey or other animal-derived products.

Bread types that are usually not vegan

While the simplest form of bread is vegan, not all types of bread are. Here are some bread types that are usually not vegan:

Brioche

Brioche is a bread made with eggs, milk, and butter, giving it a rich and fluffy texture. However, these ingredients make brioche a non-vegan option.

Challah

Challah is a traditional Jewish bread often made for religious holidays like Passover or Shabbat. It typically contains water, flour, yeast, eggs, and sugar. The eggs give challah its distinctive golden colour and slightly sweet flavour. While some egg-free challah versions are available, they are less common than the traditional recipe.

Naan

Naan is a type of leavened flatbread that originates from India. It is traditionally made with white flour, yeast, salt, yoghurt, and ghee (clarified butter). While delicious, naan is not typically vegan-friendly due to the inclusion of yoghurt and ghee. However, vegan versions of naan do exist and can be found at specialty stores or made at home.

Cornbread

Cornbread is a quick bread made with cornmeal, flour, eggs, and milk. It is typically sweetened with sugar or honey. While the classic recipe is not vegan-friendly, it is easy to make a vegan version by substituting the eggs with a flaxseed or chia egg and using plant-based milk.

Soda Bread

Soda bread is a type of unleavened bread made with baking soda instead of yeast. The classic recipe includes flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk, making it a non-vegan option. However, a vegan version can be made at home by substituting the buttermilk with plant-based milk and adding a little vinegar or lemon juice.

Bagels with Toppings

While plain bagels are usually vegan, those with toppings or fillings are often not. For example, bagels filled with cream cheese or coated with eggs or ham are non-vegan. However, plain, sesame, and poppy seed bagels are generally vegan-friendly.

How to identify vegan bread

Identifying vegan bread is not always straightforward, as there are many different types of bread and ways of making it. However, there are several ways to determine whether your favourite type of bread is vegan or not.

Checking the Ingredients List

The simplest form of bread is vegan. A basic bread recipe contains just four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast — all of which are vegan-friendly. However, some types of bread include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats, which can be of animal origin. For example, some recipes may use eggs, butter, milk, or honey to modify the flavour or texture, making them non-vegan. Therefore, checking the ingredient list is the best way to ensure your bread is vegan.

Look out for the following non-vegan ingredients:

• Eggs
• Honey
• Royal jelly
• Gelatin
• Dairy-based ingredients like milk, butter, buttermilk, whey, or casein

You may also come across these ingredients that are usually, but not always, vegan:

• Mono and diglycerides
• Lecithin

Choosing Bread Made with Plant-Based Ingredients

Many loaves of bread contain animal-derived "enhancements". By choosing bread made with plant-based ingredients instead, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal without compromising your vegan choices.

Common Types of Vegan Bread

Many types of bread are naturally free of animal products. Here are some of the most common types of vegan bread:

• Sourdough
• Pita
• Ezekiel
• Ciabatta
• Baguette
• Focaccia
• Kosher bread
• Rye bread

Making Your Own Vegan Bread

Making your own bread is a great way to ensure that it's vegan. The simplest recipes are naturally vegan, but it's also possible to modify more complicated recipes by substituting non-vegan ingredients for vegan ones. For example, eggs can often be replaced with flax or chia seeds, and plant oils like olive or coconut oil are a great substitute for butter.

Frequently asked questions