Introduction – Auntie Annes Pretzels
The answer is yes, based on a detailed reading of Auntie Anne’s pretzels. But not all of them.
Going vegan is one way to reduce your carbon emission footprint from food by three fold compared to eating a meat-heavy diet. Our readers are interested in vegan options everywhere. Fitness and nutritional enthusiasts are interested in whether sports bars are vegan. Snackers are interested in whether mall food options like pretzels are vegan (this article!)
Auntie Anne’s has been serving delicious, freshly-made pretzels for over 30 years. Founded in 1988 by Anne Beiler, Auntie Anne’s began as a market stand inside the Downingtown Farmers Market in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Since then, it has grown to thousands of locations on almost every continent around the globe.
Based on the ingredient list at Auntie Anne’s, there are vegan pretzels. The core ingredients are enriched wheat flour, water, sugar oil (canola oil), salt, and yeast. There are definitely non-vegan pretzels that contain ingredients like cheese, milk, butter, and occasional meats. And if you’re a fan of non-vegan savory snacks they offer several other varieties like pepperoni or garlic cheese.
We Went Thru The Ingredient List To Find Vegan Auntie Annes Pretzels
We examined the list of ingredients. Feel free to take a look at it yourself through the link. First, because the facility for making pretzels will house ingredients for all products, there’s always a chance that trace amounts of milk and eggs will make it into the products that don’t list those ingredients.
From an allergen point of view, do not rely on our list for these products being free of animal products. However, from a list of ingredients point of view, the following are the ones we identified that don’t contain any animal products. Second, the list of ingredients is just a starting point. Make sure to customize the pretzel so you avoid non-vegan ingredients like butter which contain milk.
In fact, the ingredient’s info sheet contains a warning for people with sensitivities. We quote the warning here:
Food Allergens and Sensitivities for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels & Products
Please be advised that our products contain known food allergens and sensitivities. Auntie Anne’s, LLC, its franchises, and employees do not assume responsibility for a person’s sensitivity or allergy to any food item provided in our restaurants. We strongly recommend that anyone with an allergic condition or sensitivity to nuts, gluten, or other food allergens NOT consume our products. Products may contain allergens or sensitivities as an ingredient, or they may contain them as they share common equipment at the store level and/or at the manufacturing plants. Test products, limited time offers, and regional menu variations may not be included and not all items listed will be available in all restaurants. For specific allergen-related questions related to Auntie Anne’s products please contact Customer Service at 1-877- 778-9588 or e-mail us at nutrition@auntieannes.com.
Food Allergens and Sensitivities for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels & Products
Ok, so here are the pretzels that we found are vegan.
These Pretzels Are Vegan And Contain Only Non-Animal Products
Original – wheat and soybean
Cinnamon Sugar – Wheat and soybean
Almond – Wheat, soybean, peanuts, tree nuts, corn, coconut, sulfites
Raisin – Wheat, soybean and sulfites
Jalapeno – Wheat, soybean and sulfites
These Pretzels Are Not Vegan And Contain Animal Products
Roasted Garlic Parmesan – Milk, wheat, soybean, corn
Sour Cream And Onion – Milk, wheat, soybean, corn, MSG (!)
Pepperoni – Milk, wheat, soybean, corn, pepperoni
Pretzel dog – Wheat, soybean, corn, hot dog
So not all of them are vegan. Are there any animal products used to make Auntie Anne’s Pretzels? The answer to this question ultimately depends on the variety and recipe for the particular pretzel. Several of the ones we list above are soft pretzels and made with butter, milk.
By asking questions such as “Which ingredients are vegan?” or “Are any meat substitutes used in your pretzels?” customers are more likely to receive accurate information about which options are truly vegan. To ensure you are eating a truly animal product-free snack, opt for whole wheat or sesame seed varieties whenever possible and always double-check all labels!
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels And Dairy
If you’ve read this far you know that there are dairy products such as cheese, milk and butter in certain pretzels, but not all of them. From our reading of the list, we detect that 5 types of pretzels that have milk. They are the following:
Roasted Garlic Parmesan
Sour Cream And Onion
Pepperoni
Cheddar cheese stuffed nuggets
Breakfast sandwich
All the cheese dips and cream cheese dip are obviously dairy. Finally, strangely enough, the sweet mustard dip contains milk as well.
Tips For Eating Vegan At Auntie Anne’s – Avoid Dips, Butter, Cheese
Eating vegan at Auntie Annes doesn’t have to be a challenge. For starters, ask them to hold the butter. Every pretzel can be buttered which makes them non-vegan. Also avoid the pepperoni pretzel and the pretzel dog, where obviously the ingredients are meat-based and not vegan. You should avoid all the dips. Every one of the dips contain milk and are not vegan. Additionally, you should order the Auntie Anne’s vegan pretzels without any buttery topping for an entirely plant-based snack.
What Makes Auntie Annes Pretzels Delicious And Irresistible?
The secret lies in the special blend of ingredients used to make them. The main ingredients include flour, yeast, water, salt, vegetable shortening, and malt. To achieve the unique flavor and texture of Auntie Anne’s pretzels, different types of high-quality wheat flour – including unbleached white and durum – are used to create a uniquely soft texture on the inside while giving it a slightly crisp bite on the outside.
Yeast helps provide the fluffy texture that Auntie Anne’s pretzels are known for, as well as helps contribute to their golden-brown exterior color. And finally, both salt and vegetable shortening give each one individuality while helping provide an unforgettable taste. Malt adds a slight sweetness to each tender morsel. Altogether, these five unique ingredients create a flavorful delight that will tantalize your taste buds with every bite!
Is Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets Suitable For Vegans?
Yes. The classic Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets might be considered not vegan-friendly due to the milk in the recipe, but some the new ingredients list only wheat and soybean.
If a vegan wants assurance that they are consuming a fully vegan product, they should check the ingredient list of their local Auntie Anne’s location before making a purchase. Additionally, it is important to note that Auntie Anne’s treats may be cooked in shared fryers, so vegans should inquire about separate fryers or ovens when placing an order.
There are no guaranteed vegan options available at all of Auntie Anne’s locations, vegans should inquire with local stores to confirm if they offer any suitable alternatives.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Auntie Anne’s and Annie’s offer delicious vegan snacks that are perfect for any snacker! Whether you’re a fan of classic pretzels or something more adventurous like jalapeno cheddar twists, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your snack cravings. Be sure to check with each location regarding the ingredients used in their recipes before indulging in an animal-free treat from Auntie Anne’s or Annie’s!
