In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Hot Fries to answer a burning question for those following a vegan lifestyle: Are Hot Fries vegan-friendly? Let’s embark on this crunchy journey and uncover the truth.
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So Are Hot Fries Vegan?
No, Hot Fries are not vegan. This conclusion is based on a thorough examination of the top five brands of Hot Fries available in the market. But why are they not vegan? Let’s explore further.
Let’s Have a Look at the Ingredients
I’ve scrutinized the ingredients of the five most popular Hot Fries brands: Andy Capp’s Hot Fries, Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries, Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Original, Fritos Flaming Hot, and Takis Fuego.
Andy Capp’s Hot Fries
Andy Capp’s Hot Fries are not vegan. These tasty snacks contain Whey, which is derived from milk, making them unsuitable for vegans. Here are the ingredients:
- Degermed Yellow Cornmeal
- Vegetable Oil (Palm and/or Cottonseed Oil)
- Dried Potatoes
- Water
- Whey
- Salt
- Less than 2% of Dextrose, Torula Yeast, Spices Including Mustard, TBHQ (for Freshness)
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Spice Extractives Including Paprika
- Tomato Powder
- Mono- and Diglycerides
- Soybean Oil
- Silicon Dioxide
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Garlic Powder.
Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries
Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries are not vegan. These fiery fries contain six non-vegan ingredients and artificial colors. Additionally, some vegans avoid products with artificial colors and flavors due to their association with animal testing. Here are the ingredients:
- Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid)
- Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil)
- Dried Potatoes
- Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Salt
- Whey
- Buttermilk
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Tomato Powder
- Romano Cheese (Part-Skim Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Onion Powder
- Artificial Color (Including Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6)
- Natural Flavor
- Garlic Powder
- Lactic Acid
- Citric Acid
- Sugar
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate.
Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Original
Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Original are not vegan. These popular snacks contain both Milk and Whey and also feature Artificial Colors and Sugar. While we don’t know the source of the sugar used, it’s essential to note that cane sugar is sometimes processed using bone char, derived from animal bones. Here are the ingredients:
- Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulphate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid)
- Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil)
- Flamin Hot Seasoning (Maltodextrin [Made from Corn], Salt, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Artificial Color [Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5], Sunflower Oil, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Onion Powder, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavour, Buttermilk, Sodium Diacetate, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Salt).
Fritos Flaming Hot
Fritos Flamin’ Hot are not vegan-friendly. These fiery chips contain milk ingredients, artificial colors, sugar, and Whey. Here are the ingredients:
- Corn
- Corn Oil
- Flamin’ Hot Seasoning (Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Salt, Buttermilk, Whey, Monosodium Glutamate, Tomato Powder, Romano Cheese [Part-Skim Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Whey Protein Concentrate, Maltodextrin [Made From Corn], Onion Powder, Corn Oil, Artificial Color [Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6], Natural Flavors, Disodium Phosphate, Sunflower Oil, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate).
Takis Fuego
Takis Fuego is not vegan-friendly. However, it’s the only brand among those examined that appears somewhat more vegan-friendly as it contains no explicitly non-vegan ingredients, aside from some artificial colorings. However, Takis Fuego are produced in a facility that processes milk, eggs, wheat, and peanuts. Here are the ingredients:
- Corn Flour (Processed with Lime)
- Vegetable Oil (Palm and/or Soybean and/or Canola and/or Rice Bran Oil)
- Seasoning [Salt, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Onion Powder, Yeast Extract, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soybean Oil, Chili Pepper (Chile), Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, TBHQ (Antioxidant)].
What Are The Best Hot Fries Vegan Alternatives?
If you’re craving the fiery flavor of Hot Fries but want vegan alternatives, here are some delicious options:
#1: Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws
A spicy and delightful choice for Hot Fries enthusiasts. If you love a kick of heat, give these a try!
Buy them here
#2: PeaTos
PeaTos offer a guilt-free snack experience. They are nutritionally rich, free from artificial ingredients, and offer superior taste compared to traditional chips.
Buy them here
#3: Hippeas
Organic Chickpea Puffs, also known as Hippeas, are light, crunchy, and baked puffs made from nutrient-packed chickpeas. The Sriracha Sunshine flavor is a personal favorite.
Buy them here
#4: DIY Fries from Potatoes
For a homemade vegan-friendly alternative to Hot Fries, you can make your own fries from potatoes. Here’s how:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut potatoes into thin fries using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
- Toss the potato slices in olive oil and sea salt.
- Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Are Hot Fries Healthy?
Unfortunately, Hot Fries are not considered healthy at all. These snacks contain numerous chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. Due to the extensive use of processed and manufactured ingredients, Hot Fries fall into the category of nutritionless snacks, often referred to as “junk food.” They provide little to no nutritional value and should only be consumed on rare occasions.
Some Questions You May Still Have
Are Flamin Hot Fries Vegan? No, Flamin’ Hot Fries are not vegan due to their milk content.
Are Hot Cheetos Made Out of Bugs? No, Hot Cheetos are not made out of bugs. This is an urban myth with no basis in reality.
Is Takis Vegan? Takis are not explicitly non-vegan based on their ingredients. However, they are produced in a facility that processes milk, eggs, wheat, and peanuts.
Are Chester’s Hot Fries Discontinued? No, Chester’s Hot Fries are not discontinued, but they may not be as readily available as they once were.
Are Hot Funyuns Vegan? No, Hot Funyuns are not vegan. Both Flamin’ Hot and Original Funyuns contain milk ingredients, making them unsuitable for vegans.
Final Thoughts
While the most popular brands of Hot Fries are not vegan, there is a wide array of delicious vegan alternatives to enjoy. While the brands mentioned above may not align with a vegan lifestyle, the alternatives provide a guilt-free and cruelty-free snacking experience. So go ahead and indulge in your fiery cravings without any reservations!
For more information on plant-based and vegan choices, explore the homepage of PlantBased Pty. Happy snacking, vegans!
