Are Cheetos Vegan Friendly? (No, Here’s Why)


Are Cheetos Vegan

Cheetos are a crunchy, cheesy snack first beginning in a Fritos plant in 1948. When Fritos and H.W. Lay & Company eventually form Frito-Lay, Cheetos began to rise in its success. After they got the manufacturing and production capabilities to support a nationwide launch of Cheetos. Cheetos was one of the first snack chips of its kind, and the nation saw a new kind of cheesier snack chip become popular. But with the amount of time and innovation that Cheetos had to go through, were there willing to open themselves up to a new kind of clientele?

Cheetos is not vegan. This is due to the presence of rennet, an ingredient in many types of cheese. All Frito-Lays chips that contain cheese seem to contain rennet, as well as animal enzymes. The best vegan and healthier alternatives to Cheetos are Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar, Earth Balance Vegan Aged White Cheddar Puffs, and Vegan Rob’s Cheddar Puffs.

In this article, we are going to look for which ingredients you should watch out for when buying cheese snacks, Cheetos nutritional facts, as well as offer some alternatives that you can use to get your cheese fix in a vegan way!

Are Cheetos Healthy?

Cheetos are not exactly healthy, as they are highly processed, calorie dense, with little to no nutritional value. You can certainly eat these in moderation, but there are much healthier (and vegan!) alternatives to Cheetos.

Why Aren’t Cheetos Vegan?

Cheetos aren’t vegan because of the rennet that they use in their cheese flavoring. In cheesy flavored chips, companies choose the ingredients to determine the strength, flavor, and other flavor determinants in the chips. Cheetos uses rennet, which is an animal product that is consistently used to make cheese.

What is Rennet?

Rennet is a type of animal enzyme commonly used to make cheese. It breaks the solid milk particles away from the other liquids, giving the cheesemaker the ability to separate the two easily. They then use the solid milk particles to make different cheeses. Rennet is often harvested from the fourth stomach of young goats, lambs, and bovine animals, giving them almost no way to be harvested without harming the animal.

What Are Some Rennet Alternatives?

There are two types of rennet: plant-based and animal-based. Because animal-based rennet is found in the stomach lining of calves and lambs, it’s no surprise that there isn’t an ethical way to get the enzyme away from the animal.

Plant-based rennet, however, is commonly found in artichoke and nettle, giving a perfect plant-based option that can replace inhumane rennet harvesting practices. Another alternative that cheesemakers can use is a type of mold called Mucur miehei, which does the same function as rennet without using animal-based enzymes.

Cheetos Nutritional Information

Original Cheetos

The original brand of Cheetos is by far the most well-known. They’re very crunchy and cheesy but are unfortunately not vegan.

Nutritional Facts (per 28g):

  • 160 Calories
  • 10g Total Fat
  • 1.5g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 250mg Sodium
  • 53mg Potassium
  • 15g Total Carbohydrates
  • 0.5g Dietary Fiber
  • 0.5g Sugars
  • 2g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Enriched Corn Meal
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Cheese Seasoning
  • Canola Oil
  • Maltodextrin
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Salt
  • Whey Protein Concentrate
  • Monosodium Glutamate
  • Lactic Acid
  • Citric Acid
  • Artificial Color

Cheetos Puffs

Cheetos puffs have a similar taste to their crunchy counterpart but have a softer texture. These little puffs tend to be a more accessible way to eat Cheetos for children, but unfortunately, they also haven’t taken the step to diversify into plant-based ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (per 28g):

  • 160 Calories
  • 20mg Calcium
  • 16g Carbohydrate
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 10g Fat
  • 1.5g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0.4mg Iron
  • 1g Fiber
  • 60mg Potassium
  • 270mg Sodium
  • 2g Protein
  • 1g Sugars

Ingredients:

  • Enriched Corn Meal
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Cheese Seasoning
  • Canola Oil
  • Maltodextrin
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Salt
  • Whey Protein Concentrate
  • Monosodium Glutamate
  • Lactic Acid
  • Citric Acid
  • Artificial Color

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have a spicy kick that will appeal to spice lovers nationwide. These Cheetos are also unfortunately not vegan, as they contain the same cheese ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (per 28g):

  • 170 Calories
  • 0mg Calcium
  • 15g Carbohydrate
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 11g Fat
  • 1.5g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0.4g Iron
  • 1g Fiber
  • 40mg Potassium
  • 250mg Sodium
  • 1g Protein
  • 0g Sugars

Ingredients:

  • Enriched Corn Meal
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Flamin Hot Seasoning
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Monosodium Glutamate
  • Yeast Extract
  • Citric Acid
  • Artificial Color
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Onion Powder
  • Whey
  • Whey Protein Concentrate
  • Garlic Powder
  • Natural Flavor
  • Buttermilk

Flamin Hot Limon Cheetos

Nutritional Facts (per 28g):

  • 170 Calories
  • 10mg Calcium
  • 15g Carbohydrate
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 11g Fat
  • 1.5g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0,5g Iron
  • 1g Fiber
  • 40g Potassium
  • 260mg Sodium
  • 1g Protein
  • 0g Sugars

Ingredients:

  • Enriched Corn Meal
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Flamin Hot Limon Seasoning
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Monosodium Glutamate
  • Yeast Extract
  • Citric Acid
  • Artificial Color
  • Corn Syrup
  • Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Onion Powder
  • Whey
  • Lime Juice
  • Maltodextrin
  • Whey Protein Concentrate
  • Garlic Powder
  • Natural Flavor
  • Buttermilk
  • Sodium Diacetate
  • Disodium Inosinate
  • Disodium Guanylate

Vegan Alternatives to Cheetos

While Cheetos is notorious for their cheesy chips, they are far from the only chip distributed that has mastered the powerful flavor. Many vegan brands use vegan cheese products to ensure that they include a plant-based clientele.

Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar

HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs + Vegan White Cheddar | 1.5 ounce, 12 count | Vegan, Gluten-Free, Crunchy, Protein Snacks These chickpea-based snack has already reached grocery stores and Starbucks nationwide, so you’ve more than likely already laid your eyes on these. Using plant-based ingredients, they pack protein and many other nutritional benefits that everyone can enjoy. Using vegan ingredients to have a very rich and cheesy flavor, they’re a perfect example of how to make a vegan-friendly snack chip.

Nutritional Facts (per 1 oz.):

  • 130 Calories
  • 5g Total Fat
  • 0g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 140mg Sodium
  • 17g Total Carbohydrates
  • 3g Dietary Fiber
  • 2g Sugars
  • 4g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Chickpea Flour
  • Rice Flour
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Pea Hull Fiber
  • Brown Rice Flour
  • Salt
  • Cane Sugar
  • Onion
  • Citric Acid
  • Garlic
  • Rice Concentrate
  • Lactic Acid
  • Canola Oil
  • Natural Flavor
  • Rosemary Extract

Earth Balance Vegan Aged White Cheddar Flavored Puffs

Earth Balance Vegan Aged White Cheddar Puffs, 4 Ounce (Pack of 12) This vegan snack puff has a texture extremely similar to Cheetos using solely plant-based ingredients, using navy beans as their main ingredient. These are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher to boot, with 0g trans fat.

Nutritional Facts:

  • 130 Calories
  • 4.5g Total Fat
  • 0g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 1g Polyunsaturated Fat
  • 3.5g Monounsaturated Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 180mg Sodium
  • 19g Total Carbohydrate
  • 2g Dietary Fiber
  • 1g Sugars
  • 3g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Cornmeal
  • White Bean Powder
  • Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil
  • Maltodextrin
  • Salt
  • Onion Powder
  • Sugar
  • Garlic Powder
  • Lactic Acid
  • Citric Acid
  • Yeast Extract
  • Natural Flavor

Peato’s Fiery Hot Crunch Curls

PeaTos Crunchy Curls Snacks, Fiery Hot, 1 Ounce (15 Count), Junk Food Taste, Made from Peas, 4g Protein and 3g Fiber, Pea Plant Protein Snack, Junk Food, Spicy, Flavor First For a great and healthy alternative to flaming hot Cheetos, look no further than Peato’s Fiery Hot pea-based snack chips. These chips are vegan, with a junk food taste to curb your spicy chip cravings. These have no artificial flavors, no synthetic colors, no GMOs, are gluten-free, have no added msg, on top of being completely vegan.

Nutritional Facts (per 1 oz.):

  • 130 Calories
  • 8g Total Fat
  • 1g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 180mg Sodium
  • 12g Total Carbohydrates
  • 3g Dietary Fiber
  • 1g Total Sugars
  • 0g Added Sugars
  • 4g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Pulse Flour Blend
  • High Oleic Sunflower
  • Safflower Oil
  • Rice
  • Fiery Hot Seasonings
  • Salt
  • White Distilled Vinegar
  • Citric Acid
  • Yeast Extract
  • Vegetable Juice
  • Malic Cid
  • Natural Flavor
  • Annatto Extract
  • Natural Smoke Flavor

Vegan Rob’s Cheddar Puffs

Vegan Rob's Plant Based Dairy Free Cheddar Puffs Certified Gluten Free Kosher(OU) Kosher 3.5 oz - 3 pack Vegan Rob’s Cheddar Puffs are another great example of a vegan snack that can curb your cheesy cravings. Packed with flavor, these are made with organic sorghum, a type of grain that is drought resistant! These chips are vegan, gluten-free, no cholesterol, kosher, and non-GMO, making them an excellent addition to your pantry.

Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):

  • 140 Calories
  • 70 Calories from Fat
  • 8f Total Fat
  • 1g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 210mg Sodium
  • 18g Total Carbohydrates
  • 1g Dietary Fiber
  • 0g Sugars
  • 2g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Organic Whole Grain Sorghum Flour
  • Organic Sunflower
  • Safflower Oil
  • Tapioca Maltodextrin
  • Sea Salt
  • Natural Flavors
  • Onion Powder
  • Lactic Acid
  • Malic Acid

Related Questions

Are Cheetos Vegan in Other Countries?

Cheetos are vegan in some other countries! Specifically, the UK has a vegan version of Cheetos so that plant-based eaters can be able to consume the same snacks as everyone else.

Is it True That Cheetos Are Engineered To Be Addictive?

It is true! The texture of the chip was designed so that the synapses in the brain react in an addictive way, giving you more incentive to eat more. However, this isn’t a new trick, as Oreos, popular restaurants such as McDonalds, and Coke all use similar food science.

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Isabella LoCicero

Isabella is a food blogger and writer of about two years. Her experience around food was greatly influenced by the family around her, and eventually, she wanted to start debunking popular diet myths to improve the lives of the people around her. When she's not writing, Isabella is often hanging out with her adorable akita, Kuma.

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