Are any of Panera's bagels vegan? A nutrition diet guide for plant-based eaters

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the animal rights organization PETA, Panera Bread offers several bagels that are suitable for a vegan diet. This welcome news directly answers the question, 'Are any of Panera's bagels vegan?', confirming that a plant-based nutrition diet can still include a tasty, satisfying bagel from the popular chain.

Quick Summary

Several bagel flavors at Panera Bread, including Plain, Everything, and Blueberry, are made without animal products. Guests can also select suitable vegan spreads and need to be mindful of ingredients in other items and potential cross-contamination concerns.

Key Points

Vegan Bagels Available: Panera offers several vegan-friendly bagels, including Plain, Everything, Blueberry, and Sesame.
Avoid Non-Vegan Toppings: Be mindful that standard cream cheese is not vegan; opt for avocado or hummus instead.
Not All Bagels are Vegan: Flavors like Asiago and Cinnamon Crunch contain non-vegan ingredients.
Ingredients Can Change: Always check the most current allergen information from Panera directly, as recipes and formulations may be updated.
Cross-Contamination is Possible: While the ingredients are plant-based, the food is prepared in a shared kitchen, posing a risk of cross-contamination.
L-Cysteine No Longer an Issue: Older concerns regarding animal-derived L-cysteine in the bagels appear to be outdated, with ingredients now sourced from microbial enzymes.

What are Panera’s vegan bagel options?

For those on a plant-based nutrition diet, the good news is that several of Panera's most popular bagel varieties are completely vegan. These options contain no eggs, dairy, or other animal-derived ingredients. While ingredients can change, and it is always wise to check the most current allergen information online or in-store, a number of flavors have consistently been confirmed as vegan by reputable sources.

Here is a list of the Panera bagels typically considered vegan-friendly:

Plain Bagel: A simple, classic choice that is free of animal products.
Everything Bagel: Topped with a savory blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt.
Blueberry Bagel: A sweet option featuring real blueberries, without any dairy or egg ingredients.
Multigrain Bagel Flat: A lighter, flatter option made with a vegan-friendly grain blend.
Sesame Bagel: A simple, nutty-flavored bagel topped with toasted sesame seeds.
Poppyseed Bagel: A bagel topped with poppy seeds.

Which Panera bagels are NOT vegan?

Not all bagels at Panera are suitable for a vegan diet, and it's important to know which ones to avoid. Some bagels contain cheese, honey, or other animal-derived products that exclude them from a plant-based diet. The following bagels are not considered vegan:

Asiago Bagel: Contains cheese.
Cinnamon Crunch Bagel: The sweet topping contains dairy.
Cinnamon Swirl & Raisin Bagel: This can be tricky, as some recipes may contain dairy or honey. Always confirm with Panera's current ingredient list.

What about L-cysteine?

For a time, there was confusion among the vegan community regarding an ingredient called L-cysteine, which can sometimes be derived from animal sources. However, reputable sources and modern ingredient lists from Panera suggest this is no longer an issue for their vegan-friendly bagels. The Plain Bagel ingredient list, for instance, shows microbial enzymes, not animal-derived sources. This highlights the importance of checking ingredients periodically, as recipes and sourcing can change over time.

Vegan bagel toppings and spreads at Panera

Just because the bagel itself is vegan doesn't mean all the standard spreads are. Most cream cheeses contain dairy. However, Panera offers other delicious and plant-based options to top your bagel:

Avocado: A creamy, healthy fat that is a perfect topping.
Hummus: A flavorful, protein-rich spread that pairs well with savory bagels.
Jelly or Peanut Butter: Many standard jellies and peanut butter options are vegan, but it's worth double-checking for honey in the peanut butter if you're concerned.

Other vegan options at Panera

Beyond bagels, Panera provides other options for those on a plant-based diet. This includes a variety of vegan breads, salads (with modifications), and sides.

A quick reference table: Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Panera Bagels


Bagel Flavor	Is it Vegan?	Reason	What to add	What to avoid
Plain	Yes	No animal products.	Avocado, hummus, jelly.	Cream cheese, butter.
Everything	Yes	No animal products.	Avocado, hummus.	Cream cheese.
Blueberry	Yes	No animal products.	Vegan cream cheese (at home), jelly.	Cream cheese, butter.
Sesame	Yes	No animal products.	Avocado, hummus.	Cream cheese.
Asiago	No	Contains cheese.	N/A	Ordering this bagel.
Cinnamon Crunch	No	Contains dairy.	N/A	Ordering this bagel.

Conclusion

For those on a vegan nutrition diet, Panera Bread does offer several satisfying bagel options. The Plain, Everything, Blueberry, Multigrain Bagel Flat, Poppyseed, and Sesame bagels are all considered vegan-friendly. However, it is crucial to remember that some flavors, particularly those with cheese or creamy toppings, are not. Topping your vegan bagel with avocado or hummus creates a delicious and compliant meal. While Panera's bagels are suitable for vegans, the company does not guarantee against cross-contamination, so individuals with severe allergies or strict dietary concerns should exercise caution and consult with staff or check Panera's official allergen page regularly. For the most up-to-date information, consulting resources like Veganuary is always helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Panera's Plain bagels are vegan-friendly, made without animal products like dairy or eggs.

The vegan bagel flavors at Panera typically include Plain, Everything, Blueberry, Sesame, Poppyseed, and Multigrain Bagel Flat.

Yes, Panera offers vegan-friendly spreads such as avocado and hummus. You can also ask for jelly.

No, the Cinnamon Crunch bagels at Panera are not vegan because the topping contains dairy.

No, current ingredient information indicates that Panera uses microbial enzymes, not animal-derived L-cysteine, in their bagels.

Yes, you can order a vegan bagel toasted. However, be aware that it may be toasted in the same equipment used for non-vegan items, which poses a risk of cross-contamination.

Beyond bagels, Panera offers vegan options like Steel Cut Oatmeal (check for honey), certain salads with modifications (e.g., no feta or chicken), some breads, and select soups.