Most home bakers would assume that sprinkles are simply a colorful, sugary candy to top cupcakes and cookies. However, for those following a vegan diet or trying to avoid animal-derived ingredients, this is a common misconception. Many traditional sprinkle varieties contain hidden animal products, making them unsuitable for vegan consumption. This article will reveal these hidden ingredients and provide an extensive list of reliable brands that offer genuinely vegan sprinkles for all your decorating needs.
The Hidden Ingredients in Standard Sprinkles
Navigating the world of sprinkles can be challenging, as the most problematic ingredients are often not widely known to come from animals. By learning to identify them on ingredient labels, you can avoid purchasing non-vegan products.
Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac)
One of the most common culprits is confectioner's glaze, which gives sprinkles their shiny, hard outer coating. This glaze is actually a type of shellac, a resinous secretion from the female lac bug. Since it is an insect-derived product, it is not vegan. This ingredient can also be listed under different names, such as resinous glaze, pharmaceutical glaze, or sometimes simply as 'candy glaze'.
Carmine (Natural Red 4)
For vividly colored sprinkles, especially those with shades of red or pink, another non-vegan ingredient to watch for is carmine. This food coloring is produced by crushing cochineal beetles, making it unacceptable for vegans. It may also appear on labels as cochineal extract or Natural Red 4. Look for brands that use plant-based colorants, such as vegetable or fruit juices, as an alternative.
Beeswax
Similar to confectioner's glaze, beeswax can be used as a coating on sprinkles to give them a polished finish. As the name suggests, it is a wax produced by bees and, therefore, not considered vegan. While some sprinkles use carnauba wax, a plant-based alternative from palm leaves, it's essential to check the label for the specific type of wax.
Non-Vegan Sugar
The processing of white sugar can sometimes involve animal bone char, a charcoal made from animal bones. While the bone char is used as a filter and does not remain in the final product, some strict vegans avoid sugar processed this way. Unless a brand explicitly states that their sugar is vegan or organic, it is difficult to know for certain. For this reason, certified vegan brands are the safest choice.
Dedicated Vegan Sprinkle Brands
To ensure your sprinkles are 100% free of animal products, consider brands that specialize in vegan and allergy-friendly products. These companies are committed to using plant-based ingredients and often use natural dyes.
- Supernatural: This brand offers a wide range of sprinkles that are always vegan and colored with natural, plant-based dyes from ingredients like spirulina and turmeric.
- Baking Time Club: A UK-based brand founded by a vegan, every product on its website is 100% plant-based and gluten-free.
- Color Kitchen Foods: This US brand is known for its plant-based, artificial dye-free baking products, including a popular line of vegan sprinkles.
- India Tree (Nature's Colors): Their Nature's Colors line features sprinkles colored with natural plant-based ingredients and are certified vegan.
- Quality Sprinkles: This UK-based company offers a large selection of sprinkles that are all vegan and allergen-friendly.
Vegan-Friendly Brands with Dedicated Lines
Some larger, more mainstream brands have started offering dedicated vegan product lines, but not all their products are suitable. Always check the ingredients list for the specific product you intend to purchase.
- Sweetapolita: This Canadian company has a specific 'vegan sprinkles' section on its website, though not all their products are plant-based.
- Sweets & Treats: While not everything is vegan, this Louisiana-based brand explicitly offers a vegan sprinkle section.
- Wilton: A major baking brand, Wilton does not have a 100% vegan catalog and some products contain confectioner's glaze. However, some of their products, such as specific nonpareils or edible glitters, may be accidentally vegan, so checking the label is critical.
Grocery Store Brands with Vegan Options
For those who prefer the convenience of shopping in-store, some grocery store house brands provide reliable vegan sprinkle options.
- 365 by Whole Foods Market: The store's house brand offers vegan rainbow and chocolate sprinkles, with natural colors derived from vegetable extracts.
- Walmart (bettergoods): Walmart's bettergoods brand has some vegan sprinkle mixes available.
Vegan Sprinkle Ingredient Comparison
It can be helpful to visualize the difference between vegan and non-vegan ingredients when making your next purchase.
| Feature | Non-Vegan Sprinkles | Vegan Sprinkles |
|---|---|---|
| Shine/Glaze | Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac) derived from lac bugs | Carnauba Wax (plant-based) or other food-grade, plant-based coatings |
| Red Colorant | Carmine (Natural Red 4) derived from cochineal beetles | Beet extract, radish extract, or other plant-based red dyes |
| Coating | Beeswax (derived from bees) | Carnauba Wax (plant-based) |
| Sugar | May be processed using bone char unless specified otherwise | Certified vegan, organic, or explicitly animal-free sugar |
| Brand Examples | Many mainstream brands without specific vegan labeling | Supernatural, Baking Time Club, India Tree (Nature's Colors), Color Kitchen |
Making Your Own Vegan Sprinkles
If you prefer a DIY approach or can't find suitable store-bought options, making your own vegan sprinkles is an excellent and creative solution. The process is simple and ensures you have full control over the ingredients.
- Prepare the Icing: Combine powdered sugar, a little cornstarch, water, and vanilla extract until you have a thick paste.
- Add Natural Colors: Use plant-based food coloring like spirulina for blue, turmeric for yellow, beet juice for red, and cocoa powder for chocolate.
- Pipe the Sprinkles: Transfer the colored paste to a piping bag with a small round tip. Pipe long, thin lines onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Dry Thoroughly: Allow the sprinkles to dry completely. For the fastest results, you can use an oven on its lowest setting. Alternatively, air-drying can take up to 24 hours.
- Cut to Size: Once fully dry and hardened, use a sharp knife to cut the long strands into small sprinkle pieces.
Conclusion
While the search for vegan sprinkles requires a little extra attention, the growing market offers plenty of vibrant, animal-friendly choices. By understanding which non-vegan ingredients to avoid and knowing which brands to trust, bakers can easily find options that align with their ethical and dietary needs. Whether you choose a dedicated vegan brand, a vegan-friendly line from a larger company, or opt to create your own from scratch, you can add a colorful, guilt-free finish to all your baked goods. For more resources on vegan baking, consider consulting reputable vegan guides and blogs, such as those found on VegNews.
