Do Hot Cheetos Have Animal Rennet? What Vegetarians and Vegans Need to Know

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2019, a viral Reddit post revealed that Cheetos are not vegetarian because they contain animal-derived rennet, sparking confusion and concern among many consumers. The question, 'Do Hot Cheetos have animal rennet?' is especially important for those following plant-based diets and trying to avoid animal enzymes.

Quick Summary

Hot Cheetos contain animal enzymes in their cheese seasoning, making them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans. While the exact source isn't always specified, it is typically not pork for many varieties.

Key Points

Animal Rennet Confirmation: The cheese seasoning in US Hot Cheetos contains animal-derived enzymes, including animal rennet.
Not Vegetarian or Vegan: Due to the animal-derived ingredients, Hot Cheetos are not suitable for those following vegetarian or vegan diets.
UK Version Difference: The British version of Flamin' Hot Cheetos has a different formulation and is labeled as vegetarian.
Rennet's Purpose: Rennet is a set of enzymes used in cheesemaking to coagulate milk, separating it into curds and whey.
Enzyme Sourcing: While microbial and vegetable rennet exist, Frito-Lay uses an animal-derived version for its cheesy US products.
Label Verification: Consumers with dietary restrictions should always read the ingredient list carefully and check for 'enzymes' or 'cheese cultures'.
Available Alternatives: Several brands, like PeaTos, offer vegan-friendly and similarly spicy crunchy snacks.

The Answer: Hot Cheetos Contain Animal Rennet

For those wondering, "do Hot Cheetos have animal rennet?", the straightforward answer is yes. The cheese flavoring used in Frito-Lay's cheesy snack products, including the popular Hot Cheetos, is made with animal enzymes, including animal rennet. While Frito-Lay does confirm that some of its products with cheese seasonings are made with enzymes from pork, they also have products made without porcine enzymes, though this still often includes other animal-derived sources. However, for products like the standard Hot Cheetos, the presence of animal enzymes means they are not considered vegetarian, let alone vegan. This is a crucial distinction for individuals with specific dietary restrictions or ethical preferences, as it means their favorite spicy snack isn't compatible with a strictly vegetarian lifestyle.

Deeper Dive into Cheetos Ingredients

To understand why Hot Cheetos contain animal rennet, it's necessary to look at the ingredients list. The presence of 'enzymes' in the cheese seasoning is the key indicator. These enzymes are used in the cheesemaking process to coagulate milk, separating the curds from the whey. Historically, this enzyme, known as rennet, was exclusively sourced from the stomachs of young ruminant animals, such as calves. While modern cheesemaking offers alternatives like microbial or fermentation-produced rennet, Frito-Lay continues to use animal-derived versions for many of its products, including cheesy Cheetos.

Understanding the Role of Animal Rennet

Animal rennet is a set of enzymes, primarily chymosin, found in the fourth stomach of young, milk-fed mammals like calves. Its purpose is to curdle milk, which is a vital step in cheesemaking. When milk is coagulated by rennet, the casein proteins separate from the liquid whey, forming solid curds. These curds are then used to make cheese. For a product to be considered truly vegetarian, it must use a non-animal-derived alternative, such as microbial or vegetable rennet.

The UK vs. US Ingredient Comparison

It's important to note that ingredient formulations can differ by country. The UK version of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, for example, is specifically labeled as vegetarian. This is a significant distinction that highlights the use of a different, non-animal-based rennet in the production for the British market. The UK ingredients list contains 'Flamin' Hot Flavour' but notably lacks the animal-based cheese cultures found in the US product.


Comparison of US vs. UK Hot Cheetos (Crunchy)**	Feature	US Flamin' Hot Cheetos	UK Flamin' Hot Cheetos	Note
Rennet Type	Animal-derived enzymes	Likely non-animal (vegetable/microbial)	UK version is labeled vegetarian
Dietary Status	Not vegetarian or vegan	Suitable for vegetarians	Major difference for consumers with restrictions
Cheese Inclusion	Contains cheddar cheese, whey, and buttermilk	Flavouring, but not specified as containing dairy	Ingredients list for UK shows 'Flavourings'
Manufacturer	Frito-Lay (US)	Frito-Lay (UK)	Different formulations for different markets

Vegetarian and Vegan Alternatives

Fortunately for those who need to avoid animal products, several alternatives exist that can satisfy a craving for a spicy, crunchy snack. These include:

Vegan Hot Cheetos Substitutes: Brands like PeaTos offer fiery hot crunchy curls that are explicitly vegan and made from peas and lentils. They aim to replicate the texture and flavor profile of Hot Cheetos without using any animal products.
Other Vegan-Friendly Snacks: Many other spicy snacks from various brands may be vegan. Reading the ingredients list carefully is always the best way to confirm. Some common snack alternatives include certain brands of spicy potato chips or tortilla chips that do not contain cheese seasoning.
Making Your Own: For those who enjoy cooking, replicating the flavor at home is an option. Using a combination of vegan chips, spices like cayenne, chili powder, and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor can create a delicious and animal-friendly alternative.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Snack

So, do Hot Cheetos have animal rennet? Yes, the version sold in the United States does, making it non-vegetarian due to the inclusion of animal enzymes. This is an important detail for consumers who base their purchasing decisions on dietary or ethical considerations. While the standard US product is off-limits for strict vegetarians and vegans, the good news is that alternatives are available, and some international versions, like the one in the UK, are formulated differently to be vegetarian-friendly. Always check the ingredients label, especially for the presence of 'enzymes' or 'cheese cultures' in cheesy snacks, to be certain of their origin. For a comprehensive list of Frito-Lay products that do not contain porcine enzymes, refer to the official Frito-Lay website.

What are some Hot Cheeto alternatives?

Vegan Hot Cheetos Substitutes: Brands like PeaTos create vegan-friendly fiery hot crunchy curls using plant-based ingredients.

Spicy Plant-Based Snacks: Many spicy potato or tortilla chips from various brands are naturally vegan if they don't contain cheese seasoning.

DIY Options: You can create your own at home using vegan chips and a mix of spices like cayenne, chili powder, and nutritional yeast.

International Versions: The UK version of Flamin' Hot Cheetos is labeled as suitable for vegetarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rennet is a complex set of enzymes used to coagulate milk and separate it into solid curds and liquid whey, which is a fundamental step in making cheese.

No, rennet can also be derived from microbial (fungi/molds) or vegetable sources (plants like thistle). However, traditional rennet is animal-derived, and many companies use this method.

No. According to information shared by consumers and dietary guides, most Frito-Lay snacks containing cheese are not vegetarian due to the use of animal enzymes.

In some countries, like the UK, certain Cheetos products are formulated to be suitable for vegetarians. In the US, however, the cheesy varieties are not vegetarian due to animal-derived enzymes.

While Frito-Lay clarifies which products might contain porcine (pork) enzymes, the general animal enzyme used in many cheesy snacks is typically not from pork. It is often calf rennet but is still animal-derived.

Food labeling requirements vary. While the ingredients list will mention 'enzymes,' it may not explicitly state if they are animal-derived. This requires consumers to research or know the source of such ingredients.

Popular alternatives include PeaTos Fiery Hot Crunchy Curls and various other plant-based spicy snacks. It is recommended to always check the ingredient label.