Nutrition Diet: Is Krusteaz Cornbread Mix Vegan?

November 10, 2025 •

5 min read

While many pre-packaged baking mixes seem innocent, a surprising number contain hidden animal-derived ingredients. This makes it essential for anyone on a plant-based diet to ask: Is Krusteaz cornbread mix vegan? The answer, unfortunately for many, is no, due to honey and other milk or egg ingredients found in some popular versions.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies the vegan status of various Krusteaz cornbread mixes, identifying why popular versions like the Honey and Southern styles are not suitable for vegans. It provides practical tips for making boxed mixes vegan-friendly through ingredient substitutions and highlights alternative, naturally vegan brands and homemade cornbread options.

Key Points

Not Vegan as Is: Standard Krusteaz Honey Cornbread mixes contain honey, an animal product, and typically require egg and milk for preparation, making them not vegan.
Check Labels: Always check the ingredient list on any boxed mix, as some contain honey powder, buttermilk, or other animal-derived ingredients, and cross-contamination is possible.
Make Easy Substitutions: For Krusteaz mixes, you can use flax or chia eggs instead of eggs and plant-based milk (like soy or almond) instead of dairy milk to make it vegan-friendly.
Use Vegan-Friendly Brands: Safer vegan options include mixes from brands like Bob's Red Mill (Gluten-Free), 365 Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's, which are vegan right out of the box but require vegan additions.
Jiffy Has a Vegan Option: Be aware that Jiffy has a "Vegetarian" mix with a green label that is vegan (using vegetable shortening instead of lard), though it requires vegan additions.
Bake from Scratch for Full Control: For the most control over ingredients and to avoid any hidden animal products, making cornbread from scratch using a dedicated vegan recipe is the best method.

A Closer Look at Krusteaz Cornbread Mixes

For those following a vegan diet, understanding the ingredients in packaged foods is paramount. When it comes to Krusteaz cornbread, the main hurdle for vegans is the inclusion of honey in some mixes, and milk or eggs in others. Because honey is a product derived from bees, it is not considered vegan. In the same vein, milk and egg products are animal-derived and therefore excluded from a strict vegan diet. Furthermore, some versions of the mix list “honey powder” or “natural flavor” as ingredients, which can be derived from animal products, and there is a risk of cross-contamination with common allergens like milk, eggs, and soy in the manufacturing facility. While a Reddit user mentioned some Krusteaz mixes being “accidentally vegan,” this is not a guarantee and vigilance is crucial. Always double-check the ingredient list on the specific box you plan to purchase, as formulations can change over time.

The Breakdown: Why Krusteaz Honey and Southern Mixes Aren't Vegan

The most common Krusteaz mix found in stores is the Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix. Krusteaz themselves have confirmed this mix is not vegan due to the inclusion of honey. This is often listed as 'honey powder' or 'honey'. For many vegans, this is an automatic disqualifier. The preparation instructions for this mix also call for adding milk, oil, and an egg, further cementing its non-vegan status unless significant substitutions are made. The Krusteaz Southern Cornbread mix is also not vegan, as its ingredients include buttermilk powder and may contain milk. The recipe for the gluten-free version is also not vegan for similar reasons, as it also lists honey in its ingredient list.

Making Krusteaz Mixes Vegan-Friendly with Substitutions

If you have a box of Krusteaz Honey Cornbread mix and are determined to use it, you can successfully create a vegan version by making some key substitutions. This method requires replacing the egg, milk, and honey (if desired) called for in the recipe. The base mix itself might still contain traces of milk or soy, so this is not a solution for those with severe allergies or the strictest ethical standards, but it's an option for many.

Here are some simple vegan swaps for the common additions:

For the Egg: One of the easiest substitutions is a flax or chia egg. To make one, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it forms a gel. Applesauce and mashed banana can also act as binders, adding moisture and mild sweetness.
For the Milk: Virtually any unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk will work, including soy, almond, or oat milk. Some recipes suggest adding a teaspoon of vinegar to plant milk to create a 'vegan buttermilk,' which can add a desirable tangy flavor.
For the Honey: To replace the honey's sweetness, consider using maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup. The best choice depends on your preference for flavor and sweetness level. Maple syrup is a 1:1 substitute, while agave is slightly sweeter, so you may need less.

Comparison of Cornbread Mixes


Feature	Krusteaz Honey Cornbread Mix	Krusteaz Southern Cornbread Mix	Bob's Red Mill GF Cornbread Mix	365 Whole Foods Cornbread Mix
Vegan Status (As Boxed)	No (Contains Honey)	No (Contains Buttermilk)	Vegan (But requires vegan subs)	Vegan
Additional Ingredients Needed	Milk, Oil, Egg	Milk, Butter, Eggs	Egg (Requires vegan substitute)	Egg (Requires vegan substitute)
Gluten-Free Option Available?	Yes (Also not vegan)	No	Yes	No
Preparation Difficulty	Very Easy	Very Easy	Easy	Easy
Taste Profile	Sweet, rich, honey flavor	Dense, moist, traditional corn flavor	Moist, with a natural sweetness	Mildly sweet, classic flavor

Exploring Truly Vegan Cornbread Mixes

For those who prefer a mix that is vegan right out of the box, several brands offer excellent options. These mixes still require you to add vegan ingredients for preparation, but the mix itself is animal-product-free.

Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix: This mix is naturally vegan and also caters to those with gluten sensitivities. You will need to use vegan alternatives for the eggs and milk called for in the recipe.
365 Everyday Value Cornbread Mix (Whole Foods): Found at Whole Foods Market, this store-brand mix is vegan-friendly and delivers a classic cornbread flavor.
King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix: Another great choice for gluten-free vegans, this mix is vegan as-is but requires vegan substitutions for the additional ingredients.
Trader Joe's Cornbread Mix: The mix sold at Trader Joe's is vegan but, like many others, requires you to add plant-based milk and an egg substitute during preparation.
Jiffy Vegetarian Corn Muffin Mix: The green-labeled vegetarian mix from Jiffy contains vegetable shortening instead of the lard found in their standard box, making the mix itself vegan. Just remember to use vegan egg and milk substitutes when preparing it.

Making Vegan Cornbread from Scratch

For complete control over your ingredients and to guarantee a 100% vegan outcome, making cornbread from scratch is the best approach. There are countless delicious vegan cornbread recipes available online that use common pantry staples. A typical recipe might include cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, plant-based milk (curdled with a little vinegar for a buttermilk effect), oil, and a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or agave. This method not only assures a vegan result but also allows for full customization of sweetness, texture, and additional flavors, such as jalapeño, cheddar, or herbs.

Conclusion

While the answer to is Krusteaz cornbread mix vegan is a resounding no for their most popular honey and southern varieties, vegans are not out of luck. The key takeaway for anyone adhering to a plant-based diet is to always check the ingredient label carefully, as subtle additions like honey powder or buttermilk can easily be missed. For those committed to using the mix, simple substitutions for milk, eggs, and honey are effective. Alternatively, a growing number of truly vegan-friendly cornbread mixes exist on the market, including options from Bob's Red Mill, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. Finally, for total peace of mind and ingredient control, baking from scratch is always the best solution. The world of vegan cornbread is rich with options for everyone to enjoy.

Vegan substitutions guide (from the official Krusteaz website) is a helpful reference for customizing their mixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, honey is not considered a vegan ingredient because it is a product of bees, which are animals. Vegans typically avoid any food or product sourced from animals or insects.

Krusteaz does not offer a specific mix labeled as 'vegan.' Their most popular cornbread mixes, including the Honey and Southern styles, contain animal-derived products like honey or buttermilk.

The Krusteaz Southern Cornbread mix is not vegan because it lists buttermilk powder as an ingredient. Buttermilk is a dairy product and therefore not suitable for a vegan diet.

Effective vegan egg substitutes for cornbread include a 'flax egg' (ground flaxseed and water), applesauce, or mashed banana. A commercial vegan egg replacer can also be used following the package instructions.

Yes, you can easily substitute dairy milk with a plant-based alternative such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk when preparing a Krusteaz cornbread mix. Adding a little vinegar to the plant milk can create a tangy vegan buttermilk.

Yes, several brands make vegan-friendly mixes. Look for options from Bob's Red Mill (Gluten-Free), Whole Foods (365 Everyday Value), Trader Joe's, and the vegetarian version of Jiffy's mix.

For a sweet, vegan cornbread, you can use maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup as a substitute for honey. Be mindful of the sweetness level, as some alternatives are sweeter or less sweet than honey.