Why Are Cheetos Not Vegan? Unpacking the Dairy and Animal Enzymes

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 79 million Americans consume cheese snacks like Cheetos, yet many remain unaware of the ingredients that make them non-vegan. The delicious, cheesy dust that defines the iconic flavor is not a plant-based product, making the answer to the question, "Why are Cheetos not vegan?" a clear one for those on a plant-based diet.

Quick Summary

Cheetos are not vegan due to multiple animal-derived ingredients, most notably dairy products like cheese, whey, and buttermilk, as well as animal-based enzymes used in the cheese cultures. No U.S. versions of this popular snack are currently plant-based.

Key Points

Dairy is the Primary Offender: The main reason Cheetos are not vegan is the inclusion of multiple dairy products, including cheddar cheese, whey, and buttermilk, in the cheese seasoning.
Animal Enzymes in Cheese Cultures: A lesser-known fact is that the enzymes used in the cheese cultures to produce Cheetos are derived from animals, specifically calves, making them unsuitable for both vegans and most vegetarians.
No Vegan Cheetos in the U.S.: As confirmed by the manufacturer, none of the Cheetos flavors sold in the United States are currently vegan.
Vegan Alternatives are Abundant: For those missing the cheesy snack, a growing market of plant-based options exists, such as Hippeas, Vegan Rob's, and PeaTos, which offer similar flavor profiles without animal products.
Hidden Ingredients are Common: This case highlights how animal-derived ingredients can be disguised in processed foods, requiring careful label reading beyond just obvious animal products like meat and eggs.

The Core Culprits: Dairy Ingredients in Cheetos

At the heart of the matter are the ingredients used to create that signature cheesy flavor. Frito-Lay, the manufacturer of Cheetos, confirms that all of their standard US products contain dairy, which is a direct contradiction to a vegan diet. The powdered cheese seasoning is a complex mix of several dairy derivatives, not just a simple cheese powder. Vegans abstain from any products derived from animals, including milk, making these components immediate dealbreakers.

A Closer Look at the Dairy

To break down exactly what's in that orange powder, here are the key dairy ingredients you'll find listed on a standard bag of Cheetos:

Cheddar Cheese: The most obvious offender, made from cow's milk.
Whey and Whey Protein Concentrate: Whey is the liquid byproduct of cheesemaking, and its concentrated protein is also used. Both are directly from milk.
Buttermilk: A fermented dairy liquid, buttermilk is a common ingredient in the seasoning to add a tangy flavor.
Sour Cream: In some Cheetos varieties, sour cream is used as a flavoring agent.

The Unexpected Issue: Animal-Derived Enzymes

For those who might assume that the seasoning is simply a dairy product and still suitable for some vegetarians, there's another hidden animal ingredient. The cheese cultures used to create the cheddar contain enzymes derived from animals. This is a critical point that disqualifies Cheetos not only for vegans but also for stricter vegetarians.

What are these enzymes?

These enzymes, often referred to as rennet, are typically sourced from the stomachs of young ruminant animals, such as calves. While there are vegetarian and microbial alternatives for these enzymes, Frito-Lay's standard US products use the animal-derived version, making the snack non-vegetarian as well as non-vegan.

Comparison: Standard Cheetos vs. Vegan Alternatives

This table outlines the fundamental differences between traditional Cheetos and typical vegan alternatives, highlighting why the former is not suitable for a plant-based lifestyle.


Feature	Standard Cheetos	Vegan Alternatives	What It Means for Vegans
Key Flavoring	Cheddar cheese, whey, buttermilk	Nutritional yeast, plant-based cheese, spices	Cheetos use milk products; alternatives rely on plants.
Enzymes	Animal-derived rennet	Microbial or plant-based enzymes	Animal rennet is a non-vegan ingredient that also disqualifies Cheetos for many vegetarians.
Flavoring Origin	Animal milk and stomach enzymes	Nuts, seeds, vegetables, fungi, and spices	Vegan products are made exclusively from plant-based sources.
Availability	Widely available in most grocery stores	Increasingly available in health food stores and online	Vegan options are growing but may require more specialized shopping.
Ethics	Supports dairy and animal agriculture industries	Avoids animal exploitation and animal-derived ingredients	Aligns with the core principles of veganism.

Finding Vegan-Friendly Cheesy Snack Alternatives

While the news is disappointing for vegans craving the classic cheesy flavor, the market for vegan alternatives has exploded in recent years. Many brands are now dedicated to creating plant-based versions of popular snacks, ensuring no one misses out on crunchy, cheesy goodness.

Popular Vegan Cheesy Snacks

Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs: A favorite alternative, these puffs offer a similar texture and come in flavors like Vegan White Cheddar.
Vegan Rob's Cheddar Puffs: Known for a strong, savory flavor, these are another excellent choice for a cheesy crunch.
PeaTos Fiery Hot Crunchy Curls: For those who miss the spicy Cheetos, PeaTos provides a pea and lentil-based alternative that delivers on both heat and crunch.
Earth Balance Vegan Aged White Cheddar Flavor Puffs: This brand offers a dairy-free aged white cheddar flavor that appeals to many palates.

Conclusion: A Clear Case Against Cheetos

In summary, the question of why are Cheetos not vegan is definitively answered by two key factors: the use of multiple dairy-based ingredients and the inclusion of animal-derived enzymes. This combination makes the popular snack incompatible with a vegan diet, and even a strictly vegetarian one. For those committed to a plant-based lifestyle, the good news is that numerous delicious and ethical alternatives are now available. From chickpea-based puffs to lentil curls, it is easier than ever to find a snack that satisfies your cheesy cravings without compromising your values.

For more information on the ingredients found in Frito-Lay products, you can visit the official PepsiCo Product Facts website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, every Cheetos flavor currently available in the United States contains dairy ingredients, including cheddar cheese, whey, and buttermilk, as part of their flavoring.

No, Cheetos are not vegetarian either. The cheese cultures used contain animal-derived enzymes (rennet), which are obtained from the stomachs of young ruminant animals, making them unsuitable for most vegetarians.

Whey is a liquid byproduct of the cheesemaking process that separates from milk solids. Since it is a derivative of milk, an animal product, it is not vegan.

While most global versions contain dairy, the ingredient list can vary by region. For example, some search results suggest that a British version of Flamin' Hot Cheetos may be vegan, but it's crucial to check labels specific to your location.

There are many great vegan alternatives, including Hippeas Vegan White Cheddar, Vegan Rob's Cheddar Puffs, and PeaTos Fiery Hot Crunchy Curls. These brands use plant-based ingredients to mimic the cheesy flavor.

The term 'natural flavors' can sometimes hide animal-derived ingredients. However, in the case of Cheetos, the presence of explicitly listed dairy products like cheese, whey, and buttermilk is the primary reason they are not vegan.

Yes, you can create a vegan version at home using ingredients like nutritional yeast for the cheesy flavor, along with spices such as garlic and onion powder, applied to a crunchy base like roasted chickpeas or plant-based puffs.