Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mixes are household staples for many families who enjoy fluffy pancakes and waffles for breakfast. However, with the rise in popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets, many people wonder if these convenient baking mixes are suitable for those avoiding animal products. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients in Aunt Jemima original and complete pancake and waffle mixes to determine if they can be considered vegan.
What Does “Vegan” Mean?
The term “vegan” refers to a diet and lifestyle that avoids the use of any animal products or byproducts. Vegans do not eat meat, fish, dairy, eggs or honey and also avoid products containing animal-derived ingredients like gelatin, casein, whey, lactose, and beeswax. There are many reasons why someone may choose to follow a vegan diet, including ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, or health benefits. When evaluating food products, vegans look closely at the ingredient lists to check that no animal ingredients are included.
Examining Aunt Jemima Original Pancake & Waffle Mix
Aunt Jemima’s original pancake and waffle mix contains:
- Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Leavening (sodium aluminum phosphate, baking soda)
- Soybean oil and/or canola oil
- Contains 2% or less of salt, corn flour, monocalcium phosphate
At first glance, the main ingredients in Aunt Jemima’s original mix appear to be vegan-friendly. Enriched bleached flour is simply wheat flour that has been processed and contains added vitamins and minerals. Sugar, leavening agents, vegetable oils, salt, and corn flour are all plant-based.
However, the ingredient “mono and diglycerides” potentially contains animal products. Mono and diglycerides are a form of fatty acids that can be derived from either plant or animal sources. Since the source is not specified on the packaging, vegans would consider this ingredient off-limits.
Overall, Aunt Jemima’s original pancake and waffle mix cannot be considered vegan due to the unknown source of mono and diglycerides.
What About Aunt Jemima Complete Buttermilk Mix?
The ingredients list for Aunt Jemima’s complete buttermilk pancake & waffle mix is:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
- Soybean oil and/or canola oil
- Buttermilk blend (sweet whey, lactose, salt, mono and diglycerides, sodium citrate)
- Contains 2% or less of salt, corn flour, distilled monoglycerides
Here we see two clearly non-vegan ingredients added: sweet whey and lactose.
Sweet whey is a byproduct of cheese making that contains milk proteins. Lactose is the naturally occurring sugar found in milk. Since both whey and lactose are dairy-derived, they do not align with a vegan diet.
In addition, this complete mix contains the same unknown mono and diglycerides as the original.
With the addition of whey, lactose and potentially animal-based mono and diglycerides, Aunt Jemima’s complete buttermilk pancake and waffle mix is definitely not vegan.
Other Aunt Jemima Mix Varieties
Aunt Jemima offers several additional types of pancake and waffle mixes including:
- Whole grain
- Buttermilk whole grain
- Multigrain
- Confetti
- Harvest blend
- Cinnamon swirl
- Chocolate chip
I carefully examined the ingredients lists for each of these mixes and they all contain similar non-vegan ingredients to the original and buttermilk varieties. Every mix contains mono and diglycerides from an unknown source. The buttermilk mixes contain whey and lactose as expected. And the chocolate chip mix has added milk chocolate chips.
So in summary, none of the Aunt Jemima pancake or waffle mixes can be considered vegan.
Are There Any Vegan-Friendly Options?
While Aunt Jemima mixes contain animal-derived ingredients, there are other vegan pancake and waffle mix options on the market. Here are a few recommended vegan mixes to try instead:
| Brand | Mix Name |
|---|---|
| Birch Benders | Gluten-Free Pancake & Waffle Mix |
| Bob’s Red Mill | Gluten Free Pancake Mix |
| Nature’s Path | Organic Pancake & Waffle Mix |
| Krusteaz | Protein Pancake Mix |
These mixes are made without milk, eggs, or other animal ingredients. They substitute plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives to create fluffy vegan pancakes and waffles.
Many home cooks also enjoy making easy vegan pancake and waffle mixes from scratch. Basic recipes contain just a few ingredients like flour, baking powder, plant milk, oil, and a touch of sugar or vanilla. Whipping up a batch of homemade mix allows you to control the ingredients and avoid any hidden animal products.
What About Aunt Jemima Syrups?
To top off your vegan pancake or waffle stack, you’ll need a delicious syrup or topping. Here’s a look at whether Aunt Jemima’s syrups are vegan-friendly:
Original Syrup
Ingredients: Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, water, cellulose gum, salt, molasses, caramel color, sodium benzoate and sorbic acid (preservatives), sodium hexametaphosphate.
Verdict: Vegan. Aunt Jemima’s original syrup only contains plant-based ingredients.
Lite Syrup
Ingredients: Corn syrup, water, maltodextrin, cellulose gum, salt, caramel color, potassium sorbate (preservative), xanthan gum, sucralose.
Verdict: Vegan. The lite syrup does not contain any animal products.
Butter Lite Syrup
Ingredients: Corn syrup, water, butter type flavor (plant source), cellulose gum, salt, caramel color, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives), xanthan gum, sucralose.
Verdict: Vegan. The butter flavor comes from an unspecified plant source.
Butter Pecan Syrup
Ingredients: Corn syrup, water, butter type flavor (plant source), pecan flavor, cellulose gum, salt, caramel color, potassium sorbate (preservative).
Verdict: Vegan. Contains plant-based butter flavor and natural pecan flavor.
Blueberry Syrup
Ingredients: Corn syrup, water, blueberry juice concentrate, citric acid, cellulose gum, natural and artificial flavors, salt, potassium sorbate (preservative), caramel color.
Verdict: Vegan. Flavored with plant-based blueberry and natural flavors.
So while Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mixes are off the table for vegans, the brand’s syrups are animal-product free and can be enjoyed. Other popular vegan pancake toppings include fresh fruit, chocolate chips, crushed nuts, coconut flakes and maple syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do pancake/waffle mixes contain animal ingredients?
Many pancake and waffle mixes include milk or milk derivatives like whey protein or lactose because they help:
- Improve texture – milk proteins give a fluffier, softer texture
- Enhance browning – the sugars in milk promote more even browning
- Add flavor – dairy provides a sweet, rich taste
- Improve nutrition – milk adds protein, vitamins, and minerals
Since dairy ingredients provide functional benefits and desirable qualities in pancake and waffle mixes, most mainstream brands opt to include them. However, there are vegan alternatives that can achieve similar results.
What do vegans use instead of milk in pancake and waffle recipes?
There are many plant-based milk substitutes that work well in vegan pancake and waffle batters:
- Soy milk
- Almond milk
- Cashew milk
- Coconut milk
- Oat milk
- Rice milk
These non-dairy milks add moisture and flavor while helping the pancakes get that fluffy, light texture. Many homemade vegan mixes use a combination of plant-based milk and oil. Commercial brands may also use egg substitutes like flax seeds, banana, or apple sauce to replace the binding properties of eggs.
Are there health risks to consuming dairy products?
Some of the potential health concerns associated with dairy products include:
- Allergies or intolerance – many people are sensitive to milk proteins
- Increased inflammation – dairy may aggravate inflammatory conditions
- Hormones – milk contains estrogen and bovine growth hormone
- High calories & fat – whole dairy products are high in saturated fat
- Digestive issues – some experience bloating, cramps or diarrhea
However, there is still disagreement within the scientific community about the health impacts of dairy. Some argue dairy has important nutritional benefits that outweigh the potential drawbacks. As with most foods, moderation seems to be key for most people. Those with sensitivities or who wish to avoid animal products steer clear of dairy products.
Is following a vegan diet more expensive?
There is a common perception that vegan diets come with a high price tag. Some reasons vegan eating is seen as more costly include:
- Specialty substitutes – vegan meats, cheeses, yogurts, etc. are often pricier than the real thing.
- Fresh produce – lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds can raise grocery bills.
- Convenience foods – premade vegan items tend to be expensive.
However, there are ways to follow a vegan diet on a budget:
- Choose basics like rice, beans, lentils, oats, peanut butter, tofu and frozen produce.
- Buy ingredients instead of packaged foods.
- Shop sales and bulk bins.
- Plan meals ahead of time.
With some extra planning and strategic shopping, an affordable vegan diet is certainly possible for many. But those relying heavily on meat and dairy substitutes will likely pay more.
The Bottom Line
Aunt Jemima pancake mixes and waffles mixes contain milk-derived ingredients like whey along with potentially animal-based mono and diglycerides. This makes them unsuitable for vegans and others avoiding dairy for health or ethical reasons.
Thankfully, there are many delicious vegan pancake and waffle mixes available today from brands like Birch Benders, Bob’s Red Mill, Nature’s Path and Krusteaz. It’s also easy to make your own vegan mixes at home.
While Aunt Jemima’s pancake mixes aren’t vegan-friendly, their syrups are made without any animal products. So drizzle on that sweet sticky goodness and enjoy your vegan breakfast stacks. With so many great plant-based options now available, no one has to miss out on fluffy pancakes or waffles.