Veganism is an increasingly popular lifestyle choice that seeks to avoid or minimize any exploitation or cruelty to animals. People who follow a vegan diet abstain from eating animal-based products, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Instead of consuming these foods, vegans choose alternatives made from plants such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. As more people adopt this lifestyle in order to help prevent animal suffering and environmental damage caused by intensive farming methods for food production, there often needs to be more clarity about which foods are allowed on a vegan diet.
One question that often arises is whether vegans can eat French fries. Though potatoes are traditionally considered vegetarian-friendly, it’s important to understand what ingredients are involved in the production of French fries before deciding whether they’re suitable for this kind of diet.
What Ingredients Are Used in this dish?
French fries are a popular and delicious offering found at cafes, pubs, fast-food establishments, and staples of home cooking. However, to determine if they can fit into a vegan lifestyle, it is important to understand what ingredients are typically involved in making this dish.
The classic potato fry is made from potatoes, oil (vegetable or animal-derived), and salt. Although some restaurants may be willing to serve fries cooked in vegetable oil only upon request, most traditional French fry recipes include animal fat derived from lard or beef tallow. Lard is rendered pig fat used in many types of cuisine such as Mexican and Latin American dishes as well as Chinese foods like dim sum. Beef tallow is a type of rendered beef fat often used for frying and baking.
In addition to these core ingredients, they may also contain preservatives that add flavor but can be considered non-vegan such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrolyzed whey or soya protein, flavorings with milk derivatives, dairy or lactose-enriched dried potato powder products or pepper blends containing cheese powder. Many fast-food franchises use an anti-foaming agent known as dimethylpolysiloxane which can be derived from beeswax for deep frying their French fries but this ingredient is absent in most home recipes.
Given the potent ingredients that make up classic fry recipes, vegans must remain vigilant when enjoying this delicious snack in order to avoid any non-vegan components that can undermine their dietary commitment and lifestyle choices.
Are They Considered Vegan?
The short answer is that some French fries can be vegan, but others may not be. They are generally vegan food when made with vegetable oil, but some restaurants use animal products such as beef tallow in their frying oil.
When purchasing this dish from fast food restaurants or even freezer sections at the grocery store, read the ingredient list carefully to make sure you determine which frying oil was used. The same goes for frozen extra-crispy fries – if these are fried with vegetable oil, then they are generally vegan-friendly.
Another source of confusion comes from the condiments used. Some toppings and sauces often served with French fries such as cheese, ranch dressing, and bacon bits are definitely not vegan-friendly. If you’re unsure of what type of toppings were used on a dish ask your server before you proceed.
Keep in mind that although some traditional French fry derivatives such as poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) are considered vegetarian in many places, they remain non-vegan due to the presence of dairy products such as cheese. Therefore, when eating out it’s important to make sure that all ingredients fit within your dietary restrictions prior to ordering and consuming any dish.
How to Make Vegan French Fries
Vegan French fries are just as delicious as their non-vegan version – if not more! If you are wondering are McDonald’s fries vegan and don’t want to risk it be sure to check that link. So many plant-based ingredients can be used in place of animal products to make something unexpectedly tasty.
The recipe is actually quite simple, here’s what you need to do:
1) Start by selecting the perfect potatoes! Waxy potatoes such as Red Pontiacs work best for making fries as they hold their shape well when cooked. You can also opt for a premium variety such as Maris Piper or Marfona – they will cost a little extra but make all the difference!
2) Cut your potatoes into thin strips and leave them to soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This will help remove some of the starch from them, leaving your snack perfectly crispy.
3) Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and gently add your potato strips, working in batches to ensure even cooking. Allow the potatoes to fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly until golden brown (check with a fork remember to always keep a safe distance when dealing with hot oil), then transfer them onto some kitchen towel to absorb any excess oil.
4) Add your favorite seasonings; from garlic powder and dried herbs, oregano, or thyme – the options are endless! Serve up your homemade French Fries and enjoy with an oven-baked falafel wrap or quesadilla wedges – Yum!
Are there any alternatives?
Tofu Fries – Cubes of tofu deep-fried to perfection make a delicious alternative to classic white potato fries. These days you can often find pre-prepared and frozen tofu fries at many health food stores, or you could make your own using cubes of firm tofu deep-fried with your choice of seasonings.
Veggie Fries – Veggies such as zucchini, carrots, and beets can be cut into similar shapes as French fries and deep-fried in gluten-free flour for a tasty snack. For an even healthier version, try roasting them in the oven rather than frying them.
Sweet Potato Fries – Sweet potatoes have become increasingly popular as an alternative to conventional white potatoes due to their high fiber content and lower glycemic index compared to regular potatoes. Scrubbed sweet potato chunks can easily be cooked in the oven on parchment paper for a deliciously crunchy snack, suitable for vegans!
If you’re really missing traditional French fries but want an animal-friendly meal, these alternatives are sure to hit the spot!
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not vegans can consume French fries comes down to two things: what they’re fried in and how they’re served. If a fry is made with oil that does not include animal products and the fries are not covered in any type of dairy-based topping, then they should be safe for vegans to consume. If you’re ever uncertain about what’s in your meal, make sure to ask your server—or consider making them at home in your own kitchen. With a little bit of label reading and research, it should be fairly easy to source ingredients that adhere to vegan diets. In conclusion, there are vegan-friendly French fry options out there—you just need to know what ingredients and toppings to look out for!
