Dunkin Donuts offers many items that obviously contain pork like the bacon snackers and breakfast sandwiches but, do any of the donuts at Dunkin Donuts contain pork?
In this article, we are going to dig into the famous donuts at Dunkin to discover if they contain pork or pork-derived ingredients.
Table of Contents
Do Dunkin Donuts Contain Pork
Unfortunately, the ingredient list for the donuts at Dunkin Donuts is quite extensive and can be confusing to decipher.
In many cases, it may appear that the donuts do not contain pork but, you will need to dig further into what some of the questionable ingredients actually are.
Besides the hidden and hard-to-identify ingredients, Dunkin has featured donuts that are topped with a maple bacon topping in the past.
This was a limited item and may or may not appear on the menu again.
With the everchanging menu of Dunkin Donuts, It’s possible to discover more donuts that contain pork.
How Can Pork be Hiding In Dunkin Donuts
Dunkin Donuts contain many ingredients beyond your classic ingredients found in donuts like flour and sugar.
Some of the ingredients that are questionable when it comes to containing pork or being pork derived are.
- Enzymes
- Mono and Diglycerides
Enzymes In Dunkin Donuts
Enzymes are not always derived from animals including pigs but, they can be.
The enzymes found in food can come from plants, fungi, and bacteria or be animally sourced.
Unless, the ingredient list or label indicates the enzymes are vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based we have no way of knowing where they come from.
Many of our foods contain enzymes for a variety of reasons including preserving and improving the texture.
In the bakery industry (like with Dunkin Donuts), different types of enzymes can be used as a natural way to keep bread softer for longer, enhance dough tolerance during processing or allow for a reduction in the egg content.
Does Dunkin Donuts Use Lard
Lard has been used for centuries when it comes to donuts, lard has been used as a frying fat to cook the dough, creating a crispy and delicious outer layer while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
Traditional donut recipes often included lard as a key ingredient in the dough, contributing to the characteristic taste and texture of classic donuts.
However, in recent times, the use of lard in commercial food products, including donuts, has decreased significantly due to various reasons.
One of the main reasons is the dietary and health concerns associated with consuming animal fats like lard.
Dunkin Donuts does not use lard in their donuts or fry their donuts in lard.
What Type of Oil Does Dunkin Donuts Fry Their Donuts In
Dunkin Donuts has switched the oil that they use to fry their donuts in, in recent years.
The previous oil contained controversial trans fats.
Currently, the donuts are Dunkin Donuts are fried in palm oil.
Kosher Dunkin Donuts
Are the donuts at Dunkin Donuts Kosher?
There are some isolated Dunkin Donut Locations that are completely kosher but, the majority are not supervised and considered kosher.
Vegan Dunkin Donuts
The majority of the donuts offered at Dunkin Donuts are not vegan but, there are locations that offered vegan options.
Unfortunately, vegan donuts have yet to be released in the United States.
What Ingredients Are In Dunkin Donuts
The ingredients used in Dunkin Donuts can vary depending on the recipe, but some common ingredients are used across many of their products.
Wheat Flour
Wheat flour is a key ingredient in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made by grinding wheat grains into a fine powder. Wheat flour provides structure and texture to baked goods.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Palm oil is used as a cooking oil and to add moisture and texture to baked goods.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a type of sugar that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made by breaking down starches into simple sugars. Dextrose is used to add sweetness and to help baked goods brown.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is derived from soybeans. Soybean oil is used as a cooking oil and to add moisture and texture to baked goods.
Whey
Whey is a byproduct of cheese production that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is a source of protein and is used to add moisture and texture to baked goods.
Leavening
Leavening is a mixture of ingredients that is used to make baked goods rise. It is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. The most common leavening agents are baking powder and baking soda.
Defatted Soy Flour
Defatted soy flour is a type of flour that is made from soybeans. It is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. Defatted soy flour is a source of protein and is used to add texture to baked goods.
Starch made from wheat
Starch made from wheat is a type of starch that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made by extracting starch from wheat grains. Starch made from wheat is used to add structure and texture to baked goods.
Mono and Diglycerides
Mono and diglycerides are a type of emulsifier that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. They are made by combining fatty acids with glycerol. Mono and diglycerides are used to help ingredients mix together and to improve the texture of baked goods.
Soy Lecithin
Soy lecithin is a type of emulsifier that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is derived from soybeans. Soy lecithin is used to help ingredients mix together and to improve the texture of baked goods.
Cellulose Gum
Cellulose gum is a type of thickener that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made from cellulose, which is a type of plant fiber. Cellulose gum is used to improve the texture of baked goods.
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Sodium stearoyl lactylate is a type of emulsifier that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made by combining lactic acid with stearic acid and sodium hydroxide. Sodium stearoyl lactylate is used to help ingredients mix together and to improve the texture of baked goods.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a type of thickener that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made by fermenting sugar with a type of bacteria. Xanthan gum is used to improve the texture of baked goods.
Guar Gum
Guar gum is a type of thickener that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made from the seeds of the guar plant. Guar gum is used to improve the texture of baked goods.
Caseinate Disodium
Caseinate disodium is a type of flavor enhancer that is used in many of Dunkin’ Donuts’ products, including their donuts. It is made by combining casein, which is a protein found in milk, with disodium phosphate. Caseinate disodium is used to enhance the flavor of baked goods.
Artificial Flavors
Artificial flavors are used in many Dunkin’ Donuts products to enhance the taste. These flavors are created in a laboratory and are meant to mimic the taste of natural ingredients. Some of the artificial flavors used in Dunkin’ Donuts products include:
- Vanillin: A synthetic version of vanilla extract that is used to add a vanilla flavor to products.
- Ethyl Maltol: A synthetic compound that is used to add a sweet, caramel-like flavor to products.
- Methyl Anthranilate: A synthetic compound that is used to add a grape-like flavor to products.
Food Coloring
Food coloring is used in many Dunkin’ Donuts products to give them a vibrant, appealing color. Food coloring is made from synthetic or natural compounds and is regulated by the FDA. Some of the food coloring used in Dunkin’ Donuts products include:
- Red 40: A synthetic dye that is used to give products a bright red color.
- Yellow 5: A synthetic dye that is used to give products a bright yellow color.
- Blue 1: A synthetic dye that is used to give products a bright blue color.
