Are Starbucks Croissants Vegan (What Is In Starbucks Croissants + More Information)?

Breakfast at Starbucks is probably better with croissants, but can you have one if you lead a plant-based life? Are Starbucks croissants vegan? Read on to find out.

No. Croissants on the Starbucks menu are not vegan. If you’re looking for a plant-based snack, you can explore other items since these goodies have animal products. A while back, when I had just embraced veganism, a friend convinced me the Almond Croissant from Starbucks was safe to eat. A quick visit to the shop’s website made me realize all the croissants at Starbucks aren’t vegan. Some are vegetarian, but she thought the two diets were synonymous. It’s a common mistake, and I’m glad I researched before I had one. So, if you want vegan food at Starbucks, avoid croissants and look for what suits you.

What is in the Starbucks croissant?

All four types of croissants at Starbucks have wheat flour, eggs, sugar, water, and milk. Starbucks uses flour enriched with micronutrients like riboflavin, thiamin, and folic acid. Each croissant has other varying ingredients that set them apart.

A Butter Croissant has butter, yeast, sourdough, sea salt, and dough conditioner. Chocolate croissants have the same ingredients, but their semi-sweet chocolate makes them unique. These two croissants also have bioengineered food ingredients, but Starbucks doesn’t specify what they are. An Almond Croissant has a pudding mix, canola oil, natural flavor, salt, and almond water instead of dairy. The three croissants are vegetarian.

Lastly, Starbucks uses uncured ham, swiss cheese, and sea salt to bake its Ham & Swiss croissants. Although ham typically has high nitrite or nitrate levels, the one at Starbucks has none.

What is the nutritional information of Starbucks croissants?

Each croissant at Starbucks has different nutritional information, depending on its ingredients. The weight of these croissants also varies from 62 to 102g per piece. A serving of Butter Croissants has 5g of protein and 250 calories from 26g of carbohydrates, 14g of fat, 45mg of cholesterol, and 300mg of sodium.

A Chocolate croissant has 300 calories, 34g of carbohydrates, 18g of fat, 5g of protein, 50mg of cholesterol, and 300mg of sodium. Despite its chocolate, its calorie count is still not the highest among the croissants Starbucks bakes. The Almond Croissant has 9g of protein and offers 420 calories from 40g of carbohydrates, 25g of fat, 60mg of cholesterol, and 370mg of sodium.

A Ham & Swiss Croissant has the highest sodium count at 490mg from sea salt and celery powder. So, if you need to watch your salt intake, have one as a treat to protect your health. The croissant also has 320 calories, 28g of carbohydrates, 17g of fat, and 65mg of cholesterol.

Starbucks lists eggs, milk, and wheat as allergens on all its croissants. However, Almond Croissants have tree nuts and soy as additional allergens, and Chocolate ones have soy too.

What does the Starbucks croissant taste like?

Each Starbucks croissant has a defining taste, but they all have flaky layers of golden crust. They also have better flavors when warm, so ask your barista to heat your order.

A Ham & Cheese Croissant tastes gooey and smoky since its light melted cheese blends well with its deliciously smoked ham. The meat is the star of this goodie and makes every bite better than the last.

A Butter Croissant is just as crusty, creamy, and airy but moist. It also has a more buttery taste profile than the typical croissant you probably know. This croissant is an excellent choice if you want a simple breakfast snack.

A Chocolate Croissant has rich tones of melted chocolate that give each bite just the right amount of sugar. The balanced taste is ideal if you don’t like baked food that’s overly sweet, and it pairs well with coffee. Since it has two chocolate stuffing, you can split it in two and savor them one at a time.

An Almond croissant has a sweet and savory taste from its almond flan and buttery crust. If it’s your first time to have one, the flan is a delightful creamy surprise as you bite into it. Its sliced almond toppings add an extra crunch, which most people love.

FAQ Section

Are Starbucks croissants considered bakery items at Starbucks?

Yes. Starbucks lists croissants on the bakery section of its menu.

Are Starbucks croissants healthy?

Starbucks croissants are somewhat healthy, so you can enjoy them in moderation. Croissants usually have high calorie, carbohydrate, and fat content like cholesterol. The ones at Starbucks have the same nutrition, but their micronutrients are a plus.

Are Starbucks croissants gluten-free?

Starbucks croissants aren’t gluten-free because they have wheat flour. If you have gluten sensitivity, you can try its egg bites instead.