Eggo waffles are a popular frozen breakfast food made by the Kellogg Company. With their crispy, golden exterior and fluffy interior, Eggos are a quick and easy breakfast option for many people. However, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining if Eggos are safe to eat can be tricky.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that most Eggo waffles contain wheat and are therefore not gluten-free. However, Eggo does offer some gluten-free options, such as their Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Waffles.
Ingredients in Regular Eggo Waffles
A look at the ingredients list of standard Eggo waffles reveals that they are not suitable for a gluten-free diet:
- Enriched flour blend (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Soybean oil
- Sugar
- Contains 2% or less of water, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), malted barley flour, salt, wheat starch, dextrose, soy lecithin, color added.
The enriched flour blend contains wheat flour, making these waffles an unsafe choice for anyone avoiding gluten. Additionally, the waffles contain malted barley flour which also contains gluten.
Gluten-Free Offerings from Eggo
While their traditional waffles contain gluten, Eggo does offer some certified gluten-free products:
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Waffles – These fan-favorite waffles are made with rice flour and are certified gluten-free.
- Gluten Free Buttermilk Waffles – Another gluten-free option using rice flour.
- Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles – Gluten-free waffles with blueberries baked in.
The key is checking the packaging for a “gluten-free” certification symbol. Eggo clearly labels their gluten-free offerings.
Are All Eggo Waffles and Pancakes Gluten-Free?
No, only the varieties listed above are certified gluten-free. Other products like their Thick & Fluffy Waffles, Minis, and pancakes all contain gluten from wheat.
Again, it’s important to check each specific product. Don’t assume that all Eggo frozen breakfast foods are gluten-free.
What About Homestyle or Buttermilk Eggos?
Unfortunately, both the regular Homestyle and Buttermilk varieties contain wheat and are not gluten-free. Some people assume that since buttermilk is dairy, the Buttermilk Eggos must be wheat-free. However, the enriched flour blend (containing wheat) is still the first ingredient.
Are Eggo Waffles Dairy-Free?
No, standard Eggo waffles are not dairy-free. While they don’t contain milk as an ingredient, they do contain soy lecithin. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier derived from soybeans, but is considered a “dairy derivative” and not allowed on a vegan or dairy-free diet.
Those with dairy allergies or on a vegan diet should avoid regular Eggos and opt for a non-dairy frozen waffle brand.
What About the Mini and Bite-Size Eggos?
The ingredient list is very similar for Mini Eggos and the bite-sized Eggo Snack Bites. Both contain wheat flour and are not gluten-free or vegan.
The Eggo Snack Bites come in flavors like Blueberry, Strawberry, and Chocolate Chip. But even the flavored varieties contain dairy ingredients and wheat-based flour.
Are Kellogg’s Frozen Waffles Gluten-Free?
Kellogg’s is the parent company that makes Eggo. Under the Kellogg’s brand, they also sell larger, thicker frozen waffles in buttermilk and chocolate chip flavors.
However, like regular Eggos, these Kellogg’s waffles also contain wheat and wheat starch. So no, Kellogg’s frozen waffles are not gluten-free either.
What About Generic or Store Brand Frozen Waffles?
Be careful with generic or store brand frozen waffles. They often contain wheat flour as a main ingredient. Check each specific product’s ingredient list, as they can vary significantly between brands.
Your safest bet is to stick with a certified gluten-free brand if you need to avoid gluten. Don’t assume a product is gluten-free just because it’s a store brand.
Making Gluten-Free Waffles from Scratch
Of course, you can also make gluten-free waffles entirely from scratch. This avoids any uncertainties about packaged products. There are many gluten-free waffle recipes online using alternate flours like:
- Gluten-free oat flour
- Brown rice flour
- Almond flour
- Quinoa flour
- Buckwheat flour
Experiment with combinations of flours to achieve the taste and texture you prefer. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats, as plain oats can be cross-contaminated with wheat.
Are Eggo Waffles Vegan?
No variety of Eggo waffles is certified vegan. As mentioned above, all Eggos contain soy lecithin as an emulsifying agent. Soy lecithin is prohibited on a vegan diet.
Some vegans may opt to eat Eggos and consider soy lecithin only a “minor ingredient”. But Eggo waffles cannot claim to be “certified vegan.”
Do Eggo Waffles Contain Milk or Dairy?
Interestingly, the standard Eggo waffle ingredients do not list milk as an ingredient. However, they still cannot be considered “dairy-free” due to the soy lecithin additive.
For those with a severe dairy allergy, Eggos may potentially be safe to consume as they don’t contain milk. But the company doesn’t claim them as “dairy-free.”
Nutritional Profile of Eggo Waffles
Here is the basic nutritional profile for two standard Eggo waffles:
| Calories | 190 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 7g |
| Carbs | 29g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Sodium | 420mg |
As you can see, a serving of two Eggo waffles delivers 190 calories, 29g of carbs, and 7g of fat. They are fairly high in carbs, especially for those on a keto or low-carb diet.
The gluten-free Eggos tend to be slightly higher in fat and calories compared to the regular wheat-based Eggos. For example, two Gluten Free Chocolate Chip waffles contain 220 calories.
Do Eggo Waffles Contain Preservatives?
Eggo waffles do contain some preservatives and artificial colors and flavors. Here are a few examples from the ingredient list:
- TBHQ – A preservative used to extend shelf life
- Caramel color – Artificial coloring
- Natural and artificial flavors – Artificial flavors
- Turmeric extract – Natural coloring
- Annatto extract – Natural coloring
The gluten-free varieties tend to have fewer additives than the regular Eggos. But there are still some preservatives and natural flavors added.
If you wish to avoid food additives, your best bet would be making waffles from scratch using simple ingredients.
Do Eggo Waffles Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup?
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is not listed as an ingredient in standard Eggo waffles. They sweeten their waffles using sugar and dextrose.
However, some of the flavored varieties like the Strawberry Eggos do contain high fructose corn syrup. As do the thicker Kellogg’s waffles in flavors like Strawberry and Blueberry.
If avoiding HFCS, check each specific product. The classic Eggo flavors appear to be HFCS-free.
Are Eggo Waffles Bad For You?
Eggo waffles aren’t necessarily “bad” for you, but they aren’t very nutritious either. The enriched flour provides some B vitamins and iron, but not much fiber or protein.
Eggos are also higher in refined carbs and sugar compared to a whole wheat waffle you’d make at home. They’re best enjoyed occasionally as a quick breakfast, rather than daily.
Do Eggo Waffles Expire?
Eggo waffles typically have a shelf life of around 10-12 months when stored properly in the freezer. The expiration date will be printed on the end flap of the cardboard box.
For best quality and texture, try to eat them before the printed expiration date. But generally, frozen waffles last quite a while when kept frozen.
Avoid any waffles that have significant ice crystals or look dried out. The color may also become paler and taste more stale over time.
Where are Eggo Waffles Made?
Eggo waffles are made at the Kellogg Company factory in San Jose, California. They were first invented in 1953 by brothers Frank and Donald Dorsa in San Jose.
The Dorsa brothers sold their “Eggo” waffle company to the Kellogg company in the late 1960s. Kellogg’s continues to make Eggos at the San Jose facility to this day.
Conclusion
In summary, standard Eggo waffles are not gluten-free due to containing wheat flour. However, Eggo has several certified gluten-free options like their Gluten Free Chocolate Chip waffles.
Those seeking a vegan waffle will also want to look for an alternate brand, since all Eggos contain soy lecithin derived from eggs. Making waffles from scratch at home using gluten-free and vegan ingredients is the best option for dietary needs.
While not the most nutritious choice, an occasional Eggo can be an easy and tasty breakfast. Just stick to the gluten-free varieties if gluten is a concern.
