When Burger King partnered with Impossible Foods in 2019, the Impossible Whopper became an instant hit. Following its success, Burger King introduced the Impossible Croissan’wich as a limited-time breakfast item.
But was it vegan? Unfortunately, no. While the Impossible Croissan’wich features plant-based sausage, the croissant itself contains animal-derived ingredients like milk and eggs.
Let’s dive deeper into why it’s not vegan and what breakfast options Burger King offers for plant-based eaters.
Why Isn’t The Impossible Croissan’wich Vegan?
The Impossible Croissan’wich isn’t vegan because its croissant is made with the following animal-based ingredients:
- Egg Yolks
- Skim Milk
- Whey Protein
- Sodium Caseinate (a milk derivative)
Even if you remove the egg and cheese from the sandwich, the croissant dough still contains non-vegan ingredients, making it unsuitable for vegans. This means the Impossible Croissan’wich remains vegetarian at best.
What Ingredients Are In A Burger King Croissant?
To clarify why the croissant isn’t vegan, here’s the full list of ingredients used in Burger King’s croissants:
- Enriched Bleached Flour
- Skim Milk
- Margarine
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Yeast
- Egg Yolks
- Salt
- Corn Syrup
- Water
- Mono- and Diglycerides
- Maltodextrin
- Sugar
- Wheat Gluten
- Natural and Artificial Flavoring
- Calcium Propionate
- Sodium Caseinate
- Whey Protein
- Soy Flour
- Soy Lecithin
With allergens including eggs, milk, wheat, and soy, the croissant is clearly not vegan-friendly.
What Is The Impossible Sausage Made From?
The Impossible Sausage itself is vegan and made using the same soy-based formula as the Impossible Burger. Its main ingredients include:
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Coconut Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Natural Flavorings
While the sausage is plant-based, its pairing with non-vegan items in the Croissan’wich makes it unsuitable for vegans.
Is The Impossible Croissan’wich Still Available?
As of 2021, the Impossible Croissan’wich is no longer available at Burger King. It was discontinued as part of changes to their drive-thru menu. However, with the growing popularity of plant-based eating, there’s always hope it could return in the future.
Vegan Breakfast Options At Burger King
If you’re looking for vegan breakfast options at Burger King, your choices are limited. Currently, the only options are:
- French Toast Sticks
- Hash Browns
Important Note: Both items may be fried in shared equipment, so cross-contamination with non-vegan items is possible. If this is a concern, be sure to ask about cooking methods at your local restaurant.
Other Vegan Options At Burger King
While breakfast choices are slim, there are more vegan-friendly options for lunch or dinner. Here are the highlights:
Vegan Burgers
- Impossible Whopper: Request no mayonnaise.
- Single Impossible King: Order without cheese.
- Impossible Southwest Bacon Whopper: Remove bacon, cheese, and sauce.
Sides
- French Fries: Typically cooked in dedicated fryers, but ask to confirm at your location.
- Applesauce
- Garden Side Salad: Order without cheese or croutons and pair it with Ken’s Golden Italian Dressing.
Keep in mind that most fried items outside of French fries may be cooked in shared fryers with non-vegan products.
Can You Make The Impossible Croissan’wich Vegan?
Unfortunately, no. While you can request the Impossible Sausage on its own or pair it with vegan sides like hash browns, the croissant and biscuit options both contain animal-derived ingredients.
Even if you build your own breakfast using the Impossible Sausage, the cost of ordering it separately may not be worth it. A better option might be to explore other vegan-friendly menu items at Burger King.
Final Thoughts
While the Burger King Impossible Croissan’wich was a vegetarian-friendly breakfast option, it wasn’t vegan due to its croissant containing milk and eggs.
If you’re hoping for more vegan-friendly breakfast items at Burger King, there’s room for improvement, but they do offer some plant-based lunch and dinner options.
In the meantime, you can still enjoy items like the Impossible Whopper (with modifications) or classic sides like French fries. For more tips on eating vegan at restaurants, check out our other articles!
