What Candies Are Vegan? A Complete Guide

You may have decided to go vegan for health, environmental concerns, animal welfare, or another reason entirely. But you still want to enjoy a sweet treat that aligns with your values.

We get it. This is why we created this complete guide to help you choose vegan-friendly candies. Keep on reading to learn what to look for, what to avoid, and the best brands to try!

What Makes Candy Vegan (or Not)?

Vegan candy contains no animal-derived ingredients and is not made using animal-based processing methods. That means both the ingredients and the way they’re produced matter. For example, some types of white sugar are refined using bone char, which makes it unsuitable for a strict vegan diet.

Furthermore, if any of these ingredients show up on the ingredient label, that candy isn’t a vegan-friendly choice:

• Gelatin
• Beeswax 
• Carmine / Natural Red 4 / Cochineal (made from crushed cochineal insects)
• Shellac 
• Milk, milk fat, condensed milk or milk powder
• Honey
• Bone phosphate
• L-cysteine and its derivative (sometimes animal-based, sometimes not)
• Lactitol (derived from lactose, from cow’s milk)
• Castoreum

Vegan-friendly alternatives used in candy:

• Pectin or Agar-Agar: plant-based gelling agents instead of gelatin
• Carnauba Wax: a vegan alternative to beeswax (from palm leaves)
• Natural Colourings: from fruits, vegetables, or plants rather than insects
• Fruit Juices & Plant Extracts: for flavor and sweetness

Popular Candies That Are Vegan-Friendly

Here’s what you want to look for when choosing a vegan option in each of these candy categories. A helpful first step is to check for a vegan-certified logo on the package, or visit the brand’s website for more detailed ingredients. 

Fruit-Based Gummies and Jellies

• Pectin or agar-agar instead of gelatin
• No carmine/cochineal in the colorings

Hard Candies

• No shellac or beeswax (used for shine)
• No carmine or bone char–processed sugar (if labeled vegan, you’re good!)
• Example: Jolly Ranchers (some flavors), lollipops, some mints

Dark Chocolate Candies

• 70%+ cocoa
• No milk, butterfat, or whey

Licorice and Chewy Candies

• No gelatin
• No beeswax coating
• Plant-based sweeteners and binders (ex: glucose, tapioca and brown rice syrup)

Common Candies That Are Not Vegan

Here are some common candies that are not traditionally vegan. You need to pay extra attention by checking the list of ingredients and looking for a vegan certified logo.

• Marshmallow-based treats: traditionally made with gelatin
• Milk chocolate and caramels: made with dairy 
• Candy-coated products: often contain non-vegan ingredients like shellac or beeswax
• Gummy bears: typically made with gelatin

The good news? Many innovative brands now offer vegan-friendly versions of these classics. As the market continues to grow, it’s easier than ever to enjoy plant-based alternatives to your favorite candies.

How to Check if Candy Is Vegan

Here are three simple steps to help you make sure the candy you’re choosing is vegan:

1. Read ingredient lists to pinpoint any non-vegan ingredients (see the list above)
2. Look for “vegan certified” logos. They will be mainly on the front of the package.If not, look at the back. 
3. Look up the brand’s website. The FAQ section may indicate if vegan or not. When in doubt, reach out to customer service!

One more thing to keep in mind: Some mainstream candies may vary by flavor or by region, so always double-check the specific package you’re buying to make sure it’s vegan!

Best Vegan Candy Brands to Try

• Specialty vegan chocolate brands:
  • No Whey Foods Choco No No’s
  • Unreal
  • Lindt Lindor Vegan Original
  • ZIMT Chocolates
  • Galerie au Chocolat
  • Camino
  • Chocxo (Vegan Flavors: Peanut Butter Cups, Coconut Almond Sea Salt Snaps and Raspberry Quinoa Snaps do not have any dairy, but they are not certified)
  • Awake (Vegan Options: Dark Chocolate Bites and Dark Chocolate Bars) 
  • Hukitchen (Dark Chocolate Bars)

• Gummies from companies using pectin/agar:
  • C’est BonBon (vegan options)
  • Candy Kittens
  • Herbaland Canada | Oh My!
  • Smart Sweets (plant-based flavors)
  • Katjes
  • YumHeart  (excepted the assorted flavor Gummy Bears)
  • Neat Sweets
  • Crafted Candy
  • Pierrot Gourmand
  • Go! Nutrition – Gummy 
  • Panda Licorice Bar

• Vegan marshmallows and caramel alternatives:
  • Dandies
  • Marks & Spencer – Plant Kitchen Marshmallows
  • Free From Fellows
  • Mallow Puffs 
  • Freedom Confectionary
  • Yummallo
  • Trader Joe’s Vegan Marshmallows

Ready to explore more vegan sweets? Contact our vegan dietitians for brand recommendations and delicious plant-based dessert recipes you can make at home.

FAQs About Vegan Candy

The Bottom Line

Many candies are naturally vegan, but some contain hidden animal-derived ingredients that aren’t always obvious at first glance. That’s why it’s important to read labels carefully or choose brands that clearly market vegan options.

The future is bright for the vegans with the growing variety of plant-based candies available today! It’s easier than ever to enjoy your favorite sweets while staying true to your vegan lifestyle.Sweet treats are just one part of a vegan lifestyle. Our plant-based dietitians understand the nuances of plant-based nutrition and can support you in every aspect of your journey. Contact us to learn more.