New to Vegan Candy? Here’s What to Look For
While vegan versions of recipes are typically on the healthier side—going vegan doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sweets! (Check out these homemade vegan dessert recipes.) You just have to know how to navigate the candy aisle:
- Aside from avoiding obvious non-vegan ingredients like eggs and dairy, keep an eye out for other add-ins that incorporate animal products, like gelatin; shellac, which adds a glossy appearance; and carmine, which lends a deep, red color.
- Also, refined cane sugar is often not vegan, though it can be if it’s organic.
- If you’re in doubt, check for a certified vegan seal on the product or reach out to the candy’s manufacturer.
In the meantime, satisfy your sweet tooth with these vegan ice cream brands.
Skittles
Wrigley recently removed animal ingredients from Skittles so vegans and vegetarians can enjoy the tangy treat. However, there may still be some non-vegan products on the market, like limited edition flavors, so it’s important to check the label just to be safe. For a chocolate twist, add them to the top of our moist vegan chocolate cake.
Smarties
The roll of candy tablets is another classic sweet that vegans can happily eat! All Smarties Candy made by the company is vegan, along with being gluten-free, peanut-free and dairy-free.
Sour Patch Kids
Good vegan gummy candy can be hard to come by, which is why we’re thrilled that one of our favorites, Sour Patch Kids, is vegan. Want to mix it up? Sour Patch Watermelons are also vegan, if those are more your weakness. Make sure to balance out all of that candy with a yummy meal!
Dum Dums
Dum Dums are a lollipop classic—and animal-product free! All flavors of the waiting room staple are vegan, including the mystery and root beer flavors (and use some real root beer to make a float with this vegan vanilla ice cream).
Dots
Cute, delicious and easy to eat an entire box in one sitting—Dots are a mainstay in Candyland. Despite their chewy texture, they’re free of gelatin, making them perfect for sleepovers or movie nights.
Red Vines
We love turning Red Vines into straws, and we couldn’t be happier that all flavors of the licorice candy are vegan-friendly. What’s next? Pair the iconic cinema treat with these recipes for your next movie night.
Twizzlers
Some people are Red Vines people, some are Twizzlers people. Whatever your preference, both are free of any animal products. Even better, all Twizzlers products are vegan-friendly, so you can enjoy the classic strawberry twists and the sour mini twists.
Pixy Stix
These sugary sticks were originally intended to be drink mix, but became the Pixy Stix we know and love after kids started eating the powder straight out of the package. Made without any animal products, they’re a perfect vegan Halloween candy offering.
Swedish Fish
While real fish may be off the table, Swedish fish are fair game. The red chewy candy from Sweden is animal product- and fat-free, making it the perfect catch (we couldn’t help ourselves) for a range of diets. Here’s another way to satisfy your vegan sweet tooth.
The post The Best Vegan Candy to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth appeared first on Taste of Home.
Kim Bussing