Vegan Candy, Ice Cream, and Other Treats to Sweeten Your Plant-Based Diet
There are many reasons to start incorporating plant-based options into your diet. Eating vegan can be a compassionate choice to avoid practices that exploit and harm animals. Taking a break from dairy and meat can also contribute to a healthier lifestyle, cutting out some of the fats and cholesterol that come from animal by-products. Eating plant-based also be a kinder decision for the planet; the LA Times reported that it takes roughly 1,799 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.
If you’re trying to avoid animal by-products, it can be a daunting task to figure out which candy, snacks, and desserts are off limits. Finding products that are truly vegan can take a keen eye; even if you know to look out for dairy and gelatin, some ingredients are harder to spot. For instance, shellac and carmine are two additives both made from insect byproducts, and certain sugars are bleached using animal bone char.
That being said, there so many candies and desserts in grocery store that are completely vegan, either by design or just by accident! From movie theater candy to ice cream to regular old Oreos, there are so many vegan options hiding in plain sight that can make the perfect addition to your plant-based diet.
Read on for seventeen treats that are both delicious and entirely vegan. A few of them might even surprise you!
1. Ben & Jerry’s Non Dairy Collection
Beloved ice cream titans Ben & Jerry’s has an entire line of non-dairy flavors including vegan versions of many of their most popular flavors like P.B, & Cookies and Cinnamon Buns. Most of their flavors are made with an almond milk base, but they have three sunflower butter-based flavors as well.
2. Oreos
Surprisingly, this chocolatey staple has always been vegan. The creamy filling is a mixture that uses soy lecithin and corn starch.
3. Twizzlers
Made with a base of corn syrup and cornstarch, Twizzlers are completely vegan-friendly. Red Vines are as well!
4. Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
Trader Joe’s is known for having a lot of specialty products that are out-of-this-world and one of its most popular offerings is safe for vegans! TJ’s cookie spread is made with a base of vegan margarine, palm and canola oil, and rapeseed lecithin.
5. Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
Vegan ice cream sundaes are officially possible! This childhood favorite is made with cocoa and corn syrup, but no dairy derivatives!
6. Swedish Fish
Instead of being made with gelatin like many other gummies, Swedish Fish are made with corn syrup and carnuba wax. Their Trader Joe’s counterpart, Scandinavian Swimmers, are also vegan.
7. Unfrosted Pop Tarts
They’re a bit harder to find than the regular frosted pop tarts, but vegans do have an option if they’re shopping for a toaster pastry.
8. Trader Joe’s Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls
This delicious pastry is entirely vegan, including its vanilla icing.
9. Halo Top Dairy Free Flavors
Low-calorie favorite Halo Top has eight flavors made with a coconut milk base, including fan favorites like chocolate chip cookie dough and birthday cake.
10. Justin’s Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
If you’re ever craving a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Justin’s makes a vegan alternative with dark chocolate that’s just as delicious.
11. Skittles
Original flavored Skittles use plant-based ingredients, making for a perfect guilt-free treat.
12. Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Bars
If you’re just looking for a bar of chocolate without dairy in it, Lindt’s 70% cocoa bar is both delicious and dairy free.
13. So Delicious Dairy Free Sandwiches
If you thought avoiding dairy meant you had to give up ice cream sandwiches, we have great news. So Delicious makes a chocolate and vanilla ice cream sandwich with an almond milk base. So Delicious makes a variety of ice creams and bars using oat milk, almond, soy, coconut, and even cashew, so you have plenty to choose from.
14. Girl Scouts Thin Mints
Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to sit out Girl Scout cookie season. In addition to thin mints, there are four other vegan Girl Scout Cookies: Peanut Butter Patties , Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot, and S’mores.
15. Sour Patch Kids
If you’re ever craving something sour, you can pick up some Sour Patch Kids without having to worry about animal by-products.
16. Taza Chocolates
All Taza chocolates are certified USDA organic, gluten free, soy free, and vegan.
17. Talenti Dairy-Free Sorbetto
Talenti offers several indulgent flavors including layered coconut chocolate cookie, cold brew coffee, strawberry hibiscus and roman raspberry.