Last updated 2 months ago | Originally Published: September 8, 2024
Finding foods that meet your dietary preferences isn’t always breezy. In fact, constantly asking about ingredients can be downright tiring. That’s why it’s exciting to hear that so many amazing classic candies just happen to be vegan! It’s also helpful when retailers actually respect and cater to your needs. If you’re always up for indulging your sweet tooth, you may be wondering about where to find the best vegan candy. We have you covered! Our recommendations feature classic and beloved candies that satisfy your cravings for fruity, sweet, tangy, and chewy confections.
One of my favorite things about my role here at Candy Retailer is helping customers find their perfect candy matches. I take pride in helping people with dietary preferences and restrictions confidently shop from our high-quality collection of candies and sweets. That’s why I pulled out my favorite vegan candies to put together a list of the 20 best. My picks are based on a mix of customer demand, customer feedback, and my own experience as an expert in all things candy!
1. Charms Blow Pops
It’s always a good day when you learn that everyone’s favorite lollipop is vegan. Offering two treats in one, Blow Pops gives you lingering sweetness with thick bubble gum that’s revealed after you’ve gotten your licks in. This 100-count box is perfect for a dorm room, work desk, or personal treat stash. Blow Pops are also great when looking for allergen-free, vegan treats for concession stands.
2. Airheads
There’s nothing airheaded about loving these chewy, fruity bars! This beloved taffy treat comes in much tangier flavors than your grandma’s saltwater taffy from the olden days. What I personally love about Airheads is that each individually wrapped bar gives you something to chew on and savor for a while. Clear your head with an Airheads break when the day gets rough!
3. Smarties
If carefree childhood days had a flavor, it would probably taste a lot like Smarties. From their distinctly chalky texture to their tangy flavors that pack a big bite in a small disc, Smarties always hit the spot when you need a little pick-me-up treat. It’s so easy to pop a roll into a bag or purse. This 14-ounce bag has plenty for you to share. Smarties are also great if you’re looking for vegan Halloween candy!
4. Smarties Double Lollies
Let’s keep on the Smarties train with this next awesome vegan candy. The truth is that not everyone who loves Smarties even knows that these little gems exist. Smarties Double Lollies are lollipops made from two large Smarties discs combined to form one flavor-packed treat that lasts much longer than a single Smartie. Believe me when I say that you can taste the nostalgia in every lick! Candy Retailer holds nothing back with this generous 200-count container.
5. Jujyfruits
I love that no man’s land between licorice and gumdrops that Jujyfruits occupy. The chewiness on these candies is epic. There’s also a little bit more of a bite to the flavors compared to other gummy candies. This is also one of the only blends where you’re getting sweet raspberry and orange right alongside that deeper licorice/anise flavor.
6. Now and Later Chewy Original Mix
The magic of Now and Later candies is that their tasty, zingy flavor really sticks around. Each piece has just the right mix of softness, chewiness, and juiciness to wake up your senses. Their chewiness also lasts a lot longer than similar taffy-adjacent candies. That means this 24-pack is going to go a long way.
7. Bottle Caps
Put a little pep in your steps with these fizz-inspired treats that are perfect for movie nights! While this is far from the only “tart and sweet” vegan candy out there, it’s the only one with soda-inspired flavors like root berry, cherry, grape, and cola. The rough texture really helps the flavor to latch on to your taste buds. One taste instantly transports you to wholesome moments at the local drive-in movie theater.
8. Skittles
I can’t be the only one who craves a handful of Skittles every now and then. There’s nothing like breaking through that candy-coated shell to reach the chewy inside of a Skittle. That’s why I love this 1-pound bulk pack of fun-sized bags. You can take what you want without worrying about resealing the bag. Each fun-size bag gives you the perfect mix of flavors to feel satisfied.
9. Jolly Ranchers
The classic Jolly Rancher is considered the best vegan hard candy by many. The smooth, glass-like texture of these candies is unmistakable. The flavor seems to only intensify as you get deeper into each layer of delicious watermelon, green apple, blue raspberry, or grape. This assorted 1-pound bag ensures that every handful you grab to put in your back or pocket will have a great flavor mix.
10. Dum Dums Original Mix
Dum Dums offer that little pop of sweetness you sometimes want when finishing a meal or taking a little sugar break. Each bulbous pop rests easily on the side of your cheek. Over the years, several teachers have told me that Dum Dums make perfect classroom treats because they are small and not sticky. Our 500-count mix goes a long way when you’re handing these out!
11. Sunkist Fruit Gems
Each individually wrapped Sunkist Fruit Gem is like a little sunny silver dollar that you’re unpackaging! The consistency of these is so tender and juicy. The flavor of real fruit juice really comes through! I love individually wrapped gummies because they don’t stick together the way that some gummies can in a bag. These stay fresh for a long time without worries of resealing the bag.
12. Cry Baby Tears
Known to make vegans with a sweet tooth cry tears of joy, Cry Baby Tears satisfies that craving for an edgy, sour candy. Get ready to pucker up with deliciously tart watermelon, cherry, apple, and other classic fruit flavors. Cry Baby Tears lets you relive the fun of grabbing a handful of candy as it’s poured out from a gumball machine. Our 1-pound bag of Cry Baby Tears lets you dig in whenever you please.
13. Sour Patch Kids
There’s nothing like the sweet-and-sour notes that hit your tongue when you get that first bite of sour sugar coating over a chewy, sweet candy. While there are many sour candies out there, that iconic sour burst from a Sour Patch Kid is iconic. It’s also fun to select each flavor from the bag while anticipating how a different fruit flavor interacts with that magical sour sugar dusting!
14. Twizzlers Zero Sugar
This treat checks two boxes by being a vegan and sugar-free candy. This is a great way to enjoy that classic strawberry flavor that we all love about Twizzlers without any sugar worries. It also has that same signature chewiness of classic Twizzlers. Our 5-ounce bags are perfect for taking along to the movies!
15. Zotz Fizz Power Candy
Zotz offers a sweet-and-sour flavor with a fizzy twist. This vegan candy has a sweet outer candy layer that slowly turns sour with a fizzing effect as it melts down in your mouth. Our 48-count ensures you’ll be able to sample the classic cherry, watermelon, and apple flavors.
16. Nerds
Nerds are small, crunchy candies that defined the childhoods of many! They come in tangy, fruity flavors. Getting to the tangy-sweet center after crunching through the shiny and smooth candy coating is so satisfying. Nerds can be great when looking for creative ways to sprinkle vegan cakes and cupcakes with some color! NOTE: Big Chewy Nerds and Grape are Vegan, but Strawberry is NOT.
17. Chick-O-Stick
Chick-O-Sticks are great if you’re in the mood for a chewy and substantial candy. They’re made with a toasted coconut and peanut butter flavor covered in an ultra-creamy layer. Featuring roasted peanuts, coconut, cane sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter, toasted coconut, turmeric color, vegetable juice color, natural vanilla flavor, and palm kernel oil, Chick-O-Sticks are one of the only chocolatey candies out there to actually be vegan. Candy Retailer is proud to sell the exclusive and elusive 160-count jar of Atkinson Chick-O-Sticks.
18. Big League Chew
Who can resist munching on this iconic bubble gum? All is right with the world as long as you have a packet of this iconic shredded chewing gum in your pocket. While you might think of Big League Chew as a childhood treat, many adults actually love the way this gum keeps their mouths from drying out. We have ALL flavors!
19. Dots
Dots are unapologetically sweet. These are great if you love gummies that don’t try to surprise you with sour notes. Their spongy, firm texture makes them so satisfying. I love the way the different flavors each have their own style of tanginess.
20. Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape
If it’s been a while since you had Bubble Tape, rest assured that it still holds up. This one has always been a favorite because you get to pick the size of your piece each time! The container is also great because you can shove it into a bag or purse without worrying that your gum will get smashed.
Final Thoughts on the Best Vegan Candy
Did this vegan candy list get you excited to start rediscovering some of your favorites? It’s so easy to make your custom “vegan sweet stash” right here on CandyRetailer.com. Let us know if we missed any of your personal favorites by chiming in on our Facebook or Instagram pages. We also regularly share candy inspiration on our Pinterest page! Followers who sign up for a free account at Candy Retailer receive weekly discounts and new product announcements. Does it get much sweeter?
About Candy Retailer
Candy Retailer is the #1 online retailer for popular, nostalgic, and hard-to-find candies. From classic chocolates to the sourest gummies, we’re here to satisfy your sweet tooth with our discount bulk options and cheap candy promotions. We’re also your source for all kinds of holiday candy and candy for special occasions.
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