From dark chocolate bars to creamy plant-based alternatives, unwrap what makes chocolate vegan, how to spot it and the different types every chocoholic can enjoy
Our top picks
Creamy almond butter with crispy quinoa
Hu
Hu Almond Butter + Crispy Quinoa Dark Chocolate Bar 60g
Save up to 1/2 Price
€4.24
€4.99
Dairy free, gluten free, soya free
Booja Booja
Booja Booja Chocolate Wonders Salted Caramel 65g
€3.49
Think vegan chocolate means missing out? Think again. Vegan chocolate might once have felt like a novelty, but today it’s easy to find. As more people choose plant-based diets or cut back on dairy, chocolate makers have stepped up their game, creating everything from deep, dark bars to creamy white-style alternatives. Whether you’re fully vegan, avoiding dairy or simply curious about what’s out there, let’s take a closer look at why vegan chocolate has become such a sweet success (plus find your new fave).
What is vegan chocolate?
Vegan chocolate is chocolate made without any animal-derived ingredients – including milk.1 Traditional chocolate usually contains milk solids or milk fat, which makes it unsuitable for those following a vegan diet.2 As vegans avoid all animal products, any chocolate made with milk, butter or other animal-based ingredients isn’t classed as vegan. But don’t let that stop you – there’s plenty of vegan snacks you can buy or make yourself.
What’s vegan chocolate made from?
Chocolate starts its life as cacao beans from the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) before being turned into cocoa powder. In its raw form, cacao is naturally plant-based.4 When chocolate is turned into bars, truffles or other treats, animal-derived ingredients like milk, butter and eggs are often added.5 To make vegan chocolate, manufacturers swap these for plant-based alternatives including:6
- plant-based milks like almond, soy, coconut, oat or rice
- cocoa butter, the natural fat from cacao beans
- coconut oil, sometimes used for richness oil, sometimes used for richness
- nut butters for flavour and texture
- soy or sunflower lecithin to mix the ingredients together smoothly
Is cocoa butter vegan?
Despite its name, cocoa butter doesn’t contain dairy, eggs or any animal-derived ingredients. Cocoa butter is a type of fat that comes from the cacao plant that produces cocoa beans. These beans are then roasted, stripped and pressed to separate out the fat, which is how we get cocoa butter.7 So if you see cocoa butter listed on a vegan chocolate label, there’s no need to worry – it’s completely plant-based.
Which chocolates are vegan?
Most milk and white chocolate contain dairy, making it unsuitable for vegans.8 However, vegan alternatives are widely available including vegan ‘milk’ chocolate, which is made with plant-based milks like coconut or oat. Lecithin can be either plant- or animal-based, but soy and sunflower lecithin are vegan-friendly.9 Always check labels carefully and look for vegan certification where possible.
Is all dark chocolate vegan?
Not always. While dark chocolate usually contains more cocoa solids and less milk than milk chocolate, some dark chocolate still includes milk or other non-vegan ingredients.10 Vegan dark chocolate will usually state that it’s dairy-free or vegan on the packaging. If you’re unsure, check the ingredients list for milk solids, milk fat, whey or animal-derived products like honey or gelatine.
Is white chocolate vegan?
White chocolate is one of the trickiest treats for vegans because, by law, products labelled as white chocolate must contain milk, meaning vegan versions can’t officially use the term ‘white chocolate’. Vegan white-style chocolate alternatives usually rely on cocoa butter, powdered sugar and plant-based ingredients such as rice powder and vanilla.11 These alternatives can still offer a creamy, sweet experience without the dairy.
How to make vegan chocolate
If you’re feeling adventurous, making vegan chocolate at home is surprisingly simple. Why not give it a go?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup melted coconut oil
- ½ cup coconut cream (room temperature or warmed up)
- ½ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup powdered coconut sugar
- a pinch of sea salt (optional)
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- cacao nibs (for the topping)
Method
- Blend the coconut oil, coconut cream, cocoa powder, powdered coconut sugar, a pinch of salt and vanilla
- If required, add more salt to taste, more coconut sugar for sweetness or more cocoa powder for a richer flavour
- Pour the mixture into moulds
- Freeze for around 30 minutes
- Store in the fridge or freezer for up to a month and enjoy
Ingredients:
- ½ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup cacao butter, chopped
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- a pinch of sea salt (optional)
Method
- Fill a small pot (about ¼ full) with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and place a heat-resistant bowl on top, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water
- Chop the cacao butter into small pieces and add to the bowl. Once melted, carefully remove the bowl from the heat and allow it to cool slightly
- Add the cacao powder and stir until smooth and free from lumps, then mix in the maple syrup and salt
- Pour the melted chocolate into moulds or a small square or rectangular dish lined with parchment paper
- Freeze for about 10 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes until set12
Don’t fancy making your own? Luckily, vegan chocolate is now easy to find in shops and online, including at Holland & Barrett. The range includes bars, truffles, drops and seasonal treats from brands like NOMO, Vego, Hu, Doisy & Dam and Raw Halo.
NOMO
€3.50
€2.42
€3.23/100 g
Hu
€4.99
€4.24
€7.07/100 g
Booja Booja
€17.29
€9.40/100 g
FAQs
Vegan chocolate isn’t automatically healthier than non-vegan chocolate. While it doesn’t contain dairy, it can still be high in sugar and fat depending on how it’s made. Some vegan chocolates use simpler, plant-based ingredients, while others are designed to be just as indulgent as traditional chocolate. As with any chocolate, it’s best enjoyed in moderation. Checking the ingredients list can help you choose options that suit your preferences, whether that’s lower sugar, organic ingredients or Fairtrade sourcing.
Organic chocolate is more than just a label. Not only do organic chocolate makers limit the colours and additives they use, but the chocolate has also been made under legal regulations designed to protect soils, ecosystems and the wider environment.13 Organic certification isn’t given lightly either. Organic farms and food companies are thoroughly inspected at least once a year to make sure standards are being met.14 If you want to be extra mindful, choosing Soil Association-certified organic chocolate means it’s been made with extra care, from how the ingredients are grown to how the final product is produced.15
Fairtrade chocolate is designed to support cocoa farmers and their communities. It does this by guaranteeing minimum prices and providing a Fairtrade Premium that can be used for local projects like education or farming improvements.16 Cocoa farming can be unpredictable, with changing prices, ageing trees and fewer opportunities for future generations. Fairtrade aims to make cocoa production more sustainable and help farming families build a more secure future.
The final say
Being vegan doesn’t mean having to give up chocolate – you can still nourish your body while enjoying your favourite treats. From dark bars to creamy plant-based alternatives, there’s now a wide range of vegan chocolate to suit your different tastes and preferences. Checking labels, choosing certified vegan products and understanding how chocolate is made can help you enjoy your favourite treats with confidence. Whether you’re looking for sugar-free snacks, treats made with plant-based protein or simply want to try something new, vegan chocolate proves that plant-based eating can still be satisfying and delicious.
Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
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2. Carson B. Is Milk Chocolate Vegan? Exploring Ingredients and Alternatives [Internet]. Realistic Plant-Based Mama. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 26]. Available from: https://realisticplantbasedmama.com/is-milk-chocolate-vegan
3. Is Chocolate Vegan? | VeganFriendly.org.uk [Internet]. VeganFriendly.org.uk |. 2019 [cited 2026 Jan 26]. Available from: https://www.veganfriendly.org.uk/is-it-vegan/chocolate/
4. Tan TYC, Lim XY, Yeo JHH, Lee SWH, Lai NM. The Health Effects of Chocolate and Cocoa: A Systematic Review. Nutrients [Internet]. 2021 Aug 24;13(9):2909. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8470865/
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6. Max. Best Dairy Free Chocolate (Milk Alternatives & Brands) [Internet]. Dame Cacao. 2021 [cited 2026 Jan 26]. Available from: https://damecacao.com/dairy-free-chocolate/
7. TAN TJ, JINAP S, KUSNADI AE, HAMID NSA. EXTRACTION OF COCOA BUTTER BY SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE: OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATING CONDITIONS AND EFFECT OF PARTICLE SIZE. Journal of Food Lipids. 2008 May;15(2):263–76.
8. Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. Cocoa and Chocolate in Human Health and Disease. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling. 2011 Nov 15;15(10):2779–811.
9. Cudmore D. Is Lecithin Vegan? (Soy, Sunflower, etc.) | VegFAQs [Internet]. VegFAQs. 2022 [cited 2026 Jan 26]. Available from: https://vegfaqs.com/is-lecithin-vegan/?
10. Harvard. Dark Chocolate [Internet]. The Nutrition Source. 2019. Available from: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/dark-chocolate/11. The Cocoa and Chocolate Products (England) Regulations 2003 [Internet]. Legislation.gov.uk. 2022. Available from: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1659/schedule/1/made
12. Andrews A. Vegan White Chocolate [Internet]. Loving It Vegan. 2019. Available from: https://lovingitvegan.com/vegan-white-chocolate/
13. Andrews A. Vegan White Chocolate [Internet]. Loving It Vegan. 2019. Available from: https://lovingitvegan.com/vegan-white-chocolate/
14. office. Organic FAQs - Organic Farming Research Foundation [Internet]. Organic Farming Research Foundation. 2022 [cited 2026 Jan 26]. Available from: https://ofrf.org/resources/organic-faqs
15. What is Organic Certification? | Soil Association Certification [Internet]. www.soilassociation.org. Available from: https://www.soilassociation.org/certification/food-drink/what-is-organic-certification/
16. Organic Chocolate | What Is Organic | Soil Association [Internet]. www.soilassociation.org. Available from: https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/what-is-organic/organic-chocolate/
17. Fairtrade Foundation. Cocoa farmers [Internet]. Fairtrade Foundation. Fairtrade Foundation; 2022. Available from: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/farmers-and-workers/cocoa/
