Your ultimate guide to vegan chocolate

Vegan…chocolates?

No, you aren’t dreaming. You’ve read right, and there’s actually a whole section of our website dedicated to nothing but vegan chocolates.

So can you eat chocolate if you’re vegan? You can, but it’s got to be certain chocolate. (In other words, chocolate that isn’t made from animal-dairy ingredients).¹

From vegan white chocolate and vegan chocolate bars to vegan chocolate truffles and vegan milk chocolate, you’ll find them all.

And they’re all ready and waiting to whisk you away to vegan chocolate heaven.

If you didn’t have a chocolate craving at the start of this article, we can guarantee you will have by the time you reach the end of it…

In this article, we’ll go through

• What vegan chocolate is
• Chocolate ingredients to avoid
• What vegan chocolate is made from
• What chocolate is vegan
• How to make vegan chocolate
• Vegan chocolate brands
• 18 best dairy-free chocolate products
• Chocolate FAQs

What is vegan chocolate?

Chocolate that’s made using non-animal-derived ingredients, particularly milk. This is because white and milk chocolate contain milk.

The vast majority of this milk comes from cows; there are also some manufacturers who use goat’s or sheep’s milk to make their chocolate.²

Now you can, theoretically speaking, create chocolate using milk from any animal but, from a vegan point of view, the specific animal is irrelevant.

Any chocolate’s made from animal products isn’t classed as being vegan-friendly, and the use of milk is one of the main signs chocolate isn’t suitable for vegans to tuck into.

As a result, it’s not possible to make milk or white chocolate that’s suitable for vegans, unless milk alternatives have been used (more on this below).

Chocolate ingredients to avoid

The following ingredients are not vegan friendly in chocolates:

• Milk
• Milkfat
• Milk solids
• Other milk derivatives – casein, whey protein isolate
• Shellac AKA confectioner’s glaze
• Lecithin from animal sources^3,4,5

What is vegan chocolate made from?

Chocolate is made using cacao beans which are found on cacao trees, meaning chocolate in its ‘raw form’ is vegan friendly as it’s a plant-based food.

To make chocolate products such as bars, truffles, cakes etc. animal and dairy ingredients are often added such as milk products, butter and eggs.

Chocolate products that are vegan friendly will use a dairy alternative such as dairy free spread, coconut oil or oat milk.

Which chocolates are vegan?

Most types of milk and white chocolate are made with all or some of the ingredients above, making it strictly off limits for vegan chocolate lovers.

Only chocolate that’s been made using zero dairy products and hasn’t become contaminated by manufacturers using the same machinery to make vegan and non-vegan chocolate can be classed as vegan.

Interestingly, it is possible to get vegan milk chocolate, providing the chocolate hasn’t been made with dairy milk, but a plant-based milk alternative, such as coconut, instead.

Lecithin can also be animal or plant-based; the soy and sunflower versions of it are vegan-friendly.⁶

Is cocoa butter vegan?

The name may be deceiving but cocoa butter is naturally free of dairy, eggs, honey and other animal-derived ingredients.

Cocoa butter is a type of fat that comes from cocoa beans.

Beans from the cacao plant are roasted, stripped and then pressed in order to separate out the fat, which is how we get cocoa butter.

So seeing cocoa butter listed in the above products may have concerned you, however, you can have peace of mind that cocoa butter is 100% vegan.

Is all dark chocolate vegan?

Now that’s a good question! In most cases, dark chocolate isn’t suitable for vegans because it tends to contain one, two or three ingredients that come from animals.

For the reasons mentioned above, it, therefore, isn’t always vegan-friendly. ⁷

Most dark chocolate doesn’t tick the vegan box because it contains milk fat, milk, natural flavour and other ingredients.

While we’re on the subject of natural flavourings, they should be vegan, but this isn’t always the case.

If you’re vegan, it’s best to presume that most dark chocolate isn’t vegan at first glance (sorry, but it’s really best to err on the side of caution when it comes to chocolate).

How to identify vegan dark chocolate

Vegan versions of dark chocolate do exist, but they’re quite rare.

Most brands that make vegan dark chocolate use ingredients that are mostly or entirely plant-based. And that’s why virtually all plant-based dark chocolate carries a vegan label.

Spotting vegan dark chocolate is relatively easy, you just need to look out for the vegan label.

But beware, some dark chocolates say that are plant-based or have labels that say something very similar. But this may not mean they’re 100% vegan, they could still contain traces of animal products.

Another little tip to remember when buying dark chocolate…

The percentage of cacao tells you how much cacao is in the chocolate bar. Where possible, try to choose dark chocolate that contains between 55 and 85% cacao.⁸

Is white chocolate vegan?

As with dark chocolate, most white chocolate isn’t suitable for vegans because of the reasons we’ve already touched on.

However, that doesn’t mean vegan white chocolate doesn’t exist or that you can’t make it yourself.

In fact, vegan white chocolate is relatively easy to make, and you don’t have to have lots of ingredients either.

It’s also worth noting that while traditional white chocolate isn’t suitable, a vegan-manufactured white chocolate alternative is.

However, legally, white chocolate has to contain 3.5% milk fat and 14% milk solids. If it doesn’t contain milk, then it can’t officially be classed as white chocolate.⁹

The main ingredient in vegan white chocolate alternative is cocoa butter, followed by powdered sugar, rice powder (not milk powder), salt and vanilla extract.¹⁰

How to make vegan chocolate

If you like the idea of making your own vegan chocolate, then you’re in luck, because there are lots of vegan chocolate recipes out there.

Here are a couple of them:

Vegan milk chocolate alternative recipe

Ingredients list

• 1 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup coconut cream (room temperature or warm)
• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar, powdered
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Cacao nibs (for the topping)

Vegan dark chocolate recipe

Ingredients list

• 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/2 cup cacao butter, chopped
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• Pinch of unrefined sea salt (optional)

Where can I buy vegan chocolate?

Don’t fancy making your own vegan chocolate just yet?

That’s fine, you can buy some instead! You can purchase it online and from most stores these days, including Holland & Barrett.

What are some of the best vegan chocolate brands?

We happen to stock a wide range of vegan and dairy free chocolate brands, such as:

1. Enjoy!
2. Montezumas
3. Blanxart
4. NOMO
5. The Raw Chocolate Company
6. Peakz
7. Plamil
8. Goodio
9. Mummy Meagz
10. Raw Halo
11. Vego Good Food
12. Choc Chick
13. Cocoa Libre
14. Love Raw
15. Booja Booja
16. Deliciously Ella
17. Doisy & Dam
18. Mallow Puffs
19. Moo Free
20. Almighty Foods
21. Fabulous Freefrom Factory
22. iQ Chocolate
23. Liberto
24. Raw Health
25. Sweet Freedom

Choose between honeycomb slabs, dark chocolate bars, chocolate drops, truffles, and more…

18 of the best vegan chocolate products

To make life easier we’ve picked some of our favourite vegan chocolate products, starting with everyone’s winter favourite - which is of course hot chocolate!

Best vegan chocolate bars

Read on for our top vegan chocolate bars...

1. Vego Organic Hazelnut Chocolate Bar - 65g

Price: £2.19

Description: This chocolate bar ticks a lot of boxes – it’s vegan, organic, Fairtrade and contains no palm oil.

High-quality ingredients, such as fine hazelnut paste, whole hazelnuts and cocoa have been blended together in a unique process to create Vego bars.

Customer reviews

Cseymour - 5/5 stars - ‘Love the Vego range. It’s the most delicious vegan chocolate.’

At41 - 5/5 stars - ‘Yummy. So smooth and creamy.’ 

2. NOMO Caramel & Sea Salt Choc Bar 38g

Price: £0.99

Description: Made in the UK, NOMO bars are vegan and free from dairy, gluten, egg and nuts.

NOMO’s chefs have spent years crafting their vegan choc recipe. Also available in a Fruit & Crunch flavour.

Customer reviews

Galap - 5/5 stars - 'Simply gorgeous, that gorgeous, I tend to order them in bulk.'

3. Balance Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar 

Price: £0.99

Description: The vegan Balance’s Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar is made with maltitol and pure cocoa mass and cocoa butter, with a lingering taste of delicate vanilla.

Customer reviews

Gjutley - 5/5 stars - 'I have been buying this product for a long time and I love it. The price is perfect. I just wish there were more varieties of this brand available here in UK'

4. Misfits Chocolate Caramel Vegan Protein Bar 45g

Price: £2.29

Description: An ideal snack for any occasion, these are a great chocolate bar alternative packed with 16g protein and less than 1g sugar.

Made with vegan ingredients, this product is natural, gluten and dairy-free.

(Also available in these flavours – chocolate caramel, chocolate hazelnut and dark chocolate raspberry).

Customer reviews

Clecia T – 5/5 stars – ‘It’s tasty and it’s vegan, which is a bonus as I don’t usually enjoy vegan products. It was great finding it out. I’ll keep buying it.’

Persinca – 5/5 stars - LOVE THEM! Definitely recommend. Vegan and low sugar. Perfect!

5. Applied Nutrition Vegan Indulgence Belgian Chocolate Mint Bar 50g

Price: £2.49

Description: Convenient and delicious snack which is made using natural flavours. Bite into the bar to reveal a thick layer of yummy caramel. Yum!

Customer reviews

Lilo28 – 5/5 stars - This bar is amazing it tastes just like a chocolate bar or dessert. Will definitely be buying more of these!

6. PhD Smart Bar Plant Dark Chocolate Brownie 60g

Price: £2.49

Description: This delicious bar is high in protein and low in sugar. Very tasty snack.

Customer reviews

Laurapeach – 5/5 stars - Deliciously light chocolate snack packed with plant based protein, great option for vegans!

Mceneank – 5/5 stars - Highly recommend to both vegans and non vegans.

7. Raw Halo Vegan Mylk & Vanilla Raw Chocolate 22

Price: £0.99

Description: Made with organic cacao, creamed coconut and coconut sugar, this bar has a luxurious glossy shine, a satisfying snap, and a melt-in-your-mouth smoothness, which is divine.

Customer reviews

Katie99 – 5/5 stars - It’s amazing! One of the most delicious vegan chocolates I’ve ever tasted! Worth it!! And on top of everything it’s raw....wow!!

Lucy181003 – 5/5 stars - I really enjoyed this bar. A little small but delicious,great vegan chocolate bar.

8. Enjoy! Salted Caramel Filled Vegan Chocolate 70

Price: £2.99

Description: This delicious bar has 70% Cacao solids and a hidden wonderfully gooey caramel centre. It tastes so good it’s hard to believe it’s free from dairy, gluten and soya. We promise it is!

Customer reviews

Mary – 5/5 stars - I buy this regularly and I find it excellent and it's far nicer and easier to relish than raw chocolates. It has a lovely caramel under a satisfying dark chocolate.

9. Fody Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bar 40

Price: £2.99

Description: This bar by Fody uses ingredients dry roasted peanuts, almonds and pure maple syrup ensuring a premium and delicious taste.

Customer reviews

No reviews yet!

Best vegan truffles

10. Booja Booja Almond Truffle 2 Pack 

Price: £1.29

Description: Booja Booja’s multi award-winning Almond Salted Caramel Truffles are vegan, organic and dairy, gluten and soya free.

These melt in your mouth vegan chocolate truffles, with their chewy, gooey sea salted caramel and roasted almonds filling, are the perfect on-the-go chocolate fix.

Also available in Hazelnut Truffle flavour.

Customer reviews

Megly - 5/5 stars - ‘Booja Booja yumminess! My all-time favourite chocolates and so perfect you can buy them in packs of two so you can treat yourself!’

Best vegan nut butter cups

11. Deliciously Ella Salted Caramel Cups 36g

Price: £1.69

Description: Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, these double chocolate caramel cups are the perfect plant-based indulgence.

Rich, sweet and full of flavour, they have a chocolate and oat base and are topped with caramel, chocolate ganache and a layer of dark chocolate.

Also available in a Double Chocolate Caramel flavour.

Customer reviews

KiTK - 5/5 stars - ‘I really like these, particularly as they are vegan in combination with gluten-free, such tasty snacks can be hard to come by. They are perfect for when I have a chocolate craving.'

12. Doisy & Dam Vegan Chocolate and Almond Butter Nuttercups

Price: £1.59

Description: Suitable for vegans and vegetarians and gluten-free, these chocolate cups are made from single-origin Colombian chocolate and cacao.

They’re also palm oil-free. (Also available in Hazelnut Butter flavour).

Customer reviews

Josie52 - 5/5 stars - ‘Delicious dark chocolate in these mini peanut cups!’

Best vegan chocolate nibbles

13. Livia's Chocolate Brownie Nugglets

Price: £1.49

Customer reviews

sk13 - 5/5 stars -‘These are the perfect little natural treat when you want a rich, chocolatey hit but one made with simple ingredients.

These have a soft fudge-like gooey centre that is bubbly and chocolate and then covered in smooth chocolate sweetened with coconut sugar.

I absolutely love these, the pack size and portion is perfect and the texture is so good - really soft and indulgent - they're gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, but honestly the taste and simple ingredients is the best bit.’ 

Mother McGoo - 5/5 stars - ‘Being mostly dairy and gluten-free and avoiding refined sugars as much as possible I'm always on the lookout for treats that tick my dietary boxes.

These did not disappoint! Each nugget is a burst of surprising chocolatiness. My only complaint is I felt mildly depressed as I reached the bottom of the packet. There can never be enough nugglets.’

14. The Raw Chocolate Company Raw Chocolate Almonds

Price: £1.59

Description: These caramel chocolate almonds, with a decadent dusting of cacao powder, are gluten and soy-free and suitable for vegans.

Perfect for snacking and enjoying on the go. (Also available in raw chocolate ginger flavour).

Customer reviews

Sue Bn - 5/5 stars - 'Delicious chocolate covered almonds very morish.’ 

15. Doisy & Dam D&Ds Vegan Dark Chocolate Drops 80g

Price: £1.99

Description: If you’re vegan and you’re missing the likes of M&Ms and Smarties, then these are just the treat for you. Try these delicious dark chocolate drops with a crunchy outer coating for a tasty dose of vegan chocolate.

Customer reviews

JSc1 – 5/5 stars - Very light crisp shell, like a delicate smartie. Absolutely love these.

Best vegan chocolate cake

16. Everfresh Chocolate Cake 350g

Price: £2.89

Description: Don’t fret, becoming vegan doesn’t mean that you have to say goodbye to chocolate cake.

There are chocolate cakes available in most supermarkets these days, alternatively, we sell the devilishly good chocolate cake by Everfresh.

This cake is baked with the goodness of sprouted grains and wholemeal flour.

Customer reviews

Jigglybean – 5/5 stars - It's so delicious, haven't had cake like this for a while and was initially skeptical, but was super surprised.

Quite dense but in a good way: have been looking for a dense style loaf cake. Chocolate chips were a bonus. Although dense, the sponge is fluffy and really scrummy all round

Alternately, if you enjoy baking (and fancy yourself as a bit of a Mary Berry), why not browse our vegan baking products range.

If you need some inspiration, check out our recipe for a very tasty vegan chocolate fudge decadence cake.

Best vegan hot chocolate

17. Willie's Cacao Hot Chocolate 250g

Price: £3.99

Description: This luxury hot chocolate is 100% natural, containing only two ingredients, cacao and raw cane sugar.

Customer reviews

Jepp – 5/5 stars - Why have any other hot chocolate when you can drink Willie's Cacao Hot Chocolate - I bought this for my son who is vegan and loves his hot chocolate at night and BINGO he simply adored it and said he has never tasted anything so good before and please can I reorder......which I have done and consequently from his rave reviews I have tried and agree totally that it is delicious!!! 

18. Enjoy Raw Choc Hot Cocoa Drink Powder 250g

Price: £5.95

Description: Made with high-quality organic coconut sugar and raw cacao powder. Mix with warm soya or nut milks, depending on your preference.

Customer reviews

No reviews yet!

What is organic chocolate?

Organic chocolate is more than just a label. It’s a sign organic chocolate has been subject to legal regulations that protect the planet’s soils and ecosystems — and you, too.

Organic farmers create healthy, living soil and manage weeds and pests using natural methods, while organic processors only use natural colours and substances: ensuring your chocolate is of the highest quality and has been made in a way that supports wildlife, soils and the climate.¹³  

Organic certification isn’t given lightly. All organic farms and food companies are thoroughly inspected at least once a year.

What’s more, The Soil Association sets higher standards than the legal minimum for organic production, too.

This means chocolate manufacturers that meet its standards must go even further on issues like additives, processing aids, packaging and maintaining organic integrity.

As a result - when you people buy organic chocolate that’s Soil Association-certified, they know its makers have gone that extra mile to produce a tasty treat that can be trusted.

What is Fairtrade chocolate?

Fairtrade chocolate is designed to make a difference to the lives of cocoa farmers and their families around the world.¹⁴

Life is tough for cocoa farmers. The price of cocoa beans has slumped in recent years, despite high demand.

Disease and age are damaging cocoa trees and few young people are becoming cocoa farmers because of the poor prospects.

Fairtrade products, such as chocolate, help to make cocoa farming in places like the Ivory Coast and Ghana more sustainable by guaranteeing minimum prices and providing a Fairtrade Premium to invest in local communities, so farmers can provide a better future for themselves and their families.

Every time you buy a bar of Fairtrade chocolate, you are supporting farmers and their communities.

A few final words about vegan chocolate…

If you’re vegan, you don’t have to forego your beloved chocolate because there are more and more vegan chocolate products coming on the market.

The bottom line is if a product’s saying it’s vegan, always double-check the label to make sure there are no traces of animal ingredients.

Ideally, you want to stick with vegan-certified products to make sure the chocolate you buy is 100% vegan.

Alternatively, you could always have a go at making your own, if you fancy it….

We don’t know about you, but do you fancy some vegan chocolate?

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Last updated: 25 January 2022