When it comes to sweets, being vegan isn’t always straightforward. You’d think sugar and fruit flavours would be safe, but so many classic sweets are off-limits. The main culprit? Gelatine. That’s the stuff made by boiling animal bones, skin, and tendons. It’s what gives jelly sweets their bounce, but it’s definitely not plant-based.
Even sweets that look harmless can contain other animal bits and by-products like beeswax, shellac and carmine. Shellac is a shiny coating made from insect secretions. Carmine is a red colouring made from crushed beetles. Yes, crushed beetles. And if you’ve ever seen “natural colours” or “natural flavourings” on a label and thought it sounded safe, it’s not always vegan either. Sometimes it means bugs, dairy, or god-knows-what else. If you’re grossed out, you’re not alone.
Then there’s palm oil. Technically it’s a plant, but the environmental cost of unsustainable palm oil is massive. Think rainforest destruction, endangered animals, and communities displaced for monoculture farming. Some vegans avoid it, others just try to buy from brands that use certified sustainable sources. Totally up to you.
Accidentally Vegan Sweets
Some of the best vegan sweets out there weren’t even meant to be vegan. They just happen to be free from all the animal stuff. I talked about this in my vegan snacks post too, but here’s the deal again: “accidentally vegan” means a product that wasn’t made for vegans but turns out to be animal-free anyway. Usually because it’s cheaper to leave the weird stuff out, which for once, works in our favour.
Skittles are a classic example. Fruity, chewy, colourful, and completely free from animal ingredients. Most of the regular varieties are safe, but I still double-check the weird limited editions.
Other accidentally vegan wins in the UK include:
- Jelly Tots
- Starburst (UK version)
- Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums
- Millions (most flavours)
- Swizzels Love Hearts and Refreshers
- Fruittella Sour Snakes
- Haribo Rainbow Strips
- Percy Pigs (newer vegan version)
- Flying Saucers
- Polo Mints (Original)
- Sherbet Fountains
- Chewits (some flavours)
- Drumstick Lollies (gelatine-free versions)
- Parma Violets
- Cola Bottles (some supermarket own brands)
- Fruit Salad and Black Jack chews
Branded Vegan Sweets Worth Trying
There are also plenty of sweets that are intentionally vegan. Some are a bit fancier, some more traditional, but all of them skip the animal nonsense.
- Candy Kittens – gourmet sweets with fun flavours like Sour Watermelon and Eton Mess
- Jealous Sweets – chewy, fruity, and clearly labelled
- Free From Fellows – cola bottles, gummy bears, and more
- Biona Organic Pomegranate Hearts – made with fruit juice, no artificial anything
- Sweet Lounge – fizzy bottles, strawberry hearts, plastic-free packaging
- Vegan Freedom Mallows – soft marshmallows without the hooves
My Personal Favourites
Skittles are still my number one. Fruity, chewy, everywhere. But I’m obsessed with sour sweets too. In Australia I found these incredible plant-based sour jelly sweets and I’m still dreaming about them. Back in the UK, Fruittella Sour Snakes and Haribo Rainbow Strips come closest.
Tips for Finding Vegan Sweets
- Always check the label, especially for gelatine, shellac, beeswax and carmine
- Don’t trust “natural flavourings” unless it’s clearly vegan
- Palm oil is up to you – if you care about sustainability, look for certified sources
- Supermarket own brands can be sneakily good
- When in doubt, just Google it, or better yet, look for the vegan logo
Wait; Is Sugar Even Vegan?
This is the bit where the Americans jump in shouting, “But sugar isn’t vegan!” and honestly, bless you. That’s because in the US, some sugar is still processed using bone char, which is as grim as it sounds. But here in the UK, that’s not a thing. Our white sugar doesn’t go anywhere near animal products, so you can eat your Jelly Tots without worrying you’ve accidentally licked a barbecue. You’re safe. Carry on.
Final Thoughts
You really don’t need to give up sweets to go vegan. There are so many options now that taste exactly like the ones you grew up with; sometimes better. Whether you’re into fizzy chews, retro classics, or posh gourmet gummy bears, there’s probably a vegan version already out there. And hey, if nothing else, you’ll never eat another crushed beetle again.
Let me know if I’ve missed your favourite. I’m happy to keep taste-testing in the name of research.
Before you go…
If you’re vegan or just looking for cruelty-free supplements, chocolate, or meal kits, here are a few brands worth checking out.
Dr. Vegan make fully plant-based supplements with clear ingredients. Use code DR15 to get 15% off.
The links above are affiliate links. If you click through and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Leave a Reply