M&M’s are one of the most iconic chocolate candies in the world. With their crunchy, colorful candy shells and smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate centers, they’ve been a favorite treat for decades.
Available in a variety of flavors like Peanut, Crispy, and Mint, they’re a go-to snack for many people.
However, if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you might have already discovered that M&M’s don’t align with your dietary choices. Despite their popularity and seemingly simple ingredients, M&M’s are not vegan-friendly.
For those who loved M&M’s before transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, this can be disappointing. But don’t worry—there’s good news!
Today, there are plenty of vegan-friendly alternatives that replicate the same crunchy, chocolatey goodness without the use of animal-derived ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for something classic, peanut-filled, or crispy, there’s an option out there for you.
Why Aren’t M&M’s Vegan?
At first glance, you might think M&M’s are just candy-coated chocolate, which seems simple enough to be plant-based.
However, the reality lies in their ingredient list. M&M’s contain several animal-derived components, making them unsuitable for vegans:
- Skim Milk: A common dairy ingredient that adds creaminess to chocolate.
- Milk Fat: A fat derived from milk, often used to enhance the texture and flavor of chocolate products.
- Lactose: A sugar naturally found in milk, included in the formulation of M&M’s for sweetness.
These ingredients are present in all varieties of M&M’s, from the classic Milk Chocolate to Peanut, Pretzel, and Crispy options. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions—none of the M&M’s flavors are vegan-friendly.
In addition to the dairy-derived ingredients, M&M’s production may also involve processing methods that don’t align with strict vegan values, such as the use of equipment shared with non-vegan products. This further disqualifies M&M’s as a plant-based option.
For vegans, this means that enjoying M&M’s isn’t an option—but as we’ll explore, there are plenty of alternatives that allow you to indulge in similar chocolatey treats without compromising your lifestyle or ethics.
Dry your eyes though – we’ve got some great alternatives below:
Vegan Alternatives to M&M’s
Craving something similar to M&M’s? Here are some of the best vegan-friendly alternatives that deliver on taste, texture, and nostalgia.
1. No Whey! Foods – Chocolate No No’s
If you’re looking for an alternative that looks and tastes like classic M&M’s, Chocolate No No’s by No Whey! Foods are the closest match.
- Why They’re Great: These candies have a creamy chocolate filling encased in a colorful, crunchy candy shell, just like M&M’s. The only thing missing is the iconic “M” logo!
- Additional Benefits: They’re free from peanuts, common allergens, and artificial colors, making them a safe option for those with dietary restrictions.
2. No Whey! Foods – Peppermint No No’s
For fans of minty chocolate, the Peppermint No No’s are an excellent plant-based alternative to Mint M&M’s.
- Why They’re Great: These feature a smooth, mint-flavored chocolate center with a crunchy candy coating.
- Additional Benefits: Like the original No No’s, they are free of allergens, artificial dyes, and, of course, animal products.
3. Unreal – Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems
If Peanut M&M’s were your favorite, Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems are the perfect alternative.
- Why They’re Great: These candies combine crunchy peanuts with rich vegan dark chocolate, all wrapped in a colorful candy shell.
- Additional Benefits: They’re certified vegan, non-GMO, and use natural vegetable-based colors instead of artificial dyes.
4. Unreal – Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems
Missing Crispy M&M’s? Try Unreal Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems for a plant-based twist.
- Why They’re Great: These gems use crispy quinoa for a light, crunchy texture, paired with smooth dark chocolate.
- Additional Benefits: Like other Unreal products, these gems are vegan-certified, non-GMO, and naturally colored with plant-based ingredients.
Other Vegan Chocolate Options Our Family Love
If you’re open to exploring other chocolate treats that may not perfectly replicate M&M’s but still satisfy your chocolate cravings, here are some great vegan-friendly options that we love as a family:
- Hu Kitchen Gems: Dairy-free chocolate gems with a smooth, creamy texture made from simple, clean ingredients. Perfect for snacking or baking.
- Endangered Species Chocolate Bites: Small, individually wrapped vegan chocolates available in unique flavors like almond sea salt or dark chocolate raspberry.
- Little Secrets Dark Chocolate Pieces: A delicious alternative with a crispy candy shell and creamy dark chocolate filling, available in several flavors.
- Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars and Chips: Allergy-friendly chocolate snacks and baking chips that are vegan-certified and made without dairy.
Final Thoughts
While M&M’s aren’t vegan, you don’t have to miss out on the joy of colorful chocolate candies.
Vegan-friendly alternatives like No Whey! Foods Chocolate No No’s and Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems offer a delicious and ethical solution to your cravings.
With so many vegan options available, you can enjoy chocolate treats guilt-free, knowing they align with your plant-based lifestyle.
We think you’ll also like our guide to Reese’s.
