Ever bitten into a candy bar and later realized it had no dairy, eggs, or honey? You weren’t imagining things. A surprising number of sweets are accidentally vegan - meaning they contain no animal ingredients, even though they weren’t made to be vegan. These aren’t fancy health food store finds. They’re the kind of treats you grab off the shelf at your local supermarket, gas station, or corner store. And if you’re vegan, or just cutting back on animal products, these discoveries can feel like winning the dessert lottery.
Chocolate Bars That Are Vegan by Accident
Not all chocolate has milk in it. Dark chocolate, especially with 70% cacao or higher, often contains just three ingredients: cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and sugar. That’s it. No milk powder. No whey. No casein. Brands like Lindt a Swiss chocolate maker known for its smooth dark bars, which include several vegan options like the 70%, 85%, and 90% Excellence bars have been making these for decades. Same with Hershey’s the American brand whose 70% dark chocolate bar contains no dairy, despite being made in a facility that also processes milk. Always check the label - but if you see "cocoa liquor" or "cocoa mass" as the first ingredient, you’re likely in the clear.
Even some classic candy bars are vegan. Dove Dark a popular brand in the U.S. and Canada, offers several dark chocolate varieties with no milk solids. The 70% Dark Chocolate Dove bar is a quiet favorite among vegans. And don’t forget Green & Black’s a UK-based brand whose organic dark chocolates - especially the 85% cacao - are made without dairy. They’re sold in New Zealand supermarkets like Countdown and Pak’nSave.
Candies That Don’t Need Animal Products
Hard candies, gummies, and chewy sweets often rely on sugar, flavorings, and colorings - many of which are plant-based. Skittles the rainbow-colored candies have been vegan since 2010, after removing gelatin and shellac. Same with Starburst the fruity chewies in the U.S. and New Zealand no longer use animal-derived gelatin. You’ll still find them in the candy aisle next to gummy bears that aren’t vegan - so always read the ingredients.
One of the biggest surprises? Jelly Belly the American candy brand whose classic jelly beans are made with pectin, not gelatin. That’s a win for anyone avoiding animal products. And Twizzlers the licorice twists you’ve probably had since childhood are vegan too. No dairy. No eggs. Just sugar, corn syrup, and flavor.
Cookie and Biscuit Surprises
Not every cookie needs butter. Oreo the classic sandwich cookie in the U.S. and New Zealand is vegan - the filling is made with vegetable oil, not dairy. The original version has been dairy-free since the 1990s. You’ll still find people shocked by this. Same with Nutter Butter the peanut butter sandwich cookies, which use vegetable shortening instead of butter.
Then there’s Biscoff the caramelized biscuit spread and cookies that are made without any animal ingredients. They’re popular in Europe and now widely available in New Zealand. And McVitie’s Digestives the British classic biscuit, sold here in Countdown, contains no dairy or eggs. Just flour, sugar, vegetable oil, and a touch of salt.
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
Yes, even frozen desserts can be accidentally vegan. Popsicle the classic fruit-flavored popsicles, especially the original orange and cherry flavors, contain no dairy. Same with Fudgsicles the chocolatey frozen treats made with water, sugar, and cocoa - no milk needed. They’re not fancy, but they’re satisfying.
And here’s one most people overlook: Dove Ice Cream Bars the dark chocolate version is dairy-free, made with coconut oil instead of milk fat. It’s not labeled as vegan, but if you check the ingredients, you’ll see it’s just chocolate, sugar, and coconut oil. You can find these in the frozen aisle of supermarkets like New World and Woolworths.
Potential Traps: What Looks Vegan But Isn’t
Not everything labeled "dark" or "natural" is safe. M&M’s even the dark chocolate ones contain milk fat. Hershey’s Special Dark isn’t vegan - it has milk fat. Kit Kat any version contains dairy - even the dark ones. And watch out for "natural flavors" - those can sometimes be animal-derived, though they’re rare in candy.
Also, some candies use beeswax or shellac (a resin from beetles) to give a shiny coating. Junior Mints used to have shellac, but now they’re vegan. But Jelly Belly’s premium varieties sometimes use beeswax - always check the label.
How to Spot Accidentally Vegan Sweets
You don’t need to be an ingredient detective. Here’s what to look for:
- Look for "dairy-free" or "vegan" on the package - but don’t rely on it. Some brands don’t label.
- Avoid: milk, whey, casein, lactose, honey, gelatin, egg whites, shellac, beeswax.
- Look for: cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, corn syrup, pectin, vegetable oil, natural flavors (usually plant-based).
- Check the allergen statement. If it says "may contain milk," that doesn’t mean it has milk - just that it’s made in a shared facility.
Pro tip: Use the Barnivore a free website and app that crowdsources vegan status for alcohol and candy, updated regularly by users. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most reliable tool out there.
Why This Matters
Accidentally vegan sweets aren’t just a convenience - they’re a lifeline. For new vegans, they make the transition easier. For people with allergies, they’re safer options. And for anyone trying to cut down on animal products without overhauling their diet, they’re quiet wins. You don’t need to buy specialty products or spend extra. Sometimes, the best vegan treats are the ones you’ve had all along.
Next time you’re in the candy aisle, pause. Look at the label. You might be surprised what’s already on your shelf.
Are Oreos vegan?
Yes, the original Oreo cookie is vegan. The filling is made with vegetable oil, sugar, and flavoring - no dairy, eggs, or honey. However, some limited-edition flavors (like mint or peanut butter) may contain dairy. Always check the ingredient list.
Is dark chocolate always vegan?
No. While dark chocolate often has fewer ingredients, many brands add milk powder or milk fat to improve texture. Look for labels that say "dairy-free" or check for ingredients like whey, casein, or lactose. Brands like Lindt 70%+ and Green & Black’s 85% are reliably vegan.
What candies have gelatin?
Gelatin is common in gummy candies, marshmallows, and some jelly beans. Brands like Haribo, Sour Patch Kids (in some countries), and traditional jelly beans often use it. Vegan alternatives use pectin or agar-agar instead. Always check for "gelatin" on the label.
Can I trust "natural flavors"?
"Natural flavors" can be plant- or animal-derived. In candy, they’re usually plant-based, but there’s no legal requirement to disclose the source. If you’re strict about veganism, avoid products with vague ingredients. Stick to brands that clearly label vegan status or use Barnivore for verification.
Are there accidentally vegan sweets in New Zealand?
Yes. Many imported brands like Oreo, Skittles, Starburst, and Biscoff are available here and are vegan. Local brands like Cadbury’s dark chocolate bars (in some varieties) and some supermarket own-brand chocolates also qualify. Always read the label - ingredients can vary by country.
Write a comment