If you’re vegan or trying to cut down on animal products, one of the questions you’ve probably asked yourself is: are sweets vegan?
The answer is… sometimes! While more and more confectionery brands are introducing vegan options, not every sweet makes the cut. In this blog post, we’ll break down what being vegan really means, what ingredients to look out for, and which types of sweets you can enjoy guilt-free. We’ll also highlight some of the best vegan-friendly sweets from popular brands like Haribo, Swizzels, Rowntrees, and Candy Crave—all of which you’ll find in our online sweet shop.
What Does Being Vegan Mean?
Veganism is more than just a diet—it’s a lifestyle choice centred around avoiding the use of animal products wherever possible. When it comes to food, that means avoiding:
- Meat and poultry
- Fish and seafood
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, cream)
- Eggs
- Honey
Instead, vegans rely on plant-based alternatives such as fruit, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and an ever-growing range of dairy and meat substitutes.
But what about sweets? You’d think sugar and flavourings would be fine, but many traditional sweets include hidden animal-derived ingredients. That’s where things get a little tricky.
What Foods Can Vegans Eat?
Vegans can enjoy a huge variety of foods, including:
- Fruits and Vegetables – Naturally plant-based and the foundation of a vegan diet.
- Grains – Bread, rice, pasta, oats, cereals, and more.
- Legumes – Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas.
- Nuts and Seeds – Packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Plant-Based Alternatives – Soy milk, oat milk, almond cheese, coconut yoghurts, vegan burgers, etc.
And importantly… lots of sweets, provided they don’t contain any animal products.
Why Aren’t All Sweets Vegan?
When you think of sweets, you probably picture sugar, colours, and fruity flavours. But traditional confectionery often hides ingredients that aren’t vegan-friendly. Some of the main culprits include:
1. Gelatine
One of the biggest reasons sweets aren’t vegan. Gelatine is made by boiling animal bones, skin, and connective tissue to create a gelling agent. It gives gummy sweets their chewy texture, but it’s a no-go for vegans.
2. Beeswax
Sometimes used as a coating on jelly sweets to give them a shine. Since it comes from bees, it’s not suitable for vegans.
3. Shellac (E904)
Derived from insects, shellac is another coating that makes sweets glossy. Again, not vegan.
4. Carmine (E120)
A red colouring made from crushed cochineal beetles. You’ll often find it in bright red or pink sweets.
5. Milk & Dairy Ingredients
Chocolate-based sweets often contain milk powder, whey, or lactose.
The good news is that many sweet manufacturers now avoid these ingredients by using plant-based alternatives like fruit pectin or starch.
What Makes Sweets Vegan-Friendly?
For a sweet to be vegan, it must contain no animal-derived ingredients at all. Vegan sweets are often made with:
- Pectin or Agar-Agar – Plant-based gelling agents instead of gelatine.
- Carnauba Wax – A vegan alternative to beeswax, sourced from palm leaves.
- Natural Colourings – Derived from fruits, vegetables, or plants rather than insects.
- Fruit Juices & Plant Extracts – To add flavour and sweetness.
This means you can still get sweets that are chewy, fizzy, gummy, and full of flavour—without compromising your values.
Types of Vegan-Friendly Sweets
So, what sweets can vegans actually enjoy? Here are some of the most popular options:
1. Fizzy and Sour Sweets
Tangy, tongue-tingling favourites like fizzy belts, sour cherries, and watermelon slices are often vegan. Brands like Candy Crave and Swizzels offer a wide range of fizzy vegan sweets.
2. Jelly Sweets (Gelatine-Free)
With the rise of plant-based alternatives, you can now get gummy bears, cola bottles, and fruit jellies without gelatine. Rowntrees Vegan Fruit Pastilles are a perfect example.
3. Hard Boiled Sweets
Classics like pear drops, rhubarb & custards, and cola cubes are often vegan since they’re made mainly from sugar and flavourings.
4. Chewy Sweets
Think Refreshers, Drumstick Choos (the vegan versions), and Love Hearts—Swizzels has been leading the way in offering chewy vegan-friendly options.
5. Vegan Chocolate
Made with dairy-free alternatives like oat milk, rice milk, or dark chocolate bases. While not every chocolate is vegan, many brands now offer plant-based bars.
Vegan Sweets from Popular Brands
Luckily, some of the biggest names in sweets have jumped on the vegan bandwagon. Here’s a breakdown of the vegan-friendly ranges you’ll find in our shop:
Haribo
Haribo is famous for its gummy bears and cola bottles, but traditionally they contain gelatine. However, Haribo now produces some vegan-friendly options such as their Halal and vegetarian ranges (which use starch or agar instead of gelatine). Always check the label, as not all Haribo are vegan, but the choice is growing.
Swizzels
A vegan favourite! Many of Swizzels’ classic sweets are naturally vegan, including:
- Love Hearts
- Parma Violets
- Refreshers (some varieties)
- Fizzers
They’ve been making vegan sweets for decades—long before veganism became trendy.
Rowntrees
Rowntrees have been pioneers in adapting their recipes. Their iconic Fruit Pastilles are now vegan across the board, made with plant-based gelling agents. They also offer Vegan Randoms and other fruity treats.
Candy Crave
As a modern brand, Candy Crave has embraced vegan sweets from the start. Their fizzy ranges—like sour cherries, watermelon slices, and fizzy cola bottles—are gelatine-free and packed with flavour. They’re one of the best options if you want bulk bags of vegan pick ‘n’ mix.
Why Choose Vegan Sweets?
Even if you’re not vegan, choosing vegan-friendly sweets has its benefits:
- Inclusivity – Perfect for parties, events, or gifts where you’re not sure who’s vegan or vegetarian.
- Ethical Choices – No hidden animal products, so you can enjoy them guilt-free.
- Modern Recipes – Many people find plant-based sweets taste fresher and less heavy.
- Health Conscious – While sweets are still a treat, vegan-friendly options often avoid unnecessary additives.
Shop Vegan Sweets Online
At our online sweet shop, we stock a huge range of vegan-friendly sweets from all the top brands, including Haribo, Swizzels, Rowntrees, and Candy Crave. Whether you’re after a bag of fizzy sour cherries, a nostalgic roll of Love Hearts, or a big pick ‘n’ mix selection, you’ll find plenty of choice.
We’ve made it easy to shop by category too—just head to our Vegan Sweets section and fill your basket with all your favourites.
Final Thoughts
So, what makes sweets vegan-friendly? The key is avoiding hidden animal ingredients like gelatine, beeswax, shellac, and dairy. Instead, vegan sweets use plant-based alternatives such as pectin, agar, and natural colourings.
The good news is that you don’t have to miss out. From classic retro favourites like Swizzels Love Hearts to modern fizzy treats from Candy Crave, there are more vegan sweets available today than ever before.
Whether you’re vegan yourself or just want to make a kinder choice, vegan sweets are a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth. And with our wide online range, you can stock up on everything from vegan pick ‘n’ mix to family favourites—all delivered straight to your door.