The 7 Best Vegan Candy of 2021, According to a Dietitian

Best Overall: UnReal Dark Chocolate Covered Peanut Gems

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UnReal candies were created by two brothers on a mission to make indulgent snacks with real ingredients. Using organic, fair-trade, certified non-GMO ingredients, this brand has exploded in popularity due to its highly transparent, quality products that don’t skimp on taste.

Made in small batches, the Dark Chocolate Peanut Gems are certified vegan. UnReal uses vegetable extracts from beets, turmeric, and carrots to naturally color the chocolate-covered peanuts and uses carnauba wax instead of beeswax. Shoppers can opt for a five-ounce bag or a box of 12 individual snack packs. Individually-portioned snack packs may be better for those that need support with portion control or who are looking to have something sweet while on the go.

Best Budget: YumEarth Organic Sour Beans Snack Packs

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YumEarth was created by families for families and offers a variety of organic, allergy-friendly sweets. Free of the top eight allergens, these sour jelly beans are also vegan, organic, and non-GMO. This budget-friendly candy comes in a bulk bag, with each packet costing a fraction of the normal price for a vegan candy.

Free from peanuts, gluten, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, and soy, these candies are safe for the classroom, soccer field, or as a party favor. Unlike traditional jelly beans, these sour beans contain no high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes. They're colored with carrot, apple, blackcurrant, pumpkin, and radish.

Best Chocolate: Endangered Species Panther Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Bar

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Narrowing down our top choice for the best vegan chocolate was a difficult task. There are many great vegan chocolate brands and products out there, but Endangered Species Panther Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Bar, 88% Cocoa, is our top pick. This bar is for the true chocolate lover. Made from pure 88 percent cocoa dark chocolate, it packs a rich chocolatey flavor.

In addition to flavor, this bar was also reviewed by ConsumerLab.com, an independent third-party testing company that examines products for purity, potency, and quality. This bar stood up to its label claims, and it was found to be within the accepted limits of cadmium, a heavy metal present in varying amounts in cocoa and cacao. This bar is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made from fair trade cocoa that can be traced back to Fairtrade farms in West Africa.

You can feel good about enjoying this bar as it only has three grams of sugar per serving, and Endangered Species gives ten percent of its net profits to save wildlife. It's a good treat all around.

Best Gummy: Wholesome Organic DelishFish

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There is nothing like a yummy, gummy candy! Unfortunately, many gummy candies are made with gelatin derived from pork or cow products. Fortunately, Organic DelishFish is made with organic, vegan ingredients.

Sweetened with Wholesome! Brand Fair Trade Organic Cane Sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, these gummy fishes are also free of all artificial colors and flavors. In addition to being vegan and free of potentially harmful artificial colors and flavors, this sweet treat is Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, and Kosher.

Although this product is made with better ingredients, it is important to be aware that a serving of seven fish contains 30 grams of sugar, so it is best to consume these as mindfully as possible.

Best Low Sugar: Evolved Chocolate Coconut Butter Keto Cups

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With the popularity of low-carb and ketogenic diets, there is plenty of low sugar or zero sugar candies to choose from these days. The important thing to consider when choosing an ideal low sugar candy is the type of sweetener used. EVOLVED Chocolate Coconut Butter Keto Cups are sweetened with monk fruit, a sweetener is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar and contributes sweetness to foods and beverages without adding calories.

Suitable for those following a low sugar, diabetic, or ketogenic diet, these coconut-filled cups contain 10 grams of fat, 1 gram of net carbs, and no added sugar. Each cup has cacao on the outside and lightly sweetened coconut butter with MCT oil on the inside. EVOLVED contains cacao that is Rainforest Alliance Certified, and the cups are certified organic, paleo, and vegan-friendly.

Best Peanut Butter Cups: Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

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Justin's Organic Dark chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are made with USDA Organic peanut butter and Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate. The Rainforest Alliance certification seal means that the certified product or ingredient was produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental.

One pack contains two certified gluten-free, kosher, and of course, vegan peanut butter cups. One serving includes both cups and contains 4 grams of plant-based protein and 16 grams of sugar. For your convenience, the cups come in individual packages with one serving or bulk bags with 12 cups.