Unwrapping a chocolate bar is a timeless and satisfying experience, but many of the beloved treats we remember from childhood have fallen behind. Chocolate giants including Mars, Dove and Hershey’s still primarily offer chocolates made from cow’s milk, despite growing interest in more sustainable, dairy-free chocolate. However, there is no need to worry! There’s no shortage of vegan chocolate options, not least because several brands have embraced plant-based milk in their recipes.
Enjoying a chocolate bar is a decadent treat that’s hard to give up, even on a dairy-free diet. But chocolate addicts can breathe a sigh of relief because most chocolate is vegan, unless manufacturers add cow’s milk or another dairy product to their recipes. So, there are tons of plant-based chocolate options on the shelves.
For the most part, dark chocolate is vegan, but it’s important to double-check labels because sometimes companies add milk fat, cream, lactose, or whey to “dark” chocolate. Even though some brands add animal-derived ingredients to dark chocolate, it’s still a reliable place to start looking when you need something sweet to eat.
The production of cow’s milk is much more taxing on the environment than its plant-based counterparts. About 87.5% of Gen Z shoppers are concerned about the environment. More than likely, younger generations will continue to seek out sustainable chocolate rather than long-standing brands that contain dairy.
Giving up dairy products is good for your health
Milk goes out of fashion quickly. Nearly half of Gen Z consumers are actively shamed when ordering dairy milk in public, driven not only by environmental concerns, but also by the health risks associated with dairy products. By eating and drinking more cow’s milk, you increase your risk of disease, stroke and heart attack.
Regardless of the milk content, vegan chocolate remains a sweet and indulgent snack. So, plant-based chocolate isn’t necessarily an excuse to eat more chocolate, but dairy-free does provide a slightly healthier option than cow’s milk options.
The best vegan chocolate bars
Ordering vegan chocolate can be tricky at first, especially when you’ve long established your favorite brands. But there’s plenty of chocolate for everyone, from new brands specializing in oat milk chocolate to reformed recipes from iconic companies like Lindt.
Here’s our guide to the best vegan and dairy-free chocolate available.
Awake Chocolate: dark chocolate bites
Awake Chocolate is a delicious on-the-go snack, especially when you need a little energy. These little vegan chocolates contain enough caffeine to get you through the rest of the workday with a clear head without drinking another cup of coffee. Each chocolate is equivalent to half a cup of coffee! This chocolate snack is effective and delicious, without a bitter aftertaste.
Portion: 1
calories 70
Total fat 5g, Saturated fat 3g
Total sugars 6g
Buttered Jumbo Pecans
Perfectly sized, these treats bring all the nostalgia of your favorite childhood chocolate treats with a much cleaner label. Completely vegan and made with only 7 grams of sugar, these candy bars in four different classic flavors are incredibly delicious. The Banana Pecan is a surprising surprise, but if bananas aren’t your thing, there are 3 other amazing choices. This is perhaps the tastiest vegan chocolate bar on the market.
Portion: 8
calories: 210
Total fat 15g, Saturated fat 4.5g
Total sugars 7g, Added sugar 6g
Hu Simple Dark Chocolate
Hu’s simple and timeless dark chocolate bar offers the classic childhood chocolate bar experience we all want. This organic, healthier take on traditional chocolate bars gives you a guilt-free, diet-friendly chocolate bar. The recipe is also super allergenic. These delicious chocolates are gluten-free, refined sugar-free and soy lecithin-free. Be sure to moderate your intake, as Hu has 8 grams of saturated fat per serving and one bar has two servings!
Portion: 2
calories 190
Total fat 14g, Saturated fat 8 grams
Total sugars 7g, Added sugar 7g
Lindt Classic Recipe Oat Milk
Lindt has turned the world of luxury chocolate upside down with its OatMilk Classic Recipe chocolate bar. This creamy, smooth chocolate bar is good enough to trick Willy Wonka into thinking it’s made with dairy. The bar is divided into small squares, making it the perfect chocolate snack to spread throughout the day. However, it’s important to point out that this milk-free chocolate bar is a rich indulgence with 10 grams of added sugar and 5 grams of saturated fat per serving. And each 3.5 ounce chocolate bar has 9 servings!
Portion: 3.5
calories 170
Total fat 10g, Saturated fat 5g
Total sugars 13g, Added sugar 10g
TCHO Chocolate Latte
TCHO has partnered with Blue Bottle Coffee to create a plant-based chocolate bar that tastes just like the specialty espresso drink. The plant-based chocolate bar contains roasted coffee beans, cashew butter and cocoa butter, providing chocolate lovers with a creamy chocolate bar that you wouldn’t know was not vegan unless someone tells you so. With notes of caramel and coffee, this delicious chocolate bar can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night. However, for the faint hearted, know that this bar contains 5 grams of saturated fat per serving!
Portion: 3
calories 130
Total fat 9g, Saturated fat 5g
Total sugars 7g, Added sugar 7g
TCHO Dark Duo
TCHO’s “Distinguished Cocoa Experience” lives up to the hype. This smooth dark chocolate is a deliciously sweet treat with only 6 grams of sugar per serving. The Dark Duo has an intense flavor of cocoa from Ghana without the bitter aftertaste typical of dark chocolates. And the next time you want to bake cookies, these plant-based chocolate bars will be the perfect ingredient for chocolate chunk cookies. Enjoy this bar in moderation as it contains 7 grams of saturated fat per serving.
Portion: 3
calories 120
Total fat 10g, Saturated fat 7g
Total sugars 6g, Added sugar. 6g
Tony’s Chocolate Classic
Opening one of Tony’s Fair Trade chocolate bars looks like a classic Hershey bar. The socially responsible chocolate brand offers several plant-based chocolate bars with its dark chocolate selection except for its dark milk pretzel caramel flavor. But Tony’s Choconlonely Dark Almond Sea Salt offers an amazing blend of salty and sweet richness rare in plant-based chocolate. It’s also a great choice when looking for a low sugar option!
Portion: 6
calories 160
Total fat 10g, Saturated fat 5g
Total sugars 12g, Added sugar 12g
Trader Joe’s Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
Smooth and rich, if you miss milk chocolate but want to keep the milk, this Trader Joe’s chocolate bar will hit the mark. Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and kosher, this bar is a great allergen-free choice as a treat for kids. If you’re looking for a no-frills yet decadent and creamy chocolate bar, this is the one for you.
Portion: 3
calories 140
Total fat 10g, Saturated fat 6g
Total sugars 11g, Added sugar 8 grams
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