Hershey’s has some serious staying power. The chocolate giant has been around for over a century but is still a firm American favorite. In fact, research suggests that every month, more than 17 million people across the US consume Hershey’s Kisses and other similar candy products. For many, the distinctly smooth, creamy texture and sweet yet slightly tangy taste of Hershey’s is comforting and indulgent, especially for those who grew up eating it.
Until recently, all of that nostalgic flavor was encased in milk chocolate, which, of course, isn’t vegan. But in 2023, Hershey’s released its game-changing oat chocolate products for the first time. “Our purpose is to create more moments of goodness for consumers,” a spokesperson for The Hershey Company told VegNews at the time. “We are excited to make those moments more accessible now for chocolate lovers looking for plant-based alternatives.”
Hershey’s doesn’t just make chocolate. The confectionery giant also owns other candy and snack brands—some of which make a plethora of plant-based products, too. Find out more about which Hershey’s products are vegan-friendly below.
The Hershey Company
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Are Hershey’s Kisses vegan?
Before we get started on what is vegan at Hershey’s, we’re sorry to tell you that there is still no plant-based version of Hershey’s Kisses. The company’s signature chocolate drops were first manufactured in 1907 and since then, they have always been made with milk and milk derivatives.
Could they launch a dairy-free version? We remain forever hopeful. Watch this space.
Which Hershey’s products are vegan?
While you’re patiently waiting for vegan-friendly Hershey’s Kisses to maybe grace the shelves one day, the good news is there are plenty of delicious Hershey’s products to munch on right now. Below, we’ve listed some of the chocolate giant’s best vegan-friendly products, including vegan-friendly Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, dairy-free popcorn, and deliciously rich dark chocolate syrup.
1 Hershey’s Plant Based Extra Creamy With Almonds and Sea Salt
Pleasantly creamy and mildly sweet, Hershey’s oat chocolate bars will give you that same signature, nostalgic taste of the original but without any dairy. For sharing, the brand also offers the vegan-friendly treat in a big bag of miniatures.
Find it here
2 Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are one of America’s favorite candy treats, and now they’re totally plant-based, too. Just like the Extra Creamy chocolate bar, the cups are also made with smooth, indulgent oat milk chocolate and are available in miniature versions.
Find it here
3 Hershey’s Cocoa
There’s only one ingredient in Hershey’s Cocoa. You guessed it, it’s cocoa. The powder can be mixed with your go-to plant-based milk to make a creamy hot chocolate or used in your favorite chocolatey sweet treats, like cake, cookies, and ice cream. Side note: you can find plenty of super-chocolatey recipe inspiration here.
Find it here
4 Honest Organic Gummies
In 2023, Hershey’s was focused on launching more “better-for-you” products. Along with oat milk chocolates, it debuted its Honest Organic Gummies, which are vegan-friendly and made with fruit juice instead of artificial sweeteners. To give a quick summary of the gummies: they’re tart, a little sweet, and super tasty.
Find it here
5 Skinny Pop Popcorn
In 2017, The Hershey Co. acquired Amplify Snack Brands for $1.6 billion, which gave them the entire SkinnyPop snack range. “The acquisition of Amplify and its product portfolio is an important step in our journey to becoming an innovative snacking powerhouse,” said CEO Michele Buck at the time. The popular popcorn brand has plenty of super tasty vegan-friendly flavors, including Original, Sea Salt, and even Dairy-Free White Cheddar.
Find it here
6 Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate Syrup
Perfect for pancakes, waffles, ice cream sundaes, and so much more, Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate syrup is completely vegan. Warning: This syrup is rich, indulgent, and incredibly addictive. Prefer a fruity taste? Hershey’s Strawberry Flavor Syrup is vegan-friendly, too.
Find it here
Bubble Yum
7 Bubble Yum Bubble Gum
Most of Hershey’s products are nostalgic, and Bubble Yum’s Bubble Gum is no exception. If you want to relive your teen years and blow some pink bubbles or you’re just bored of regular mint chewing gum, why not keep some of these chewy treats on hand in your desk drawer to liven up the work day?
Find it here
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
