10 Dairy-Free Candy Bars That Taste Like Your Childhood

Every year in the US, Americans eat around 22 pounds of candy—and around half of that is chocolate. There’s no doubt, bars like Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Twix, and Almond Joy are popular treats in many US households.

Jump to the candY BARS

But while each has a slightly different recipe when it comes down to nut, caramel, and wafer content, they do have one key ingredient that unites them all: dairy. And that means that, for those looking for vegan treats, these popular chocolate options are off-limits. But don’t worry if you’re missing your favorite go-to chocolate, because the vegan confectionary market is packed with knockoffs. Yep, you can have your candy and eat it, too. Here are the best brands to look out for. 

The vegan chocolate market

Milk and dark chocolate used to be the norm in the confectionary world, but in recent years, more brands have been using plant-based milk to make creamy versions of dairy classics. In fact, by 2030, the vegan chocolate market is expected to hit a value of nearly $3.3 billion, and vegan milk options are a key part of that growth.

But while all of this future growth is promising, there are already plenty of tasty vegan chocolate options on the market right now, and many of them mimic your nostalgic childhood (or adulthood) favorites. 

The best vegan candy knockoffs

From Mars to Crunch knockoffs, here’s how to get your fix of vegan candy knockoffs.

1 Want Twix? Try No Whey Foods No Tricks Caramel Cookie Bars

If you’re more into the gooey caramel and wafer combination you find in a Twix, then these bars from No Whey Foods are a must-try. And even better, these bars are suitable for most allergy sufferers, too, as they’re free of all eight common allergens.
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2 Want Almond Joy? Try Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars

In the UK, there’s Bounty, and in the US, there’s Almond Joy. Whichever one you love, you can get that same coconutty deliciousness by opting for Unreal’s Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars, which are packed with organic coconut and organic cassava syrup. Plus, not only are they vegan, but they’re also lower in sugar than the alternatives.
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3 Want Reese’s? Try Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

When you bite into Reese’s, you, of course, get that delicious, mouthwatering mix of hard chocolate casing and creamy peanut butter. But good news: the brand released Reese’s Plant Based in 2023, so now, vegans and anyone avoiding dairy can enjoy the classic PB cups. Can’t find them near you? Luckily, the peanut butter cup experience isn’t limited to one brand. Get the same level of tastiness and satisfaction when you bite into one of the Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from vegan-friendly brand Justin’s. For even more vegan peanut butter cups, check out our full guide here. 
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4 Want Mars Bars? Try Go Max Go Twilight Candy Bars

Mars Bars are known for that iconic, indulgent blend of caramel and nougat, which is wrapped in milk chocolate. But with its vegan Twilight candy bars, Go Max Go has mimicked this combination. Instead of dairy milk, it uses a rice milk chocolate coating to encase the rich nougat and thick caramel center.
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5Want Kit Kat? Try Trupo Treats Mylk Chocolate Crispy Wafer Bars

Vegan Kit Kat bars launched across 15 European countries back in 2022, but as for the rest of us, well, we’re still waiting.  But while we wait for The Hershey Company to develop a dairy-free bar that’s suitable for vegans, we’re turning to Trupo Treats to satisfy our cravings. Delicate, crispy wafers are enrobed in vegan milk chocolate for a treat that rivals the original. 

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6Want Snickers? Try Harken Sweets The Nutty One

According to reports, the best-selling candy bar in the US (and worldwide!) is Snickers. In fact, some estimates note that around 400 million Snickers bars are sold every year. But all that nutty, chocolatey, creamy goodness can also be found in The Nutty One candy bars from Harken Sweets. Layers of peanuts, date caramel, and nougat are encased in a tasty oat milk chocolate coating.
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7Want Butterfinger? Try Nelly’s Organics Peanut Butter Quinoa

If your sweet tooth demands Butterfinger anytime Bart Simpson graces your television screen, it’s time to stock up on Nelly’s Organics Peanut Butter Quinoa chocolate bar. Peanut butter and crunchy quinoa are enrobed in real dark chocolate—unlike the original, which, due to a lack of cocoa butter in its ingredients, does not use real chocolate. 
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8 Want 3 Musketeers? Try Go Max Go Buccaneer Chocolate Bars

For a light, fluffy nougat candy bar option, many turn to Mars’ 3 Musketeers bars. But once again, Go Max Go has created a pretty convincing alternative, using rice milk chocolate, vegan nougat, and absolutely zero dairy.
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9 Want Crunch? Try Go Max Go Snap! Candy Bars

Nestle offers a tasty combination of milk chocolate and crispy rice in its popular thin Crunch bars. But, while not totally identical in texture and thickness, Go Max Go’s Snap! bars offer the same crispy, satisfying, deliciously chocolatey experience. According to the brand, this is the only vegan rice candy bar available with rice milk chocolate.
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Break Free

10 Break Free Crunchee

Break Free offers a sweet and gooey twist with their Vegan Crunchee, made with creamy coconut milk and Violife butter. 
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.