Vegan M&M’s are a delicious, cruelty-free alternative to traditional candy. With an ever-increasing number of vegan and vegetarian options on the market, it’s no surprise that even our favorite childhood treat has gone green! But what exactly makes these vegan m&ms different from their non-vegan counterparts? This blog post will look at everything you need to know about vegan M&M’s: what they are, where to buy them, and how to make them yourself at home – plus plenty of recipes and storage tips. So if you’re looking for an indulgent snack without compromising your ethical values, read on!
Table of Contents:
What is Vegan M&Ms?
Vegan M&Ms are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional M&Ms. They are made with plant-based ingredients, such as cocoa butter, sugar, rice syrup solids, natural flavors, and colors derived from fruits and vegetables. These vegan treats have the same crunchy texture and sweet taste as regular M&Ms but without animal products or byproducts. The absence of dairy makes them suitable for vegans who do not consume animal products or byproducts in their diet.
Vegan M&Ms also contain fewer calories than traditional ones because they are made with healthier ingredients like dark chocolate, which is rich in antioxidants that can help protect against disease. Additionally, these vegan treats contain no artificial preservatives or additives, so you can be sure that you’re getting only the best quality ingredients when you indulge in this tasty treat.
Unlike traditional M&Ms, which use milk chocolate as its main ingredient, vegan versions use cocoa butter; instead, a vegetable fat extracted from cacao beans. This gives vegan M&Ms a creamy texture while still maintaining their signature crunchiness. Furthermore, the lack of dairy means there’s no risk of cross-contamination between different batches of candy since all candies will be completely free from animal products or byproducts, making it safe for those following a strict vegan lifestyle to enjoy without worry. Also, in some areas, such as the UK, M&Ms contain trace amounts of animal byproducts.
Vegan M&Ms are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional M&Ms, offering the same great taste without animal products. Now let’s look at some of the benefits of eating vegan M&Ms.
Benefits of Eating Vegan M&Ms
Vegan M&Ms are a great alternative to traditional chocolate candy. They are made with plant-based ingredients and contain no animal products or byproducts. Eating vegan M&Ms can offer numerous health benefits for vegans and vegetarians alike.
One of the main benefits of eating vegan M&Ms is that they are lower in saturated fat than their non-vegan counterparts. Consuming them regularly can help reduce your risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Additionally, because these candies don’t contain any animal products, they also have fewer calories than regular M&Ms, making them a healthier snack option for those looking to lose weight or maintain their current weight.
Another benefit of vegan M&Ms is improved digestion due to the lack of dairy and eggs in traditional chocolates. Dairy products can be difficult for some people to digest properly, leading to uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating and gas. Vegan candies do not contain these ingredients, so there is less chance of experiencing digestive discomfort after snacking on them.
Eating vegan M&Ms may also give you an energy boost throughout the day since they provide essential vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and calcium, all contributing to better overall health when consumed regularly. Furthermore, these treats are free from artificial flavors or preservatives, which often leave us feeling sluggish after consumption – something we want to avoid.
Finally, if you’re looking for a sweet treat without worrying about added sugar, look no further than vegan M&Ms. These delicious morsels come packed with natural sweetness from fruits like dates or raisins instead, perfect for satisfying cravings without compromising on taste.
Eating vegan M&Ms is a great way to get the same sweet treat without compromising your dietary needs. Plus, they have many health benefits that regular M&Ms don’t offer. Now let’s look at where you can buy these delicious treats.
Where to Buy Vegan M&Ms
Vegan M&Ms are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. But where do you buy them? Fortunately, vegan M&Ms are becoming increasingly available in stores across the country.
Check out Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s if you’re looking for vegan M&Ms at your local grocery store. Both stores carry vegan versions of the classic candy, which come in various flavors such as dark chocolate, peanut butter, and even white chocolate.
In addition to traditional grocery stores, many online retailers offer vegan M&Ms for purchase. VeganEssentials is one popular option that carries both traditional and seasonal varieties of candy. They also have an extensive selection of other vegan treats like cookies and cakes. Another great online source is Pangea Vegan Store which offers organic and fair trade certified options and bulk orders for larger quantities.
For those who prefer to shop locally rather than online, some health food stores may carry vegan M&Ms too. Natural Grocers often has a wide selection of plant-based snacks, including several dairy-free chocolates from brands like Enjoy Life Foods or Go Max Go Foods. Local co-ops may also stock up on these tasty treats, so it’s worth checking with your nearest store before heading out to buy them elsewhere.
Finally, if all else fails, you can always make your homemade version using ingredients like cocoa powder, coconut oil, agave nectar, natural food coloring, and any nut butter or seed butter. This way, you can customize the flavor profile however you want while still enjoying all the benefits of eating plant-based foods.
With vegan M&Ms available in many stores, it’s easy to find a convenient option for purchasing them. However, if you’re looking for something even more special and unique, why not try making vegan M&Ms at home?
How to Make Vegan M&Ms at Home
Making vegan M&Ms at home is a great way to enjoy classic candy without compromising dietary preferences. All you need are some simple plant-based ingredients and a little time. Here’s how to make vegan M&Ms:
1. Gather Your Ingredients: To make vegan M&Ms, you will need cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup or agave nectar, and food coloring (optional). You can add other ingredients like nuts or dried fruit for extra flavor and texture.
2. Prepare the Chocolate Base: In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup of cocoa powder with ½ cup of melted coconut oil until it forms a thick paste. Then stir in ¼ cup of maple syrup or agave nectar until everything is well combined. If desired, add several drops of food coloring to create different colored candies.
3. Form the Candies: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and scoop out small spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture onto them using an ice cream scoop or teaspoon measurer – these will be your candies. Place each on its sheet, so they don’t stick together when cooled down later in the process.
4. Add Decorations (Optional): Before freezing your candies into shape, sprinkle them with chopped nuts or dried fruit for added flavor and texture if desired. Be sure not to overfill them, though, as this could cause problems when forming them later in the process – just enough that it covers up most of their surface area should do fine.
5. Freeze & Pop Out Candies (No Mold): Once all decorations have been added, place both baking sheets into the freezer for about 30 minutes until completely frozen solid – this will help keep their shape while forming them into individual pieces later on. After freezing, remove one sheet from the freezer and pop out each candy by pressing down lightly against its edges with your fingers – no mold is required here.
Alternatively, if you want more uniform shapes, use silicone molds instead. Fill each cavity halfway full before placing back into the freezer for another 30 minutes until fully frozen. Then press down gently against the top edge once more before popping out the final product from the mold itself afterward.
Finally, after completing all the steps, let the candies cool off slightly before enjoying them as desired. Store any leftovers inside an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; otherwise, discard them immediately afterward for safety reasons.
Making vegan M&Ms at home is a fun and easy way to enjoy the classic treat without compromising your lifestyle. Now let’s explore some delicious recipes that use vegan M&Ms as an ingredient.
Recipes Using Vegan M&Ms
Vegan M&Ms are a delicious and versatile treat used in many recipes. Vegan M&Ms make a great addition to any dessert, from cookies to brownies. Here are some of the best recipes using vegan M&Ms:
Cookies: Vegan M&M cookies are an easy and delicious way to enjoy this classic candy. Mix your favorite cookie dough recipe with crushed vegan M&Ms for a sweet treat everyone will love. For an extra special touch, try adding chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits into the batter.
Brownies: Brownies made with vegan M&Ms make for an indulgent dessert sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. To make them, add chopped-up pieces of vegan M&M’s into your favorite brownie batter before baking it in the oven. The result is a rich and fudgy treat that you won’t be able to resist.
Ice Cream Sandwiches: Who doesn’t love ice cream sandwiches? Make yours even more special by sandwiching two chewy oatmeal cookies filled with crushed vegan M&M’s between two scoops of dairy-free ice cream for an excellent summertime snack.
Truffles: Vegan truffles made with melted dark chocolate and crushed vegan M&Ms make for an irresistible bite-sized treat perfect for gifting or snacking at home. Melt down some dark chocolate over low heat, stir in some finely chopped pieces of M&M until evenly distributed throughout the mixture, then spoon out small portions onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets and refrigerate until set before serving.
No matter what type of recipe you’re looking for, no doubt adding some crunchy bits of colorful vegan M&Ms will take it from ordinary to extraordinary. So next time you’re looking for something special to bake up in the kitchen, give these recipes featuring vegan M&Ms a try – they’ll hit the spot.
These recipes featuring vegan M&Ms are a great way to add a delicious and indulgent twist to your favorite dishes. Now, let’s look at some tips for storing these tasty treats.
Tips for Storing Vegan M&Ms
Storing vegan M&Ms correctly is essential for keeping them fresh and preventing them from melting or becoming stale. Here are some tips to help you store your vegan M&Ms properly:
1. Keep Vegan M&Ms in a Cool Place: To prevent the chocolate from melting, it’s best to keep vegan M&Ms stored in a cool place, such as a pantry or cupboard, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. If possible, store them at room temperature or below.
2. Store Vegan M&Ms Away From Other Foods: It’s essential to keep vegan M&Ms away from other foods that may have strong odors, such as onions, garlic, and spices since these can affect the flavor of the candy over time.
3. Use an Airtight Container: An airtight container will help protect the candy from moisture which can cause it to become soft and sticky if exposed for too long. Make sure you choose one with enough space so that all of your vegan M&M’s fit comfortably without being squished together, which could damage their shape and texture over time.
Storing vegan M&Ms properly can help ensure they stay fresh and delicious. For alternatives, read on to learn more about other vegan options.
Alternatives to Vegan M&Ms
Vegan M&Ms are a delicious and popular vegan candy option. Unfortunately, they may not be available in all areas or desired by everyone. There are plenty of options if you’re looking for alternatives to Vegan M&Ms.
One great alternative is vegan gummy bears. These sweet treats come in various flavors and colors, making them perfect for snacking on or decorating cakes and cupcakes. They’re also free from animal products like gelatin so that vegans can enjoy them guilt-free.
Another option is vegan chocolate chips. These tiny morsels are just as tasty as regular chocolate chips but without any dairy ingredients. You can use them to make cookies, brownies, and muffins – the endless possibilities. Plus, they come in both dark and milk varieties, so you can find one that suits your taste buds perfectly.
If you want something with more crunch than either of these options, then try vegan pretzels or crackers instead. Both have a satisfyingly salty flavor that pairs well with dips like hummus or guacamole – perfect for movie night snacks. And since most brands don’t contain animal products (check the label), vegans won’t have to worry about consuming non-vegan when indulging in these treats.
Finally, if you still want something sweet but don’t want to go down the traditional candy route, why not try some dried fruit? Dried apricots and mangoes make excellent snack choices, while raisins provide an extra dose of sweetness too – plus, they’re packed full of vitamins and minerals, making them even better.
No matter what type of treatment you’re after, there is sure to be a suitable vegan alternative somewhere; it just takes some searching until you find it.
FAQs
Are there vegan M&M’s?
There are vegan M&M’s style candies, but the “real thing” is not vegan. Vegan-style M&Ms are made with a plant-based candy coating and contain no animal products or byproducts. The ingredients used to make the vegan version of M&M’s include sugar, cocoa butter, corn syrup solids, rice flour, palm kernel oil, and natural flavors. These vegan M&M’s come in various colors and flavors, such as peanut butter and dark chocolate. They can be found in major grocery stores or online retailers specializing in vegan foods.
Which M&M’s are vegetarian?
None of the M&M’s varieties are vegetarian, as they all contain milk-based ingredients. The original Milk Chocolate variety contains both cocoa butter and milk, while the Peanut, Peanut Butter, Almond, Crispy, and Dark Chocolate types also have milk in some form. Additionally, many of these varieties may contain other animal products, such as beeswax or gelatin (in the UK and other countries). As a result, vegans should avoid consuming any M&M products.
Is yellow M&M’s vegan?
No, yellow M&M’s are not vegan. The candy contains several animal-derived ingredients, such as milk and carmine color. Milk is derived from cows, and gelatin is made from the collagen of animals like pigs or cows. Carmine color is a red dye that comes from crushed cochineal insects. Therefore, yellow M&M’s are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians to consume.
Are peanut butter M and Ms vegan?
No, peanut butter M&Ms are not vegan. The candy contains milk and other dairy-based ingredients, making it unsuitable for vegans. Additionally, the candy may have artificial colors and flavors derived from animal sources such as carmine or gelatin, which are also unsuitable for a vegan diet. Therefore, peanut butter M&Ms should be avoided by those following a vegan lifestyle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vegan M&Ms are a great alternative to traditional candy and offer many benefits. They can be found in stores or made at home with simple ingredients. Plenty of recipes also use vegan M&Ms as an ingredient for delicious treats. It’s essential to store them properly so they don’t spoil quickly, and there are alternatives if you’re looking for something different than the classic chocolate-covered treat. With all these options, it’s easy to see why vegan M&Ms have become such a popular snack choice among vegans!
It’s time to take the plunge and explore a vegan lifestyle. Eating more plant-based meals can be an easy, delicious way to positively change your health and the environment. With our Vegan and Vegetarian Living guides, you’ll learn how to quickly find tasty recipes that are both good for you and animal friendly! Start making smart choices today with Foodsense’s helpful tips on where to find vegan M&M’s or other yummy treats – it’s never been easier (or tastier!) than now!
