M&M Vegan Checker
Check if your favorite M&M variant is vegan and see plant-based alternatives.
Ever reached for a bag of M&Ms while grocery shopping, only to pause and wonder-are there vegan M&Ms? You’re not alone. Millions of people following plant-based diets face the same question every time they see those colorful candies in the checkout aisle. The answer isn’t simple, and it’s not what most people assume.
What’s actually in regular M&Ms?
Regular M&Ms-whether milk chocolate, peanut, or almond-contain dairy. Specifically, they include milk chocolate, which is made with milk solids, milk fat, and sometimes whey. Even the colored sugar shells are coated with a glaze that often uses shellac, a resin secreted by insects. That’s not vegan. And while the chocolate inside might seem like it’s just cocoa and sugar, the dairy is non-negotiable in the standard recipe.
According to Mars, Inc., the company that makes M&Ms, no current version of M&Ms is certified vegan. The ingredients list for milk chocolate M&Ms includes: sugar, milk chocolate (sugar, chocolate, skim milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, salt, artificial flavor), corn syrup, dextrin, coloring (including Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), and carnauba wax. Skim milk and lactose are clear animal-derived ingredients. No exceptions.
What about dark chocolate M&Ms?
Some people think dark chocolate M&Ms might be the answer. But even the dark chocolate variety still contains milk. In 2023, Mars updated the label on its dark chocolate M&Ms to explicitly state: “Contains milk.” That means even if the chocolate looks richer and less sweet, it’s still processed with dairy. There’s no dairy-free dark chocolate M&M on the market as of 2025.
Why? Because the production lines are shared. Even if Mars made a dairy-free version, cross-contamination would still be a risk. For strict vegans, that’s not just about ingredients-it’s about how the product is made.
Are there any vegan alternatives to M&Ms?
Yes. And they’re better than you think.
Several brands now make chocolate candies that mimic M&Ms exactly-colorful, crunchy shells, melty centers, no dairy, no animal products. Here are three top options:
- Unreal Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa Gems - Made with fair-trade dark chocolate, quinoa crisps, and natural colors from fruits and vegetables. They look and taste almost identical to M&Ms, but with 20% less sugar.
- Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips - While not shaped like M&Ms, these are certified vegan, allergen-free, and perfect for sprinkling on ice cream or baking. They’re made in a dedicated allergen-free facility, so no cross-contamination.
- No Whey! Foods Choco No No’s - These are the closest thing to M&Ms you’ll find. They have the same size, texture, and rainbow color scheme. Made with sunflower butter and coconut oil instead of dairy, and colored with beet juice and spirulina.
These alternatives are available in most major supermarkets in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK. In Melbourne, you can find them at Coles, Woolworths, and health food stores like Whole Foods Market and The Source Bulk Foods.
Why don’t M&Ms have a vegan version?
It’s not that Mars doesn’t want to. They’ve tested plant-based chocolate candies in the past. In 2021, they launched a limited-edition vegan chocolate bar in Europe under the “Vegan” brand, but it was discontinued after six months due to low sales.
The problem isn’t taste-it’s cost and complexity. Vegan chocolate requires different processing. Dairy-free fats behave differently in high-heat candy coating. Natural colorants fade faster than synthetic ones. And vegan ingredients are often more expensive. For a product like M&Ms, which relies on mass production and low margins, switching to vegan ingredients would raise the price by 30-40%.
Plus, M&Ms are a brand built on nostalgia. The slogan “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand” is tied to the milk chocolate experience. Changing that core identity risks confusing loyal customers.
Can you make vegan M&Ms at home?
Yes. And it’s easier than you’d expect.
All you need is:
- 70% dark chocolate (check the label-must say “dairy-free” or “vegan”)
- Coconut oil (to thin the chocolate for coating)
- Non-dairy cocoa powder (optional, for darker shells)
- Natural food coloring (beet powder, spirulina, turmeric)
- Silicone candy molds (the round, flat kind)
Melt the chocolate with a teaspoon of coconut oil. Divide into small bowls. Add a pinch of coloring to each. Spoon into molds, tap to remove air bubbles, and freeze for 15 minutes. Once set, pop them out. You’ve got homemade vegan M&Ms.
They won’t last as long as store-bought ones-without preservatives, they’re best eaten within a week. But they taste fresher, and you control every ingredient.
What about M&Ms in other countries?
Some people think M&Ms might be vegan in other countries. They’re not. The recipe is standardized globally. Whether you’re in Tokyo, Berlin, or Sydney, the ingredients are the same. Even M&Ms sold in vegan-friendly countries like the Netherlands or Sweden contain milk.
There’s one exception: M&Ms sold in India are different. Due to religious dietary laws, the milk chocolate version isn’t sold there. Instead, they offer “M&Ms Peanut” and “M&Ms Crispy,” but both still contain milk. So even in India, there’s no vegan option.
What about M&Ms labeled “vegetarian”?
Some packaging says “suitable for vegetarians.” That’s true-because vegetarians avoid meat, not dairy. But that doesn’t mean vegan. Vegetarian doesn’t equal vegan. It’s a common trap. Always read the ingredients. If it says “milk,” “lactose,” or “whey,” it’s not vegan.
Why does this matter beyond just candy?
Food labels are designed to confuse. “Natural flavors,” “monoglycerides,” “gum arabic”-many sound harmless but can come from animals. M&Ms are a perfect example of how even iconic, everyday foods hide animal products.
Choosing vegan alternatives isn’t just about ethics. It’s about being informed. It’s about knowing what you’re putting in your body. And it’s about supporting companies that make plant-based options accessible, affordable, and delicious.
Final verdict: Are there vegan M&Ms?
No. There are no vegan M&Ms on the market as of 2025. Not in the U.S., not in Australia, not anywhere.
But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the joy of colorful chocolate candies. The market has caught up. There are better, cleaner, more ethical alternatives that taste just as good-if not better. And making your own is simple, fun, and gives you full control.
Next time you’re tempted by the M&Ms aisle, grab a bag of No Whey! Choco No No’s instead. You won’t miss the dairy. And you’ll feel better knowing your snack doesn’t cost animals anything.
Are there any vegan M&Ms sold in Australia?
No, there are no vegan M&Ms sold in Australia or anywhere else. All M&Ms, including those in Australian supermarkets, contain milk ingredients like skim milk and lactose. However, vegan alternatives like No Whey! Choco No No’s and Unreal Gems are widely available in Coles, Woolworths, and health food stores across Melbourne and other major cities.
Why do M&Ms have milk if they’re just candy?
Milk is used in M&Ms to create a smoother, creamier texture and to balance the bitterness of cocoa. It also helps the chocolate melt evenly in your mouth, which is part of the brand’s original promise. The milk fat and solids improve shelf life and make the coating easier to apply during mass production. Even though it’s not necessary for flavor alone, it’s critical to the product’s consistency and cost-efficiency.
Can I trust labels that say “may contain milk”?
No. “May contain milk” means the product was made on shared equipment with dairy, so it’s not safe for vegans or people with milk allergies. Even if the ingredients list doesn’t include milk, cross-contamination makes it non-vegan. Only products labeled “vegan” or with a vegan certification logo (like the Vegan Society trademark) are safe.
Are M&M’s colors made from animals?
Some of the red and pink colors in M&Ms come from carmine, a dye made from crushed cochineal insects. However, Mars switched to synthetic dyes like Red 40 in most markets by 2010. As of 2025, M&Ms in Australia and the U.S. use only artificial colors. But that doesn’t make them vegan-because of the milk content, not the coloring.
What’s the best vegan M&M substitute for baking?
For baking, Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips are the top choice. They’re free from the top 14 allergens, melt evenly, and hold their shape better than many other vegan chips. They’re perfect for cookies, brownies, and muffins. If you want the rainbow look of M&Ms, try breaking up No Whey! Choco No No’s and sprinkling them on top before baking.
