I’ve been meat free for nearly seven years now, throughout the years I have been committed to finding ways to enjoy my favorite childhood treats without compromising my values and choices. Recently, some of my favorite sweet treats have been “ruined” for me due to ingredients like gelatin; which is made with the skin, cartilage, and bones of animals. Also, ingredients like animal rennet, the absolute worst and sneaky too… OMG, it’s seemingly in EVERYTHING! Animal rennet is derived from the stomachs of calves, lamb, or goats. Gross, right… I don’t need that in my life!I initially didn’t realize the impact that two ingredients would have on my existence (hysterically laughing at my own foolishness). Sheer devastation is exactly what I felt when I learned the truth about one of my favorite sweet treats.
Let me set the scene. Fall is upon us, that means all things pumpkin spiced, over-sized sweaters, and cozy nights by the fire making s’mores with the family! Just imagine biting into a crunchy graham cracker, the chocolate bar melting under the heat of a gooey, mouth-watering marshmallow. Perfection right? Nope, not for the happy herbivores. Turns out, marshmallows are made with gelatin. Just like that, s’mores, ruined! Sheer devastation!
With my newfound knowledge, simple things like stuffing my mouth with candy on Halloween became a little more complicated! Yes, I am twenty-one and still go tricking-or-treating (perks of having younger siblings)! So what’s a girl with a killer sweet tooth to do? Find new sweet treats of course. So here it is; a list of yummy, binge-worthy treats I’ve found just in time for the Halloween season!
1. Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups
vegetarian
gluten-free
2. Trader Joe’s Marshmallows

gluten-free
3. Wonka Fun Dip

4. Pixy Stix
5. Jolly Ranchers & Jolly Ranchers Lollipops


vegan
6. Skittles

vegetarian
PSA: Please be aware of the sell-by dates on the Skittles package as the candy has a sustainable shelf life, and the Skittles brand has recently taken out the gelatin used in the product. Please pay attention to the ingredients.
7. Sour Patch Kids

vegetarian
8. Twizzles
Kosher certified
9. Air Heads

vegetarian
10. Swedish Fish

11. Reese’s

Lacto vegetarian: A person who abstains from eating meat and eggs, but who eats dairy products.
12. Smarties

13. Sweet Tarts

14. Laffy Taffy

PSA: Be aware that only the fun-sized Laffy Taffy is vegan-friendly, while the larger version contains eggs.
15. Hubba Bubba Bubblegum

16. Chocolate Sunflower Seeds

These are a delicious option for anyone looking for a healthier substitute for M&M’s. You can usually find them at your local farmer’s market, convenience stores, or if all else fails Amazon.
17. Get Fluffed Up Fairy Floss

Non-GMO
Organic Ingredients
I recently found out that all cotton candy isn’t created equal. The refined sugar used to create this fluffy, sugary treat has been found to have traces of bone char! Thankfully, I discovered this delicious vegan cotton candy.
Get Fluffed Up’s, vegan cotton candy is absolutely scrumptious and taste exactly like the cotton candy I grew up with! The pineapple flavor is my personal flavor, but all their flavors are delicious!
18. The Treat Kitchen Vegan Teddy Bear Gummies

vegetarian
Nut free
Wheat free
Gluten free
I was surprised to find these being advertised at a store I frequent quite regularly! These adorable gummy bears come it all-natural flavors like coconut, lemon, orange, and strawberry.