9 of the best vegan chocolate bars you need to try today

Let’s be honest, who can resist a square or two (or three) of deliciously creamy chocolate? We certainly can’t!

But people often wonder ‘is chocolate vegan?‘ – you’ll be happy to know that we vegans are spoilt for choice these days with a wide selection of tasty vegan chocolate bars at our fingertips.

In fact, the UK has dominated the vegan chocolate market with 1 in 5 chocolate launches being suitable for vegans in 2021¹.

We know it can be hard to choose from all of the enticing packaging and unique flavours, that’s why we’ve done the hard part and rounded up our top vegan chocolate bars to save you the hassle…

What we reviewed

• Vego
• Cadbury Plant Bar
• Tony’s Chocolonely
• Ombar
• Nomo
• Booja Booja
• LoveRaw
• Hotel Chocolat
• H!P

How we tested

Testing chocolate is a hard job, but someone has to do it. We ranked these vegan chocolate bars based on flavour, texture, and price. Additional ingredients and flavours are of course welcomed, but a good quality classic chocolate bar is always a winner.

For me, the best vegan chocolate bar has to have the right level of sweetness without being overwhelming – absolutely no fuzzy teeth allowed! I also want to get a slightly bitter taste of cocoa throughout the bar.

Each bar will be ranked from 0 to 10 (0 being the lowest, 10 being the highest) and placed into ‘best’ categories. These categories include best overall champion, best sustainable chocolate, and best everyday chocolate.

1. Best vegan chocolate bar – overall winner: Vego Whole Hazelnut Chocolate Bar

I want to say that finding the best vegan chocolate bar was a hard decision, but once I took a bite of Vego’s whole hazelnut chocolate bar, I knew this was the one. This giant bar of Gianduja chocolate – chocolate blended with hazelnut paste – is the stuff of dreams.

The chunky cubes of rich, creamy chocolate are packed with whole organic hazelnuts. The fair-trade cocoa used in the bar results in a deep chocolatey flavour that is pure decadence and melts perfectly in your mouth.

I know that the price of Vego may be hefty, but for me, the impeccable taste, quality, and size of this chocolate justifies it.

Vego’s chocolate bars are wrapped in a compostable wrapper, cementing their aim to support animals, the environment, and human rights.

If you ever need to win me over, a bar of Vego will do just fine.

Additional information:

• 100% vegan and independent business
• At least 10% of Vego annual profits go to non-governmental organizations
• Certified organic
• RRP: £3.99

10/10

2. Most dairy-like ‘milk’ chocolate: Cadbury Plant Bar Smooth Chocolate

Following its launch in 2021, Cadbury’s Plant Bar has somehow found itself in my shopping trolley most weeks. I can’t get enough of the subtle nutty flavour you get in every bite thanks to the almond paste. Although a salted caramel flavour is available, the Smooth Chocolate is my favourite of the Plant Bars.

The Smooth flavour has a much creamier mouthfeel that melts perfectly on the tongue. Interestingly, Cadbury’s Plant Bar is Couverture chocolate, meaning it has higher levels of cocoa butter to give the bar a high gloss.

Now compared to the others, this isn’t the ‘perfect’ chocolate bar. It is lacking that slightly bitter cocoa flavour that I look for in chocolate and instead it can pack a sugary punch by the time I’ve eaten the whole thing.

It is also considerably smaller than Cadbury’s original Dairy Milk bar. But to me, a square or two of the Plant Bar is enough to satisfy my chocolate cravings when I need it most.

Additional information:

• Fairtrade
• Recyclable packaging
• 100% Sustainably Sourced Cocoa
• RRP: £2.50

7/10

3. Best vegan dark chocolate bar: Tony’s Chocolonely

Dark chocolate is something that I’ve grown to love as I’ve gotten older. The bitter flavour takes some getting used to, but once you’ve learned to love the deep, rich taste you’re in for a treat. If you want the best vegan dark chocolate, it has to be Tony’s Chocolonely.

These thick and chunky chocolate bars make the best treats. Tony’s 3 dairy-free bars include Extra Dark Chocolate (70%), Dark Almond & Sea Salt (51%), and Dark Lemony Caramel Cocoa Biscuit (51%). It’s a hard one to choose a favourite from the 3 (particularly choosing between Almond & Sea Salt and Lemony Caramel), but the Lemony Caramel Cocoa Biscuit bar takes the top spot.

Its unique flavour may seem radical, but the flavour combo makes for a citrusy party in your mouth that everyone needs to try! The chocolate is rich in cocoa and almost has a coffee taste. It is speckled with shards of lemon-flavoured caramel that give you little pockets of sharp, sweet, and tangy flavour with every bite.

I struggled to find the biscuit that is promised but I’m willing to look past it.

Unfortunately, with great taste comes a great price. These are not the most affordable chocolate bars on the market. In fact, a bar of Tony’s Chocolonely can cost almost £4. But if you’re in the mood to treat yourself, Tony’s is always the answer.

Additional information:

• Belgian Fairtrade dark chocolate
• Palm oil-free
• Plastic-free, 100% recyclable packaging
• RRP: £3.50

8/10

Hungry for more vegan delights? Tuck into these articles next:

• Is Nutella vegan?
• 13 vegan Biscoff recipes for the ultimate indulgence
• Is chocolate vegan? What makes chocolate vegan-friendly

4. Best sustainable vegan chocolate bar: Ombar

Ombar first came onto my radar in 2021 following the launch of its Oat M’lk chocolate bar, and let me tell you how grateful I am for their existence.

These organic chocolate bars are free from all of the nasty stuff such as palm oil and refined sugars. They also have half the carbon emissions of milk chocolate, making it one of the most sustainable chocolate bars on the market.

Each bar is made with unroasted cocoa (AKA raw cocoa nibs) meaning the chocolate is less processed and has a natural taste.

Now let’s talk flavours, Ombar Oat M’lk bars are available in 4 flavours: Smooth Original, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel Truffle (delicious), and Fruit & Nut (even more delicious). As a vegan, it has always perplexed me that it is so difficult to find a classic fruit and nut dairy-free chocolate bar, but I’m going off on a tangent.

The oat milk-based chocolate is so creamy, if you let a square of the chocolate sit on your tongue it will slowly melt into a creamy, indulgent, chocolatey puddle that just makes you smile. The flavour of cocoa lingers on my tongue satisfying my chocolate cravings.

Regarding the fruit and nut bar, I would have liked the bar to be bursting with nuts and raisins, but maybe that’s me being greedy.

Similar to Tony’s, Ombar isn’t the cheapest chocolate bar available. Its price compared to its size may not be justifiable for some. But believe me, if you’re able to enjoy a bar of Oat M’lk every now and then, you’ll feel much for it.

Additional information:

• Made using British-grown oats
• 3p from every bar sold goes to aid the reforestation of the Chocó rainforest
• Certified Organic
• RRP: £2.50 (70g)

8/10

5. Best vegan chocolate bar for food allergies: Nomo

Once you ditch dairy chocolate, Nomo is always there to hold your hand and show you that dairy chocolate is a thing of the past. Its ethos of ‘no more missing out’ demonstrates how easy it can be to enjoy a chocolate treat without dairy.

For me, Nomo is always there when I am on the go and need a sweet fix. Additionally, the entire range is nut-free and gluten-free meaning everyone can enjoy it.

Nomo’s chocolate is available in big and small bars, chocolate drops, buttons, and even kids’ chocolate lollies. My favourite of the range is the fruit & crunch bar. The bar is studded with juicy raisins and crunchy crispy pieces to replace the nuts.

Other flavours include caramel, hazel-‘not’, caramel & sea salt, and orange crunch (another personal favourite).

Although Nomo is good for an everyday chocolate bar, I do find it lacking that rich cocoa taste that I crave. Similar to Cadbury’s Plant Bar, I found the chocolate to be very sugary.

Additional information:

• Rainforest alliance certified cocoa
• British-made chocolate
• Packaging is not recyclable
• RRP: Prices start from 95p

7/10

6. Best vegan truffles: Booja-Booja

I know that truffles aren’t a chocolate bar, but Booja-Booja’s vegan chocolate truffles deserve to be on this list. These award-winning truffles are pure luxury and each bite is better than the last.

Firstly, let’s talk about flavours. Booja-Booja’s truffles are available in a wide range of unique and exciting flavours. Whether you’re craving something nutty, something fruity, or something luxurious, they have a truffle for you.

My top 3 favourite truffle flavours include Rhubarb & Vanilla Fool, Fine De Champagne, and Almond Salted Caramel.

Each truffle is coated with a bitter cocoa dusting and has an indulgent, creamy chocolate centre. Each flavoured truffle brings a different sensation.

My favourite of the three, the Rhubarb & Vanilla Fool truffle, brings an instant tang to your palette and finishes with a subtle creamy taste.

As I said, I know that these chocolate delights are not chocolate bars, but if you are in need of some delicious vegan truffles, you know where to go.

Additional information:

• 100% vegan company
• British-based company
• Certified Organic
• RRP: Truffle boxes from £11.00

9/10

7. Best vegan take on a classic chocolate treat: LoveRaw

If you’re yet to discover LoveRaw, now is the time to do so. LoveRaw is renowned for taking classic chocolate bars and veganising them. The vegan chocolatiers famously created a Kinder Beuno-style dairy-free chocolate bar that instantly became a hit for vegans and non-vegans alike.

What’s more, LoveRaw has launched a variety of vegan treats including peanut butter cups, a range of wafer bars, and most recently, their Nutty Choc Balls (think Ferrero Rocher).

The Nutty Choc Balls are my favourite from the brand, followed by their Milk Choc Cream Wafer Bars. The nutty balls are coated in the brand’s signature ‘M:lk’ chocolate and slathered with hazelnut pieces.

Although I am a fan of LoveRaw’s products, the sugar levels from most of the chocolates can quickly become overwhelming and I often find that I need to have a glass of water at the ready to rehydrate my mouth.

It is also quickly noticed just how much plastic packaging is included in just one item. LoveRaw argues that the amount of plastic wrapping used is to prevent food waste.

Additional information:

• 100% vegan company
• Family-run business
• RRP: Bundle boxes start from £9.99

7/10

8. Best vegan chocolate box: Hotel Chocolat Unbelievably Vegan

There is a special place in my heart for Hotel Chocolat. It is a brand that appeared in my home during the festive months and every time I see a box of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat I know that I’m in for a treat.

You can imagine the relief I had when I turned vegan and discovered there was an extensive range of delicious dairy-free chocolate available at Hotel Chocolat. Its signature Nutmilk gives the chocolate a creamy and nutty flavour that replicated traditional dairy milk.

If you’re looking to treat someone, surprise them with the chocolatier’s Unbelievably Vegan chocolate box.

This selection box includes the best vegan chocolates from the brand. My favourite is the Pecan and Nutmilk Truffle. The smooth textured centre is paired with a subtle taste of sweet pecan and a dash of sea salt for good measure.

Additional information:

• Ethically grown cocoa
• RRP: £14.50

7.5/10

9. Best oat milk chocolate bar: H!P

When it comes to making great vegan chocolate bars, H!P know a thing or two about that! After all, the company was founded by James Cadbury – the great-great-great-grandson of the legendary chocolatier Mr John Cadbury.

While many brands use nut milks in place of dairy, H!P has opted for sustainable oat milk to give its bars a creamy texture. Personally, I find this gives the bars the most realistic milk chocolate flavour and texture as it allows the flavour of the cocoa to shine.

Unlike other chocolate bars, I don’t find H!P’s chocolate to be overly sugary. Instead, the fun flavours and crunchy textures of the bar are the real star of the show.

H!P offers a tempting range of flavours to choose from including Salted Honeycomb, Cookies No Cream, Salty Pretzel and the new Crunchy Orange flavour.

For this taste test, I tried the delightful new Crunchy Orange flavour and couldn’t get enough of the combination of zesty orange with pieces of crunchy waffle.

Not only are H!P’s bars delicious, but they’re a great planet-friendly option to traditional chocolate too as their cocoa is responsibly sourced and their packaging is 100% plastic-free.

If I could change one thing about these bars it would be to make them thicker to make them even more decadent.

Additional information:

• 100% vegan company
• Responsibly sourced cocoa
• Plastic-free packaging with compostable film
• Contributes 1% of annual sales to environmental organisations
• RRP: £3 for 70g bar

9/10

Fancy recreating your favourite childhood chocolate bar? Check out these 11 nostalgic vegan chocolate bar recipes!

References
1. https://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/food-and-drink/vegan-chocolate-innovation-trend

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