Looking for the best vegan gummy bears without gelatin to buy? You’ve come to the right place…
I’ve rounded up the best vegan gummies on the market today so you can enjoy a nostalglic snack that’s actually cruelty-free.
This guide will also answer the most common question about vegan gummys and cover things like…
- Common ingredients to look out for
- Beeswax
- Halal and Kosher status
Let’s begin…
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
1. Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks
The Bunny Fruit Snacks from Annie’s come in delicious bursts of berry-flavored goodness. They are flavorful, brightly-colored, and satisfyingly gummy without being sticky. You can feel good about the all-natural flavors and coloring, too!
Ingredient Statement
Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup Solids, Organic Pear Juice Concentrate, Water, Pectin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Asorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Organic Color (organic black carrot, organic blackcurrant extracts), Organic Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavor, Organic Carnauba Wax
About Annies
This company got its start when the founder (Annie) was selling mac and cheese made with wholesome ingredients from the trunk of her car. It’s come a long way since this, and this health- and ethics-conscious brand is found just about everywhere, including most mainstream grocery stores. Their product line has expanded far beyond mac and cheese (which now includes a vegan version) to also offer yogurt, snacks, condiments, frozen foods, and soups. Their certified organic bunny-shaped fruit snacks are one of their popular snack foods.
2. Wholesome Cinnamon Organic Bears
These Cinnamon Organic Bears offer all of the nostalgic joy of a childhood treat with the slightly more sophisticated flavor of spicy cinnamon. If you’re looking for a red-hot treat you can feel good about snacking on, this is a great choice!
About Wholesome
Wholesome launched in 2001 with a simple mission of making the world a little sweeter and a little healthier at the same time. They focus on creating high-quality sweeteners out of wholesome ingredients, and their product line includes everything from cane sugar, to frosting, to syrup, to candy.
Ingredient Statement
Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Apple Juice (Water, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate), Organic Agave Powder, Native Starch Blend (Organic Tapioca Starch, Corn Starch), Organic Tapioca Dextrose, Colored with Fruit and Vegetable Extracts (Organic Carrot, Organic Blackcurrant and Radish), Natural Cinnamon Flavor, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Carnauba Wax
3. Scandinavian Swimmers by Trader Joe’s
These Scandinavian Swimmers aren’t quite gummy “bears.” Instead, they come in whimsical sea life shapes including a lobster, a seahorse, a fish, and a dolphin. The flavors are a little unique, too. In addition to more classic berry and orange, this option boasts a mango-peach and huckleberry variety.
Ingredient Statement
Cane Sugar, Invert Sugar, Tapioca Syrup, Modified Cornstarch, Water, Dextrose, Citric Acid (Acidifier), Natural Flavors, Fruit and Vegetable Extracts for Color (Pumpkin, Carrot, Black Carrot, Black Currant, Apple), Sodium Citrate, Spirulina (for Color), Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Carnauba Wax
About Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s began in 1958 as Pronto Markets and was renamed Trader Joe’s in 1967. It has been a beloved staple for high-quality, affordable groceries ever since. They have their own store-brand versions of many grocery favorites including frozen foods, juices, boxed baking mixes, soups, and canned goods. Candy is one of the places where the store shines, and these sea animal-shaped gummies are among their beloved sweets.
4. Candy People Sour Vegan Gummy Candy
These are another option that steer clear of “bears” and instead go for something a little off the beaten path. In this case, that means Vikings! Each of these gummies is shaped like a viking head complete with bushy beard and horned helmet. There is also a delicious blend of flavors in every bite with strawberry, pear, cherry, black currant, lemon, and orange represented. Of course, just like the Vikings, these candies pack a bit of a punch as they’re all dusted with a sour coating to tickle the tastebuds.
Ingredient Statement
Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Corn Starch, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Pectin, Natural Flavors (Anthocyanins, Black Carrot Juice Concentrate), Natural Colors (Paprika Extract, Turmeric)
About Candy People
Candy People is a Scandinavian company that provides bulk candy options. They were founded in 1980 but have only recently started expanding into North America. They offer a wide variety of candies, and in their stores, you can “pick and mix” by dumping searching bulk bins and creating your own special blend. They also provide individually-packaged versions of their treats, including their Sour Viking gummies.
5. J Luehders Vegan Gummy Berries
These brightly-colored treats are shaped like the berries they represent for a classic, simple combination of red berry flavors.
About J Luehders
This long-standing German candy company (established in 1909) offers a wide array of candies and several vegan gummy options, including these delicious red berries.
Ingredient Statement
We couldn’t find the ingredient statement of these, but several sites have confirmed that these gummies are indeed vegan. Plus, the package says free of gelatin and artificial colors/flavors.
6. Seitenbacher Strawberry Alligators
The name says it all on this one. Are you looking for strawberry flavor? Do you want it in the shape of an alligator? Check and check.
About Seitanbacher
This Florida-based and family-owned foods business offers a variety of natural and organic options including cereals, protein bars, and cooking oils. Their Strawberry Alligators are a fun vegan gummy snack option.
Ingredient Statement
Check out this vegan starter kit
Apple Juice Thickened, Apple Pectin, Strawberry Juice Thickened, Lemon Juice Thickened, Natural Flavors, Carnauba Wax, Beetroot Juice Thickened.
7. Goody Good Stuff Koala Gummy Bears
These gummy bears come with all sorts of different flavors: orange, strawberry, pineapple, lemon and more. They’re also free of gluten, dairy and any artificial colors and flavors. What more can you ask for in a gummy? Plus, they’re koalas rather than the standard bear!
Ingredient Statement
Fruit gum, ingredients: glucose syrup, sugar, water, gelling agents (carrageenan, gellan gums), acidulant (citric acid), acidity regulator (trisodium citrate), natural flavourings, colours (turmeric, paprika extract, anthocyanins), vegetable extracts (stinging nettle, spinach, curcuma), coconut oil, glazing agent (camauba wax).
8. VegeBear Organic Cola Koalas
These gelatin-free dummies are offered in a variety of flavors including fruit and cola. This is also a treat that has kept the connection to the classic gummy “bears” and uses the traditional shape of little bears with their arms stretched out as if to offer a hug of flavor.
Ingredient Statement
Cane Sugar, Corn Syrup, Pectin, Caramel Syrup, Citric Acid, Glazing Agent (Sunflower Oil, Carnauba Wax), Cola Flavour
9. SQUISH CANDIES GUMMYS
Wine lovers, rejoice! What’s more exciting than a gummy bear that’s flavored like rosé and Prosecco? These gummy bears are perfect an adult who’s still a kid at heart. They’ve even got a slight fizz to them!
Ingredient Statement
Glucose Syrup (sugar, water), Sugar, Pectin, Citric Acid, Natural Prosecco flavour, Natural Colourants (black currant, black carrot), Palm Oil, Glazing Agent: Carnuba Wax
About Squish
Squish is a candy company that was founded in Montreal. They make all sorts of artisan gummies, candy colas and more. Not all their candy is vegan, but they have a dedicated vegan section of their website.
10. Organic Gummy Cubs from the Candy Factory
These Gummy Cubs come in different berry-licious fruit flavors and are delightfully textured with a great mix of sugar-coated exterior and a gummy center.
About Organic Candy Factory
Every kid dreams of opening a candy factory, but Ginger made her dreams a reality (with a little help from her mom, who insisted that all of her ingredients be organic and of the highest quality). The candies launched in Los Angeles and are all made in the USA. They carry gummy cubs and chocolate bars.
Ingredient Statement
Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Sugar, Pectin, Organic Grape Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Color added: Organic Black Carrot Juice Concentrate, Ascorbic Acid, Natural Flavors. Tricalcium Phosphate, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinol Acetate
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gummy Bears Typically Vegan?
If you’re out looking at some of the most popular brands of gummy bears, odds are that they aren’t vegan.
The most common culprit ingredient is gelatin.
Although gelatin looks like a harmless white powder, it’s actually made out of bones, skins and cartilage from animals.
This also means that most gummies can contain pork — something that you should be aware of if you’re avoiding them for religious (such as Kosher and Halal) rather than ethical purposes.
Gelatin is also the main ingredient in non-vegan jello.
The other culprit ingredient is beeswax such as that found in the ever-so-popular Haribo gummies. It is commonly used so that the bears don’t stick together in the package.
An example non-vegan ingredient statement would look something like this…
Are Gummy Bears Usually Gluten-Free?
Most gummy bears on the market that I’ve seen have certainly been gluten-free. In fact, you’ll see several brands on this list which advertise it right on the packaging such as Seitanbacher and Goody Good Stuff.
But even if it’s not advertised, you’ll find that ingredient statements for gummy bears are unlikely to contain any ingredients with gluten.
The main thing you should check for is cross-contamination statements if you have a serious gluten-allergy.
What Are Vegan Gummy Bears Made Of?
Rather than using gelatin, vegan gummy bears and other gummy candies are made from agar agar. Agar agar is made from red seaweed and has a similar texture to gelatin once it is prepared.
Read also: Where to Buy Agar Agar
Does Haribo Make Vegan Gummy Bears?
At this time, we could not find vegan gummy bears made by Haribo. All of their gummies contain gelatin at the time of writing.
Can Marshmallows Be Vegan?
Marshmallows are normally NOT vegan because they are made with gelatin. Gelatin is made from processed animal parts from cows, pigs, and fish.
There are brands of vegan marshmallows on the market.
Does Whole Foods Sell Vegan Gummy Bears?
Yes! As a matter of fact their Whole Foods 365 brand at the time of writing this is labeled as vegan. You can check it out here.
Make Your Own Vegan Gummy Bears
Did you know that you don’t necessarily have to buy a bag of candy to enjoy the gummy treat and burst of fruit flavors.
It’s relatively easy to make your own vegan gummy bears at home, and you’ll get the added benefit of being able to try your own flavor combinations for a treat that’s uniquely yours.
Check out the video below to learn more…
Have fun!
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
Want to take all of the guess-work around going vegan?
Click here to check out the Vegan Starter Kit.
