Spooky season is upon us and that means one thing: Halloween chocolate – and we have ideas for vegans, too!

Halloween is looming, meaning ghouls, ghosts, and goblins will soon be parading the streets and taking part in the age-old custom of trick-or-treating. At Hotel Chocolat, we’re particularly interested in the “treat” side of things. After all, as chocolatiers, how could we not be partial to some seasonal delicacies? Namely: Halloween chocolate – and fortunately for the plant-based phantoms out there, we have plenty of treats suitable for vegans.

So if you’re dairy-free or follow a vegan/plant-based diet, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun. Let’s take a look at some traditional Halloween foods and what vegans can eat at Halloween. 

*Please note that, while we believe our vegan chocolate products are dairy-free, they are made in the same environment as our milk chocolate. As a result, we can’t guarantee that they are free from milk traces.

What do vegans eat at Halloween?

Vegans can eat the same treats that everyone else can at Halloween, they’ll just need to make sure they are versions that don’t contain any animal products. From chocolate apples to pumpkin pie, there are lots of traditional Halloween treats that can be made suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

How to make my Halloween vegan-friendly

The best way to ensure your Halloween is vegan-friendly is to keep a selection of vegan treats aside from the others for any dairy-free trick-or-treaters. This will reduce your risk of running out of vegan-friendly chocolates by giving them out to people who don’t need them. Make sure you ask people if they need a vegan option, as they might not feel confident asking themselves!

When buying or making Halloween chocolate and treats for vegans, you’ll want to avoid the following sneaky ingredients that seasonal sweets often contain:

• Milk products (including whey powder and casein)
• Gelatine
• Honey and beeswax
• Shellac

If you’re hosting a Halloween party or dinner for your adult friends, take note of people’s dietary preferences before the night and plan accordingly. You might need to make a separate vegan dish.

Want to save time and stress by making the entire meal vegan? No problem – check out our tips for hosting an amazing vegan dinner party.

Have some vegan chocolates out on a table for snacking, ensure that you have some vegan tipple options, and you should be set for an accommodating evening!

What are traditional Halloween foods?

You can learn more about the following Halloween classics in our guide to Halloween traditions.

Candy corn

A popular Halloween snack in the United States, candy corn is a yellow, orange, and white sweet made from marshmallows. While it’s available in most shops in America over the festive period, it’s a little more difficult to find here in the UK. And, because it’s made from marshmallows, it’s rarely suitable for vegans.

However, there are lots of vegan candy corn recipes out there if you’re up for making it yourself at home. Try Tablespoon’s version that uses brown rice syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla or this recipe from Allergy Cookie if you don’t mind using corn syrup.

Toffee apples

Toffee apples are entire apples covered in a sticky, sweet coating. They’re typically made using a mixture of golden syrup and caster sugar, so even standard recipes, like this one from BBC Good Food, are typically suitable for vegans.

We also adore making chocolate apples instead of toffee ones. They can be a great alternative if you prefer richer, more bitter snacks to extra sweet ones. Our 70% Dark Batons are ideal for melting down and smothering over apples on sticks.

Pumpkin pie

We can’t think of a more comforting, autumnal treat than pumpkin pie. Even thinking about it gets us in the mood for a slice with a mug of hot chocolate in front of a fire. Pumpkin pie puts one of autumn’s best seasonal vegetables to excellent use and contains warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

BBC Good Food has an excellent vegan pumpkin pie recipe if you’d like to make it at home.

We’ve even reinvented the iconic pumpkin pie in chocolate form as our Pumpkin Pie Selector (though it isn’t suitable for vegans).

Chocolate

Chocolate is still the most popular Halloween treat, with door knockers often receiving handfuls of chocolate bites for their baskets. From small chocolate bars to truffles and pralines, every treat is welcome on Halloween night.

We think that it’s still important to choose quality chocolate for seasonal sharing, especially if it’s for the little ones! They’re likely to receive lots of high-sugar treats, so why not opt for something with a higher cacao content like Hotel Chocolat chocolate?

Take a look at our entire Halloween chocolate collection, which features plenty of spooky treats for hungry trick-or-treaters. From our varied Halloween H-Box to our Choose Your Poison filled chocolates, there’s plenty to choose from.

And if you need Halloween chocolates that are ideal for vegans, step this way…

Delectable Halloween chocolate and treats for vegans from Hotel Chocolat

These are our favourite vegan chocolate options for Halloween this year. Our chocolatiers have gone above and beyond to create some fabulous dairy-free goodies that everyone can enjoy.

Wingston the Bat

These 16 terrifyingly tasty dark chocolate shapes are perfect for keeping peckish ghouls satisfied. Wingston the Bat ensures they’re not too bitter, not too sweet.

Little tricksters will adore discovering which spooky shapes and creatures they’ve received. Even the packaging is in the Halloween spirit. Plus, each chocolate is individually wrapped so they’re suitable for handing out to trick-and-treaters.

Gianduja Bombe Selector

You won’t find these in our Halloween collection, but you can’t go wrong with our gorgeous vegan-friendly Gianduja Bombes. Silky smooth, dark hazelnut praline. This is a fabulous option for slightly more grown-up Halloween participants. They’ll fall in love with its rich and nutty filling.

Hazelnut & Ginger Selector

Our Hazelnut & Ginger Selector contains a wonderfully autumnal hint of crystallised ginger and a crunch hazelnut that rivals that of the crisp fallen leaves. This is dark 70% chocolate with a subtle tingling edge and a satisfying nutty bite.

However you’re celebrating Halloween this year, have a wonderful time!