Thanks to a variety of dairy-free chocolate brands, a vegan lifestyle doesn't have to involve cutting out the popular sweet treat. We've rounded up our favourite chocolate bars and truffles made without the white stuff.
Rebel Chocolate – Dairy-free Peanut Power Chocolate
No praise is too high for this delicious, peanut-packed chocolate bar from Glasgow-based Rebel Chocolate.
Made with single origin fino de aroma Colombian chocolate, a strong initial hit of cocoa is followed by a delicious toasty peanut flavour. The balance between sweet, nutty and rich is just right — thanks in part to a 72-hour stone-grinding process used to combine the product's all-plant ingredients.
This smooth, sweet-smelling and outstandingly tasty chocolate bar is dairy-free, 100 percent plant-based, and packs 18g of protein into a 90g bar.
£3.95 | Rebel Chocolate | Buy it now
Cornish Sea Salt Extra Dark Chocolate
Handmade in England with cocoa, vanilla and smoked sea salt from Cornwall's own waters. Free from palm oil and packaged in fully compostable material, Seed and Bean make some downright delicious chocolate.
Try it with a strong cup of black coffee or small bowl of fruit to really bring out the flavours.
£2.69 | Seed and Bean | Buy it now
Divine Dark Chocolate Ginger Thins
Fair trade, vegan and entirely worthy of eating the box in one sitting. Grown in Ghana by Kuapa Kokoo farmers who receive 44 per cent of the profits, this delightful soft-centre chocolate is made with sugar from Kasinthula and vanilla from Madagascar.
£4 | Divine Chocolates | Buy it now
Booja Booja Hazelnut Crunch Truffles
A multi award-winner and scrumptious after-dinner treat, these creamy truffles are crafted from organic dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts. Each is dusted in rich cocoa powder and filled with a melt-in-the-mouth praline centre. Also free from gluten, soya and refined sugar. A must have.
£7 | Waitrose | Buy it now
Pana Raw Chocolate Mint
Chocolate for breakfast, anyone? Perfect for an energy hit at any time of the day, Pana chocolate is a deliciously raw treat created using organic ingredients and with no refined sugar. This moreish mint flavour contains 60 per cent cacao and is great for a midday boost.
£3.99 | Planet Organic | Buy it now
See all Pana chocolate from Planet Organic here.
Moo Free Caramelised Hazelnut Nibs Bar
A blend of organic cocoa, sugar and rice, this delightful alternative to milk chocolate is the sweetest on our list – and oh-so good. The generously-sized bar is sprinkled with tasty caramelised hazelnut nibs and is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
£2.70 | Ocado | Buy it now
Doisy and Dam Crunchy Almond Butter
Quirky superfood chocolate makers, Doisy and Dam, have shaken up the vegan confectionary market with their scrummy bars made with ethically sourced and organic ingredients. This addition is one of their best creations yet and is perfect for nut lovers.
Almond butter and crunchy nut pieces harmonise beautifully with the brand’s single-origin chocolate – each bite tastes better than the last!
£1.20 | Doisy and Dam | Buy it now
Willie's Cacao luscious orange Baracoa
This desirably dark chocolate square, made with only natural ingredients, is inspired by Willie’s trip to Cuba. Perfect for sweet tooths, the perfectly balanced ‘Luscious Orange’ flavour combines zesty orange essence with notes of delicate honey from Baracoan beans.
£1.50 | Sainsbury's | Buy it now
Montezuma's Crème de Cacao truffles
These little balls of deliciousness are piped with a smooth fondant centre and finished with a dusting of cocoa. Each bag contains approximately 8 truffles. Share them with your favourite chocoholic or keep them hidden away for a sweet pick-me-up.
£6.99 | Montezuma's | Buy it now
Melt vegan chocolate gift box of ten
An impressive box from the dedicated chocolatiers in Hollad Park behind the minds of Melt. Dark chocolate truffle loaded with ganache and decadent praline cups are offered up in this lovely box of dailry-free delicacies.
£18 | Selfridges | Buy it now
Verdict:
Born in Colombia and crafted to perfection in Glasgow, Rebel Chocolate’s Peanut Power Chocolate is our ES Best Top Pick. Plant-based, dairy-free and packed with protein, it defies the received wisdom that healthiness comes at a cost to chocoholic pleasure. For an extra special treat the Melt 10 piece box from Selfridges is a decadent choice.
