Guess What? M&Ms Are Surprisingly Vegan!

Who would have thought it possible? But it’s true: you really can enjoy a handful of M&Ms without any guilt. After all, M&Ms are surprisingly vegan! In this blog post, we’ll explore why that is, how it’s possible, and how you can incorporate M&Ms into your vegan diet.

What Makes an Ingredient Non-Vegan?

First, it’s important to understand what makes an ingredient non-vegan. Generally, certain animal products—including dairy, eggs, and honey—are ruled out for vegan diets. (Though, some vegan diets may allow for honey, so always be sure to check labels for clarification.) In addition, some artificial ingredients may be derived from animal sources, too.

Are M&Ms Vegan?

Yes, M&Ms are vegan. Though some of the ingredients used to make M&Ms may be derived from animal sources, the M&Ms themselves do not contain any animal products. Nor are there any artificial ingredients used in M&Ms that are derived from animal sources.

That said, the ingredients in M&Ms vary from country to country. If veganism is important to you, always be sure to check the ingredients list of any M&Ms you purchase. And if you’re ever unsure, you can always contact the M&Ms manufacturer directly for more information.

How Are M&Ms Made Vegan?

M&Ms are surprisingly vegan, but how is that possible? Thanks to the work of the food science community, vegan versions of the ingredients used to make M&Ms exist. Specifically, vegan-friendly alternatives include:

• Dairy: vegan milks, such as almond, soy, and coconut, replace traditional dairy products.

• Eggs: a combination of baking soda and vinegar, or cornstarch and tapioca, are often used as vegan-friendly egg substitutes.

• Honey: agave nectar, maple syrup, or date syrup can be used as alternatives to honey.

In addition, food scientists have developed plant-based versions of gelatins and emulsifiers that are also used to make M&Ms.

Are All M&Ms Vegan?

Though M&Ms are vegan, not all M&Ms are vegan. This is because some M&Ms varieties, including the classic Peanut M&Ms, contain milk ingredients, such as whey and milkfat.

Plus, some varieties of M&Ms may contain honey. For example, the Honey Nut variety offers a honey-flavored version of the classic M&Ms.

If you are vegan, you’ll want to carefully check the ingredients list of any M&Ms you buy to make sure there are no animal products included.

Vegan-Friendly M&Ms Varieties

Fortunately, there are plenty of vegan-friendly M&Ms varieties available. Below are some of the most popular vegan M&Ms.

• Regular M&Ms: The classic M&Ms—the ones you grew up eating—are completely vegan-friendly.

• Dark Chocolate M&Ms: These dark chocolate versions of the traditional M&Ms are also vegan-friendly.

• Mint Dark Chocolate M&Ms: The Mint Dark Chocolate variety of M&Ms is, you guessed it, vegan-friendly.

• Crispy M&Ms: Crispy M&Ms are an interesting and vegan-friendly twist on classic M&Ms.

• Hazelnut Spread M&Ms: The Hazelnut Spread variety of M&Ms is, you guessed it again, vegan-friendly.

How to Incorporate M&Ms into a Vegan Diet

M&Ms are a great addition to your vegan diet. Here are a few ideas for how to incorporate them:

• As a snack: Enjoy a handful of M&Ms as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack.

• In baking: Add some M&Ms to your favorite vegan-friendly baked goods for a fun and colorful twist.

• As a topping: Sprinkle some M&Ms on top of vegan ice cream or frozen yogurt for a delicious crunch.

• On salads: Top off your vegan salad with a few M&Ms for a bit of sweetness.

M&Ms can also be used in savory dishes, such as adding them to vegan chili or other soups and stews.

Conclusion

Who would have thought it possible? But it’s true: you really can enjoy a handful of M&Ms without any guilt. After all, M&Ms are surprisingly vegan! As long as you check the ingredients list of any M&Ms you buy, you can enjoy the sweet treat guilt-free. Plus, there are plenty of vegan-friendly M&Ms varieties for you to choose from. So go ahead, enjoy some M&Ms as part of your vegan diet!