If you’re craving candy, whether gummy bears or a chocolate bar, you can easily find a variety of options at any grocery store. In 2023, the US candy market was valued at $16.5 billion. But there’s a catch: most store-bought candy is ultra-processed. The good news? Making your own vegan candy from scratch could be the healthier, tastier solution.

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Can you make candy at home?

In short: yes, you can absolutely make candy at home. One of the easiest types of candy to make at home is a chocolate bar. “You don’t need fancy—or expensive—chocolate molds to make chocolate bars at home,” writes cookbook author and pastry chef David Lebovitz on his blog. “Anything made of plastic will do.”

Canva

RELATED: The VegNews Guide to Vegan Candy

When you’ve got your mold, you need to temper your chocolate (melt, cool, and heat again). You can then top it with your favorite ingredients, like nuts, dried fruits, and vegan marshmallows, before placing them in the fridge to firm up. 

Aside from chocolate, it’s also possible to make vegan gummies from home with ingredients like agar-agar, fruit juice, and a sweetener.

Find out more about how to make delicious candy from home in our recipes below.

Is making your own candy healthier?

The healthiness of homemade candy largely depends on the ingredients used; many recipes still call for a lot of sugar, which isn’t exactly healthy.

That said, making candy at home is generally a healthier choice than buying store-bought treats, which are often ultra-processed. These products tend to be high in refined sugars and contain artificial ingredients like flavors and colors. When you make your own candy, you have greater control over what goes into it.

DIY vegan candy recipes

Below, we’ve listed some of our go-to candy recipes, from copycat Twix bars to sour patch grapes.

Hannah Kaminsky

1 Peppermint Chocolate Meltaways

These indulgent, peppermint chocolate hearts come together with just five ingredients: bittersweet chocolate chips, coconut oil, peppermint extract, salt, and crushed peppermint candy. Taken from the cookbook Real Food, Really Fast, they’re easy to make and incredibly delicious.
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Ela Vegan

2 Vegan Gummy Bears

If gummy bears are your go-to treat, this vegan recipe from Elavegan is a must-try. It walks you through how to make a delicious, refined sugar-free version using just four simple ingredients: fruit juice, agar-agar powder, a natural sweetener, and optional fruit or superfood powders for added flavor and color. Best of all, it’s completely gelatin-free, unlike most store-bought options. These bright, fruity gummies are fun to make and even more fun to eat.
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Vegan Chocolate Treats

3 Vegan Copycat Twix Chocolate Caramel Bars

Twix lovers, this one’s for you. This decadent vegan chocolate bar recipe delivers all the flavor and texture of the classic Mars favorite, without the dairy or processed ingredients. A chewy, caramel-like layer made from Medjool dates and maple syrup sits on a crunchy oat-and-almond base, and it’s all held together with rich cashew butter and coated in smooth dark chocolate.
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The Banana Diaries

4 Homemade Vegan Candy Corn

This tasty twist on classic candy corn skips the corn syrup and gelatin in favor of maple syrup and plant-based ingredients, making it a vegan-friendly alternative to the Halloween favorite. While the process is a bit hands-on, the result is every bit as chewy and tasty as store-bought versions of the nostalgic treat.
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Ciarra Siller 

5 Fudgy Vegan Salted Caramel Truffles

These rich, indulgent truffles make the perfect gift for a loved one, or a well-deserved treat just for yourself. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like creamy peanut butter, naturally sweet Medjool dates, and smooth coconut oil, they’re easy to whip up and impossible to resist.
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Chocolate Covered Katie

6 Sour Patch Grapes

Forget Sour Patch Kids, these tangy, tart, and sour grapes are even better (and way healthier). All it takes is five minutes, some grapes, a splash of lemon or lime juice, and a packet of electrolytes. They’re ready to enjoy right away, but are even more refreshing when frozen.
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Anson Smart

7 Easy Vegan Almond Butter Cups

Reese’s peanut butter cups are a classic favorite for many Americans, but these easy-to-make vegan almond butter cups offer some serious competition. Made with just five simple ingredients (raw almond butter, cacao powder, coconut oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt), they’re both delicious and customizable. Feel free to add your own twist, like crushed nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt.
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