Updated October 2023! Several years ago, a milk allergy mom wrote in and asked, “What dairy-free Halloween candy can my child enjoy?” Halloween is one time of year that many parents let their children splurge on sugar highs. But most of the popular, individually-wrapped treats contain dairy. So I’ve taken the time to compile this big dairy-free candy resource for you!
This post includes over 75 dairy-free Halloween candy options (small, individual packages) that you can find in stores. But it also includes sneaky dairy-containing candy to avoid, trick-or-treating tips, and homemade candy bar recipes. And we’ve got quite a few allergy-friendly and vegan treats too! lipstick jam candy
The dairy-free candy below is available in trick-or-treat sized, individually-wrapped, multi-serve packages that you can buy in most stores. They are great for Halloween, parties, or a lunchbox surprise! And at the time of our review, they were all dairy-free by ingredients.*
This list does contain some links to Amazon, which are intended to be helpful and go directly to the “fun sizes.” We do receive very modest commissions from your Amazon purchases via these links which help to support the maintenance of this website. Thank you for your support!
For dairy-free Halloween chocolate, organic candies, and other specialty sweets, see my list of the Cutest, Tastiest, Dairy-Free and Vegan Halloween Treats. A few of these items are listed above because you can find them in Halloween sizing in many stores. But some of them are harder to find in stores or are a more “indulgent” treats that you might want to save for candy swapping with your little dairy-free ghost or goblin.
Beyond chocolates, some surprising candies do contain milk ingredients. Put up the red flag when you spot any of the candies below.
Here are additional tips, warnings, and ideas to help your child safely enjoy some dairy-free candy this Halloween.
Save some money and have fun making your own dairy-free Halloween candy!
*Always check the ingredients before consumption. If potential cross contamination is a concern for your needs, always contact the manufacturer to discuss their processes. Never rely on lists or product packaging exclusively when dealing with a severe food allergy. “May contain” warnings are unreliable and unregulated, so they should not be used to assess whether a product is safe. These lists are for informational purposes only and should not replace your own due diligence. Ingredients and processes are subject to change at any time, and without our knowledge. If you notice that a product is no longer dairy-free by ingredients or if there is an error, please kindly comment to let us know.
**We saw a “made in a facility …,” “made on shared equipment …,” or “may contain …” statement for milk on this product. This does not mean the product is “unsafe” or that the other dairy-free candy on this list is “safe.” As mentioned above, “may contain” warnings are voluntary, and are sometimes added for liability prevention. And packaging and processes can vary by region, even with the same candy. You might see a “may contain” warning, and we might not. If dealing with a severe food allergy of any kind, you must contact the manufacturer!!
***To help you read those candy labels, see our Dairy Ingredient List.
If you like my posts, then check out the massively expanded 2nd Edition of Go Dairy Free. It’s packed with recipes, quick guides, and answers for dairy-free living!
Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.
Hello, what about pop tarts, the hot fudge one, my son is lactose intolerant…on the ingredients it doesn’t have milk-I compared with other pop tarts which do have milk. Am I wrong?? Please help. I’m new at this.
Some Pop Tarts are dairy-free, and some aren’t. The packaging should tell you if the variety in hand contains milk in the ingredients, or doesn’t. Please note that “may contain” statements are different from “contains” statements. Here is information that you might find helpful -> https://www.godairyfree.org/news/may-contain-statements
There is no way all of those containing MILK CHOCOLATE are dairy free. I am highly allergic and speaking from experiance.
I’m really not sure what you are referring to. This is a dairy-free post and there are no dairy milk chocolate items listed – as those contain dairy.
Kit Kat’s are not gluten free
Kit Kat’s aren’t dairy-free either, which is why they aren’t on this list. You’re looking at the copycat recipes at the bottom of the page. That copycat recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free. Enjoy!
this is kind of urgent, are laffy taffys dairy free? i’m sick and can’t have dairy, and i didn’t even think about it having dairy.
Sorry Alexander, but I don’t have any here to look at! This site looks like it has some ingredients up -> http://www.niftynuthouse.com/product.php?productid=516
Dum dums are vegan.Chick o sticks are also vegan.
The Brach’s Jelly Bean Nougats are discontinued per the manufacturer. I contacted them about a year ago & found out. I’ve been so sad. They still do the Peppermint Nougats though.
I’m sad to hear that!
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Alisa, so does buffered lactic acid contain milk?
Hi Jennifer – See our dairy ingredient list for an easy guide to all questionable ingredients, including lactic acid – http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-grocery-shopping-guide/dairy-ingredient-list-2
Hi, the Haribo GoldBears say “traces of milk”. I’m guessing that’s not safe for an allergy. Thanks for this list, though, it’s a great help!
Please see our May Contain guide to better understand what these types of statements do and don’t mean -> https://www.godairyfree.org/news/may-contain-statements
Mini Oreos were always a favorite treat of mine on Halloween; they make individual packages and tubs that can be handed out!
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Those are great ideas, but common candies that are dairy free include: starburst, skittles, blow pop lollipops, dum dums, bubble gum, candy sticks (previously called candy cigarettes), gummy fruit snacks, fun dip, pixie sticks, jolly ranchers, laffy taffy, – this is what the kids will get – so check the labels and if they are good, then enjoy. My daughter has a dairy allergy and she simply swaps with friends/brother and in the end everyone is happy.
Blow pops actually aren’t dairy free
Jolly Ranchers are not dairy free.
Hi Daphne, good news, they are! I think you may be confusing ingredients like sodium lactate with dairy. Here’s our researched dairy ingredient list for your reference – http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-grocery-shopping-guide/dairy-ingredient-list-2 – to note, under labeling laws, if it was dairy derived, this would have to be noted on the ingredient statement. To date, I have not seen a dairy lactate in a product in the U.S.
I apologize. It has been years since I checked the package, but I think they used to contain buffered lactic acid, just like ring pops and many other clear sugar candies. I have been pulling jolly ranchers out of my kiddo’s candy bag for years. Now that he is too old to trick or treat, I learn this! Poor kid.
Consider it a blessing in disguise – I don’t think eating less candy is a bad thing! 🙂
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