Is Snickers Vegan and Cruelty Free? The Unlucky Truth

May 2, 2023

Vegans out there might hope there’s a chance that Snickers candy bars are vegan. You never know, right?

Mars, Inc., the food brand that makes Snickers bars, just like many other food brands, has a variety of products, and each variant can have different ingredients that often differ from country to country. Non-vegan ingredients are also often sneaked into the product by using vague terms such as “natural or artificial flavors.”

To make sure you only eat foods that align with your vegan lifestyle and ethical values, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production methods of Snickers bars, and here’s what I’ve found.

Is Snickers Vegan?

Unfortunately, the Snickers candy bar contains several animal-based ingredients, such as milk and eggs. The caramel layer alone contains milk, sugar, butter, and eggs.

So, if you’re looking for a vegan Snickers bar, I’m afraid you’ll be left disappointed. However, there are plenty of other delicious vegan chocolate bars for you to enjoy instead!

Is Snickers Cruelty Free?

Yes. Snickers bars are cruelty free. This candy bar does not contain any products or ingredients that have been tested on animals at any stage of production.

Mars, Inc. has also been using sustainable palm oil since 2015. This means that the palm oil they use is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and engages in sustainable harvesting practices.

So, while Snickers bars aren’t vegan, they are cruelty free.

What Are Snickers Bars Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Snickers chocolate candy bar:

  • Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin)
  • Peanuts
  • Corn syrup
  • Sugar
  • Palm oil
  • Skim milk
  • Lactose
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Egg whites
  • Artificial flavor

Let’s break down each ingredient of Snickers bars:

Milk chocolate

Milk chocolate is made with sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, and milk. It also often contains soy lecithin, which is a common emulsifier. This ingredient alone makes Snickers bars non-vegan.

Peanuts

Peanuts are a type of legume that grows underground. They’re a common allergen, but are often found in candy bars and other desserts. Peanuts are vegan friendly.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is a type of sugar that’s made from cornstarch. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Corn syrup is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is a common ingredient in candy and other sweets. Refined sugar is often processed with animal bone char to make it white. Not all sugar types are filtered with bone char, but large companies often source their sugars from several different suppliers, so it’s difficult to tell if the sugar in Snickers is vegan or not, and Mars, Inc. has yet to get back to me about whether they use bone char-processed sugar.

Palm oil

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil made from the fruit of palm trees. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other products. Palm oil is a vegan-friendly ingredient. However, the production of palm oil has been linked to rainforest destruction and animal habitat loss, which is why some vegans avoid it.

Skim milk

Skim milk is a type of milk that has had the cream removed. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Skim milk is derived from cows and is, therefore, non-vegan.

Lactose

Lactose is a type of sugar that’s found in milk. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Lactose is derived from animals.

Salt

Salt is a type of mineral that’s used to add flavor or as a preservative. It’s a common ingredient in many foods. Salt is vegan.

Butter

Butter is a type of fat that’s made from milk. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Butter is derived from animals.

Egg

Eggs, of course, come from chickens, making them non-vegan.

Artificial flavor

Artificial flavor is a type of flavoring that’s made in a laboratory. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other products. Artificial flavor is usually considered vegan friendly.

Why Isn’t Snickers Vegan?

Many people’s favorite candy bar, Snickers, is, unfortunately, not vegan. Snickers contain a bunch of ingredients that vegans avoid, such as milk, butter, and eggs.

In addition to those non-vegan ingredients, Snickers also contains a few controversial ingredients, such as palm oil, natural and artificial flavors, and sugar, which some vegans choose to avoid.

So, if you’re looking for vegan-friendly candy bars, Snickers bars aren’t really the right choice. However, there are plenty of other delicious vegan chocolate candy bars out there for you to enjoy instead!

Is the Snickers Ice Cream Bar Vegan?

No. Snickers Ice Cream Bar is not vegan. It contains milk.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption. 

Is the Snickers Peanut Butter Vegan?

No. Snickers Peanut Butter contains milk and sugar.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Snickers 100 Calories Chocolate Candy Bar Vegan?

No. Snickers 100 Calories Chocolate Candy Bar is not vegan. It has the same ingredients as the regular Snickers Chocolate Candy Bar.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Snickers Milk Chocolate Candy Bar Vegan?

No. Snickers Milk Chocolate Candy Bar is not vegan because it contains milk.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Snickers Ice Cream Cup Vegan?

No. Snickers Ice Cream Cup contains milk.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is the Snickers Minis Size Chocolate Bar Vegan?

No. Snickers Minis Size Chocolate Bars contain milk.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption.

Vegan-Friendly Alternatives to Snickers

All these candy bars are vegan and delicious! So, if you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Snickers bars, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. You can also make homemade candy bars with a few ingredients at home.

If you have some maple syrup, almond butter, almond flour, coconut milk, and melted chocolate, Just mix everything together in a food processor, spread it into a lined baking dish, and freeze for about an hour. And voila, you have your own vegan Snickers right at home!

Final Words

To sum it up, classic Snickers bars are clearly not vegan. With a gamut of ingredients that vegans typically avoid, it’s best to steer clear of this chocolatey treat.

However, don’t fret! There are plenty of delicious vegan-friendly chocolate bars out there for you to enjoy! Or you can create your own gluten-free, delicious vegan snickers bars at home using a homemade snickers bar recipe like this one here.

Who knows, with a little creativity, you might even come up with a recipe that’s even better than the original! So go ahead and pick one, but, as always, be sure to check the label!