Home Vegan Post Plant-Based Halloween Candy Alternatives You Can Make at Home

Plant-Based Halloween Candy Alternatives You Can Make at Home


A Kinder Way to Enjoy Halloween Treats

Halloween is all about indulgence, but for those living a vegan or plant-based lifestyle, traditional candy can be more trick than treat. Most store-bought sweets contain dairy, gelatin, honey, or artificial additives that aren’t exactly friendly to your ethical or health goals. The good news? You can make your own plant-based Halloween candy alternatives at home—easy, fun, and deliciously spooky.

These vegan treats skip the animal products but keep all the sweetness and joy that make Halloween special. Whether you’re catering to kids, hosting a party, or just craving something festive, these recipes are simple, affordable, and guaranteed to please.

And if you’re looking to show off your compassionate side this Halloween, check out The Dharma Store—they make vegan-themed t-shirts from organic cotton that pair perfectly with your kitchen creativity.

Why Make Your Own Halloween Candy?

Making candy at home gives you total control over the ingredients—no hidden gelatin, refined sugar, or artificial colors. It’s also:

  • Healthier: Use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or coconut sugar.

  • Eco-friendly: Less packaging waste than individually wrapped candies.

  • Customizable: Adjust flavors and shapes to your liking.

  • Fun for families: Kids love helping out with spooky, DIY treats.

Homemade vegan candy doesn’t need to be complicated. With basic pantry staples, you can whip up Halloween-themed sweets that are festive and cruelty-free.

1. Vegan Peanut Butter Cups (Better Than Store-Bought)

A Halloween classic, peanut butter cups are simple to recreate using vegan chocolate and natural peanut butter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Melt chocolate chips with 1 tbsp coconut oil using a double boiler.

  2. Spoon a thin layer into mini muffin liners; chill for 10 minutes.

  3. Mix peanut butter, maple syrup, and salt in a bowl.

  4. Add a small dollop of filling on top of the hardened chocolate.

  5. Cover with remaining chocolate and refrigerate until firm.

Optional spooky twist: Use orange liners or drizzle melted white chocolate in spiderweb patterns on top.

2. Plant-Based “Twix” Bars

These crunchy, caramel-filled bars are surprisingly easy to make—and taste even better than the original.

Ingredients:

  • Shortbread base: 1 cup almond flour, 3 tbsp coconut oil, 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • Caramel layer: 8 pitted dates, 2 tbsp almond butter, 2 tbsp plant milk

  • Chocolate layer: 1 cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Mix shortbread ingredients and press into a lined loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

  2. Blend caramel ingredients until smooth; spread over cooled shortbread.

  3. Melt chocolate and pour over caramel.

  4. Chill until set, then slice into bars.

Pro tip: Add a pinch of sea salt on top for that perfect sweet-salty balance.

3. Coconut Ghost Truffles

These little truffles are adorable and kid-approved. Creamy coconut interiors covered in white chocolate make perfect “ghosts” for Halloween.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup shredded coconut

  • 2 tbsp coconut oil

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

  • Vegan white chocolate for coating

  • Mini chocolate chips (for eyes)

Instructions:

  1. Blend shredded coconut, oil, syrup, and vanilla until sticky.

  2. Form small balls and freeze for 20 minutes.

  3. Melt white chocolate and dip each ball until coated.

  4. Add mini chocolate chips as eyes before the coating hardens.

These “ghosts” look hauntingly cute on a dessert table and make a great allergy-friendly alternative for school events.

4. Homemade Vegan Caramel Apples

Few Halloween treats are as nostalgic as caramel apples. This version uses dates and almond butter for a wholesome, chewy coating.

Ingredients:

  • 6 small apples

  • 10 Medjool dates, pitted

  • 2 tbsp almond butter

  • 1/4 cup coconut milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • Chopped nuts or shredded coconut (optional for coating)

Instructions:

  1. Blend dates, almond butter, coconut milk, and vanilla until smooth.

  2. Insert sticks into apples and dip each into the caramel mixture.

  3. Roll in toppings if desired.

  4. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

These look great on a platter and can double as a centerpiece for your Halloween table.

5. Vegan Gummy Worms

Traditional gummies contain gelatin, but you can easily make your own chewy vegan version using agar agar, a plant-based thickener.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fruit juice (grape or cherry works best for color)

  • 2 tbsp agar agar powder

  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Combine ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer for 3 minutes.

  2. Pour mixture into silicone molds (or straws for worm shapes).

  3. Refrigerate until firm, then pop them out.

Spooky presentation idea: Serve them in “dirt cups” made with crushed vegan cookies and coconut yogurt.

6. Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Bark

A festive bark recipe that celebrates the flavors of fall with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups vegan dark chocolate chips

  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

  • Chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, or dried cranberries for topping

Instructions:

  1. Melt chocolate over low heat, then stir in pumpkin puree and spice.

  2. Pour onto a lined baking sheet and spread evenly.

  3. Sprinkle with toppings and refrigerate until set.

  4. Break into irregular “bark” pieces.

Perfect for gift bags or casual snacking, this bark tastes like autumn in every bite.

7. Date-Sweetened Fudge Bites

Rich, chewy, and naturally sweetened, these fudge bites make a great no-bake Halloween treat.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Medjool dates

  • 1/2 cup almond butter

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions:

  1. Blend all ingredients until a smooth dough forms.

  2. Press into a small pan or roll into bite-sized balls.

  3. Chill until firm and slice into squares.

For a festive flair, press candy eyes or edible decorations on top before serving.

8. Spooky Chocolate-Dipped Fruit Monsters

A healthier twist for those who still want something sweet but nutrient-rich.

Ingredients:

  • Bananas, strawberries, and apple slices

  • Vegan dark or white chocolate

  • Candy eyes or melted chocolate for decorating

Instructions:

  1. Slice fruits and freeze for 15 minutes.

  2. Dip in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper.

  3. Use dots of chocolate or candy eyes for monster faces.

  4. Chill until set.

This snack is colorful, fun, and naturally gluten-free—perfect for both kids and adults.

9. Almond Butter “Snickers” Bites

Mini candy bar bites that taste like Snickers but are fully plant-based and nutrient-dense.

Ingredients:

  • 10 Medjool dates

  • 1/3 cup almond butter

  • 1/4 cup crushed peanuts

  • 1 cup vegan dark chocolate

Instructions:

  1. Slice dates open and remove pits.

  2. Fill each with almond butter and crushed peanuts.

  3. Dip in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper.

  4. Chill until hardened.

The chewy, nutty, chocolatey texture is unbeatable—these vanish fast at parties.

10. Vegan “Candy Corn” Parfaits

Candy corn is iconic for Halloween, but it’s usually full of animal-based ingredients. This layered parfait gives you the same colors in a healthy, vegan format.

Ingredients:

  • Mango puree (for yellow layer)

  • Coconut yogurt (for white layer)

  • Orange juice and chia seeds (for orange layer)

Instructions:

  1. Mix chia seeds with orange juice; let sit for 15 minutes to thicken.

  2. In a glass, layer mango puree, chia pudding, and coconut yogurt.

  3. Chill before serving.

It’s beautiful, nutritious, and captures the spirit of Halloween without refined sugar.

Tips for a Successful Homemade Halloween Candy Night

  • Use silicone molds: They make removal easy and create fun shapes like pumpkins, bats, or skulls.

  • Experiment with flavors: Add cinnamon, nut butter, or espresso powder to make unique twists.

  • Store properly: Keep chocolates and caramels refrigerated to maintain texture.

  • Decorate creatively: Kids love getting involved in shaping ghosts, monsters, and pumpkins.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to rely on commercial candy to enjoy Halloween. These plant-based Halloween candy alternatives prove that homemade treats can be just as fun, flavorful, and indulgent—without any animal ingredients. By choosing whole, vegan ingredients, you’re not just creating sweets; you’re celebrating compassion, creativity, and health.

Whether you’re preparing treats for a classroom, party, or cozy night in, these recipes bring the Halloween magic home while keeping it 100% plant-based.

And if you want to show off your vegan values while baking, treat yourself to a shirt from The Dharma Store—their vegan-themed designs made from organic cotton are a stylish reminder that kindness is always in season.