Australian confectionery delights are loved worldwide and made popular locally, and when selecting vegan-friendly candy it is essential to take into account its type, flavors, ingredients and nutritional content.

Vegan

Veganism has quickly become an increasing trend in recent years. This diet provides numerous health benefits and should be seen as one of the more healthy options out there. Finding delicious yet healthful food to follow a vegan lifestyle may seem impossible at times.

But there are some delicious vegan treats you can enjoy, including Allen’s Snakes Alive, Fantales Chokito Cherry Ripe lollies from Australia are perfect examples. Be sure to look out for them when shopping for your sweets or treats! They’re a favorite amongst kids and parents, alike – so search them out below:

 

Australia has long been known for producing some of the world’s favorite candy and chocolate treats, such as James Stedman-Henderson’s Sweets, Sir MacPherson Robertson’s Steam Confectionery Works and Abel Hoadley’s Chocolates. Australia exported their confectionery around the globe during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Australia is well known for its lolly culture. A corner store provided Australians with access to all sorts of confectionery, many belonging to family businesses. Although corner stores have since disappeared from many suburbs, a select few still stand and provide great opportunities to stock up on Australia-made treats as souvenirs from your travels abroad.

There are several varieties of Australian lollies, with Allen’s Snakes Alive, Chokitos, Fantales, RedSkins Minties and Jaffas being among the more well-known examples. People all over the world appreciate them!

Some popular Australian candy and chocolate items have recently been discontinued by their makers, who tried unsuccessfully to revive them but their appeal wasn’t there; others simply faded with changing tastes and trends.

Some old favorites have been brought back by smaller confectionery manufacturers. Melbourne-based Lagoon Confectioners revived Choo Choos as well as other Australian candies including Mastercraft Scorched Peanut Bar.

Gluten-Free

Going gluten-free can be done for various reasons, from food allergies to avoiding the risk of gastrointestinal issues. It is important to be aware that commercially prepared food may contain hidden sources of gluten such as wheat flour or barley malt that must be considered when going gluten-free.

Diets that eliminate gluten should also avoid other harmful additives, including excessive amounts of sugar and salt, as well as supplements with high amounts of saturated and trans-fat calories (source: https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/gluten-free-diets). Individuals attempting to follow a gluten-free diet must carefully read labels as well as consult their healthcare providers regarding nutritional guidance.

Australian lollies come in various shapes, colors and flavors. As an amalgam of cultures, Australia has produced some of the world’s most beloved candy brands like Jaffas, Minties and Allen’s Fantales (invented in the early 1930s with an orange color due to a special coating), originally manufactured by Sweetacres before becoming owned by Nestle.

Aniseed Rings are an increasingly popular Australian treat, boasting hard candies infused with eucalyptus oil and menthol for an irresistibly soothing taste that are also extremely inexpensive: “ten cents never tasted so good”.

Low-Carb

No matter why you want to go low-carb – health reasons, blood sugar control or weight management – there are still delicious Australian treats you can choose from! Simply look out for ones with less than 300g of carbohydrates per serve so they fit easily into a healthy eating plan that includes oatmeal with fruit for breakfast; sandwiches and salad or wraps at lunch; bowls of salad featuring potatoes/sweet potatoes plus carrots/legumes at dinner time and so forth.

Musk Sticks, an Aussie classic first made in 1928 by Stedman-Henderson (now part of Rowntree’s) are an ideal low-cal snack option that everyone should experience! Now produced by Allen’s who also make Jaffas.

Xylitol, a low-carb alternative widely used in sugar free mints and gums to promote dental health and prevent tooth decay, is widely available across Australia as either a powder that you mix with hot water, or packaged lollies and jellies, but is dangerous to pets (as seen here). Alternatively, it makes an excellent option for making deliciously creamy sugar free ice cream that won’t freeze solid.

Sugar-Free

Sugar-free treats don’t mean giving up tasty treats! You can still indulge in delicious Australian lollies while remaining sugar-free; simply be wary of what ingredients go into their production. In Australia, most sweetened candies use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, stevia and erythritol which have fewer calories and carbohydrates than sugar but some of these sweeteners do come with their own side effects so be mindful when selecting which candies you consume.

Many people can’t handle too many chocolate biscuits, which is why the Australian lolly world offers many alternatives. A classic Tim Tam, for instance – a chocolate sandwich biscuit with soft caramel center that’s only found outside Australia’s supermarkets – makes an ideal gift to take back home as part of an Australian treat collection!

The Caramello Koala is an Australian chocolate treat that stands out from its competition, featuring an orange-flavored filling instead of milk chocolate – making it a delicious alternative to Kit Kats! Also shaped as an adorable little koala bear and popularly found in lolly bags.