Chocolate syrup is a sweet topping commonly used on ice cream, milkshakes, pancakes, and other desserts. With the rising popularity of veganism, many people wonder if chocolate syrup is vegan or contains animal products. The ingredients and manufacturing process determine whether a chocolate syrup is vegan.
What makes a food product vegan?
For a food product to be vegan, it must completely exclude animal products and byproducts. This means no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, lanolin, carmine and other animal-derived ingredients can be present.
Common animal products found in foods include:
- Dairy products like milk, cream, butter, cheese, whey, casein, lactose
- Eggs
- Honey
- Gelatin
- Carmine/cochineal extract (red food coloring from insects)
- Lard
- Animal fats
- Fish products
- Shellac (waxy coating from insect secretions)
- Albumin (protein from egg whites)
- Casein (milk protein)
- Lactose (milk sugar)
- Whey (milk byproduct)
- Lanolin (wool grease from sheep)
So for chocolate syrup to be vegan, it must be free of all animal ingredients like dairy milk and eggs.
Common ingredients in chocolate syrup
The main ingredients in chocolate syrup are:
- Cocoa powder – Ground cacao beans provide chocolate flavor
- Sugar – Usually cane sugar or corn syrup for sweetness
- Oil – For smooth texture and mouthfeel. Soybean, coconut or palm oils may be used.
- Emulsifiers – Helps evenly blend oil and water. Lecithin or polysorbate 80 are common.
- Vanilla extract – Often added for extra flavor
- Salt
- Water
The ingredients that need evaluation for vegan suitability are the cocoa powder, oil, and emulsifiers. Pure cocoa powder is vegan, while the oils and emulsifiers can be derived from plants or animals.
Are conventional chocolate syrups vegan?
Many mainstream and commercially-produced chocolate syrups are not vegan, as they contain animal-derived ingredients:
- Milk ingredients – Some brands use milk products like whole milk, condensed milk, cream or butter.
- Egg-based emulsifiers – Egg yolk or egg lecithin helps emulsify the syrup.
- Gelatin – Gelatin made from animal bones and tissues can stabilize and thicken syrup.
- Honey – Some brands add honey for extra sweetness.
Always check the ingredients list for milk, eggs, honey or other animal ingredients. Brands that commonly contain these include Hershey’s, Karo, Smucker’s, and Bosco.
Vegan-friendly chocolate syrups
There are vegan chocolate syrup options available:
- Ghiradelli – Their classic chocolate syrup contains no animal products, with cocoa, corn syrup and vegetable oils.
- Hershey’s Special Dark – Uses sugar and vegetable oils only.
- Fox’s U-bet – Vegan and made with GMO-free ingredients.
- Ah!Laska – Organic syrup sweetened with agave nectar.
Some brands also offer dairy-free or vegan labeled chocolate syrups:
- Santa Cruz Organic – Organic cocoa powder and organic agave.
- Torani – Dairy-free chocolate sauce using sunflower oil.
- Walden Farms – Calorie-free vegan chocolate syrup.
- Hershey’s – Makes a Simple Syrup variety without dairy.
Check the ingredient lists to confirm non-dairy oils and natural vegan emulsifiers like soy lecithin are used.
How to make vegan chocolate syrup
It’s easy to make homemade vegan chocolate syrup with just a few ingredients:
Basic vegan chocolate syrup
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar.
- Add in water, oil and vanilla.
- Whisk vigorously until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often.
- Once thickened to a syrup consistency, remove from heat.
- Let cool before pouring into a bottle.
- Store refrigerated for up to 1 month.
For best results, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder which dissolves more smoothly. You can sub coconut oil for richer flavor or maple syrup instead of sugar to make it paleo-friendly.
Healthy vegan chocolate syrup
Make a lighter chocolate syrup using:
- 1⁄3 cup cocoa powder
- 1⁄3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Simply whisk everything together in a small saucepan. Gently heat over medium, stirring frequently, until thickened to a syrupy texture. Let cool before storing.
The almond milk provides creaminess without the calories of heavy cream. Maple syrup lends caramel sweetness and cuts down on sugar.
Rich vegan chocolate sauce
For an extra decadent sauce perfect for desserts, use:
- 1⁄2 cup coconut cream
- 1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
- 1⁄4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Coconut cream provides rich, velvety texture without dairy. Simmer ingredients together until smooth and thickened slightly. Drizzle over vegan ice cream or cake!
How to use vegan chocolate syrup
Vegan chocolate syrup is endlessly versatile. Use it to create delicious plant-based desserts and treats:
- Ice cream topping
- Milkshakes
- Hot chocolate
- Chocolate milk
- Banana splits
- Fruit dips
- Pancake and waffle topping
- French toast drizzle
- Mochas
- Hot fudge sauce
- Milk chocolate frosting
- Fudge
- Chocolate bark
- Chocolate pudding
Try using it in less traditional ways too, like:
- Salad dressings
- Smoothies
- Overnight oats
- Glazes for tofu, tempeh or seitan
- Mix into nut butter
- Swirl into hummus
Homemade vegan chocolate syrup is so easy to blend up. It’s perfect for customizing the chocolate flavor and ingredients to your own dietary needs. Store-bought vegan varieties are becoming more widely available too. So go ahead – drizzle chocolatey, syrupy goodness over all your desserts guilt-free!
