Fill those stockings with the cutest dye-free candy! Naturally colored gummies, chocolates, and lollipops that taste amazing and keep the holidays a little healthier.
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Dye-Free Candy
Being sugared up for Christmas is one of my childhood memories of Christmas.
After opening our Christmas stockings from Santa, we’d snack on orange and apple slices from the fruit that Santa left in the bottom of our stockings.
Then we would dig into the Life Savers Sweet Storybook that we’d get in our stockings, or the Pot of Gold chocolate box that would be leaning against the overstuffed stocking.
I’m sure this was all before 9am. Any rules about sugar went out the window (or up the chimney) on Christmas.
Though many people think it’s mainly the sugar in candy that makes kids extra energetic (aka hyper), it can actually be the food coloring.
If you look at the ingredients in Christmas candy, or Halloween candy, so many of them have artificial colors added.
I still want to buy Miss O some sweet treats for Christmas, but I prefer that the ingredients of food I buy have words instead of numbers in them (red dye no. 40 ro blue no. 2).
Below, you’ll find the best dye-free candy brands, where to buy them, and a few simple homemade options if you want total control over ingredients.
Why Choose Dye-Free Candy?
Artificial food dyes have been linked to:
- Behavioral concerns in some kids
- Hyperactivity in sensitive individuals
- Allergic reactions
- Headaches or stomach upset for some people
This doesn’t happen with everyone of course, but if you notice this in your kids, you might want to stick to candy colored with fruit juices, vegetable extracts, or natural plant-based sources.
Natural colors used to be really pale and dull, but they have come a long way and the ones below taste amazing.
I definitely let Miss O eat regular candy (she gets to eat her Halloween candy, lol), but I also buy her dye-free candy for lunch treats, and holiday treats.
If you’re looking for non-candy ideas for stocking stuffers, many of the ideas in this post would be great (there are just a few spring ones that might not work as well).
I especially recommend idea #40 – it’s popular for kids of all ages, and a little unique.
The 10 Best Dye-Free Candy Brands
1. YumEarth
The gold standard of dye-free candy.
Their gummies, lollipops, sour twists, and fruit snacks are all naturally colored and allergy-friendly.
I regularly buy YumEarth candies for my daughter’s class parties and Halloween.
2. SmartSweets (some of them)
Not all SmartSweets candies are dye-free, but many of their newer formulas use natural colors.
Their Merry Mix and Sour Snowflakes look so cute!
Bonus: they’re lower in sugar and high in fiber.
3. Trader Joe’s
Tons of their treats are naturally colored: Scandinavian Swimmers (Swedish Fish 😂), fruit drops, gummy bunnies, and many seasonal candies.
4. Vegobears
The “it” candy right now.
Organic, dye-free gummies with cute shapes and real-fruit flavors.
Vegobears are vegan, and they’re colored with fruit and vegetable juices.
5. Unreal
Naturally colored chocolate gems, peanut butter cups, and chocolate bars. Unreal offers a cleaner version of many traditional candy bars.
This is actually my personal favorite on this list. I frequently buy these chocolates as a little purse treat when I’m out and about.
I don’t know how they manage to make these tasty treats so low in sugar without adding a bunch of gross artificial sweetners, but they do. Highly recommend.
6. Blobs Candy
Blobs are cute, dye-free candies that are low in sugar, have zero sugar alcohols, and come in yummy flavors like pomegranate apple and passionfruit pineapple.
They are new to me candy, and I’d love to try them! I mean, get them for Miss O.
7. Black Forest Organic Line
Their organic gummy bears and worms use fruit and plant extracts for color, not synthetic dyes.
8. Wholesome
Wholesome brand is known for organic dye-free gummy bears, gummy worms, and Valentine’s Day candies.
9. Alter Eco
For chocolate lovers: dye-free truffles and bars with clean, simple ingredients.
I want to try these mint creme truffles, please.
10. Little Secrets
A more grown-up version of candy classics.
They are dye-free, colored naturally and made without artificial anything.
I am eyeing these dark chocolate peppermint wafers. 😍
Where to Buy Dye-Free Candy
You can find these brands at:
- Whole Foods
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart (larger stores)
- Costco (select items)
- Amazon
- Thrive Market
- Natural grocery stores
And lots of these brands sell directly from their sites. Plus, Amazon!
Easy Dye-Free Candy Swaps
Here are some easy candy swaps that taste even better than the originals:
- Swap M&M’s → Unreal Chocolate Gems
- Swap Skittles → YumEarth Giggles
- Swap gummy bears → Black Forest Organic gummies
- Swap lollipops → YumEarth Pops
- Swap Reese’s Pieces → Little Secrets Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pieces
Dye-Free Candy for Holidays & Parties
You can easily build dye-free treat bags or holiday baskets using:
- Dye-free candy canes
- Naturally colored gummies
- Chocolate gems
- Fruit chews
- Mini chocolate bars
- Organic lollipops
They’re great for:
- Classroom holiday treats
- Stocking stuffers
- Easter baskets
- Halloween handouts
- Birthday party loot bags
DIY Dye-Free Candy (Super Simple Options)
If you prefer homemade, here are four easy, no-artificial-dye treats:
1. Homemade Fruit Gummies
Made with fruit juice + honey + gelatin.
Simmer fruit juice with a little honey, whisk in gelatin until smooth, pour into silicone molds (these ones are really cute), and chill until set.
2. Chocolate Bark
Melt chocolate, top with nuts or dried fruit, break apart.
3. Honey Lollipops
Simmer honey in a pot to hard-crack stage (you’ll need a candy thermometer – makes it easy).
Stick a lollypop stick in it and let cool/harden on parchment-lined cookie trays.
4. Yogurt Drops
Pipe yogurt + maple syrup onto parchment and freeze.
All naturally colored by…the ingredients themselves!
If you’re looking for fun and frugal stocking stuffer ideas, check out these posts:
- Dollar Store Stocking Stuffers Your Kids Will Love To Wake Up To
- 10 Cheap Stocking Stuffers That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are
Pin this to save these dye-free candy ideas:
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