When it comes to sweets, chocolate is hard to beat. According to one 2022 survey by Shopkick, chocolate is the go-to sweet treat for 90 percent of American consumers. So, it’s not surprising that the US has the biggest chocolate market in the world.
The biggest players in the $127 billion industry are, of course, companies like Hershey’s and Mars. But chocolatier Lindt is popular, too. In fact, in recent years, the Swiss brand has become known for its indulgent selection of vegan chocolate options. A fan-favorite vegan option is disappearing soon—get the full details, plus our favorite dairy-free picks from the brand, below.
Where is Lindt chocolate from?
Lindt & Sprüngli, Lindt’s parent company, was first formed in the late 1800s when two popular Swiss chocolate companies merged. The first was run by David Sprüngli-Schwarz and his son, Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann in Zurich, while the second was run by Rodolphe Lindt near the city of Berne. Both were pioneers of the chocolate trade—Sprüngli-Schwarz created the first solid chocolate bar in German-speaking Switzerland, while Lindt was the first to create melting chocolate.
Lindt
As a result of this combined expertise, Lindt & Sprüngli created several iconic products throughout the 20th century. The Lindt Gold Bunny, for example, first hit the shelves in the 1950s, while Lindor truffles were launched in 1967. Today, Lindt & Sprüngli still sells these products through its Lindt brand, as well as plenty of other chocolate bars and candies under many other brands, like Ghirardelli and Russell Stover, in more than 120 countries around the world.
Is Lindt chocolate dairy-free?
Lindt is not a dairy-free company, but it does offer dairy-free options. It has made dark chocolate products for decades, for example, and in more recent years, it added vegan milk chocolate to its extensive portfolio. In 2021, it first launched creamy oat milk bars across Germany and the UK, and in 2022, it brought vegan options to Canada and the US.
“We are constantly looking for ways to create chocolate that everyone can enjoy. We are thrilled to bring this new product to US consumers,” Ann Czaja, Lindt Master Chocolatier, said in a statement in 2022.
“Lindt Classic Recipe OatMilk bars will deliver the same smooth, creamy experience as our Lindt Classic Recipe milk chocolate, all without the dairy.”
The best vegan chocolate at Lindt
Craving chocolate? So are we. Always. Find some of our favorite dairy-free Lindt picks below.
1 Oatmilk Chocolate Truffles
In 2023, the famous Swiss chocolatier launched its first dairy-free, melt-in-your-mouth truffles. Made with oat milk in two varieties (standard and dark), these tasty treats quickly became a fan-favorite for their smooth, indulgent, and incredibly creamy flavor profile.
Unfortunately, Lindt has confirmed to VegNews that its oat milk truffles will be discontinued. For now, they’re still available, so stock up while you still can.
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Lindt
2 Oat Milk Salted Caramel Bar
Caramel and a sprinkle of salt are a match made in heaven, especially when they’re encased in a bar of Lindt’s signature creamy smooth chocolate (this time made with oat and almond paste). “The combination of rich chocolate and salted caramel is simply delicious. Each bite is a perfect balance of flavors, and I couldn’t get enough,” says one satisfied Amazon customer. Luckily, Lindt’s vegan-friendly oat milk chocolate bars are here to stay.
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3 Oat Milk Hazelnut Bar
Fans of nutty chocolate will love this decadent bar from Lindt, which is made with “gently roasted hazelnuts” and creamy oat and almond milk chocolate. “Lindt truly knows what they’re doing with chocolate,” says one Amazon review. “This is among the absolute best vegan chocolate bars out there.” Another says that these Lindt bars contain “just the right amount of hazelnuts.”
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4 Oat Milk Classic Recipe Bar
If you like to keep it simple, opt for Lindt’s Oat Milk Classic Recipe bar. It’s creamy, velvety, and undeniably delicious. “My notoriously picky wife loved this! Very smooth. It was a hit for our family. Despite our best efforts, it did not last until the holiday,” claims one satisfied reviewer.
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5 Dark Chocolate Bars
If you prefer dark chocolate options, Lindt has plenty to choose from. The 70 percent option offers a perfect full-bodied, rich, deep chocolatey flavor without being too bitter. But if you like your dark chocolate really strong, the Swiss company also carries 85 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent, and even 100 percent dark chocolate options.
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This post was originally published on VegNews.com.