Who doesn’t love the rich, sweet flavor of sticky caramel? Enjoyed on its own or loaded on top of ice cream and other desserts to add a decadent flavor, caramel is an indulgent treat favored by many. However, how many consumers know what is in caramel? Is this sweet treat considered vegan-friendly?
Caramel is not considered vegan-friendly because it usually contain butter or heavy cream. However, there are multiple vegan-friendly caramel items available on the market. HumYum Organic Vegan Caramel Sauce, Cocomels Coconut Sugar Coconut Milk Caramels, Cocomels Sugar-Free Coconut Milk Caramels, Choc Zero Caramel Flavored Syrup and Pyure Organic Plant-based Caramel Flavored Syrup are all vegan-friendly alternatives to traditional caramel.
Now that we know regular caramel products are out for those on a vegan diet, let’s take a deeper look into caramel, its nutrition, and some vegan-friendly alternatives.
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Is Caramel Healthy?
Caramel is not just a delightful dessert topping or candy, it may also have some impressive antioxidant properties. According to a recent study, the number of antioxidants in caramel is linked to color. The more caramelized the darker the color, the darker the color the more antioxidants in that caramel. It has been compared to the antioxidant content of one glass of orange juice [1].
Despite a surprising number of antioxidants in caramel, most caramel sauces, candies, and other caramel products contain high numbers of added sugars and calories. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6-teaspoons of added sugar per day for women (25 grams) and no more than 9 teaspoons for men (38 grams). With 21 grams of added sugar per 2-tablespoon serving. The average caramel product contains around 20 grams of added sugar per serving [2].
A diet high in added sugars can increase the risk for various chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Enjoying caramel products in moderation can be a part of a healthy diet. However, it’s important to be sure not to consume past the serving size on frequent occasions.
Is Caramel Color Vegan?
You may see caramel color on food labels for items such as candies, soy sauces, colas, seasonings, and much more. This is very different than caramel itself. As one of the most popular food colorings used in food products, caramel color is made by heating sugar. This results in that desirable deep brown coloring. Because it is made from sugar alone and now other products, it is considered vegan-friendly.
Because it is so widely used, caramel color is in vegan and non-vegan products. Always be sure to read the food labels before purchasing a product or look for the Certified Vegan emblem on the package.
Nutrition Facts for Caramel
There are many different versions and recipes of caramels available on the market including sauces and candies. Below are some examples of common, traditional caramel ingredients and nutrition information from popular brands, such as Kraft and Ghirardelli.
Kraft Candy Caramels
These caramels are typical of your standard baking and snacking candies. You can use these as a dip, such as with caramel apples, in candies and baked goods, or simply enjoy them as a sweet treat all on its own. Below is a look at the ingredients and nutrition information for these caramels that is similar when compared to other caramel candies of their kind.
Ingredients:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Skim milk
- Palm oil
- Whey
- Salt
- Artificial and natural flavor
- Soy lecithin
Nutrition Facts (Per 4 pieces):
- Calories 130
- Fat 2.5g
- Saturated fat 1.5g
- Sodium 80mg
- Carbohydrates 24g
- Sugar 21g
- Added sugar 18g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 1g
Ghirardelli Caramel Sauce
Most popular for its use in sundaes and beverages, Ghirardelli is indicative of your standard caramel sauce. Below is a look at the ingredient and nutrition information for this caramel sauce that is similar when compared to other caramel sauces of their kind.
Ingredients:
- Corn syrup
- Water
- High fructose corn syrup
- Sugar
- Skim milk
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Natural flavor
- Pectin
- Disodium phosphate
Nutrition Facts (Per 2-tablespoons):
- Calories 110
- Fat 0.5g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 55mg
- Carbohydrates 26g
- Sugar 20g
- Added sugar 19g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Healthy Vegan Alternatives to Caramel
Just because someone chooses to go vegan does not mean they should no longer be able to enjoy the nostalgic flavors of caramel when they have a sweet tooth. Below are some top-rated vegan-friendly caramel sauces and candies.
Although the products listed below are vegan-friendly and healthier options than those mentioned above, they should still be consumed in moderation as many still contain various forms of added sugars.
HumYum Organic Vegan Caramel Sauce
Organic gluten-free, corn-free, non-GMO, and dairy-free, HumYum Organic Vegan Caramel Sauce is the perfect topping or dip for desserts and sweet treats. This product contains less than 50% of the total carbohydrates, added sugars, and calories as traditional caramel sauces, such as Ghirardelli’s listed above. You can find this product online at Humyum.com priced at $9.50 for an 8.5-ounce jar.
Ingredients:
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic coconut milk
- Organic coconut extract
- Water
- Organic guar gum
- Sea salt
- Cream of tartar
- Organic vanilla extract
- Organic vanilla beans
Nutrition Facts (Per 1.5-tablespoons):
- Calories 45
- Fat 1.5g
- Saturated fat 1g
- Sodium 10mg
- Carbohydrates 8g
- Sugar 8g
- Added sugar 8g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 0g
Cocomels Coconut Sugar Coconut Milk Caramels
For those who are looking for vegan-friendly snacking caramels, Cocomels has your back. Their coconut sugar coconut caramels are made with organic coconut milk, but their rich and creamy flavor will trick your taste buds into thinking it’s regular milk.
Cocomels Coconut Sugar Coconut Milk Caramels are made with coconut sugar to cut down on total added sugars. These caramels have a slightly larger serving size compared to the Kraft caramel candies with half the number of added sugars. You can find this product at Cocomels.com priced at $4.99 for a 3.5-ounce bag.
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut milk
- Organic coconut
- Water
- Organic tapioca syrup
- Organic coconut sugar
- Organic vanilla extract
- Water
- Organic ethyl alcohol
- Organic vanilla bean extractives
- Sea salt
- Xanthan gum
Nutrition Facts (Per 6-pieces):
- Calories 130
- Fat 4g
- Saturated fat 4g
- Sodium 60mg
- Carbohydrates 20g
- Sugar 13g
- Added sugar 13g
- Fiber <1g
- Protein 0g
Cocomels Sugar-Free Coconut Milk Caramels
Cocomels also makes a sugar-free coconut milk caramel candy that is vegan and keto-friendly, gluten-free, and USDA certified organic. This product uses allulose as a sugar alternative. Also known as a rare sugar, allulose resembles fructose but is not fully absorbed by the body so it is almost virtually calorie-free. It also uses monk fruit as a sweetener that is also calorie-free. You can find this product at Cocomels.com priced at $4.99 for a 2.75-ounce bag.
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut milk
- Organic coconut
- Water
- Soluble tapioca fiber
- Allulose
- Prebiotic fiber (chicory root)
- Sea salt
- Vanilla extract
- Water
- Ethyl alcohol
- Vanilla bean extractives
- Sunflower lecithin
- Monk fruit
Nutrition Facts (Per 3-pieces):
- Calories 35
- Fat 2g
- Saturated fat 2g
- Sodium 60mg
- Carbohydrates 9g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 6g
- Protein 0g
Choc Zero Caramel Flavored Syrup
Keto-friendly, sugar-free, soy-free, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free, Choc Zero Caramel Flavored Syrup is a great alternative to traditional caramel sauce. You can use this as a topping or a dip for sweet treats. It is significantly lower in calories and contains zero added sugars compared to standard caramel sauces. This brand also has the bonus of 15 grams of fiber per 1-tablespoon serving. You can find this product online at Choczero.com priced at $7.99 for a 12-ounce bottle.
Ingredients:
- Soluble corn fiber
- Natural caramel flavor
- Natural caramel color
- Monk fruit extract
Nutrition Facts (Per 1-tablespoon):
- Calories 35
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 0mg
- Carbohydrates 16g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 15g
- Protein 0g
Pyure Organic Plant-based Caramel Flavored Syrup
Pyure Organic Plant-based Caramel Flavored Syrup is completely sugar-free with only 6 grams of net carbs per serving. Sweetened with Erythritol, a sugar alcohol that contains 70% the sweetness of cane sugar and almost no calories per gram. Be careful not to eat too much of this syrup at one time though or you might experience some digestive upset. You can find this product in-store or online at various retailers, including Iherb.com, priced at $8.32 for a 14-ounce bottle.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Organic soluble tapioca fiber
- Organic erythritol
- Organic natural flavor
- Xanthan gum
- Organic caramel color
- Sea salt
- Organic stevia leaf extract
- Organic acacia
- Tartaric acid
Nutrition Facts (Per 3-tablespoons):
- Calories 20
- Fat 0g
- Saturated fat 0g
- Sodium 45mg
- Carbohydrates 13g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Sugar alcohol 5g (erythritol)
- Fiber 7g
- Protein 0g
Related Questions
Is Caramel Gluten-Free?
Most caramels are typically gluten-free. Common caramel recipes include sugar, water, vanilla, milk, and salt, however, always be careful when buying foods that contain caramel. These could potentially include gluten-containing ingredients or be processed in a facility that also processes gluten.
Is Caramel Sauce at Starbucks Vegan?
Starbucks has beverages that use both caramel sauce and caramel syrup. Their caramel sauce is like traditional caramel sauces and contains milk, an animal byproduct. However, even though their caramel sauce is not vegan, their caramel syrup is.
Does Caramel Contain Caffeine?
No, caramel does not typically contain any caffeine unless combined with another product that does. Naturally occurring caffeine comes from coffee, cacao, and guarana plants. If you drink a coffee with caramel syrup or reach for a chocolate-covered sea salt caramel, those products will contain varying amounts of caffeine, but caramel alone will not.