Given that 1 in 13 children have food allergies these days, Halloween treats can be really tricky. And not in that good Halloween way. Many families are participating in non-candy treat campaigns like the Teal Pumpkin Project to better include kids with food allergies. While that’s wonderful, the truth is that it can still be a bit of a bummer for allergy-free kids, especially older ones.
My 12-year-old daughter, who has peanut and tree nut allergies, wants the sugary stuff just like the rest of her friends and, understandably, non-edible treats don’t always do it for her.
Thankfully, there are some great allergy-friendly Halloween candy options so that all kids can binge until they’re as green as Frankenstein’s monster on Halloween night. Because, let’s be real, that’s part of the Halloween fun.
Also see our updated guide to even more safe Halloween candy for kids with allergies
Before we get to the candy: On occasion, the list of ingredients in a food product or the manufacturing facility can change, so please make sure to check the packaging carefully each time you make a purchase to be sure it’s safe for your kids.
YumEarth
I’ve been a fan of YumEarth organic lollipops (formerly YummyEarth) for a while now, mostly because they really do deserve their “yummy” moniker. They make plenty delicious treats that are not only allergy-friendly, but also vegan, kosher, and gluten-free and only colored with fruits, vegetables and roots, not artificial dyes. For a full run down of their allergy policies, including which candies are free of and/or processed on gluten-, wheat-, dairy-, soy-, sesame- , shellfish, and egg-free facilities, visit their allergy FAQ page.
Dum Dums
Dum Dums lollipops score big points for being free of the top common allergens, processed on dedicated lines, available in most Halloween candy aisles, and best of all, being inexpensive. Plus, I’ve never met a kid who didn’t love Dum Dums—especially that Mystery Flavor!
Surf Sweets
Gummies, jelly beans, and fruit rings, oh my! Surf Sweets candies are made and packaged in a facility free of the 10 most common food allergens, making them a great choice for all kids. The Spooky Spiders are perfect for Halloween. Find a store that carries them here or find them online at NaturalCandyStore.com, which is a favorite of parents searching for allergy-free candies.
Related: 5 gluten-free Halloween candies for kids with allergies
Divvies
Divvies makes gourmet nut-free and vegan treats, including seasonal Halloween chocolates like chocolate bats and chocolate ghosts, which are also gluten-free. They are pricey, though, so you may want to save these for a party instead of handing them out to trick-or-treaters.
Starburst
Starburst fruit chews, as well as their other candies, are peanut-free, tree nut-free, egg-free, and gluten-free, which is great given that they are a favorite with so many kids. It’s easy to find these candies in bulk in your local store’s Halloween aisle to save a few bucks, too.
Tootsie Roll Candies
All of the candy made by the Tootsie Roll Company is peanut-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. That means Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Roll Pops, Junior Mints, Charleston Chew, DOTS, Charms Pops, and many more candies are safe for many kids with the most common food allergies. Check the site for a full list. Yay!
YORK Peppermint Patties
Kids who have peanut and tree nut allergies can get the sensation and safely eat YORK Peppermint Patties. While they are one of the few chocolate bars that are safe for kids with nut allergies, know that they are not safe for kids with dairy, egg, soy, or gluten allergies. Halloween editions of mini-patties with pumpkin wrapping are easily found in your local store’s Halloween candy aisle.
That said, please be aware that minis tend to be made on different production lines than the regular-sized candies, so always double check that the specific pack you’re buying is A-OK.
Related: An easy guide to an allergy-free Halloween: Tips, treats, recipes, and more.
Vermont Nut Free
Vermont Nut Free makes excellent chocolates in a peanut- and tree nut-free facility. For Halloween, the company is selling a special Trick or Treat Skipper Pack with 15 individual packs of the company’s candy coated chocolate drops (which, by the way, I’m addicted to). While these do contain milk and soy, Vermont Nut Free does make other candies that are free of these allergens; the ingredients label on all of their candies indicates if the product is processed on shared equipment with a top eight allergen. Like Divvies, Vermont Nut Free candies are a pricey option for trick-or-treaters, but are perfect for a party.
