Most Haupt Lakrits Swedish black licorice is vegan. The licorice dough itself, made from licorice root extract, ammonium chloride (salmiak), sugar, glucose syrup, and natural flavors, contains no animal-derived ingredients. The chocolate-coated products use chocolate formulations that may vary; vegan buyers should check the specific product labeling for the chocolate-coated range. The plain licorice products in the Haupt Lakrits range are plant-based.
Is Licorice Vegan?
Licorice candy can be vegan or non-vegan depending on the ingredients used. The most common non-vegan ingredients in commercial licorice are:
- Gelatin (used as a stabilizer in some licorice formulations)
- Milk derivatives (in chocolate-coated varieties using milk chocolate)
- Shellac (a glazing agent derived from insects, used in some confectionery)
Traditional Swedish black licorice recipes do not require any of these ingredients. The licorice root dough is inherently plant-based: the licorice root is a plant extract, ammonium chloride (salmiak) is a mineral salt, and sugar and glucose syrup are plant-derived. The non-vegan risk in licorice comes from added coatings, glazes, and stabilizers rather than the core licorice dough.
Haupt Lakrits Vegan Products
The plain Swedish black licorice products in the Haupt Lakrits range are vegan. This includes:
- Sweet Swedish Bastards (mild sweet licorice)
- Smalanningar (medium salmiak licorice)
- Svenskjavlar (world's saltiest licorice)
Browse the Haupt Lakrits vegan licorice collection for the current confirmed vegan product list. Product formulations are reviewed periodically; the collection page reflects the current confirmed status.
Vegan Swedish Licorice: Flavor Guide
The vegan plain licorice range covers the full salmiak spectrum, from mild to extreme. For vegan buyers new to Swedish licorice, the tasting order below goes from most approachable to most intense.
Sweet Swedish Bastards is the starting point: real licorice root, mild salmiak, no mineral sharpness that would challenge a newcomer. It is the best demonstration of what real licorice root tastes like without the intensity of higher-salmiak products.
Smalanningar is the benchmark: medium salmiak, traditional flavor profile, the style that most Swedes would describe as normal licorice. This is the product that shows what Swedish salmiak licorice actually is as a flavor experience.
Svenskjavlar is the extreme end: the world's saltiest licorice, with the highest ammonium chloride concentration in the standard range. For vegan buyers who want to explore the furthest point of the salmiak tradition, this is it. For the full story, see Svenskjavlar: The Story Behind the World's Saltiest Licorice.
Hot Swedish Bastards adds Carolina Reaper chili to strong salmiak licorice. This is the most unusual product in the vegan range and the one with the highest heat level. For anyone from the plant-based food community who also follows the extreme heat world, it is a notable crossover product. Read more in Hot Swedish Bastards: Carolina Reaper Meets Licorice.
Vegan Swedish Licorice as a Gift
For vegan recipients, the plain licorice range covers enough variety for a strong gift selection. A combination of Sweet Swedish Bastards, Smalanningar, and Svenskjavlar gives a vegan recipient the full spectrum of the salmiak tradition in three products. For a single adventurous choice, Hot Swedish Bastards makes a memorable gift for plant-based buyers who also appreciate extreme heat.
For a broader gift guide across the full range (including non-vegan options for non-vegan recipients), see The Best Swedish Licorice Gifts in 2026.
Why Swedish Licorice Is Often Vegan
The ingredients in real Swedish black licorice, licorice root extract, ammonium chloride, sugar, glucose, and natural licorice flavor, are all plant or mineral in origin. The tradition of Swedish licorice-making did not historically require animal products in the core dough. The non-vegan risk has always come from glazes and coatings added after production, not from the licorice itself.
This is different from some other candy categories where gelatin is a structural ingredient. Gelatin-based candy, including many gummy bears and jelly sweets, requires an explicit vegan reformulation to be plant-based. Swedish licorice typically does not, which means vegan buyers have a wider selection available than they might expect.
Where to Buy Vegan Swedish Licorice in the USA
Browse the Haupt Lakrits vegan licorice collection for the full current range of confirmed vegan products. All products ship across the USA. For a guide to the full range and how to navigate it, see Swedish Candy Online USA: The Complete Buyer's Guide.
For information on gluten-free options (many products are both vegan and gluten-free), see Gluten-Free Licorice: What to Know and What to Buy.