Nestlé’s first vegan KitKat coming soon

One of the world’s most popular confectionery bars will soon have a delicious plant-based option that delivers the perfect balance between crispy wafer and smooth chocolate. Alexander von Maillot, head of confectionery at Nestlé, says: “One of the most common requests we see on social media is for a vegan KitKat, so we’re delighted to be able to make that wish come true. This is a product for everyone who wants a little more plant-based in their life.”

The new product, KitKat V, will be launched later in the year in several countries across the globe. It will only be available through the KitKat Chocolatory and selected retailers to test the opportunity for a wider roll-out.

KitKat V was developed by chocolate experts in Nestlé’s confectionery research and development centre in York, UK. Louise Barrett, head of the Nestlé confectionery product technology, explains, “Taste was a key factor when developing the plant-based chocolate. We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test-and-learn approach, to create a delicious vegan alternative to our original chocolate product.”

The company has already launched plant-based alternatives to dairy made from rice, oat, soy, coconut, pea and almonds across categories. Examples include non-dairy ice cream, coffee creamers, rice- and oat-based drinks, pea-based beverages, plant-based cappuccinos and lattes, a vegan condensed milk alternative, as well as a range of non-dairy cheese to complement existing plant-based burgers. KitKat V is certified vegan and made from 100% sustainable cocoa sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance.