Homemade Vegan Tootsie Rolls
These no-bake vegan Tootie Rolls are incredibly delicious, offering a rich, chewy texture and a sweet, chocolatey flavor that satisfies your candy cravings without any baking. They’re a quick and easy treat that’s perfect for a guilt-free indulgence or a fun, homemade gift.
Tootsie Rolls are a deliciously rich classic candy, and this yummy homemade dairy-free tootsie roll recipe is sure to please. It’s vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and dairy-free, and it doesn’t require any cooking!
While candy-making can seem like an intimidating task, making your own homemade healthier tootsie rolls is actually surprisingly easy. The fact that this is a no-bake dessert makes it even better! They have a flavor experience that is a mix between a tootsie roll and rich fudge.
We have several vegan easy desserts on this website including this no-bake tofu chocolate pie , our silken tofu chocolate mousse, and my edible vegan chocolate chip cookie dough.
Reasons you will love this recipe
- Rich and Chocolatey Flavor: These vegan Tootsie Rolls deliver an intense, chocolatey taste that satisfies your sweet tooth with every bite, making them a perfect indulgence for chocolate lovers.
- No-Bake and Easy to Make: With a simple, no-bake process, this recipe is quick and easy to prepare, allowing you to enjoy homemade candy without the hassle of baking.
- Healthy and Guilt-Free: Made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients, these vegan Tootsie Rolls are a healthier alternative to store-bought candies, free from artificial additives and preservatives.
- Perfect for Sharing: Whether as a homemade gift or a fun treat for family and friends, this vegan Tootsie Roll recipe is sure to impress, offering a delicious and nostalgic candy experience that everyone can enjoy.
Ingredients you will need
- Rolled oats– To make oat flour in a blender we use rolled oats, and it only takes 1 minute. We have a great article about how to make gluten-free oat flour and recipes to use it in.
- Cocoa powder- It provides a deep, rich chocolate flavor that is essential for replicating the classic taste of traditional Tootsie Rolls. Cocoa powder also contributes to the chewy texture while keeping the recipe dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
- Nut butter- Peanut butter or almond butter adds a creamy, smooth texture and a subtle nutty flavor that enhances the overall richness of the candy. These nut butters also help bind the ingredients together, giving the characteristic chewy consistency.
- Maple syrup- Acts as a natural sweetener that adds a rich, caramel-like flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the candy.
Tips & Suggestions
- Flour- To make oat flour, you can use old-fashioned oats or quick-cooking–either one will work just fine. However, if using the quick-cooking variety, reduce the amount used by about 2 tablespoons.
- Batter- If the batter still seems too dry after kneading for at least 20 minutes, add a little more maple syrup to the mix and continue kneading. Heating the mixture for 30 seconds in the microwave really helps to loosen it up a bit and makes it easier to form into rolls.
How to make this vegan chocolate recipe
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: This recipe is made with oat flour that is easily made by grinding whole oats in your blender. Making this flour is the first step.
Simply place whole oats in a blender.
STEP #2: Whirl dry oats in a blender until finely ground and powdery, approximately 1 minute or less. This is an excellent flour for Banana Oatmeal Pancakes and other baked goods as well.
Measurement: One cup of dry whole oats creates approximately 1/2 cup of oat flour. This can vary, depending on how long it is blended and how powdery it becomes.
STEP #3: In a large sturdy bowl, add the oat flour and all other ingredients–cocoa, peanut butter, maple syrup, agave, and vanilla.
At this point, it’s going to be about impossible to stir this thick chocolate candy recipe batter efficiently with any type of spoon, so you’re going to need to use your hands.
This part is a bit time-consuming and is going to take about 20-30 minutes of kneading with your hands to get the batter to a point where it can be formed into logs.
STEP #4: Wash your hands thoroughly, roll up your sleeves, and find a good show on television to watch while you knead. If you have family members that want to help, take shifts with the kneading process.
You’ll need to knead (did you catch that) the batter until the mixture becomes clumpy. Be patient and work those hand and arm muscles.
One thing that might help is to place the bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm it up a bit. This seems to help with getting a good texture faster. I suggest kneading for about 10 minutes before trying this, and it’s completely optional.
STEP #5: Roll a portion of the wax paper over the log and begin to lightly squeeze to form a thinner log.
Wrap the rest of the wax paper over the log and roll it on the counter or cutting board to firm up. Unwrap the log and place it on the cutting board.
STEP #6: Slice into chocolaty chunks. Place on a pan lined with wax paper and arrange in a single layer.
Eat immediately and store leftovers in the freezer or refrigerator.
*Originally published October 25, 2016.
Recipe from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The flavor experience is a mix between a tootsie roll and fudge, and oh so good!
They can be gluten-free if you use oat flour or cocoa powder that hasn’t been cross-contaminated. Always check labels to ensure all components are gluten-free.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen.
More Chocolate Vegan Desserts
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Vegan Chocolate Tootsie Rolls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oat flour this will be 1 cup whole oats before blending
- 1 cup cocoa or carob powder (3/4 cup for lighter chocolate)
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter or cashew, almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup or agave
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- This recipe is made with oat flour that is easily made by grinding whole oats in your blender. Making this flour is the first step.
- Whirl dry oats in a blender until finely ground and powdery. This is an excellent flour for pancakes and other baked goods as well.
- Pour oat flour into a large bowl and add all other ingredients. Use creamy or crunchy peanut butter, your preference. If using the full 1-cup of chocolate, these will have a dark chocolate taste, so use less for a lighter result.
- At this point, it’s going to be about impossible to stir this thick batter efficiently with any type of spoon, so you’re going to need to use your hands.
- This part is a bit time-consuming and is going to take about 20-30 minutes of kneading with your hands to get the batter to a point where it can be formed into logs. You’ll need to knead (did you catch that) the batter until the mixture becomes clumpy. Be patient and work those hand and arm muscles.
- One thing that might help is to place the bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm it up a bit. This seems to help with getting a good texture faster. I suggest kneading for about 10-minutes before trying this, and it’s completely optional.
- Once the mixture gets to the point where it can be formed, remove a good handful of the mixture and begin to form a log. Place on a sheet of wax paper. Yes, I know what this looks like but, believe me, it’s going to be delicious.
- Remove a good handful of the mixture and begin to form a log. Place on a sheet of wax paper. Yes, I know what this looks like but, believe me, it's going to be delicious.
- Roll a portion of the wax paper over the log and begin to lightly squeeze to form a thinner log.
- Wrap the rest of the wax paper over log and roll on the counter or cutting board to firm up. Unwrap the log and place it on the cutting board.
- Then, slice into chocolaty chunks. Place on a pan lined with wax paper and arrange in a single layer.
- Eat immediately and store leftovers in the freezer or refrigerator. These are terrific Halloween treats or a dessert for any time of the year.
Video
Notes
- Flour- To make oat flour, you can use old-fashion oats or quick-cooking–either one will work just fine. However, if using the quick-cooking variety, reduce the amount used by about 2 tablespoons.
- Batter- If the batter still seems too dry after kneading for at least 20 minutes, add a little more maple syrup to the mix and continue kneading. Heating the mixture for 30 seconds in the microwave really helps to loosen it up a bit and makes it easier to form into rolls.
- Storage- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Do you think reconstituted pb2 would work well to substitute the peanut butter?
Hi Amelia- I haven’t tried PB2 powder with this but think it should work just fine once it’s reconstituted.
Could date syrup or date paste be used in place of maple syrup and agave??
Hi LouAnn- Yes, I think date syrup would be a great substitution for maple syrup.
Could I use a stand mixer or perhaps a food processor to knead the dough? I have rheumatoid arthritis and I want to make these but not sure I can knead with my hands for 1/2 hour. Thank you
Hi KP, I think either one of those should work just fine for kneading. Enjoy!
I am on diabetes reversals program so can I use date paste instead of agave syrup ?
Hi Umesh- I think date paste would be a good option to try as a substitute.
I made these this afternoon. They don’t taste like tootsie rolls, but they do resemble them a bit. They tasted, to hubby and myself, exactly like a piece of 80% cacao chocolate. We buy the bars, to have a square as a rare treat, and these taste exactly the same. I made them with 2/3 cup of cocoa which was plenty dark for us.. next time I may use even less cocoa and maybe a bit more oat flour, and a bit more sweetner. As someone else said, they are very rich. I have a hearty appetite and can only eat 2 at a time. But definitely satisfies the chocolate craving. I rolled them up into balls and they look like chocolate bonbons. I am guessing they could be rolled in colored sugar or sprinkles for holidays. So so rich and amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
I am so glad you liked them! They are definitely rich, and I love the way they satisfy chocolate cravings. Thanks so much for the great feedback!
Thank you for great-looking recipe. Could you please tell me if the 1/2 cup of oat flour is made from 1/2 cup of whole oats – or is the flour measured after grinding? Also can you use pre-ground oat flour (I.e. from Bob’s Red Mull)? Thank you!
Great question! One cup of dry whole oats creates approximately 1/2 cup of oat flour. This can vary, depending on how long it is blended and how powdery it becomes.
Due to your question, I have edited the article to include this information and am even planning to create another article titled “How to Make Oat Flour & Recipes.” Thanks so much for the idea! Hope you enjoy the tootsie rolls!
they are very yummy terri , Kenny became a diabetic 1year 1/2 ago and I am so proud of him he tells everyone that I made him skinny because of the way I cook now he has lost 63lbs down 2 pants sizes and 2 shirt sizes. I am always looking for something different to make . thank you
Jenifer, it’s so great to hear from you! I had no idea that Kenny has been diagnosed with diabetes or that you two have been changing your diet and lifestyle. That’s wonderful news! Great job!
these are good….thanks for sharing……this is what i did: soften the almond butter in the micro first and it makes it way way easier to make….put everything in the food processor and it takes no time to make and is super fast and easy…no manual kneading needed 🙂
Sometimes you just crave chocolate, and yesterday I actually picked up a bag of Tootsie Rolls in a weak moment. After reading that they have oil in them I resisted. My reward was discovering this recipe just today. Made them right away and they hit the spot. So many recipes have promise but don’t deliver. This one more than satisfied. Thank you!
Mary, I LOVE reading comments like this! Thank you so much for sharing your excitement over this recipe. I hope you don’t mind that I added in the ‘Follower Comments’ section at the bottom of the recipe. Thanks again!
Do you need the rice syrup
You might try maple syrup or agave as a substitute.
@EatPlant-Based.com, can I try molasses for an agave substitute?
Hi Mary- I haven’t substituted molasses for this before but you could give it a try. I would love to hear how it works.
Cant wait to try this. Is there any thing i could swop the maple syrup for? 🙂
Agave would be a good substitution for maple syrup. Hope you enjoy!
So I tried these yesterday they were good but too rich.. how do I make them less rich?
Hi Charlene, try reducing the sweetener and cocoa to see if that better suits your taste buds. I think that could do the trick!
These are so easy and a really, really good treat! I made them, added chopped walnuts and rolled into balls. I wrapped them in candy foil for a Christmas treat for others.
Just like fudge… only no animal products.
Wow! That is creative and sounds like a terrific idea! Thanks so much for sharing it.