I can’t believe that we’re already arriving into Easter 2021, and although we’re still in LockDown in the UK (and much of the World), there’s nothing stopping you indulging in EGG-sellent Mini and Treat-sized Easter Eggs as we’ve seen a huge EGG-spoltion of choice for Coeliacs and those avoiding GLUTEN.
The UK chocolate Easter Egg market is worth in excess of £220 million with sales growing every year as the choice of
chocolate eggs in the shops expands! (And a few surprising developments!) so check out the guide for 2021:
CADBURY: Since 1824, Cadbury’s have made Chocolate and still dominate the UK market despite a new international owner. They have several key branded Chocolate Easter Eggs which are GLUTEN FREE or in the language of Cadbury’s “Do not deliberately contain GLUTEN” which is a step forward for the Company who used to talk about “GLUTEN ABSENT” products! As a kid, I always remember Creme Eggs and Mini Eggs as the primary go-to chocolate treat for Easter, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg as many mainstream chocolate brands have opened up into mini chocolate eggs for the season!
CREME EGG: Originally launched as a filled chocolate egg in 1923 and evolving into what we now know as a Creme Egg (in 1963) this an enzymatically-derived sweet white and yellow filling that resembles fondant. This filling mimics the albumen and yolk of a soft boiled egg although controversially, the previously Dairy Milk Chocolate was replaced in 2016 which reportedly cost Cadburys £6m in lost sales.
Contains MILK and states “May contain NUTS”
MINI EGGS: Made by Cadbury’s UK as well as Cadbury Adams (in Canada) these have been staple for Easter celebrations since 1967. Actually, they’re now made for Cadbury’s UK in Poland when production was moved from Somerset in 2010.
Contains MILK and states “May contain NUTS”
And within the Mondelez International Group, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs were launched last year (in 2020) and with regular Chocolate Oranges containing the dreaded “may contain warning” it was a certainly welcomed addition to the range.
Contains MILK & SOYA and states “May contain NUTS & PEANUTS”
These are probably my favourite mini egg this year!
MARS: Another important and EGG-Splosive Chocolate Manufacturer in the UK who produce several GLUTEN FREE Chocolate Bars including Galaxy (almost all of the range is GF), GLUTEN FREE Bounty, GLUTEN FREE Snickers, GLUTEN FREE Milky Ways (Selective ones only are GF!) and “m&m’s” (PEANUT & MILK CHOCOLATE):
GALAXY ENCHANTED EGGS: Using Galaxy Chocolate, Mars introduced Enchanted Eggs in 2019 (just before Christmas!) with a crunchy caramel rolled in rose gold.
Contains MILK and SOYA and states “May contain HAZELNUT, ALMOND”
GALAXY CARAMEL MINI EGGS: And in addition to the Enchanted Eggs, they make Caramel Mini Eggs with Galaxy chocolate. And they have a boxed 3 pack selection which is a direct competitor to the Creme Egg (made by Cadburys).
Contains MILK and SOYA and states “May contain HAZELNUT, ALMOND”
NESTLE: It’s EGG-ceptional that selective products from Nestle are GLUTEN FREE and EGG-Sellent that they issue a monthly update on their product range as the other large Chocolate producer in the UK. Made in Nestlé’s factories in Halifax and Fawdon, last year they made over 14.7 million Easter eggs!
KITKAT MINI EGGS: Launched in 2020, this does taste like a KitKat Bar without the wheaty wafer so they’re GLUTEN FREE and they do taste like what-I-remember-a-KitKat-tastes-like!
Contains MILK and SOYA and states “May contain TREE NUTS”
KITKAT MINI BUNNIES: These are also sold individually as well as pre-packed treat-sized bags. And again, without a wafer, these are GLUTEN FREE!
Contains MILK and SOYA and states “May contain TREE NUTS”
AERO: Now I’ve loved Aero chocolate bars for years and years so I love their mini Aero Eggs available in plain Milk Chocolate as well as with a Peppermint flavour:
Contains MILK and states “May contain NUTS and SOYA”
And finally, from Nestle: SMARTIES MINI EGGS: Which are GLUTEN FREE despite regular SMARTIES are NOT! (The ones made in the UK contain WHEAT which is unfortunate for us Coeliacs) but strangely, their MINI EGGS and ORANGE MINI EGGS do not contain this warning!
Contains MILK and states “May contain PEANUTS, TREE NUTS and SOYA”
KINDER: And finally, for this selection of Mini Eggs and Treat-sized confectionery: some the EGG-tended Kinder Range is GLUTEN FREE including Kinder Eggs but not all of them so check the labels!! For Easter 2021, they have several GLUTEN FREE options:
Regular KINDER “Surprise” Chocolate Eggs (in multi-packs and individually).
Contains MILK & SOYA.
Mini KINDER Chocolate Eggs
Available in Small, Medium Large and Very Large Bags!
Contains HAZELNUTS, MILK & SOYA.
Kinder Eggs for Boys
Contains MILK & SOYA.
Kinder Eggs for Girls
Contains MILK & SOYA.
Kinder Chocolates
Contains MILK & SOYA.
.
One of the hard-hitting posters (featuring Yours Truly) from Coeliac UK launched for Awareness Week in 2015, featured in the Netherlands in 2016 and returned for Awareness Week 2019 & 2020.
And remember I love my revised Chocolate Box guide (based upon Chocolatier Producers, Chocolate Boxes on the High Street and Luxurious Chocolate Boxes, Chocolate Bars, Chocolate Bags, my Chocolate Easter Eggs from Chocolatiers and Chocolate manufacturers, High Street Stores and London Department Stores and more recently, my Valentine Chocolates.
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This information was correct as of March 2021.
But as I am learning, ingredients do change and therefore you should always read the label and check for yourself whether it is GLUTEN FREE or not!